Difference Makers who impressed at Colorado Live

It's easy to move on to the next event during the summer, but Colorado Live gave us a few performances that were worth circling back to. This group may not have been the first names everyone talked about, yet every time I watched them, they found another way to impact winning. Whether it was a defensive run, timely scoring, or simply changing the energy on the floor, these players had a habit of shifting momentum in their team's favor and left a lasting impression.   We have showcase season coming up and with the end of club scene coming quickly, rankings, and showcases here, now is the perfect time to lock in with a subscription.    Some of the biggest risers in our rankings started by showing up & showing out at a showcase & they're approaching quickly!   Your showcase evaluation could be the one that changes everything.   Freshman & Sophomore Showcase - August 8th (Rankings Immediately following) Top Expo (2027 & 2028s) - September 13th    Use Colorado26PH25OFF at checkout for 25% OFF & receive a custom registered graphic that comes with it! Lock in now!     McCord was one of those players who quietly kept showing up every time I watched Chatfield throughout the event. He isn't one of those high-volume scoring threats that's just out there agetting the ball and making his move, but he just seems to always pop off the screen with the little plays that pile up. He got the ball on the perimeter and attacked. He got downhill with a purpose and used his frame to finish around guys. McCord had some clean-up baskets off of effort and continued to find his spots, trying to create. The versatility stands out with him as the offense can slow down at times, and he opens thing sup for him. Liked how he performed in multiple games at Colorado Live.     Kai is another piece for Horizon that, when he's on, it makes them dangerous. They have a balanced group with an inside-out and attack, and with so much pressure on the star players, you need guys who can get in the mix and impact the game. That's where he enters. This was an assertive event for him where he got to show all that he could do. Kai guarded opposing guards closely, got out in the passing lanes, and even got a couple of steals. Offensively, he played both on and off-ball and waited for things to come to him. He pushed the pace when he got it, got some transition baskets, and made some connective plays. We continue to talk about him when we see them play, and that means something.     Smith is a player that we wish we'd seen more of, rather it being in club ball, showcase, or just getting out to during the season, as he brings a ton of intangibles to the game that stick. He has good size and uses his length to his advantage, and at Colorado Live, he was causing issues to opposing teams. Smith was active on the glass and kept giving his team second-chance points by just being at the right spot and going up. What I appreciated most was the decision-making from the high post. He got the ball on a few occasions and recognized cutters, made simple reads out of the post, and understood when to keep the ball moving instead of forcing difficult shots. He also got out and dunked, made trips to the FT line, and worked the mid-range, and is a player who can turn a few heads this season. Somethings gotta pop for him heading into a big senior year, and Colorado Live was the first look at it.     Johnson has a feel for the game that doesn't always jump out until you watch a few plays in a row and start to see just how much he's doing out there. It just comes a bit calmer for him. He's constantly relocating, he cuts and sets up on the block, and had a few backdoor baskets in games where Valor went on a run. At Colorado Live, he knocked down a couple of momentum-changing threes, but his biggest value came from everything in between. He defended multiple spots, helped on the glass, and also kept the offense flowing. He's at his best reacting to the game instead of forcing plays, and that instinct is often overlooked. Well, we noticed.     Crichton is a player who is building some momentum right now as he's had his moments throughout the Summer at at Colorado Live - it might've been his best showing. He's shown that he could make an impact for Valor this upcoming season by just being a pest who makes plays. He created offense with his defense that you love to see, he jumped the passing lanes, which forced turnovers, and against Palmer, he really put it together. Crichton had a solid game against them by filling the lanes well, attacking without the ball by finding holes in the defense, and was rewarded by being in the right spot. He followed that up with solid minutes in EYCL for [program_tooltip program_id='2836105' first='Pluto' last='Prospects'], proving he can fit into different lineups and still look like he belonged. His confidence continues to grow, and his game is coming along with it. We hope to see more of him right now as he has some momentum, as this is a stock-boosting time for him.     Kilkenny does so much of the work that allows everyone else to shine over at Cherry Creek, and I notice it more and more when I watch them. He has an excellent feel for timing his cuts, which opens up the offense for others; he sneaks behind the defense to finish at the basket, and understands how to create space without just having the ball in his hands. He cuts and moves away, slips screens, reads what is happening, and the ball never sticks with him, and that's a big reason his team's offense flows so well. Sean makes life easy for guys around him and plays with a toughness on both ends of the floor, and those are true connector-like plays that don't always get the headlines but has Creek looking like one of the favorites this year. Solid production from their combo guard, who's a bit under the radar.

It's easy to move on to the next event during the summer, but Colorado Live gave us a few performances that were worth circling back to. This group may not have been the first names everyone talked about, yet every time I watched them, they found another way to impact winning. Whether it was a defensive run, timely scoring, or simply changing the energy on the floor, these players had a habit of shifting momentum in their team's favor and left a lasting impression.