Thomas Bropleh loves to eat. His George Washington teammates love to feed off him.
That makes the Patriots (22-1) one hungry and made-for-each-other bunch heading into today’s Sweet 16 round of boys basketball’s Class 5A state tournament.
Seeded No. 2 in the R.W. Truscott Region, the Patriots, whose only loss came in overtime to two-time defending state champion East, play third-seeded Gateway (19-5) at Colorado Mines.
The Olympians are sure to have their hands full with Bropleh, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound forward who considers eating 20 hot wings a good place to start a conversation about dining.
Bropleh was born in New York City after his parents fled the West Africa nation of Liberia during a civil war.
“I came to Denver at a very young age,” said Bropleh, a senior. “Being around the African community (here), it’s just different people. . . . It’s just little things in the African culture that make you what you are.”
And they all seem to be good things for the humble Bropleh, who has polished his game to become one of the top players in the state.
“Anybody who’s been aware of the scene has to put him in as one of the best players in the state,” Thomas Jefferson coach Grant Laman said. “He’s got to be in the top one, two or three. He has all the inside game, outside game; he’s a playmaker, rebounder, leader — and does it in an almost humble way, which I love.”
Bropleh is averaging about 24 points per game. He poured in a season-best 36 against North. He’s not sure of his college plans but wants to continue playing basketball and will weigh his options after the season.
With eight seniors, the Patriots expected to be in the hunt for a state title after making the Elite Eight a year ago. But even their coach is surprised at how well they have played. GW coach Michael Rogers said with a long, thoughtful sigh, “22-1? Maybe. As good as we’re playing right now? No.”
By virtue of maturity and chemistry, the Patriots can play up-tempo, defend and attack a defense from the inside, or outside. But what makes them special is that behind pure point guard Dev Johnson, they can do it all on the fly by recognizing mismatches.
“I’m trying to keep everyone involved and get everybody in the game,” Johnson said. “That’s how it all started, me just trying to keep everybody happy.”
The regular starters, which also include Tyrelle Millard, Tony Adams and Nick Sather, could run the first hour of practice themselves, Rogers said. They are mentally tough and unselfish, Bropleh added. If they have problems, they have meetings to clear the air.
They enjoy being reminded by alumni just how much GW basketball means to a community eager to celebrate its first boys hoops title since Chauncey Billups led GW in 1994.
“It definitely motivates us,” Millard said, “because we don’t want to hear everywhere we go that ‘East is this and East is that.’ ”
Hear this: These Patriots are hungry.
