New Orleans Top 10

<h4>The New Orleans Top 10 Series/ Forwards</h4>   Who are the top players in New Orleans? This has become an explosive topic after the posting of the last statewide posting of rankings. The first group we will look at are the forwards. Yes, forwards… since the players who play the post in New Orleans are forwards and not centers due to lack of height. Plus, the game of basketball has basically eliminated that position. I will list the players by ranking and give their positives and areas of improvement that will lead to raising their chances of a scholarship. But first I will explain the ranking process. When evaluating players evaluators use the 4P’s, Performance, Production, Potential, and Projection to make decisions concerning a prospect. How does a player bring attention to himself? Through in-person viewing, video, or word of mouth interest is gained by a player in-game performance. Next, an evaluator tries to gauge the consistency of the players’ performance. So, the question becomes… is this something coaches can depend on from this player? And this is what we call production. If a player continues to hold the evaluators’ interest, we go to the IF’s, and we call this potential. Let’s say you have two players the same abilities, however, there are traits like strength, height, speed, skill, and possibly aggressiveness in which one could improve it would give them an edge in potential. Many times, when players are evaluated early the short stocky football type player is playing well due to his strength and aggressiveness. This causes many fans to overlook the skinny, long awkward kid, who may grow a foot or two taller, and become graceful after growing into his body. This is one example of the potential. After looking at the first 3 factors the final one is projection. Projection is a combination of the other 3 and a few other things. For example, looking at production a guy could score a lot of points, but how many of those points will translate to college points. The college game is played in the half-court, so if a player has a lot of breakaway layups or score a large portion of his points from being at the top of the press he may not be projected as a college player because the college game isn’t really played like that. Another example is a lack of size, aggressiveness, and athleticism. In New Orleans, a player maybe 6’6” and under and play the post. Players who explosively athletic and undersize will struggle or not be effective in college basketball if they aren’t highly skilled and can’t stretch the floor. Consequently, this causes players to draw little or no interest from colleges due to their poor projection. #1 [player_tooltip player_id="781851" first="Kyran" last="Ratliff"] 2022 6’7 B.T. Washington. Probably the consensus top player in the metro area based on potential and projection. Positives are athleticism, hands, length, shooting, and versatility. Areas of improvement changing ends, strength, and aggressiveness. #2 [player_tooltip player_id="765906" first="Will" last="Allen"] 2021 6’6” Bonnable. One of the hardest-working players in N.O. brings his lunch pail to work. Projection keeps him from the top spot. Positives are motor, rebounding, and competitiveness. Areas of improvement athleticism, feel, and versatility. #3 [player_tooltip player_id="566550" first="Eric" last="Williams"] 2021 6’7” St. Augustine. Potential allows Williams to temporarily hold the #3 spot. Needs to show improvement in some areas once play begins or a slide will be coming. Positives are versatility, feel, playmaking. Areas of improvement are strength, shooting, and competitiveness. #4 Koi Smith 2021 6’5” Hahnville. Smith has a nice bag of skills to draw from. However, it has yet to consistently put it together. Positives are changing ends, motor, versatility. Areas of improvement shooting, playmaking, anticipation/instincts. #5 Jason Malbure 2021 6’4” St. Augustine. Athletic open court open space player. Due to skillset and height, Malbure is a one-trick pony. Positives are athleticism, changing ends, aggressiveness. Areas of improvement are versatility, shooting, and playmaking. #6 Devonte Arcement 2021 6’5” F Einstein/Reed. Out of nowhere, Arcement comes to the rankings. This young man embraces the forward role unlike most who think they are something they’re not. Positives length, motor, aggressiveness. #7 Derrick Harry2021 6’5” Higgins. Harry has a skill set, however currently very unpolished. What type of work is he currently doing to hold the #6 ranking? Positives are versatility, length, instincts. Areas needing improvement are shooting, athleticism, and aggressiveness. #8 [player_tooltip player_id="848261" first="John" last="Kelly"] Jr. 2023 6’7” Crescent City. Kelly enters the rankings as a forward, however, when it’s all said in done may wind up one of the top wings. Positives are versatility, changing ends, instincts. Areas of improvement are strength, play-making, and shooting. #9 Roland Preston 2022 6’6” West Jefferson. Preston is learning the game but has the potential to move up with focus and work. Positives are defense, rebounding, and changing ends. Areas of improvement are versatility, feel, and shooting. # 10 Dontrell Wilright 6’4” 2022 F Wilright enters as a forward because of his skill set, however without growing taller or improving his skillset he will fade from the rankings. Positives are strength, rebounding, and hands. Areas of improvement are versatility, athleticism, and competitiveness.