Denver Team Camp: Friday Afternoon Standouts
It was a beautiful day for basketball inside glistening Magness Arena on Friday, when the first day of the University of Denver Team Camp tipped off. With new Pioneers coach Rodney Billups looking in on the action, 58 teams were…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt was a beautiful day for basketball inside glistening Magness Arena on Friday, when the first day of the University of Denver Team Camp tipped off.
With new Pioneers coach Rodney Billups looking in on the action, 58 teams were set to take the floor during the three-day camp, including a couple from Nebraska.
We were able to see the first three hours of action at the camp on Friday and will be back over the weekend. Below are some players who caught our attention early.
Titus Reed, 6-6 2017 small forward, Chatfield
Chatfield was one of the great stories of the 2015-16 high school season, making a memorable run to the 5A Final Four. But while they lost a few key seniors, don’t expect the Chargers to fall off. Reed is a big reason why. He’s smooth, long and athletic and demonstrated an ability to hit consistently from the outside. He looks like a solid small-college prospect with the versatility to play a couple different positions, one who admittedly should have been in our 2017 rankings already and will certainly find his way there when we update next. He’s definitely an under-the-radar player to keep an eye on. We’ll also have more on another promising Chatfield player, 6-2 2017 guard Mike Vrabel, in the next day or two.
Roy Grigsby, 6-7 2017 forward, Monarch
Grigsby was a little bit of everywhere on the court for the Coyotes, and he hit three 3-pointers in a victory over Northridge early in the afternoon. He runs the floor very well for his size, plays with good energy on the defensive end and can be a good rim protector. His ability to stretch the floor gives Monarch’s talented crop of guards room to work. This will be a team to watch.
Keegan Johnson, 5-11 2018 guard, Monarch
We’ve written pretty extensively lately about Tylor Trinh, Monarch’s 2018 sharpshooter whose stock rose as quickly as any player’s in the state this spring. And he’s also joined in the Monarch backcourt by 6-2 2018 point guard Taye Jones, who has the size and tools to be an impact floor general. An X-factor in that group is Johnson, who does a lot well. He can hit from the outside and is also aggressive attacking the basket. He can handle it well and defends at a solid level when engaged. That trio of 2018 guards will be fun to watch the next two seasons.
Iseri Palacio, 5-10 2017 point guard, Fort Collins
In speaking with Fort Collins coach Monty Alcaraz on Friday, he is optimistic about his team’s chances this year because of how much his experienced group is willing to share the basketball. It helps when it all starts at the top with a pass-first point guard as willing to distribute the ball as Palacio. He remains under control and poised in transition, and he can get to the basket when plays break down. A little undersized but plays bigger because of his smarts. He’s a guy Division II schools should be keeping a real close eye on come July.
Joe Rodriguez, 5-11 2017 guard, Jefferson Academy
The smooth-handling guard averaged nearly 12 points per game as a sophomore. He’s a deft ball-handler who can move the ball quickly and sets teammates up well, particularly in transition, where he always has a feel for where guys are. Good shooter and determined on the defensive end.
Lukas Maly, 5-11 2017 guard, Arvada West
The Wildcats have a lot of rebuilding to do after losing two Division I players (Dallas Walton and Luke Neff) and another who could a big-time D-II player after starting his career at junior college (Will Wittman). Maly should play a key role this season. He has good toughness and is sound with the basketball. Has the strength to get inside and finish against bigger defenders.
Oscar Maldonado, 6-3 2017 guard, Northridge
We saw Maldonado a good deal during the spring with the Colorado Titans, and he continued to impress in his role with Northridge. Maldonado’s length and skill set allow him to play on the perimeter but also do work inside when needed. He’s a heady player who likes to share the basketball. He had an impressive play Friday when he picked up a steal, then had his pass to a teammate stuffed back at him, only to stay with the play and finish off the assist (watch below). Could be a talented RMAC player.
.@oscarmald247 stays with the play, picks up transition assist for @GrizzBoysHoops pic.twitter.com/EQ5BB4X5ZB
— Prep Hoops Colorado (@PrepHoopsCO) June 24, 2016