BOULDER — The Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball team signed four players to their 2021 recruiting class Wednesday morning.
These four players make up an incredible haul for head coach Tad Boyle and Co., as their 2021 class is ranked 4th in the Pac-12 and 16th in the nation by 247Sports. In short, Colorado has a lot to be excited about for the future of their basketball program.
So, let’s dive in and meet these guys:
Quincy Allen, 4-star forward
“He’s got as much upside as any player I think that we’ve ever signed at Colorado, in terms of his length, athleticism and skill set.”
– Tad Boyle
Allen comes to Boulder from Washington, D.C., and brings solid size as a scoring wing.
At 6-foot-7 and 190 pounds, Allen tracks more as a perimeter threat than an athletic scorer. He has a great catch-and-shoot deep ball and moves well in the mid-range. There is truly no spot on the floor that is not green for Allen, as his teammates found him early and often in high school to set up quick shots.
Allen also has seen praise for his ball-handling and passing skills. His dribbling allows for quick pull-up looks from deep, as well as finding space inside the arc to take high-percentage mid-range looks.
For a guy who will see a lot of attention when he moves towards the basket, Allen is not afraid to kick the ball out for open looks. While he has room to improve on the defensive side of the ball, he can learn a lot under Tad Boyle and should make an impact offensively as soon as he steps onto the court.
Lawson Lovering, 4-star center
“He’s just one of those guys that every time you go see him, he’s getting better and better and better… And it’s evident in how hard he works and the improvement he’s made just in his high school career.”
– Tad Boyle
Just when you thought the Colorado frontcourt could not get any better, the Buffs sign Lawson Lovering.
The 7-foot, 220-pound center from Cheyenne, WY will bring more physicality to the low post on an already stacked Buffaloes team. Not only does he have the size to help protect the paint, but he is a dynamic offensive scorer.
Lovering had a high shooting percentage from the floor, which you would expect from a 7-footer in high school ball. The exciting part, however, is his 50-plus-percent clip from deep. Lawson has shown an ability to stretch the floor, which will force defenders to play him at the top of the key and set up opportunities to drive toward the rim.
Lovering also possesses great vision for a big man, allowing him to draw attention and flush out a pass for an easy finish. While he will get on the court for his size and presence, he will stay on the court with his unparalleled playmaking.
247Sports lists Lovering as the 46th-ranked player in the 2021 recruiting class.
Javon Ruffin, 3-star guard
“He’s a guy that can get to the rim, get to the foul line, shoot the three, and I think he’s got the ability to be a very good defender.”
– Tad Boyle
Javon Ruffin is a 6-foot-5, 195-pound player out of New Orleans with experience at both guard positions. While Arch Manning dominates the football headlines, Ruffin controls the basketball highlights at Newman High School.
Ruffin plays as a tremendous 3-and-D, as his instincts compliment his size allowing him to get steals and apply pressure to ball-handlers. The interesting part of Ruffin’s game is his shooting: while he has a good stroke, he has a slower release that may not translate as well to college.
Overall, Ruffin brings the intangibles that can impact the team from Day 1. His frame makes him a defensive asset, while he also has strong vision as a passer. Even if his shooting does not fully translate, Ruffin can be a great compliment to another guard and provide stability to the backcourt.
Julian Hammond III, 3-star guard
“He’s a guy that can shoot it, can handle it, and he’s got great anticipation skills. I think he’s going to be a very good defender before it’s all said and done as well.”
– Tad Boyle
Staying home for school, Hammond is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard out of Englewood, CO.
The thing that immediately jumps off of Hammond’s tape is his shooting form – he has a tight enough and quick enough release to consistently hit shots. Defenders are forced to play him tight on the perimeter, allowing his quick first step and overall athleticism to create space.
To that point, Hammond has a tremendous feel for driving in the lane. Even against bigger defenders, he can use his body to shield defenders and finish at the rim. Hammond also has a great sense on the defensive side of the court. He has strong athleticism to contest shots as well as quick hands to deflect passes and disrupt ball handlers.
