Where Are They Now: Class of 2015 (Part I)
Beginning this week, we are flashing back into the recent past of Colorado prep basketball. We are putting a spotlight on some former standouts from our state who have gone on to the college ranks and are checking in on their progress.
We start today with a look at players from the 2015 class:
Brian Carey. Then: Denver East. Now: Sophomore at Texas Southern.
The 2014-15 Gatorade Player of the Year, who won the award despite missing a stretch of time early in his senior season due to injury, averaged 14.4 minutes and 2.7 points per game as a freshman at Texas Southern last season. He also dished out 1.7 assists per game. After working through some first-year growing pains, expect Carey to play a big part for the Tigers this season.
Thomas Neff. Then: Arvada West. Now: Sophomore at University of Denver.
A four-year varsity starter at A-West who averaged 17.7 points over his prep career, Neff jumped right in and started all 31 games for the Pioneers last season. His 28.2 minutes per game were second-most on the team, and his six points per game were fifth-most. He also pulled down 2.7 rebounds per game (third) and has a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. That first-year experience should give Neff, who shot 42 percent from 3-point range last year, a good chance to be a big contributor under first-year coach Rodney Billups.
Brady Subart. Then: Mountain Vista. Now: Sophomore at Western State.
The dual-sport prep star, who also played baseball at Mountain Vista, helped lead the Golden Eagles to the Class 5A state quarterfinals in 2015. He showed good promise during his freshman season at D-II Western State, averaging 13.4 minutes and 4.1 points per game. He really began to turn it on at the end of the year, scoring a season-high 18 points in the Mountaineers’ second-to-last game of the season.
Blend Avdili & Elijah Ross. Then: Eaglecrest. Now: Sophomore at UC-Colorado Springs.
The pair helped lead Eaglecrest to the 5A Final Four in 2015, then joined forces with the Mountain Lions and produced solid freshman seasons. Avidili, who averaged 16.4 points per game as a senior in high school, was the top-scoring reserve for UCCS last season, averaging 6.4 points per game. Ross started 16 games and averaged 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Both players should be key weapons for the Mountain Lions this season as they eye an RMAC crown.
Zach Pirog. Then: ThunderRidge. Now: Sophomore at Nebraska-Omaha.
The 6-foot-10 big man was a force to be reckoned with during his senior season at ThunderRidge, guiding the Grizzlies to a berth in the 5A title game. As is the case for many big men making the transition to college, Pirog used his freshman season as mostly a learning experience. He played sparingly for the Mavericks, seeing action in 15 games. It will be interesting to gauge his progress going into his sophomore season now that he has been in a college weight room for more than a full year.