Prep Hoops Spring Kickoff: 16U & 17U Friday Night Standouts
What an opening night it was at the Prep Hoops Spring Kickoff at Thornton High School. There were no shortage of standout performances, big-time dunks (here’s looking at you, Padiet Wang!) and stocks on the rise.
So let’s get right to some of the biggest standouts during the first night of action.
Tyson Gilbert, 6-0 guard, Colorado Chaos 16 Elite
Gilbert was masterful at the point guard position Friday in Chaos’ victory over The Force, playing with confidence attacking angles and really stroking his outside jump shot. Gilbert couldn’t miss from long range, but he did pretty much everything else, too, on the way to 16 points. He’s 6-0 but is long defensively for his size and rebounded with aggressiveness. A great kickoff to the spring for a player who’s stock will certainly be on the rise this spring.
Goy Wang, 6-5 small forward, Chaos 16 Elite
The younger brother of emerging 2016 player Padiet Wang, Goy has much of the same high-flying athleticism of his older brother. His game is not yet as refined, but he has loads of potential and plays with an outstanding motor. He finished with 13 points.
Luke Martin, 6-7, The Force
Martin could be a true stretch four with his ability to knock down shots from the outside. He really has consistent touch and is quick with his release. At the same time, he’s not afraid to get inside and bang. He finished with 21 points in a highly competitive game. The Force also got a nice game from Cory McLellan of Palmer Ridge.
John Harge, 6-7, Billups 16 Elite
It was a difficult high school season for Harge as he dealt with knee injuries, but he appears to be returning to form. Harge is a solid-bodied 6-7 and still moves well with the frame. He’s versatile enough to do damage from multiple spots on the floor because he can drive past bigger defenders and has a solid post game that neutralizes smaller ones. His stock is set to rise in a big way.
Oscar Maldonado, 6-3 guard, Colorado Titans 17U Gold
Maldonado led the Titans with 17 points in their hard-fought loss to Billups 17U Elite, scoring in a variety of ways. He knocked down three 3s and was also finding success in attacking the rim.
Luke Wilson, 6-1 guard, Colorado Titans 17U Gold
Wilson is a strong shooter who has a very quick release, which helped him tally 15 points Friday. But most impressive is how bought in he seems to be on the defensive end. Billups’ players are more athletic, but Wilson made its perimeter players work for everything they got Friday.
Kyle Lukasiewicz, 6-3 guard, Billups 17 Elite
Lukasiewicz uses his pump fake extremely well from the outside and is then seemingly at the basket in one long stride. He’s a major X-factor for a Billups team that should do big things this grassroots season.
Elijah Blake, 6-3, Billups 17 Elite
Blake probably plays with as much toughness as any guard in Colorado. He is strong and compact with good burst, and when he gets to the rim and initiates contact he knows how to finish with force and get to the line. He gives the backcourt great balance with 2017 standout Jaizec Lottie being such a great distributor
Sam Bannec, 6-2 guard, Billups 16 Elite
There has been considerable buzz surrounding Bannec’s progression as a player, and it was easy to see why on Friday. Bannec displayed a great rhythm with the ball in his hand, seeing the floor well while keeping defenders at bay with his dribble. He has been hard at work with trainers Nick Graham and Eric Valerio, he said, to improve that handle. Of course, spending his sophomore season on the Regis Jesuit varsity team under Ken Shaw doesn’t hurt your fundamentals either. Bannec is an extremely humble and under-the-radar player for now, but he will be set to blow up once he hits the Adidas Gauntlet circuit later this month.
Kayden Sund, 6-6 small forward, Colorado Chaos 17s Elite
The entire Chaos team could reasonably make this list. Corey Seng knocked down four first-half 3-pointers. Padiet Wang had a dunk that nearly brought the roof down. But Sund is a new addition to the roster and it’s easy to see why the staff is glad to have him. “He’s really well-rounded, surprisingly athletic and has a nice frame,” 17s coach Brett Cloepfil said. “If he can continue to hit jump shots like that consistently, I think he has a ton of upside.” Sund is another under-the-radar player from Golden bound to draw some attention when Chaos hits the Adidas Gauntlet next week.
Dezhant Watson, 6-2 guard, 303 Elite 17U
Watson possesses strong finish on the attack. He has a polished Eurostep he used beautifully on multiple occasions Friday on his way to 15 points.
Aaron Ahadi, 6-3 forward, North Metro Ballers
The Ballers put together an impressive opening performance Friday in their victory over 303 Elite, and Ahadi was a big reason why. He scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half, attacking the glass and making life difficult with great defense.
Sam Masten, 6-2 guard, Colorado Hawks 16U Red
Playing up a division the Hawks had no trouble with Colorado Chaos 2017, sharing the ball beautifully and flying to the ball on defense. Masten does what he does best, attacking with great knowledge of angles and how to get his shot. Tre Pierre, fresh off a big season with Widefield was also very strong and active for the Hawks in their victory.
Brevin Brimble, 6-0, Colorado Miners 17U Elite
It’s no secret that Brimble is one of the state’s best outside shooters. He merely reinforced the notion Friday with seven 3-pointers.
Laolu Oke, 6-5 forward, Colorado Hawks 16U White
Anyone who thinks Overland will fall off now that De’Ron Davis is gone hasn’t checked the pipeline. Oke was a junior varsity player at loaded Overland this season, but his game oozes potential. He’s got great leaping ability and a strong frame. He led the way for the Hawks’ second 16U unit in an impressive opening victory. Another guard in the Overland pipeline, Tuscon Redding, was also impressive, as was 6-5 Mohamed Diallo, the younger brother of top-100 national 2016 player and Hawk alum Alpha Diallo.
Jack Studer, 6-3 guard, Colorado Shining Stars 2016
Studer showed that he could be a great steal for small-college programs still looking to add a guard in the 2016 class. He has a great effortless stroke from long range, and he attacks with aggression while making great decisions with the basketball. The size is there to be a D-II level guard, and the smarts certainly are too.
Joseph Kleeman, 6-0 guard, Colorado Gold
The Gold’s 69-67 victory over Shining Stars White was one of the better games of the night, and Gleeman was fantastic. He led all scorers with 21 points, displaying an impressive mid-range game and an ability to knife his way through traffic. The unsigned senior from Arapahoe flat out knows how to play the game.