Manual’s Jordan Reed named Gatorade Colorado boys basketball player of the year

Manual’s Jordan Reed was named the 2021-22 Gatorade Colorado Boys Basketball Player of the Year, announced Wednesday. Reed is the fourth Gatorade Colorado Boys Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Manual all-time.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior guard averaged 29.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this past season, leading the Thunderbolts (16-7) to the Class 3A state quarterfinals. Reed also compiled 5.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game, recording five scoring lines of 40 points or more including a season-high 53 points in a 93-78 victory over Peak to Peak Charter School in January. He was a Class 3A First Team All-State selection as a junior.

Reed has volunteered locally as a youth basketball coach, and maintains a B average in the classroom. He remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.

“You could guard Jordan with two players and he would still score on you,” said Abram Ziemer, head coach of Faith Christian Academy. “While he’s an elite scorer, he’s also an incredible passer. He might only be beginning to tap into his potential as well.”

Reed joins recent Gatorade Colorado Boys Basketball Players of the Year Julian Hammond III (2020-21, Cherry Creek High School), Dominique Clifford (2019-20, The Vanguard School), Kenny Foster (2018-19, Smoky Hill High School), and Sam Masten (2017-18, Rock Canyon High School), among the state’s list of former award winners.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Reed as Colorado’s best high school boys basketball player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year award to be announced in March, Reed joins an elite alumni association of state award-winners in 12 sports, including Jayson Tatum (2015-16, Chaminade College Preparatory School, Mo.), Karl-Anthony Towns (2012-13 & 2013-14, St. Joseph High School, N.J.), Jabari Parker (2011-12, Simeon Career Academy, Ill.) and Dwight Howard (2003-04, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Ga.).