Class of 2018 Rankings: Biggest Climbers (Part I)
Having launched a new edition of the class of 2018 rankings last week, today we are taking a look at the biggest climbers.
These are players, through improvements in their games — sometimes physical growth doesn’t hurt either — who have raised their stock over the past several months, earning a climb in the rankings.
Let’s take a look at who was on the way up during their junior seasons:
Adam Thistlewood, 6-5 guard, Golden. Previous: No. 22. Current: No. 6.
Thistlewood’s combination of length, lift and form is such that he can create a jump shot at nearly any point he wants. While he hit that with good efficiency this season, it was his noted uptick in aggressiveness that allowed him to become a more accomplished scorer while leading Golden to the 4A Final Four.
Trent Dykema, 6-4 guard, Silver Creek. Previous: No. 48. Current: No. 11.
Dykema has proven himself to be one of the top guards in the state. The 4A Northern League Player of the Year was a Prep Hoops Colorado all-classifications honorable mention after a season in which he averaged 20.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and three steals per game. Dykema figures to garner a good deal of college attention this spring and summer while leading the Colorado Titans.
Bodie Hume, 6-6 forward, Sterling. Previous: NR. Current: No. 12.
As we’ve written before, Hume was flying under the radar while playing out in Sterling, but after winning a state title and showing his game on a big stage, this versatile small forward is a secret no more.
Mozamil Doria, 6-3 guard, Liberty. Previous: NR. Current: No. 17.
Doria simply blew up during his junior season at Liberty, taking over a leadership role after the graduation of talented lead guard T.J. Clark. Doria led the Lancers in scoring (15.2 points per game), rebounds (5.5), steals (1.6) and blocks (1.4). Doria is an athletic player who is a strong finisher at the rim, but his reel strength is his natural feel for the game and ability to see the floor and get teammates involved.
Luke Martin, 6-7 forward, Cheyenne Mountain. Previous: No. 30. Current: No. 22.
Martin can hurt you inside and out, growing into a stretch four type player who could create mismatch problems at the Division II level. Look for a big summer from Martin as he leads The Force.
Luke Johnson, 5-11 guard, Longmont. Previous: No. 74. Current: No. 24.
As a role player on a senior-laden team in 2016, Johnson averaged about three points per game as a sophomore. This year, Johnson was handed a bigger role and certainly made the most of it. Johnson averaged 17.5 points per game, proving himself as a talented lead guard who can score in a variety of ways. He’s also a scrappy on-ball defender who averaged 2.4 steals per game.