Notable Forwards at MSU Denver Elite Camp

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1369806' first='Garrett' last='Barger'] - Eaglecrest - 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1490044,"width":148,"height":246,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG-0512-e1655769934593.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG-0512-e1655769934593-618x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1490044" width="148" height="246"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barger was nothing short of incredible, both at MSU Denver and University of Denver elite camps. Standing roughly 6'7, Barger has doubled down as a powerful shot blocker and lob threat throughout the summer. Barger plays on par with his older company, due to his aggression and athleticism. He is capable guarding four positions at the high school level thanks to his quick foot speed and active hands. The new trait from Barger comes from his mid-range scoring, most notably from improved footwork as a shooter. MSU Denver has reportedly offered a scholarship to the incoming sophomore forward, ranking second in the 2025 Colorado class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1420183' first='James-Kyren' last='Allen'] - Eagle Ridge Academy - 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allen is a powerful athlete who puts an emphasis on rebounding and interior physicality. At roughly 6'7, the 2023 forward is a superior physical presence from raw strength and quick bounce. He was notable searching for opponents to box out, where he was a consistent pest on the glass. Allen proved to be a capable finisher with both hands, even through a hard hit. By far the most intriguing aspect of Allen's offensive upside comes from perimeter shooting. He is already dependable as a free throw shooter and has shown flashes of shooting off the dribble. Programs who believe in that perimeter scoring upside could have a diamond in the rough here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1318394' first='Kevin' last='Sylla'] - Smoky Hill - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1427173,"width":253,"height":166,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/E3A3C827-2EDD-474E-8538-D94ED9621CE5-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1649738944.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/E3A3C827-2EDD-474E-8538-D94ED9621CE5-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1649738944.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1427173" width="253" height="166"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A consistent presence as a big bodied interior scorer, Sylla will play a key role for Smoky Hill's youthful group. At roughly 6'6 the junior forward is all to big in the post for the far majority of interior defenders in the state. He is more than capable grabbing a high volume of rebounds while even scoring off of put backs. While Sylla is dominant at this stage, he will need to get more confident creating off the dribble once coming out of face ups or the short roll. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kayin Scott - Thunderridge - 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1510726,"width":176,"height":255,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/RenderedImage-e1657764398312.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/RenderedImage-708x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1510726" width="176" height="255"/></a><figcaption>Photo: North Carolina</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott was a capable interior defender at 6'6 thanks to his fundamental defensive stance and consistent communication. With his frame, Scott shows intrigue defending bigger wings and a wide variety of forwards. By lowering his center of gravity on defense, Scott is more than capable taking hits without folding or fouling. Another area of intrigue comes from his shooting ability off the catch, where within the mid-range he is a sneaky shooter off the catch. The two biggest areas for Scott will weigh on his lateral quickness on the perimeter and smoothing out the three point jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1509235' first='Kade' last='Speckman'] - Chapparral - 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speckman will be a common name around Colorado over the next few years, while already standing at 6'7. Speckman already proved to be a capable multipositional defender who held his own versus wings and forwards. Although still a ways away from filling out, Speckman was no easy task to conquer in the post, given his high degree of patience. The incoming freshman flashed the ability to space the floor on multiple occassions, potentially a major development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1285136' first='Kyle' last='Blauch'] - Boulder - 2024 (featured image)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blauch was an interior pest due to his size and consistent motor at 6'4. Coming off of a dominant season at Boulder where he averaged a double double, Blauch was up to par for expectations in those departments. While the forward is more than dependable grabbing rebounds, he proved to hit a few jumpers off the catch within game action. While being deployed as a dominant roller and interior scorer, the next step for Blauch resides in his ballhanding under pressure. Given his strength, finding ways to be more proactive with the ball is essential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->