Season Preview: Class of 2017 Breakout Candidates (Part II)
We have previewed the bulk of the major divisions in Colorado (still a few coming) and written profiles of a handful of player of the year candidates (more of those, too) as we get you ready for a 2016-17 high…
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Continue ReadingWe have previewed the bulk of the major divisions in Colorado (still a few coming) and written profiles of a handful of player of the year candidates (more of those, too) as we get you ready for a 2016-17 high school basketball season that is now just nine days away.
We’ve got plenty more to come over the final week. And we continue today with five more breakout candidates for the 2017 class. These are players who, after watching a lot of basketball the past spring, summer and fall, we believe are poised to take big jumps.
Maybe these are players who weren’t on the radar at all and are now going to make a little noise. Maybe they were players who we knew about but are now going to take major leaps forward. There are plenty of good candidates for this list.
Here are the next five:
Umar Jalloh, 6-7 forward, Lincoln
Jalloh has a burst of athleticism when he gets to the rim that is unique in the state. He can explode when he gets to the lane, and he’s becoming better at finishing once he gets there. He’s also become more and more comfortable at Lincoln under second-year coach Dre Calloway, and he should be ready to carry the torch as the team’s go-to player after the departure of numerous seniors and point guard Jamison Washington. Has a chance to be a Division I player with continued commitment.
Sam Foster, 6-1 guard, Broomfield
Foster is a guy who you couldn’t help but notice during the grassroots season because he kept knocking down shots. Foster has a good feel for how to move around the floor and drift to the perimeter. He can consistently hit from 3-point range off the catch, and he’s got some good skill with the ball in his hands as well. Could be a solid small-college prospect.
Cameron McCurry, 6-8 forward, Erie
The big man has made big strides after overcoming a major knee injury during his junior season. He’s continued to improve his footwork and is becoming more aggressive on the glass. He’s got nice natural feel for the game and could be a nice player at the next level with continued growth.
Larry Thomas, 5-11 guard, Aurora Central
With the electric backcourt of LaDarius Thomas and Elijah Coleman having moved on to the Division II ranks, Thomas should assume a much larger role in his senior season. It will be intriguing to see what the athletic and quick guard can do with the ball in his hands more often. He’s got nice natural talent.
Alex Sandstrom, 6-6 forward, Mead
We really like Sandstrom as a stretch-four player at the small-college level. He runs the floor pretty well for his size and can catch-and-shoot it pretty well in transition. He showed a nice commitment to the defensive end during the grassroots season, and further improvement on that end should give him a chance to make an impact for the Mavericks in the competitive Tri-Valley League this season.