First-Look at the 2023’s Top-5
With the 2019-20 high school basketball season officially over, we get to rank the freshman class finally. There are players that we saw and heard about in their middle school years, but now we get to see them on the…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2019-20 high school basketball season officially over, we get to rank the freshman class finally. There are players that we saw and heard about in their middle school years, but now we get to see them on the big stage. Some played strictly varsity, some played a bit of JV and dominated. This is a class that we have not gotten to see every single player and will build on in the next year, but what an exciting class. Here is the 2023’s Top-5.
Baye Fall Baye Fall 6'11" | C Luthern Christian | 2023 State #13 Nation CO – Lutheran
This was the most unanimous decision that was made when it came to ranking every single player in the entire state as he finishes as the No.1 player in the 2023 class. When you take a look at the season for what it was worth, Baye Fall Baye Fall 6'11" | C Luthern Christian | 2023 State #13 Nation CO just might have been a top-5 player in the state regardless of age. The 6’10 Senegal prospect is the state’s most intriguing player and has a legitimate chance at playing professionally one day, but for now, he dominates whichever helpless defender is tasked with the job of slowing him down. Fall averaged 19.0 points a game which led the entire class and also had 10.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks to go along with it. His confidence started to rise as the season progressed, and that was only nightmarish for opposing teams as he was double and triple-teamed and still had his way. Fall’s production not only had him as the top freshman in the state as he was a 1st-Team All-State member, but MaxPreps also deemed him as the best of the best on a national scale. Fall made the 2019-20 Boys Basketball Freshman All-American Team. No brainer.
Assane Diop Assane Diop 6'10" | PF Belleview Christian | 2023 State #107 Nation CO – Belleview Christian
Assane Diop Assane Diop 6'10" | PF Belleview Christian | 2023 State #107 Nation CO , the No.2 player in the class, seemed to be a player of folklore. Not many people got to see him play, but everyone heard of the impressive games that he was putting on when he finally got to play. There was a highlight clip that showcased how special and spectacular he was with baseline to baseline passes, rebounds with no chance for smaller defenders, and also the through the lane dunks. Diop only played in 12 games, but, in those 12 games, there might not have been stat lines like his in the Midwest. In those 12 games, Diop averaged 16.6 points, 18.9 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 2.8 steals a game. One of those contests was something out of MyCareer on the video game. Diop had 26 points, 26 rebounds nine rebounds, and nine assists. Wow. The idea of what we would be seeing from the Colorado Hawks summer team right now if none of this was happening in the world is one of the things many things that keep me up late at night. But I would rather that then to be an opposing coach next year having to figure out how to stop Diop for an entire season. He is not Wilt Chamberlain, but there is no reason that we cannot call him” Little Dipper.”
Alan Acevedo Alan Acevedo 6'2" | CG Colorado Prep | 2023 State CO – Golden
Alan Acevedo Alan Acevedo 6'2" | CG Colorado Prep | 2023 State CO comes in as the No.3 player in the class for now with the type of season that he had. Acevedo was an impactful player for a talented Golden team that went into the state playoffs as the No.4 seed. The 6’1 combo-guard was a scoring threat for the Demons who was capable of scoring in bunches and erupting at any moment. Opposing teams made sure to add him to the game plan as he lit teams up and made it a point to get inside the teeth of the defense and make them pay. Acevedo averaged 10.6 points a game and was one of the team’s best rebounders at 4.4 boards a game. The physical guard was the aggressor on multiple occasions as a player that Golden gave it to, to make positive things happen. He played hard and made his presence felt on both ends of the floor and is a player that comes in with a polished game as he proved he could not only play as a freshman but will be a top player to look after for ensuing years. Acevedo is not bad, not bad at all.
Christian Hammond Christian Hammond 6'3" | SG Colorado Prep | 2023 #160 Nation CA-S – Cherry Creek
Hammond is a freshman that spent plenty of time on JV this season as Cherry Creek’s varsity team was loaded, and I’ll just say the Centennial League will be frustrated by the Hammond name for years to come. JV games were too easy for him, and he even got his feet wet on varsity in a few games going for double figures twice. Hammond is a pure score that can make shots from anywhere on the court. He has substantial size for a guard that will most likely keep growing, he is tenacious offensively and will go at you for the entire game. He creates mismatches and attacks it. He also a creative scorer where he has almost perfected his floater. Hammond also handles the ball well and not afraid of the big shot or situation and has a high basketball IQ.
Archer VanSickle – Regis Jesuit
Archer VanSickle Archer VanSickle 6'4" | CG Valor Christian | 2023 State CO is one of, if not the best shooter in the class and by senior year, will have plenty of baskets to prove it. VanSickle already has a polished game as he can shoot it from anywhere on the floor. He has extended range and also can put the ball on the floor. VanSickle has good size and quickness and combines that with the ability to shoot it on the move, moves without the ball for open shots, and reads what the defense is giving him. When he breaks a defender down, he uses his size to finish inside as well. This season he did not play much for Regis’ varsity team, but he did, however, get in at times and learned the ropes. VanSickle will be a name to know moving forward.