Denver West looks like a juggernaut at the best part of the season to look alive. They’re scoring with ease, their guard play, and pace is up there with the best in the state, and they’re blowing teams out right now. They’re fresh off a blowout win against Delta, and now are up against a deep Prospect Ridge Academy and the biggest question of the game is which guards step up in this one? A player I expect to have their way and be the difference in this one is Cowans. Cowans can break a defender down in iso, read the pick and roll, and feed the big, and what makes him most dangerous is his ability to score in bunches. Once he gets going, he’s hitting deep 3’s, getting out in transition, and turning defense to offense. This will be a fun game to watch, and I feel that Cowans might be the player who stands out most in it. 

Cowans finished with 13 points for West, but his defensive impact stood out even more. He applied relentless pressure with a tough press that forced multiple turnovers, turning defense into offense. On the other end he attacked the lane aggressively, creating scoring opportunities for himself and teammates. His combination of defensive intensity and smart offensive play made him a key factor in West’s win

Cowans continues to emerge as one of the top players in the league for Denver West, consistently impacting games with his scoring and edge. Averaging 10.1 points per game, he stretches defenses with his range and shows a strong feel for getting to his spots. He drives hard and plays through contact, and once he gets rolling his confidence and aggressiveness elevate. Add in his active, disruptive defense and Cowans competitiveness and toughness make him a matchup problem and a true difference maker

Cowans has been on a steady rise since late summer, carrying that momentum into the fall with standout performances on both ends of the floor. He’s been nearly automatic from three, showing confidence and consistency from deep, and has a great ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim with purpose. When he gets downhill he’s tough to contain, usually finishing through contact and absorbing pressure without losing control. Defensively he takes pride in locking up his assignment, using quick feet and strong anticipation to disrupt plays. Cowans combination of shooting, toughness and two way impact has him trending up fast and making a strong push in the rankings

Cowans came to one of our events this summer and had such a dominant day that I am waiting to see that Denver West team play just to see if he’s able to duplicate the performance or come close. Last year, he had a solid season for West as they had a few surprise performances, but with the additions and a year of progressing together, they should be a team to watch this year. We want to see him be able to handle guard duties, score with ease, and also showcase the 3-ball that we’ve seen from him. He makes a leap this go-round with room to grow.  

Ari Cowans Ari Cowans 6'1" | SG/CG Denver West | 2026 State CO is a dynamic guard who can light it up from way downtown. Cowans provides his team with a spark each game and brings his A-game, along with high energy, through all four quarters. With the ball in his hands, Cowans orchestrates the flow of the offense well and converts on precision passes frequently. The 6’1 guard can muscle through bigs to snag rebounds, and constantly hustles to create opportunities.

Cowans is an electric, high impact point guard with game changing ability. A deadly and accurate shooter from three point range, he can stretch the floor and heat up quickly, often shifting momentum in a matter of minutes. His deep range and quick release make him a constant threat, even well beyond the arc. As a true point guard, Cowans has excellent court vision and passing instincts. He controls the tempo, makes smart reads and consistently sets up teammates in scoring positions. Whether running the break or operating in the half court, he keeps the offense flowing. Cowans thrives in big moments and he’s capable of erasing deficits or extending leads with scoring bursts and timely playmaking. His mix of scoring, leadership and poise under pressure makes him a dynamic floor general and a serious problem for opposing defenses

Ari might have been the most impressive player in the 3-on-3 games. He got to the rim at will using his quick first step and finished through contact in a variety of ways. On top of that, he showed he could knock down shots from beyond the arc, making him nearly unguardable.

Cowans have a day. If this is the type of player that we are getting this year, then there’s a dark-horse candidate for conference POY. What he did at the showcase has us very excited to see what kind of season he will have. Truly want to know if that was just a hot day or the norm. He looked explosive off the dribble, using a change of pace to get wherever he wanted on the floor. He hit plenty of shots from deep, at a VERY efficient clip and gave fits to whoever was in front of him. This was a MVP-like performance on the day as he put up 30+ in both games on the day and was the surprise standout on the entire Expo. 

Cowans has had a great summer that has showcased his confidence and scoring versatility. He plays with a fearless mindset, never hesitating to take the shot when he sees an opportunity. From deep when Cowans is locked he can knock down threes with consistency and makes the long range shooting look effortless. What makes him even more dangerous is his adaptability. When defenses close out hard he adjusts seamlessly and attacks the lane with mid range pull ups and smooth floaters that keep opponents guessing. His ability to score at all three levels gives him the tools to be a reliable offensive weapon for his team. With his scoring instincts and unwavering confidence, expect Cowans to take on a bigger role and become a key contributor this season