When DU extended a 2019 offer to 6’6″ forward Ronnie DeGray lll from Chaparral High School, Denver gave their second offer to a local product under head coach Rodney Billups.

But dig deeper and you will find a Chauncey Billups connection as well.

In a 2015 Denver Post article, DeGray’s father, Ronnie DeGray, left Valor Christian as a head basketball coach to join the management team at Chauncey Billups D1 training facility in Highlands Ranch. DeGray, who played alongside Chauncey Billups at Colorado before playing six years of professional ball in Europe, is currently the CEO of the Billups Elite Basketball Academy facility which also trains at the facility.

DeGray’s son, Ronnie DeGray III attended a recent DU’s prep hoops camp.

Prep Hoops covered DU’s summer basketball camp and Ronnie DeGray was reported to be a strong performer during the three-day camp. Interestingly, the Billups family connections may have led to a feature article in Prep Hoops on the DU camp, giving the Pioneers program greater visibility to local hoopnicks, coaches, and players.

Prep Hoops author Kenny Smith posted this on his Twitter:

This is one of the key reasons that DU benefits from the Billups connection – both Rodney and Chauncey. They are closely tied to the local basketball scene and they have access to the local basketball prep community – and talent.

Rodney Billups continues to aggressively identify and recruit prospects early in the process.