City Rankings: Baton Rouge Top 10 Right Now

Historically, the city of Baton Rouge has produced some of the best players in the state of Louisiana. From players like Lester Earl (Glen Oaks/Kansas/LSU) to Javonte Smart (Scotlandville/LSU), Baton Rouge has had a firm grasp on producing top talent . In this city rankings edition, we will look at who are the top ten players in the city, right now, from the class of 2021 and beyond. #1 G Carlos Stewart (6’1″/2021) – Dunham Stewart is the third rated player in the 2021 class. Truth be told, he may become the number one player when it is all said and done. The two-time state champion was already a highly-touted scorer. This season, he stepped his defense up another level. Stewart is now one of the best two-way players on the Louisiana prep scene. He has learned how to impose his will on both ends of the floor and that trait alone truly makes him tops in Baton Rouge. #2 P [player_tooltip player_id="781838" first="Percy" last="Daniels"] (6’8″/2022) – Madison Prep The double-double machine from Madison Prep turned his sophomore campaign into a pretty good season. He was named All-Metro, district MVP, and first team All-state playing his first, fully healthy season. The killing part is Daniels has two more seasons to get even better. With his ability to score on either block, gather rebounds for putbacks, and play shot-blocking defense, we might be looking at a future all state most outstanding player. #3 W [player_tooltip player_id="765913" first="Brandon" last="Harton"], Jr. (6’3″/2021) – Jehovah-Jireh For a multiple time state champion, [player_tooltip player_id="765913" first="Brandon" last="Harton"] probably does not get his just due. He is the top post threat, top rebounder, and primary post defender for a Warriors team who plays any and everyone. Harton has a perimeter game and does make occasional jumpers. His money is made, however, taking bigs off the dribble and just being the hardest worker on the basketball court. In his final season, I can see him being the class C and MOP. #4 G [player_tooltip player_id="781853" first="John-Paul" last="Ricks"] (6’0″/2022) – Jehovah-Jireh The reignig class C player of the year is JP Ricks. He is also the top point guard in the 2022 class. There is no player who puts skill and the will to win into a combination better than Ricks. He is the unquestioned floor general on a state championship team. Ricks can take over a game scoring just as well as creating for others. When it is winning time, he loves having the ball in his hands. Simply put, there are none better at the point than Ricks. #5 W [player_tooltip player_id="781863" first="Jacob" last="Wilson"] (6’4″/2022) – Lee Magnet <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2019/08/Jacob-Wilson-66.jpg"></a> Wilson began his season with a good showing at the Prep Hoops top 250 and did not look back. He helped Lee to a quarterfinal appearance in Division II while showing he is more than a post player. Wilson is a good scorer at two levels and is improving behind the arc. He can also run the floor like a track star. Wilson has the athleticism to guard multiple positions, play help side, and guard the post. His junior year may be a breakout season for him. #6 G Deziel Perkins (6’2″/2021) – Madison Prep Perkins is a smooth, lefty guard who has been a key role player for the Chargers the last two seasons. Moving into his senior season, he will move more into a leadership which should suit him perfectly. Perkins will be relied upon to make more decisions on offense while scoring more. He is an excellent shooter. When he is hot, he can score in bunches. Look for Perkins to be a prominent figure in the Chargers success next season. #7 W [player_tooltip player_id="970133" first="Tyler" last="Ringgold"] (6’5″/2023) – Southern Lab As far as total skill sets are concerned, [player_tooltip player_id="970133" first="Tyler" last="Ringgold"] has one that could land him player of the year status. As a freshman, he already possesses the ability to score at all three levels while creating mismatches on almost every possession. Ringgold has the freedom to rebound and go with the ball. Not only can he score in these instances, he can set others up. While he needs to improve his defensively, Ringgold has a very promising future. #8 G [player_tooltip player_id="980482" first="Zavier" last="Sims"] (6’2″/2021) – Lee Magnet Sims was a guard who played under the radar the majority of the season. Being in the same city and region with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id="848192" first="Reece" last="Beekman"], Carlos Stewart, and [player_tooltip player_id="778619" first="Jalen" last="Cook"] will do that. Going into next year, Sims is poised to have a breakout season with an ultra-talented Lee Magnet squad. Sims is an athletic guard who can score and facilitate. He can also play off the ball if need be. His flexibility will make him a very tough cover next season. #9 F [player_tooltip player_id="783259" first="Jaren" last="Curry"] (6’5″/2022) – Southern Lab Curry may be listed as a shooting guard on his Hudl page. In reality, he is a load in the paint for the Southern Lab Kittens. Curry can step out and hit short jumpers on the baseline. When the ball goes into him on the block, it is either a scoring opportunity or a situation where he gets fouled. He makes plays with the ball in his hands and he knows how to score. Look for his game to expand next season as the Kittens make another run in Division IV. #10 G [player_tooltip player_id="765926" first="Ian" last="Cavana"] (6’2″/2021) – Catholic Watching [player_tooltip player_id="765926" first="Ian" last="Cavana"] on film, I wondered why I have not heard more of this guy. Well, next season, that will probably change. He is a deadeye shooter who is more athletic than one would think. He can handle the ball in the open floor as well and make athletic finishes at the rim. In his senior season, he will probably be asked to score more and play plenty of point. With the game he possesses though, I can see him handling that just fine. Baton Rouge has a ton of talent and the metro area surrounding the city has even more. It will be interesting to see which players will enter this list going forward. Once basketball begins again, only time will tell who else enters the city rankings in Baton Rouge.

Historically, the city of Baton Rouge has produced some of the best players in the state of Louisiana. From players like Lester Earl (Glen Oaks/Kansas/LSU) to Javonte Smart (Scotlandville/LSU), Baton Rouge has had a firm grasp on producing top talent . In this city rankings edition, we will look at who are the top ten players in the city, right now, from the class of 2021 and beyond.

#1 G Carlos Stewart (6’1″/2021) – Dunham

Stewart is the third rated player in the 2021 class. Truth be told, he may become the number one player when it is all said and done. The two-time state champion was already a highly-touted scorer. This season, he stepped his defense up another level. Stewart is now one of the best two-way players on the Louisiana prep scene. He has learned how to impose his will on both ends of the floor and that trait alone truly makes him tops in Baton Rouge.

#2 P Percy Daniels Percy Daniels 6'8" | PF Madison Prep | 2022 State LA (6’8″/2022) – Madison Prep

The double-double machine from Madison Prep turned his sophomore campaign into a pretty good season. He was named All-Metro, district MVP, and first team All-state playing his first, fully healthy season. The killing part is Daniels has two more seasons to get even better. With his ability to score on either block, gather rebounds for putbacks, and play shot-blocking defense, we might be looking at a future all state most outstanding player.

#3 W Brandon Harton Brandon Harton 6'4" | SF Jehovah-Jireh | 2021 State LA , Jr. (6’3″/2021) – Jehovah-Jireh

For a multiple time state champion, Brandon Harton Brandon Harton 6'4" | SF Jehovah-Jireh | 2021 State LA probably does not get his just due. He is the top post threat, top rebounder, and primary post defender for a Warriors team who plays any and everyone. Harton has a perimeter game and does make occasional jumpers. His money is made, however, taking bigs off the dribble and just being the hardest worker on the basketball court. In his final season, I can see him being the class C and MOP.

#4 G John-Paul Ricks John-Paul Ricks 6'0" | PG Jehovah-Jireh | 2022 State #206 Nation LA (6’0″/2022) – Jehovah-Jireh

The reignig class C player of the year is JP Ricks. He is also the top point guard in the 2022 class. There is no player who puts skill and the will to win into a combination better than Ricks. He is the unquestioned floor general on a state championship team. Ricks can take over a game scoring just as well as creating for others. When it is winning time, he loves having the ball in his hands. Simply put, there are none better at the point than Ricks.

#5 W Jacob Wilson Jacob Wilson 6'5" | SF Liberty | 2022 State LA (6’4″/2022) – Lee Magnet

Wilson began his season with a good showing at the Prep Hoops top 250 and did not look back. He helped Lee to a quarterfinal appearance in Division II while showing he is more than a post player. Wilson is a good scorer at two levels and is improving behind the arc. He can also run the floor like a track star. Wilson has the athleticism to guard multiple positions, play help side, and guard the post. His junior year may be a breakout season for him.

#6 G Deziel Perkins (6’2″/2021) – Madison Prep

Perkins is a smooth, lefty guard who has been a key role player for the Chargers the last two seasons. Moving into his senior season, he will move more into a leadership which should suit him perfectly. Perkins will be relied upon to make more decisions on offense while scoring more. He is an excellent shooter. When he is hot, he can score in bunches. Look for Perkins to be a prominent figure in the Chargers success next season.

#7 W Tyler Ringgold Tyler Ringgold 6'7" | SF Legacy Early College | 2023 State SC (6’5″/2023) – Southern Lab

As far as total skill sets are concerned, Tyler Ringgold Tyler Ringgold 6'7" | SF Legacy Early College | 2023 State SC has one that could land him player of the year status. As a freshman, he already possesses the ability to score at all three levels while creating mismatches on almost every possession. Ringgold has the freedom to rebound and go with the ball. Not only can he score in these instances, he can set others up. While he needs to improve his defensively, Ringgold has a very promising future.

#8 G Zavier Sims Zavier Sims 6'2" | PG Liberty Magnet | 2021 State LA (6’2″/2021) – Lee Magnet

Sims was a guard who played under the radar the majority of the season. Being in the same city and region with the likes of Reece Beekman Reece Beekman 6'2" | SG Scotlandville | 2020 State #45 Nation LA , Carlos Stewart, and Jalen Cook Jalen Cook 6'0" | PG Walker | 2020 State #98 Nation LA will do that. Going into next year, Sims is poised to have a breakout season with an ultra-talented Lee Magnet squad. Sims is an athletic guard who can score and facilitate. He can also play off the ball if need be. His flexibility will make him a very tough cover next season.

#9 F JT Curry JT Curry 6'7" | SF Southern Lab | 2022 State LA (6’5″/2022) – Southern Lab

Curry may be listed as a shooting guard on his Hudl page. In reality, he is a load in the paint for the Southern Lab Kittens. Curry can step out and hit short jumpers on the baseline. When the ball goes into him on the block, it is either a scoring opportunity or a situation where he gets fouled. He makes plays with the ball in his hands and he knows how to score. Look for his game to expand next season as the Kittens make another run in Division IV.

#10 G Ian Cavana Ian Cavana 6'2" | SG Catholic | 2021 State LA (6’2″/2021) – Catholic

Watching Ian Cavana Ian Cavana 6'2" | SG Catholic | 2021 State LA on film, I wondered why I have not heard more of this guy. Well, next season, that will probably change. He is a deadeye shooter who is more athletic than one would think. He can handle the ball in the open floor as well and make athletic finishes at the rim. In his senior season, he will probably be asked to score more and play plenty of point. With the game he possesses though, I can see him handling that just fine.

Baton Rouge has a ton of talent and the metro area surrounding the city has even more. It will be interesting to see which players will enter this list going forward. Once basketball begins again, only time will tell who else enters the city rankings in Baton Rouge.