A total of 26 high school players from Colorado developed into NBA draft picks since 1952, . But not all were highly recruited going into college. Here is a breakdown of the top-five most decorated recruits — and the top-five hidden gems — in modern Colorado prep history. Recruiting information compiled from 247Sports.com.
MOST DECORATED
PG Chauncey Billups — George Washington, 1995
. … Turned down scholarship offers from Big East and ACC schools to play at CU. … A first-team All-American as a sophomore. … Selected No. 3 overall in the NBA Draft. … NBA Champion and Finals MVP with the Pistons.
PF De’Ron Davis — Overland, 2016
. … Signed with Indiana over scholarship offers from Arizona, CU, Texas and many others. … Made 23 career starts with 590 points and 287 rebounds over four seasons. … Signed a professional basketball contract to play in Ireland.
SF Ronnie Harrell — Denver East, 2014
. … Picked Creighton over scholarship offers from Arizona State, Kansas State, Washington and others. … Transferred to DU for his senior season. … Averaged a career-high 12.9 points with the Pioneers.
PG Reggie Jackson — Palmer HS, 2008
. … Chose Boston College over scholarship offers from Nevada, Wyoming and others. … Earned All-ACC honors as a junior. … Selected No. 24 overall in the 2011 NBA draft. … Tenth-year NBA guard now playing for the Clippers.
PG Dominique Collier — Denver East, 2014
. … Chose CU over scholarship offers from Arizona, Gonzaga, Iowa and others. … Made 68 career starts over four seasons. … Named co-Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year in 2017-18.
HIDDEN GEMS
SG Derrick White — Legend, 2012
Not recruited by Division-I schools as a scholarship player. … Became a two-time All-American at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (D-II). … Played his final college season at CU. … Selected No. 29 overall in the NBA Draft. … Averaged a career-high 15.4 points last season for the Spurs.
C Jason Smith — Platte Valley, 2004
. … Chose CSU over scholarship offers from Gonzaga, Utah and Wyoming. … Totaled 1,281 points, 683 rebounds and 149 blocks in college. … Picked No. 20 overall in the NBA Draft. … Played for 11 seasons between six different teams.
SG Justinian Jessup — Longmont, 2016
. … Played for Boise State over scholarship offers from Davidson, Pepperdine and others. … First player in school history with at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 250 steals and 50 blocked shots. … Picked in the second round of the NBA Draft.
PG Colbey Ross — Eaglecrest, 2017
. … Signed with Pepperdine over scholarship offers from Cal Poly, Northern Colorado and others. … First player in NCAA history with at least 2,200 points, 800 assists and 400 rebounds. … Started in 125 games over four seasons. … A second-round NBA Draft prospect.
C Nick Fazekas — Ralston Valley, 2003
… Picked Nevada over scholarship offers from Marquette, Utah and others. … A three-time NCAA All-American. … Finished college career as school’s all-time leader in scoring (2,464) and blocked shots (192). … Selected No. 34 overall in the NBA Draft.
