2028s That Have a Chance to Right the Ship

While last season brought its share of struggles for several programs, there were silver linings, particularly in the form of young talent getting meaningful varsity experience. These 2028 prospects played key roles on underperforming teams, gaining valuable reps that could pay off in a big way this year. Each of them showed promise, but also highlighted areas that will need development if they want to elevate both their game and their team's success. With a year under their belts and a big summer, these are players to watch as they look to help turn things around.    Carrillo was a bright spot for Greeley Central, averaging 10.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game in his freshman season. A natural scorer with quickness and instincts, he gave opposing defenses problems in spurts. But for him to take the next step, Carrillo will need to grow into a true lead guard. That means becoming a more creative facilitator and setting the table for others rather than operating solely in scoring mode. At his size, that shift will be crucial. He'll also need to develop a consistent outside shot to stretch defenses and force them to guard him beyond the arc. The tools are there, and with added polish, he could be one of the more impactful guards in his conference this year. Big summer for him is upcoming.     In his freshman season, it was not the season that the team expected, but there was a bright spot for them as they got to see what they had in their youth. A player who stood out and had them excited for the future is [player_tooltip player_id='2402896' first='Spiro' last='Palmer']. Spiro put up 5.2 points a game, and it looks like Spiro has been working on his game. He has been shooting lights out whenever we see him, and his Fort Collins teammates will want to see that translate. He shoots with a hand in his face, and when the shot is not falling, he gets downhill and attacks the defense. Spiro plays on and off the ball, plays tough defense, and things are starting to slow down for him. Excited to see how he looks in year 2.     Williams turned in a strong freshman season, averaging 10.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. He's got a quick release, excellent body control, and a great feel for the pace of the game. He runs the floor well, finishes through contact, and plays with active hands on defense. He disrupts passing lanes and creates transition opportunities. As the season progressed, he began reading defenses more effectively and picking his spots. Heading into his sophomore year, the next step will be refining his all-around game. His team will need him to shoot more efficiently, create for others, and embrace a leadership role offensively. Pueblo South traditionally fields winning teams, so after a down year, Williams will be one of the main pieces relied upon to help turn the tide. Expect a motivated sophomore campaign.     Castillo quietly put together a very impressive freshman season for Greeley West, leading the team in scoring with 9.7 points per game and shooting a solid 36% from deep. He's a confident and capable shooter, he played with poise and offensive rhythm that's rare for a first-year player. Castillo is a smooth scorer who finds different ways to get his shot off and isn't rattled by pressure. He reads double teams well and makes sound decisions with the ball in his hands. With more support and better team chemistry, Castillo is a player who could easily boost his production and impact. He's the type of guard that puts up numbers when surrounded by the right pieces. As he continues to grow, I'd love to see him at a showcase or camp setting. He's certainly one to track.     [player_tooltip player_id='2048137' first='Darryll' last='Davis'] didn't put up the flashiest scoring numbers, but his impact was felt in other ways. As a freshman, he averaged 4.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. This is an impressive assist total for a player in his first varsity season. He's a selfless floor general who keeps his teammates involved and plays with a mature understanding of pace and spacing. On a team that struggled to get wins, Davis was a bright spot and a guard Pueblo Central can build around. The focus this offseason will need to be on improving his scoring ability, particularly his jumper. Developing that offensive balance will keep defenses honest and unlock more of his playmaking potential. With a full season of experience under his belt, Davis is poised for a significant jump and will be playing with something to prove.

While last season brought its share of struggles for several programs, there were silver linings, particularly in the form of young talent getting meaningful varsity experience. These 2028 prospects played key roles on underperforming teams, gaining valuable reps that could pay off in a big way this year. Each of them showed promise, but also highlighted areas that will need development if they want to elevate both their game and their team's success. With a year under their belts and a big summer, these are players to watch as they look to help turn things around.