Class of 2021 Observations

<p>Covid-19 has drastically had an effect on the summer AAU events and players. Reduced number of fans in gyms, fans wearing masks, even players and coaches on the bench wearing masks. But, through it all, some players have committed to working on their games in an effort to catch the eye of college coaches watching live streams or writers evaluating the talents of players. I have had the opportunity to watch players in practice, tryouts, workouts, and games.  Some of the things that stuck out were: the level of conditioning of players, focus on rankings, and even some resting on the laurels of last season or past efforts. With that being said, scholarships will go to those who are mentally, physically prepared, plus those who have skills translatable to the next level, not the hottest mixtapes or tweets.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="530986" first="Emar’eyon" last="McDonald"] 6’1" PG Scotlandville </h5> <p>So many people have been anticipating the return of McDonald to competitive play. We have seen the tweets and the videos. Having seen McDonald with LivOn in practice, a scrimmage against Select One 16u, and the Power 24 in Atlanta...I  left hoping he has better performances ahead. In the two games in Atlanta, he shot 3-14 21% from three, only 2 free throws, no assist. With 3 pointers being his main weapon, and them falling you must attack creating for others or getting to the free-throw line at least 5 times a game to become more effective.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="566567" first="Camryn" last="Carter"] 6’2" CG East Ascension</h5> <p>The #13 ranked player [player_tooltip player_id="566567" first="Camryn" last="Carter"] must be kin to Clarence Carter, because this weekend he was stroking!!! Having watched his AAU team New Orleans play without him in Houston and watch them play with him, it was night and day. Coming off the bench his energy was on a different level than any other Louisiana player and the players lined up against him. Carter drove to the basket at will, hit 3’s consistently, and bothered ball handlers. That #13 ranking, in my opinion, is out the window.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="765916" first="Carter" last="Domingue"] 6’3" PG St.Thomas More</h5> <p>At the LivOn tryout I nicknamed Carter the "System Player", due to him seeming uneasy in the tryout format or in the Select One scrimmage. Even though he didn’t have the scoring game he would have liked in the Power 24 3-13 from 2pt, 2-5 from 3 he was solid at the line 5-6, second on his team in rebounding at 9, first in assist at 8, first in steals at 5. So, Carter systematically went to work and was LivOn’s most solid player.</p> <h5>Coryell Pierce 5’10" PG B.T. Washington</h5> <p>Coryell became my "Mr. Agg". In watching him in two tourneys he was consistent on defense driving opponents crazy. His example and leadership on the defensive end became infectious for his team. On the offensive end, I was amazed at his ability to get in the lane and maneuver to the other side of the rim. I must continue to watch to see if he possesses a 3 point ball.</p> <h5>Leonard Jackson 6’3" SG De La Salle</h5> <p>Leonard is a diamond in the ruff who may really pop with the right trainer or mentor. He has a great looking shot that’s pretty consistent. In a game against one of the top 6’8" small forwards in the southern region, he showed a lot of fight and toughness. I hope he finds the person to help him maximize his potential.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="765903" first="Jamond" last="Vincent"] 6’2" Wing  L.Walker</h5> <p>Jamond the University of New Orleans commit has played the role of bully in the workouts and games I’ve seen him in. He has used his strong frame to get to spots or athleticism to leap over for shots or dunks. He has been successful with this strategy, but he will need a pull-up jumper and better defense to have a bigger impact on the game. Also, didn’t rebound well enough or show the vision to get others easier shots.</p> <h5>Datayvious Gabriel 6’3" SG St. Martinville</h5> <p>Gabriel hadn’t practiced with LivOn, but jumped out of the van in Atlanta. Trying to get a feel of his teammates and finding his role was somewhat of an issue. He went 3-10 from 2, many of those shots he was fouled on but he went 5-7 from the line. His 3 ball seemed dehydrated as he went 1-5. He could have turned it up on defense and creating for others.</p> <h5>Simon Franke 6’2" PG Northshore</h5> <p>One of the biggest surprises at this point for me is Franke. I saw him in a tourney in Mississippi playing with the Titans from the Northshore. In a matchup against a kid from Alabama holding multiple offers Franke more than held his own getting to spots at will, muscling finishes over or through the bigs. Not much time during the season to improve, but with patience and work his shot and shot discipline can become a terror.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="765936" first="Taj" last="Gilyot"] 6’3" PG McMain </h5> <p>I still hold firm on Gilyot being the best point guard prospect at his high school, and maybe one of the top pure point guards in this class.  This playing session he has shown the ability to run a team and not turn it over averaging less than 2 a game. He has shown the ability to hit timely 3 pointers. Must become more efficient with less dribbling, plus explosively finishing above the rim.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="765927" first="Claudell" last="Harris"] 6’1" CG Hahnville </h5> <p>M.J. the nickname Claudell is most known by is a scoring guard. His first thought is to score, so is his second and third. Harris raised eyes with his shot-making in a tournament in Houston, having a D1 coach reach out to ask "is he good enough"? In an effort to be good enough M.J. must hone his shot-making, defense, and ability to create for others. I look forward to his progression if he improves in these areas.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="765918" first="Theo" last="Johnson"] 5"10" PG Bonnable</h5> <p>On an AAU team with so many guys with similar abilities its hard to get a rhythm with constant substitutions. But one thing coaches and evaluators look for is identity. I thought Johnson did a great job of running the offense for his high school team. However, during the tournaments, I’ve seen him he’s been struggling to be a shooting guard. And I get it, it may be confusing with 3 point guards on the floor at times. Nevertheless, you will be judged on guarding your position, running a team, and hitting timely shots.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="765924" first="Ryan" last="Elzy"] 6’1" CG Pontchatoula</h5> <p>Elzy is another player who seemed uncomfortable in tryouts and practice but was very sure of himself in the Power 24 tourney. He didn’t shoot many shots but he was efficient and effective shooting 3-5 from 2, 5-6 from 3. Elzy is at a critical point in his development here he must become an outstanding shooter and defender where he becomes worth the gamble for a school to play him off the ball or perfect his abilities as a lead guard. I’m pulling for a successful transformation.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="765911" first="Devon" last="Lizana"] 6’2" PG Salmen</h5> <p>The first thought I had in seeing Devon was he has spent some time on his body. This has added some toughness to his game. He has been able to pressure opponents better on defense, absorb contact on offense, and have shot the 3 ball even more effortlessly. Must become a little more downhill in the upcoming events.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="530977" first="Jourdain" last="Dishmond"] 6’7" Menard</h5> <p>Dishmond loves to throw his body into defenders creating space, this has allowed him to bully lighter shorter players. Watching against Select One and there 6’9" or better front line that was not working. Dishmond has a knack of getting offensive rebounds, but those are the majority of his misses. He must lose weight, improve reaction time, and expand or show expanded range to cause bigger players problems.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="931319" first="Bennie" last="Amos"] 5’11" PG L.Walker</h5> <p>Amos can shoot the ball and has done a good job in tournaments. As all guards who are trying to get attention must master mixing up the drive, 3, and pull-up to cause problems for the other opponent or team. Amos has bulked up a little which has added to his confidence. Must see his play more minutes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>