First Evaluation Period Rewind: Big Men
The first live evaluation period of July is in the books, and it was a successful one for a number of Colorado teams and players — particularly for the big men. Let’s take a look back at a few highlights…
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Continue ReadingThe first live evaluation period of July is in the books, and it was a successful one for a number of Colorado teams and players — particularly for the big men.
Let’s take a look back at a few highlights from last week:
The Colorado Hawks 16U Red squad had an impressive showing at the adidas Gauntlet Finale in Spartanburg, S.C., going 2-2 with each of their defeats coming by a heartbreaking one point.
The Hawks received balanced scoring from the likes of Daylen Kountz, Sam Masten, Kenny Foster and Jon’il Fugett, and it was their bigs that really turned some heads.
Will Becker had an eye-popping 13 blocks in the Hawks’ 62-61 opening victory over the Louisville Magic. And in a stream we caught of the Hawks’ 66-56 over Team Loaded from North Carolina, the 6-8 Becker (pictured above) rebounded with ferocity, knocked down baseline jumpers and protected the rim.
Becker’s Division I interest is picking up, including overtures from Stetson University, among others. Also collecting interest from the 16U squad is 6-8 forward Brendan La Rose, who had a big week on the defensive end.
Elsewhere at the Finale, Billups Elite was paced by the play of 6-7 forward John Harge, who opened with 27 points and 11 rebounds in a loss to Yes II Success (Dallas). The Smoky Hill product has really come on this spring and summer, and he’s beginning to receive a bevy of Division I interest as a result.
Another Colorado big man continued to turn heads in the Windy City. Playing with Colorado Connect 17U, 6-8 2018 forward Tray Pierce gained attention as he continues to expand his offensive game. The big-time shot blocker is really honing his mid-range touch, and he’s producing consistent offense inside.
Matt Langley, our friend at Basketball Colorado, also reported that Jake Belknapp, the 2017 Colorado Chaos big with an offer in hand from Northern Colorado, also performed well while leading Chaos to he semifinals of the Mullen Classic in Kansas City.
Locally, at Power 2 Play’s 5280 Championships held in Golden, Colorado Premier continued to see progress from 2019 bigs Kevin Sax (6-6, ThunderRidge) and Seth Dry (6-7, Highlands Ranch). Premier boys director and 15U coach Mychal Martinez has worked hard with both big men on their footwork since the start of grassroots season and has been pleased with their development in that area.
Premier has also seen nice development from 6-9 2018 big RJ Wohlleber, a Mountain Vista product who was called by Portland University at the end of his sophomore season and also has Denver keeping tabs.