One of the top overall girls prospects in the state is Boulder Creek High School's talented and gifted 5-foot-10 rising senior guard Darian Slaga. After a strong junior season and a high school career, Slaga has seen her share of college recruitment from division-I college programs across the country. While her college recruitment is still fully developing, Slaga has a true leader in her college recruitment early.
I caught up with Slaga recently while watching her perform in last weekend's Memorial Day Magic girl's basketball tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. In the event, Slaga played for her long-time club program - the Arizona Sting. Slaga would lead her team in the event, amidst strong competition.
Slaga has grown physically a great deal over the past two years and, as a result, she is much stronger physically and is able to get her shot off at will against smaller defenders. She has a nice ability to handle the basketball and rise up over defenders and make shots - possessing a very nice mid-range game for herself. Slaga was one of the top individual girls performers in the event last weekend.
While it is still early on in her college recruitment, Slaga advised me that she currently has a leader in her college recruitment, after recently taking an official recruiting visit to the University of Denver.
"I really like them," Slaga advised me. "I really enjoyed my visit and I really like their players and coaches.
Slaga did not indicate to me when she would make her college decision but she did emphasize that she really liked the Denver program and that they would be the school to beat for her services.
Slaga is a high-major guard prospect, so she would be a steal for the Denver program. After having a terrific high school career already, Slaga averaged 17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 steals per/game this past season, while leading her team to a 15-12 overall record on the season.
Slaga has develoed her advanced skillset on and off the basketball court through coming from a strong basketball family. She was coached by her father for many years - developing her into a serious basketball prospect over time. As a result, Slaga is a true talent that continues to improve as she matures physically. She will only get much better over the next few years, and could see a much better college career for herself.
As a sophomore starter for head coach Josiah McDaniel, Slaga did everything she could to help her team win – displaying serious emotion on the floor and playing her heart out. She would average 13.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per/contest. While leading the team to an 18-11 record in the state’s competitive Division-I Class, Slaga would help lead the team to the state playoffs before a playoff loss to Xavier. As a freshman starter, Slaga was invincible – averaging an eye-popping and team-high 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.9 steals per/game.
I will continue to follow Slaga's recruitment closely and bring you any updates as they continue to develop.
