Rankings Update: 2023 Stock Risers – Part 2
* Dalana Jakovljevic Dalana Jakovljevic 6'0" | C Littleton | 2023 State CO pictured above The rankings team did an update in the class of 2023 so I wanted to highlight some players whose junior year performances have them on the…
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Continue Reading* Dalana Jakovljevic Dalana Jakovljevic 6'0" | C Littleton | 2023 State CO pictured above
The rankings team did an update in the class of 2023 so I wanted to highlight some players whose junior year performances have them on the rise. Click here for Part One. And here’s Part Two:
Alena San Augustin Alena San Augustin 5'5" | PG Cheyenne Mountain | 2023 State CO – Cheyenne Mountain – #72 up to #36
Hard work is a given for most of the top players in Colorado but I’m not sure I’ve seen someone work harder on the floor than Alena San Augustin Alena San Augustin 5'5" | PG Cheyenne Mountain | 2023 State CO . This fighter earned all 16.6 points and 3.5 steals per game that she put up this year while still creating 3.3 baskets per game for her teammates. She’s fun to watch because of the intensity she brings to her team.
Charlotte Brennan Charlotte Brennan 5'6" | CG Mead | 2023 State CO – Mead – #47 up to #38
Brennan was a riser in this competitive class due to her ability to finish at a high rate around the basket and get to the free throw line (resulting in an eye-popping 1.5 points her shot on the season). With 18 points in the 4A state semifinal game, the 5’6″ point guard nearly willed her team into the title game. She scored 8.6 PPG with 2.9 APG for the Final Four Mead Mavericks.
Arezo Safi Arezo Safi 6'0" | PF Monarch | 2023 State CO – Monarch – #62 up to #41
Safi was big time for Monarch’s dream season and was rewarded with a big jump in the rankings. Six footers who can knock down 37% of their threes and score with a bevy of strong post moves tend to be risers. In conjunction with her 10.3 PPG and 8.0 RPG, Safi recorded six double-doubles this year and a 1.4 assist to turnover ratio.
Anila Owens Anila Owens 6'0" | PF Cheyenne Mountain | 2023 State CO – Cheyenne Mountain – #61 up to #42
Anila Owens Anila Owens 6'0" | PF Cheyenne Mountain | 2023 State CO is a riser with so much upside! She’s hard to guard because of her creativity from the midrange in, stretching and contorting her body and using her athleticism to almost will the ball into the basket. With quick feet and great hands, she puts up big numbers (13.8 PPG and 10.6 RPG) by dominating inside.
Finley Timon Finley Timon 5'8" | CG Ralston Valley | 2023 State CO – Ralston Valley – #94 up to #58
Timon led the overachieving Mustangs in rebounds with 6.3 per game as she leapt from a varsity swinging role player to a game changer (8.5 PPG). She can shoot when needed and play tough inside, acting bigger than her 5’8″ frame. Timon scored in double figures in six of RV’s first seven games before teams adjusted to how good she really is.
Dalana Jakovljevic Dalana Jakovljevic 6'0" | C Littleton | 2023 State CO – Littleton – #68 up to #59
Dalana is one of the best athletes in 4A. She guards the opponent’s best player at any of the five spots. It’s hard to picture 58 better players from a recruiting standpoint so I wouldn’t be surprised to see her keep rising. She tallied 9.1 PPG and 7.6 RPG for the 16-win Lions this year.
Blakeley Reynolds Blakeley Reynolds CG Crested Butte | 2023 State CO – Crested Butte – #104 up to #64
Reynolds scored over 30 in a game twice this year and hit 57 threes scoring 55% of her team’s total points (18.2 PPG).
Ellie Pugliese Ellie Pugliese 5'7" | CG Arvada West | 2023 State CO – Arvada West – #92 up to #85
I know a ton of players were added to this list but I’m a little surprised Pugliese isn’t higher. She really proved she’s a versatile player, not just a shooter this year. Arvada West has gotten stronger and stronger and is now a real player in 5A with 16 wins. Pugliese led the team in scoring for most of the season, finishing with 8.5 PPG hitting 31% from behind the arc.