2020 Rankings Update: Top 5, Top 5, Top 5
My friends and I argue often about our personal favorites. Rather it is movies, music artist or favorite athletes it always comes back to who is on our Mount Rushmore.
Somehow, whenever my friends and I are discussing our Mount Rushmore it comes to every one of us giving our Top-5. There is only one thing – Mount Rushmore only has four presidents up there – doh!!
Our rankings have finally been updated with multiple voices both in and out of our growing Prep Hoops Colorado team and there were plenty of arguments here as well but we have come out with our top-5 players and there is a new sheriff in town. Check out who rounds out our top players here.
Dominique Clifford – Vanguard
Clifford had one of the most interesting trajectories that I have seen while covering hoops. He went from an unknown and quiet player at a school that not anybody has heard of to now making everyone across the state not only know his team but has put 3A and also Colorado Springs on the map as well. People show up when he is in town because he is that rare of a player and now with him continuing his playing career down the road in Boulder at the University of Colorado he can add to his home-state legend name that has grown. There is nothing that the 6’5 guard cannot do. He is the point guard that brings the ball up the court and gets others involved, he can play off-ball and knockdown countless 3-pointers and also play on the wing and block where is putting up impressive dunks with ease. He is leading 3A in scoring and is 4thin the entire state at 26.6 points a game but it does not stop there. He has a mouth-dropping stat line of 26.6 points, 13.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists a game while shooting 64% from the field. He is a two-way defender that refuses to be scored on and what separates him is how easy it comes for him. He is not forcing up shots, he is playing within the flow of the offense while being the offense. He passes out of double teams but also knows when to take over and he is the new No.1 in the class while also just landing in Prephoops top-100 players list at No.81. This has been Clifford’s breakout year and everyone that has been in the way has unfortunately just become victims as he chases a state championship.
https://twitter.com/PrepHoopsCO/status/1215104007779291136?s=20
Javonte Johnson – Cheyenne Mountain
Colorado Springs has seemed to have taken over in the 2020 class as Javonte Johnson moves to No.2 on our state’s top players and it is due to coming out and dominating every single night. To be the focal point of a whole team’s game plan each and every single night with seeing different double-teams and looks and still being able to lead the entire state in scoring at 28.7 points a game is an impressive feat. His team is the No.1 team in 4A at a perfect 11-0 on the season and it has been behind their 6-6 wing that scores in every single way. He shoots the ball, gets in the lane and finishes with either hand, can create for himself off of the dribble and has also showcased his athleticism as he is now pulling off windmill dunks mid-game. He is putting up 28.7 points and 10.6 rebounds a game on 64% shooting from the field and teams are having issues slowing him down scoring the basketball. Just ask Discovery Canyon who did everything in their power to get the ball out of his hands and he dropped a career-high 50 points. But do not be too shocked, it is bound to happen again before the season ends for the future New Mexico Lobo and No.147 player in the country.
https://twitter.com/DylanScottTV/status/1216958795026325505?s=20
Luke O’Brien – Columbine
Luke O’Brien has been the No. 1 player in the class for multiple years as he helped start the trend for 2020 Division I players in the class. He gave a verbal to the University of Colorado first as this four-year starter put up big season after big season. The worst part about him dropping to No. 3 is it has NOTHING to do with his own production as he has not only been his typical self but has improved on his already spectacular junior campaign where he averaged 21.6 points and 8.4 rebounds. To begin O’Brien’s season the 6’8 forward has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Rebels. He is averaging 26.6 points a game good for 1stin all of 5A and he also is across the leaderboards in rebounds as well with 11.7 boards a game. He is a wing that has an already college-ready frame that has the ability to space the floor with his shooting as well as get inside and dominate teams inside as well. He gets to the free-throw line as well as any other player in the state and finishes well above and around the rim. O’Brien also is a Top-200 ranked player in the country coming in at No. 170. He has Columbine off to one of their better starts in recent memory at 9-2 on the season and if he can continue to win games will be a favorite at the Gatorade Player of the Year with his numbers backing him up. Incredible career for him at Columbine.
https://twitter.com/COHoops5280/status/1082856867800469505?s=20
Graham Ike – Overland
It is unfortunate that Ike Graham suffered an injury as Overland headed into the season looking like they just might be the favorites to win the state championship as they had the top traditional big man in the entire state leading the way. Graham is an absolute stud on the block that refuses to be contained by one man and he lets his game do the talking. He is a gifted athlete that is a strong finisher around the basket. He excels at scoring on the move but is patient enough to feel the double-team coming and get it to the open man. He is a solid low post scorer that has soft touch around the rim as well and is a playmaker that gets others involved. Graham played a full season last year and he led Overland to the Denver Coliseum. He put up 17.6 points and 12.0 rebounds a game and also took that into the summer where he had a remarkable offseason on the circuit for the Colorado Hawks. There are not many big men in the state that demands the type of attention that he gets and he is able to make plays for himself and others. Hopefully, he returns in time for his team to make a solid push at not only making the playoffs but also some noise when they get their best player and defensive anchor back on the floor.
https://twitter.com/Bball_CO/status/1107050349288816640?s=20
Caleb McGill – Grandview
McGill is a proven winner that led his team to a state championship in his sophomore campaign before an injury derailed his chance to defend the championship. Now in an important Senior season, he looks as good as ever. He is undoubtedly the emotional leader for Grandview as they go as he goes. When he is high and aggressive and scoring the ball both inside and out, everything seems to be going their way but when he struggles the team has difficulties operating.
McGill has been one of the most productive big men in the entire state this season as he has been overwhelming for teams on the offensive end which is indicative of an effort to diversify. He is not only scoring on the low post but switching it up and bringing the ball up the floor, spacing the floor with his jump-shot and also setting up teammates for easy baskets with hard screens and outlet passes. His scoring ability should be unquestioned as he is putting up 15.9 points but his ability to affect the game in other ways such as his 8.4 rebounds a game or just over a block a game while being in a slower-paced and methodical offense stands out as well. He rounds out the Top-5 and the future UC-Davis player is getting vamped up for an always hectic Centennial league push where they hope to be champs yet again.
https://twitter.com/PrepHoopsCO/status/1070140919360319488?s=20
