Top 2021 Freshmen on Varsity this Season
We’ve all been waiting, and, it’s finally here. .the 2017-18 season is finally underway as all teams have at least a game under their belt, rather it be in-state or out—it’s basketball season!
Last season, we were lucky to enough to see some fine play from then seniors before they went off to college so we were left to prepare for the upcoming season with the underclassmen. We then followed some of our favorite players from the class ‘18,’19 and ‘20 throughout the summer circuits, so it’s only right we show the class of ’21 some love with our top five freshman who’ll contribute on varsity this year.
Kendale Johnson Jr.(George Washington)
Kendale is a 6’2 SF/PF that’s now at GW. Last summer, he played his grassroots season with Billups Elite. Kendale’s biggest strength is his size. His body is already more mature than some seniors in the state. That size, mixed with his high IQ, motor and ability to get to the rim and finish has him as one of the toughest players to guard in the state. If he establishes a consistent jumper to his game he’ll easily be one of the best players in the state come Senior year. He’ s on his way and will be contributing to a pretty deep GW team.
Jordan Whitaker (Smoky Hill)
Jordan is a 6’0 SG that’s now at Smoky. He played his grassroots season with the Colorado Hawks. Defensively, he could be one of the most athletic guys on the court at any time and has been a Swiss Army Knife for Head Coach Anthony Hardin. He’s been used as the 6th man off the bench and by the time that he becomes a Senior, will be one of the best two-way players in the state. His use as a slasher in Smoky’s high octane offense with his ability to get to the basket and finish tough plays will make Smoky all that more dangerous this season. They have them a solid player for years to come.
Cade Palmer (Rangeview)
Cade is a 5’8 PG/SG that played for the Colorado Miners during grassroots season. He’s a pure shooter with a smooth stroke that’s surrounded by solid guard play which allows him to get clean looks off easy drive and kick plays. He’s a smaller guard, which’ll be interesting to see how his size will affect him on the defensive end while playing varsity as he was able to hold his own for all of AAU season. Cade’s a high energy player that gets after it from whistle to whistle and will be asked to do many things throughout the year on a balanced squad.
Amondo Miller (Valor Christian)
Amondo is a 6’1 SG, that played for Colorado Miners during the grassroots season. He has a very balanced game and shows maturity beyond his age on the court as the game comes to him easy. Not many players in the state have a one dribble pull-up as their go to move, let alone as a freshman, yet, here we are. He’s as tough of a guard as they come and has a no buckets on me attitude which isn’t seen throughout the state. Valor sure has a solid four years to look forward to with this kid.
Nolan Marold (Thunderridge)
Nolan’s a 6’6 SF that played for Colorado Hawks during grassroots season and what a AAU off-season it was for him. Standing at 6-foot-6 as a Freshman, he’s already won half the battle but what seperates him from others that big is; he’s skilled. His hustle and motor are truly what sets him apart from other freshmen, having the ability to outwork his opponents mixed with mobility allows him to bang inside with the older guys. Shocking huh!? Thunderridge has another big wing that can really play.