Louisiana 2020 Rankings: Top 5

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>1) Jalen Cook 6’0 PG Walker</strong> <em>(LSU Commit)</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Putting Cook back at the top spot of the 2020 class might be a bit of a controversial decision, but in all honesty, there hasn’t been a tighter race for the best player of a class since Prep Hoops Louisiana began doing rankings for the 2016 class. A few months ago, I wrote an article breaking down Cook’s game, and I received some flack for being too tough on him, but that film breakdown was the basis of where I began to put Cook back on top. It showed me that he has an elite skill that he will be able to contribute from day one, which is his shooting ability. I am also confident that he can continue to build on his shooting ability and after a couple of years in college, will be one of the premier shot makers in the country. I just can’t get the Carson Edwards comparison out of my head. As a result, I can see the path for Jalen Cook to be the best player on an NCAA championship contender, something I struggle to see with Beekman.</span></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>2) Reece Beekman 6’2 PG Scotlandville</strong> (<em>Virginia Commit)</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even though I can’t see Beekman as the best player on a championship contender, I don’t mean that as a slight to him. There isn’t much on the basketball court that Beekman isn’t capable of affecting, whether it’s scoring, passing, rebounding or defending. I wouldn’t be surprised if his ability to defend will lead to him having a bigger role in his first season at Virginia than Cook has at LSU year one. However, while Beekman is a jack-of-all-trades, he’s a master of none, which I think will limit his ceiling. I see his college comparison closer to Skylar Mays, who has had a fantastic career at LSU, but through three seasons hasn’t been relied on as the best player for a team.</span></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>3) Ladamien Bradford 6’4 CG Jonesboro-Hodge</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While Cook and Beekman have cemented themselves at the top of the 2020 class, you definitely shouldn’t sleep on Bradford, who raised his stock, nationally, as well as anyone this summer. He’s a big, shifty combo guard that can slide between either guard spot comfortably, offering flexibility and versatility at the next level. He is really good when attacking downhill, but has shown an increased ability to shoot the ball from deep, as well as a much cleaner shooting form.  As of right now, Bradford is the best uncommitted player in the state, but it looks like he will be making a decision sooner rather than later.</span></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>4) Chanse Robinson 6’1 CG Lincoln Prep</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Robinson is another really impressive prospect who put up nearly identical numbers to Bradford on the same Louisiana Elite team this past summer. I do have a bit of a worry about the way that Robinson will be able to impact the game at the next level without the ball in his hands, but he brings something to the table that not many can match. He’s a dog! He plays with a chip on his shoulder every time he steps on the court, and he isn’t afraid to go at your neck. </span></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>5) Thomas H</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>owell 6’7 PF St. Mary’s</strong> <em>(LA Tech Commit)</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Howell is another really intriguing prospect, and I think that his fit at LA Tech is going to be good. He brings a college-ready frame and athleticism to the table and plays with a motor that any coach in the country would love from their big man. When he gets the ball down around the paint, it’s tough to keep him from scoring, as he does a great job of bully defenders around the rim. He’s also shown an increased ability to play on the perimeter, both as a shooter and as a ball-handler, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed more of that this season for St. Mary’s. </span></p>