Now that the Boston Celtics and the Florida Panthers are world champions the race to build next seasons championship team for both leagues is in full swing. Over the weekend both the NBA and NHL kicked off their 2024 draft with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks securing Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher at number one overall, and the NHL’s San Jose Sharks securing Macklin Celebrini from Boston University.
The Utah Jazz drafted the University of Colorado’s (CU) forward, Cody Williams at number 10 and the Orlando Magic picked up Colorado forward, Tristan Da Silva at number 18. The Minnesota Wild (NHL) drafted Zee Buium of the Denver Pioneers at number 12.
A trade with the Phoenix Suns brought Dayton Flyers center DaRon Holmes II to the Denver Nuggets and sent Ryan Dunn from Virginia to the Phoenix. Holmes II was drafted at number 22 while Dunn was drafted at number 28. In the second round, the Charlotte Hornets drafted CU guard, KJ Simpson.
The Colorado Avalanche had no first rounders, but rounds 2-7 hauled in nine picks after Colorado traded back several times to add more picks. Colorado added several goalies including Ilya Nabokov who had a great year in Russia with the Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
One of the biggest draft stories coming out of Colorado included a young man by the name of Dalton Knecht. Knecht, a guard who started at the University of Northern Colorado made his way to Tennessee to become a Vol and was drafted at number 17 by the Los Angles Lakers. Knecht was born in Fargo, North Dakota but moved to Colorado at a young age, growing up in Thornton. Knecht attended Prairie View High School in Brighton where he averaged 21 points, 6.5 rebounds as a senior. Because Knecht was only 6’1” he received no offers from Division I but later became the SEC conference player of the year.
In other sports the Colorado Rockies lost both of their games in the two-game series they had with the Houston Astros last week. On Sunday the Rockies prevented a three-game sweep by the White Sox with a 5-4 win.
This week the Rockies are at home to host the Milwaukee Brewers (four-game series) and the Kansas City Royals this weekend.
The Rockies are last in the Division and are 12 games behind the number four San Francisco Giants.
The Broncos training camp is completely sold out for the first three camps but tickets for the remainder 13 sessions are still available for purchase. Saturday camps appear to be the hot ticket so if you want to go, purchasing tickets for other days might be easier to find.
Broncos training camp begins July 26 and their last camp will be a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers on August 16th.
