Cherry Creek’s Van Gytenbeek chooses Stanford

Cherry Creek sophomore point guard Jana Van Gytenbeek had a dozen NCAA Division I offers — but as soon as she visited Palo Alto, Calif., over winter break, she knew exactly where she wanted to be.

“I went on an unofficial visit on New Year’s Eve, and Stanford has always been my dream school — that’s when they extended the scholarship offer,” Van Gytenbeek said.

“I basically committed on the spot but wanted to talk it through with my parents and my coaches. Then on my birthday, on (Jan. 3), I called them back and restated my commitment.”

The 5-foot-7 16-year-old is averaging 13.8 points and 8.0 assists per game for the No. 4 Bruins (6-3), who are in search of their first state title after falling in the semifinals to Lakewood last season.

Van Gytenbeek also seriously considered Kansas State, Iowa State, Clemson and Colorado State.

The highly coveted recruit who has the ultimate goal of playing in the WNBA is just one headliner in a stacked Bruins starting lineup also featuring college-bound ballers in senior forward Jaela Richardson (Metro State) and senior wing Sydney Mech (Denver).

The team’s only losses this year have come to No. 3 Ralston Valley and two outof-state teams — Lake Highland Prep of Orlando, Fla., and North Forsyth of Cumming, Ga. — so Van Gytenbeek knows there’s room for improvement in order for the Bruins to challenge No. 2 Grandview for the Centennial League crown over the next couple of months.

“If we can play defense, we can beat anybody because the offensive side will figure itself out,” Van Gytenbeek said. “Our rotation on help side needs to get better, and our one-on-one defense has to be better with taking away the first step of quick opposing guards.”