A look at 30 Colorado high school boys basketball players to keep an eye on during the 2024-25 CHSAA season.*
Siraaj Ali, sr., G, Overland: Quick and crafty with range and the ability to see the court, the 5-foot-11 Ali (16.6 points, 6.4 assists in 2023-24) is the conductor of an Overland attack that looked all sorts of dangerous by the end of last season. With nearly everyone back from that 14-10 squad, the time is now to make some noise.
Garrett Barger, sr., C, Eaglecrest: Long, springy and skilled, the 6-foot-9 senior is a capable back-to-the-basket scorer (12.1 points) who can also hold down the boards (6.8 rebounds). With LaDavian King off to Rangeview, the Eaglecrest big man has a new running mate to work with in former Douglas County star Anthony Nettles.
Cal Baskind, sr., G, Mountain Vista: Whether it’s running off screens or pulling up off the dribble, the 6-foot-1 lefty is a threat from all over the court. A 6A all-state selection last winter (18.2 points, 2.9 assists, 2.8 steals), he enters his final varsity campaign a seasoned leader of a Golden Eagles squad eyeing a third straight Denver Coliseum trip.
Carter Basquez, jr., G/F, Smoky Hill: The 6-foot-6 wing stole the show in last year’s 6A Great 8 with a running buzzer-beater vs. Mountain View that required every last bit of his uncommon combination of size, athleticism and skill. His all-court impact (12.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.2 steals) will have the Buffaloes back in the mix.
Ethan Berninger, sr., G, Dakota Ridge: A microwave scorer with a deep reservoir of offensive tricks, the 6-foot-5 5A all-state returnee has already crossed the 1,000-point threshold. After going to another level as a junior (22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 steals on 47% shooting), what will he do for an encore?
Cash Boykin, jr., F, Columbine: A smooth operator on the perimeter, the 6-foot-4 Boykin more than lives up to his first name with a deep bag of bucket-getting moves. Let it fly from NBA range? Break down a defender and pull up from 16 feet? Take it to the rack and throw one down? The 20-point-per-game scorer can do it all.
Tanner Braketa, sr., G, Ralston Valley: Limited to 12 games by offseason knee surgery last year, the deadeye Northern Colorado commit (1,160 career points, 42% 3-point shooting) returns with his brother Caiden (14.7 ppg, 3.8 apg in 2023-24) on a mission to clear the Sweet 16 hurdle that’s taken the Mustangs down the past two seasons.
Elijah Eschmeyer, sr., G/F, Peak to Peak: His parents are both former Division I stars. His twin sister is a Stanford commit. And, oh yeah, Elijah Eschmeyer — a shot-blocking menace (247 career blocks) and versatile offensive weapon (16.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 2023-24) — isn’t too bad himself.
Caleb Fay, jr., G/F, Kent Denver: The hub of a deep and talented Sun Devils roster, the sweet-shooting 6-foot-5 wing is the total package (21.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists), capable of shooting from range (41% on 3s), attacking the basket with above-the-rim athleticism and protecting the rim (1.1 blocks) on the other end.
Kent Denver’s Caleb Fay lays up a shot in the third quarter of the Class 4A state playoffs quarterfinals against the DSST: Green Valley Ranch Raptors at the Denver Coliseum in Denver on March 2. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
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Eric Fiedler, jr., F, Regis Jesuit: A handful in the paint with the ability to spot up from outside, the 6-foot-7, 215-pound Fiedler (19.0 points, 7.1 rebounds in 2023-24) is one of several key pieces back from a Regis Jesuit team that narrowly missed out on last year’s Great 8. After another offseason of growth, big things are expected.
Kaylan Graham, sr., G, Smoky Hill: The other half of Smoky Hill’s returning 6A all-state wing tandem, Graham (12.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists) is quick and explosive at 6-foot-5. Armed with a diverse skill set as a driver, spot-up shooter and post-up technician, the senior is an all-around threat on the offensive end.
Jeremiah Hammond, jr., G, Cherry Creek: The latest Hammond to roam the halls in Greenwood Village, Jeremiah appears destined to follow in the footsteps of his Division I brothers Julian (CU) and Christian (Santa Clara). A breakout sophomore season (13.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists) yielded an offer from Northern Colorado. More are likely on the way.
Oliver Junker, jr., PF/C, Mountain Vista: Even as a sophomore, the 6-foot-7 Junker banged bodies with the best of them in the paint, averaging a double-double at 12.0 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game on 68.7% shooting from the field. And that’s just the beginning.
LaDavian King, sr., G, Rangeview: An explosive driver with a herky-jerky handle and sweet outside stroke, King was the offensive engine for an Eaglecrest team that was a last-second loss away from playing for the 6A title last winter. After crossing 1,000 career points in Denver Coliseum, King headed north to Rangeview and has the Raiders dreaming big.
Blake Marshall, sr., G, Pine Creek: The 6-foot-3 Marshall transformed into one the deadliest shooters in the state his junior season, knocking down 78 3s at a 41% clip while averaging a team-high 16.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Paired alongside 6-foot-2 senior Kyler Chatman, he gives the Eagles plenty of perimeter firepower.
James Murray, sr., G, Denver East: A year after getting thrown into the deep end on East Colfax, a battle-tested senior class led by the explosively athletic 6-foot-6 Murray and backcourt mate Maurice Fulcher is one year wiser and ready to bring the Angels back to prominence.
Anthony Nettles, sr., PG, Eaglecrest: A sticky ballhandler who can break down defenses, the 6-foot Nettles is a three-level scorer with an eye for setting up teammates. With career averages of 14.8 points, 3.5 assists and 2.7 steals over three varsity seasons with Douglas County, he should fit in nicely in Aurora.
Drew Paine, jr., F, ThunderRidge: A massive void was left behind by the exodus of a talented senior class at T-Ridge, and the 6-foot-6 Paine will be counted on to help fill it. After appearing in all 26 games for the Grizzlies as a sophomore and averaging a modest 5.1 points on 67% shooting, the big man’s usage is about to trend upward.
London Praytor, sr., PF/C, Liberty: The 6-foot-10 Toledo commit made the leap as a junior, transforming into an offensive weapon both inside and out with averages of 14.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 1.5 assists while shooting 53% from the floor (and 51% from 3). Could another leap be coming this winter?
Dominic Rhoades-Martinez, sr., G, Denver South: A bucket-getter since he first stepped on a high school court as a freshman, the Ravens’ 6-foot point guard enters his final varsity season with plenty of numbers (1,017 points, 323 assists, 253 steals) and a Denver Prep League title to his name. All that’s left now is to make a run at Denver Coliseum.
Dominic Rhoades-Martinez of the Denver South Ravens stands at the free throw line during Vista Peak’s 54-37 win at Vista in Aurora on Feb. 13, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bryce Riehl, sr., PG, Mesa Ridge: With older brother Tevin off to Colorado Mesa, Mesa Ridge’s 5A three-peat hopes rest on the shoulders of Bryce (17.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 steals, 3.0 assists in 2023-24), a high-energy, heady playmaker whose impact stretches from baseline to baseline. Given his penchant for meeting the moment — he dropped 30 and 10 in last year’s title game — the Grizzlies will be in the mix again.
Cole Scherer, sr., G, Valor Christian: The state’s reigning Mr. Basketball turned Denver Coliseum into a personal showcase last March, averaging 25.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 59% shooting en route to hoisting the 6A trophy. With a commitment to Eastern Washington signed, the focus shifts back to making a run at a repeat.
Madden Smiley, jr., PG, Windsor: An all-state performer (16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists) on the Wizards’ 5A runner-up squad last March, the 6-foot-3 Smiley plays with hit-the-floor abandon, whether it’s as an end-to-end pest on defense (2.0 steals) or fearless slasher on offense. Entering his third varsity season, he’ll have Windsor in contention for the 5A title yet again.
Kade Speckman, jr., F/C, Lutheran: A versatile post scorer, rim protector, rebounder and finisher, the 6-foot-9 Speckman has all the implements in the traditional big man toolkit. With the departures of Braydon Jacob and Hunter Caldwell from last year’s 4A runner-up squad, those will be needed now more than ever for the Lions.
Lutheran’s Kade Speckman shoots over Resurrection Christian’s Jacob Barker in the first quarter of the Class 4A Final Four game at the Denver Coliseum on March 8, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Daniel Thomason, sr., F, Fruita Monument: The centerpiece of Fruita Monument’s unbeaten run to the 6A Great 8 last winter, the 6-foot-7 Metro State commit is a hyper-efficient scorer (16.5 points on 63.6% shooting in 2023-24) who can also impact games as a rebounder (7.3 rebounds), playmaker (2.3 assists) and disruptive defender (2.0 steals).
Jeremiah Trimm, jr., G/F, George Washington: Long and explosive with jump-out-the-gym hops, the 6-foot-4 wing is a highlight waiting to happen. His efficiency on offense (15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists on 54% shooting) is augmented by a tenacious approach on defense, where he averaged 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks as a sophomore.
Archie Weatherspoon, so., G, Rangeview: Expectations are high for the Raiders, in large part due to the pairing of senior transfer LaDavian King and Weatherspoon in the backcourt. A 6-foot-3 guard who burst onto the scene with averages of 11.5 points and 3.0 assists on 41% 3-point shooting as a freshman, Weatherspoon is just scratching the surface.
Kason Westphal, sr., C, Salida: A legit 7-footer, Westphal and senior guard Ryan Osness form a formidable tandem on the Western Slope. The Spartans big man averaged a double-double in a breakout junior season (15.1 points, 10.7 rebounds) while shooting 54% from the field and holding down the paint as a ferocious rim protector (2.8 blocks).
Christian Williams, so. G, Chaparral: The 6-foot-2 Williams thrived as the No. 2 scoring option for a Wolverines team that reached the 6A Great 8 last winter. A knockdown shooter with range past the 3-point line, Williams averaged 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a freshman. Paired with fellow super soph Luke Howery on the perimeter, he’s just getting started.
Ty Yoder, sr., PG, Resurrection Christian: A technically sound point guard with a tight handle, legit shooting chops and superb court vision, the 5-foot-11 Yoder was a steady hand for last year’s 4A champs. With averages of 14.9 points, 4.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds on 46% shooting over three varsity seasons, he’s as consistent as a metronome.
Resurrection Christian’s Ty Yoder dribbles on the baseline against Lutheran’s Hunter Caldwell in the third quarter of a Class 4A Final Four game at the Denver Coliseum on March 8, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
* All stats taken from Maxpreps.com.
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