Colorado Collective 16 U got a nice victory in a west coast showdown to wrap up their weekend and Kalimba stood out as an efficient scoring two guard for his team. Kalimba had a sweet jump stop in transition that took him from the right side to the left side of the rim for an and-1 finish. Kalimba then knocked down a transition 3-pointer after his big man set a smart pin down screen in transition to give Kalimba the space to fire away from downtown. Kalimba also had a rhythm mid-range pull-up as Colorado Collective was pulling away. Impressive offensive performance by Colorado Collective 16 U as they scored 91 points to wrap up their weekend with a win.

Kalimba might be a top 5 watch for me in the 2028 class, and I think he’s one of the biggest risers of the entire summer. I thought he was good already, but the zone he’s in right now, there aren’t many players playing better basketball than him right now. He’s versatile, aggressive, and plays with pace, and that was on display all event. He also went and played 17U, and there was not that much drop off. On 16U, he was dominant, and that’s when it got fun. In Collective’s two best games of the weekend against Magic and Tru Colorado, he showed up and was one of the top 2 players on the court. Kalimba has good size as a 6’3 combo guard who shoots the 3-ball, puts the ball on the floor, and makes smart reads on his passes. I’m extremely high on him right now and am curious to see how he looks for the rest of the Summer heading into the Fall. 

Kalimba has elevated his offensive game to another level this spring, emerging as one of the more dangerous scoring threats on the floor. His explosiveness off the dribble consistently puts defenders in difficult situations, allowing him to create separation and get to his spots with ease. Once he gets downhill he attacks the basket with confidence, forcing defenses to collapse and opening opportunities for himself and teammates. His quick pull up jumper from the mid range has become a reliable weapon, making it tough for defenders to simply play for the drive. He has also shown improved finishing ability above the rim, bringing energy and excitement with powerful dunks in transition and half court situations alike

Clayton Kalimba Clayton Kalimba 6'3" | CG Eaglecrest | 2028 State CO finished his sophomore campaign as Eaglecrest’s third-leading scorer with nearly 12 PPG, alongside 4 RPG and 1.5 APG. Kalimba is a complete hooper who has fine-tuned every aspect of his game. At 6’2, Kalimba can shoot over his matchup with ease, never afraid to pull the quick trigger off the release. Kalimba has elevated his defense immensely, communicating often and efficiently among his teammates while switching screens seamlessly. The #8-ranked combo guard in 2028 has risen up the rankings fast, and I don’t see this slowing down anytime soon.

There aren’t many sophomores in the state that’s having the rise that Kalimba is having. He went into the year as a relatively unknown name, but has been one of the most consistent players in the class. He’s also been one of the top players on the state champs. In 10 games, Kalimba is averaging 12.1 points a game. He’s hit 12 3-pointers on the year, and he breaks defenders down off the dribble and reads the floor well. He also serves as a primary ballhandler at times, who makes quick decisions, and at no time does it look sped up for him out there. He’s going to be making a huge jump in the rankings with what we’ve seen from him, and I feel that he will continue to be one of the top prospects in the class. 

Kalimba has been a major reason Eaglecrest’s guard play has elevated them early on. The sophomore plays with control, has a tight handle, and thrives in the pick-and-roll. He’s averaging 11.2 points per game to start the season. He controls tempo, finishes through traffic, and makes smart reads on or off the ball. His consistency has stood out, and Eaglecrest’s ceiling rises when he’s in a groove. It’s been a stock-rising start to the season for him. 

Clayton Kalimba Clayton Kalimba 6'3" | CG Eaglecrest | 2028 State CO is the kind of two-way player every winning team needs. With a smooth midrange pull-up, the ability to create off the dribble, and a growing reputation as a tough-shot maker, Kalimba’s offensive game is hard to contain. He’s confident with the ball in his hands, finishes through contact with either hand, and thrives in catch-and-shoot scenarios. Defensively, he brings energy and anticipation, turning turnovers into instant offense. His skill set allows him to exploit mismatches, and he plays with a competitive edge that’s hard to teach. Coming off a state championship season, Eaglecrest will have a target on its back, and Kalimba’s ability to provide scoring, spacing, and defensive pressure will be critical. With opponents keying in on the returning stars, players like Kalimba will have opportunities to step into bigger roles. If he continues to develop on both ends, expect his name to rise in conversations about the class’s top combo guards.