David Vigil-Velasquez seems to have a knack for just about any sport he tries.

    With a avid interest in basketball, he decided to put his game to the test at the Denver Nuggets Skills Challenge to see how he stacked up against others at his age level. Vigil-Velasquez, 9, but plays at a level a couple of years beyond that.

    “David has a natural talent and ability when it comes to sports. He is always practicing or playing with his friends in one sort or another,” said Vigil’s dad, Ray. “I try to work with him on weekends in whichever sport he is playing at that time. He wanted to try basketball last November. So we worked at it and then signed him up for the Nuggets Skills Challenge at the recreation center here in Brighton.”

    Vigil was the only entrant in the 9-year-old division at the local level in December. He automatically qualified for the sectionals in Commerce City Jan. 18. Out of six competitors, he finished in first place again to advance to the state finals at Metropolitan State College March 20.

    At that level, Vigil faced 10 equally tough competitors and held his own to finish a strong third place.

    “I was a little nervous and pretty excited,” Vigil said. “To be playing in front of so many people. It was a lot of fun. I think I did pretty well for this being my first year playing organized basketball.” 

    Bob Mudgette, Vigil’s coach in the 9-year-old boy’s recreation level basketball, said plenty of good things about his young guard.

    “This being his first year playing in an organized program, David was a very pleasant surprise.” Mudgette said. “He is an outstanding shooter and ball handler. He is a very coachable kid and soaked up all the information he was given and he put it to good use to improve his game.

    “With kids, like David, that already show such a high skill level, as a coach, you never know if they will be able to take direction given to them that they will use to better themselves,” Mudgette added. “David put everything he was taught to good use, and he finished the season a much more rounded player.”

    At home, Vigil has plenty of sports equipment to keep him busy and working on most all sports skills. Ray Vigil is working on building a pitcher’s mound and home plate area right next to the batting cage. It’s already seen lots of use by David, his friends and a few of the coaches of Brighton’s Little League teams.

    “I’m putting in the mound so David will be able to work on becoming a pitcher,” Ray Vigil said.

    There is also a portable backboard and hoop for basketball and parks nearby where Vigil can go to play with his friends and continue to develop his sports skills.