The Colorado men’s basketball program opened its doors for some of the Box State’s top 2027 and 2028 talent on July 24, welcoming at least four recruits on unofficial visits.
2027 guard Jai Jegede (Cherokee Trail, Colo.) and 2028 guards Darian Proctor (Tilton, N.H.) and Montae Johnson (Cherry Creek, Colo.) all shared photos via social media of their day in Boulder. The three got to watch practice, tour the facilities and build upon relationships with the staff.
BuffStampede.com confirmed that 2028 forward Kayden Patrick (Cherry Creek, Colo.) was also on the tour. Patrick, along with Johnson and Proctor, played for TruColorado 3SSB this past summer.
So far, this offseason has been one for visitors, as CU will have at least three spots to fill at the end of the 2026-27 season, and one the year after next. Guard Barrington Hargress and forwards Justin Neely and Noah Feddersen will have exhausted their eligibility, forcing the Black-and-Gold to get their hands dirty in the recruiting game this summer and fall. And, as seen in the last two seasons, the transfer portal may demand more freshmen than expected.
While getting players on campus, including 2030 guard Baron Flenory III and 2027 four-star Isaiah Santos, Colorado hasn’t seen only optimism. Santos, a hard-nosed, highly sought-after target, committed to Minnesota within two weeks of officially seeing Boulder.
Still, head coach Tad Boyle and his staff, especially the recently promoted Tyson Gilbert, are working hard at finding new talent, starting with the kids playing in their backyard:
G, Jai Jegede (Cherokee Trail, 2027) - 6-foot-5, 185 pounds
Despite being the oldest of the four players who visited CU, Jegede had the quietest school season, though not due to his own fault. After averaging 7.9 points per game for Smoky Hill as a sophomore, helping the Buffaloes to the late stages of the Colorado state tournament, he transferred to Cherokee Trail, forcing him to miss varsity action as a junior.
However, the smooth shooter maintained the motion he built at Smoky Hill. He impressed on the Puma Pro16 circuit with Colorado Collective this summer, averaging 11 points and six rebounds per game. The 6-foot-5 wing looked to guard opposing teams’ best players, while spotting up for 3-point shots.
CU assistant Nate Tomlinson took note of Jegede’s play, setting up a visit with the rising senior. Jegede also has a visit lined up with Division-II Cal State East Bay.
G, Darian Proctor (Tilton School, 2028) - 6-foot-1, 165 pounds
While Proctor is set to play for Tilton School in New Hampshire, he earned some attention for his play in Colorado in his underclassmen years. He played at Cherry Creek as a freshman before transferring to Overland as a sophomore, averaging 9.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Offering high potential from a young age, the 6-foot-1 guard earned his first Division-I offer in 2023, from Alcorn State.
Yet, after averaging 17.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game with TruColorado on the 3SSB circuit this summer, he’s earned more interest. Beyond seeing Colorado, he has unofficial visits lined up with rival Nebraska and Lehigh. He’s seen California Baptist and Middle Tennessee. Northern Colorado, Boise State, Chicago State, Butler and Weber State have all contacted the young guard as well.
Schools have taken note of his shooting and scoring ability at all three levels. And with full-court pickups and a goal to get teammates involved, Proctor offers an all-around skill set.
G, Montae Johnson (Cherry Creek, 2028) - 6-foot-1, 170 pounds
After leading Cherry Creek in points and assists in a 21-5 campaign to the elite eight of state playoffs as a sophomore, Colorado had to get Johnson on campus. He averaged 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game this past season.
Having shared the TruColorado 3SSB’s backcourt with Proctor this past summer, however, more schools than CU have taken note. Division-II programs Claflin University and MSU Denver were the first to offer. But as Johnson averaged 13.8 points, 4.1 boards and 2.8 assists per game, Division-I offers from Alabama A&M and Bethune-Cookman rolled in. He’s also played at camps held by in-state programs Northern Colorado and Colorado State.
Playing the point guard position, the 6-foot-1 prospect takes pride in leading the team and managing the floor. But with a sweet shooting ability, teams have to keep a tab on him.
Gilbert and assistant coach Evan Battey have led Johnson’s recruitment.
F, Kayden Patrick (Cherry Creek, 2028) - 6-foot-8, 230 pounds
Playing for TruColorado alongside Proctor and Johnson, the 6-foot-8 Patrick also made noise for himself on the 3SSB circuit. Offering versatility as a screener and looking to enforce the interior, he averaged 10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.
While also teaming up with Johnson at Cherry Creek, Patrick averaged 11.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game this past year during school ball. And naturally, he also pulled an offer from MSU-Denver, presumably due to the duo’s chemistry.
While other offers have yet to arrive for Patrick, numerous schools have shown interest in him besides CU. Lehigh, Nebraska, California Baptist, Austin Peay, CSU Pueblo, Northern Colorado and Colorado State have shown interest in the forward.
As a rising junior, Patrick displays an inside presence as a screener, rebounder and shot-blocker. But at his height, he also shot 40.9% from 3-point range on 44 attempts with the Bruins last year and looks to shut down opposing teams’ top frontcourt or wing player.
Gilbert has also led Patrick’s recruitment.
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