16U standouts at SportsStable Invitational
The Colorado RoughRiders put together an invitational where they put some of the top teams in the state in the same gym and let them go at it. It was productive, fun, and competitive. Teams got the opportunity to get…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Colorado RoughRiders put together an invitational where they put some of the top teams in the state in the same gym and let them go at it. It was productive, fun, and competitive. Teams got the opportunity to get together in light of recent cancellations, and some teams and players stood out. Here are the 16U Standouts.
Zach Keller Zach Keller 6'9" | PF ThunderRidge | 2022 State #81 Nation CO – Pro Skills
Keller and Baye Fall Baye Fall 6'11" | C Luthern Christian | 2023 State #13 Nation CO were the big names heading into the day, and what a pleasure it was to see those two go at it to start the games. Keller showed that he is capable of competing with ANYONE that he is up against and that he is for real. He had himself a day, but that game, in particular, was an interesting one. He did not back down to Fall; he played extremely hard. He came up with blocks that he sent to halfcourt, and he got to the rim and finished. Throughout the Invitational, it was hard not to keep your eyes on Keller as he is finishing at or above the rim the entire time. One game he finished with about six dunks, including a baseline reverse, had over ten rebounds and scored when he wanted to. Keller is one of the state’s best players, and he is only heading into his junior season – scary.
Elijah Knudsen Elijah Knudsen 5'10" | CG Mead | 2022 State CO – Roughriders
You will be hard-pressed to find a better shooter in the state than Knudsen. He has a quick release and the ability to get the shot off from virtually ANY angle. Leaning to the side, set, off of the dribble, it does not matter – he can shoot it. With that, he is starting to unlock new parts of his game, like the ability to be a playmaker. Knudsen did the usual 3-point shot barrage that left defenders frustrated, but he made it a point to play more on the ball, and he also racked up a couple of assists a game. That’s new for him. Knudsen is a scorer with range but is slowly opening up the rest of the game, and that made him an exciting player at the event.
Brock Wisne Brock Wisne 6'9" | PF Colorado Prep | 2022 State CO – Roughriders
Wisne is a player that just continues to grow on me each time that I see him. He is one of the most natural scorers in the state and might be the best offensive player in the class. Wisne got to the rim as any as anyone in the event and finishes with his back to the basket and also from mid-range, but what is even scarier is he is starting to find his outside shot. Wisne is becoming a three-level scorer, and his 6’7 frame makes it difficult for defenders to keep up with him. Wisne was grabbing boards and getting it up the court, and although he plays a bit slower, he also showed off his explosiveness as well as he had a body-to-body dunk that was the highlight on the day. Wisne did not care that the players were physical and older. He went at everyone that went in front of him. I like his drive.
Baye Fall Baye Fall 6'11" | C Luthern Christian | 2023 State #13 Nation CO – Colorado Hawks
Unsure where to put him. He plays on the 17U Hawks team, but he is the No.1 2023 player in the state and is in the Top-5 in the country. Everything that makes Baye Fall Baye Fall 6'11" | C Luthern Christian | 2023 State #13 Nation CO special, he showed off in the event and then some. He is one of the best defensive players that has graced the state in the past decade, and that is while only playing one season of varsity basketball. He had his usual blocks to out of bounds, stepped out on the perimeter, and also on offense dunked it whenever he wanted. Fall has a relentless motor, and his upside is like none that we have seen in a while in the state. Fall is the real deal, and there is no denying that he is the state’s top player.
Assane Diop Assane Diop 6'10" | PF Belleview Christian | 2023 State #107 Nation CO – Colorado Hawks
Diop is the player that everyone in the gym was anxious to see, and he lived up to the bill. Diop is the most intriguing player in the state, and that is while not even being close to the player that he will be, but the upside is there–already. Diop is a 6’8-9ish guard with excellent court awareness, is locked in both offensively and defensively, and has a motor to go along with it. Offensively, it is great to see someone with that size move the way that he does and make plays for others. He got others involved, fit in with the older guys, and also even stepped out a couple of times and hit the outside shot as well. Diop has a feel for the game, well beyond his years and does whatever that he wants to do on the basketball court. Diop plays with the 16U team but honestly can fit in, wherever it is he wants. He is one of the state’s most interesting players already, and he earned his first of many Division I offers this weekend. I would be doing an injustice not to tell everyone to buy Diop stock. He is for real and will be highly coveted soon.