The Next 30 Hoopers to Watch Regardless of Class (Mi-Z)

This last group of ten players to watch are some of the most hard-nosed and gritty players of the 30 listed. Some of them play football while others are just tough as nails. We will take a look at this last list of players because they are going to be some of the top players this coming season. [player_tooltip player_id="765933" first="John" last="Mitchell"] (W/F) | 6’4" | Captain Shreve | 2021 Last season was almost lost for Mitchell due to an LHSAA rulings. Once he got the green light, he made the most of it. Mitchell pulled all of his tools out of his tool shed to be the Parkway tournament MVP, 1-5A all-district first team member, and a member of the all-state and all-city teams. The rising senior can play four positions on the floor. Mitchell can rebound, shoot, and defend. After football season, he may turn in spectacular basketball season. [player_tooltip player_id="931045" first="Jamaar" last="Moore"] (CG) | 6’0" | Washington-Marion | 2021 The Washington-Marion junior is one of the best defenders we have on the Louisiana prep scene. He will pick up opposing guards anywhere on the floor and will hound them into turnovers. Moore is also good on the offensive end as well. He scores at each offensive level and excels at creating turnovers for scores. His play both ways garnered him all-district and all-state honors this past season. Look for more of the same from Moore in 2020-21. [player_tooltip player_id="765941" first="Kashie" last="Natt"] (G/W) | 6’2" | Rayville | 2021 Natt came from the Rayville football field to the Hornet hardwood and had one whale of a season. He lead the team in scoring and was one free throw away from helping the Hornets repeat as 2A champions. Natt has the height of a guard but the heart of a big man. He rebounds, plays the top of the press, and scores at different levels. Natt also defends three positions. This type of play aided in him being first team all-state. His senior year should be special. Dez’iel Perkins (CG) | 6’2" | Madison Prep | 2021 The lefty guard was his a key cog in the Chargers run to Lake Charles this past season. His ability to fill it up quickly was a skill that was needed all season long. While he might not have gotten many individuals accolades this season, Perkins got another key year of experience. Next season, he will have a heavy part of the scoring load from the perimeter for the Chargers. If there is a player that can step into the scorer’s role, Dez Perkins is that guy. [player_tooltip player_id="765920" first="Darrien" last="Perry"] (CG) | 6’0" | Plain Dealing | 2021 Perry will be the best guard returning to a Bossier parish school in 2020-21. He can play on or off the ball and has the talent to facilitate or score. His ability to do both at a high level makes Plain Dealing a dangerous team when they step on the floor. What makes Perry so dangerous is that nothing rattles him on the floor. He is going to play his game no matter the competition. Because of his talent, Perry should post big stats in his final season as a Lion. [player_tooltip player_id="977272" first="Kaden" last="Pierre"] (G/W) | 6’4" | Hahnville | 2021 Pierre is another player who can do multiple things on the floor at a high level. He can defend as many as four positions for Hahnville with his physical size and athleticism. As a 5A all-state honorable mention, Pierre can also score from various positions. He can handle from the top of the key and drive, catch and shoot from three land, and duck in and post. His talents helped Hahnville to Lake Charles last year and make him a key player to watch. [player_tooltip player_id="781858" first="Desmond" last="Washington"] (F/P) | 6’5" | Huntington | 2022 Huntington definitely hated to see [player_tooltip player_id="687704" first="Kenny" last="Hunter"] (Louisiana Tech) leave for the next level. However, they may be more versatile in the post with [player_tooltip player_id="781858" first="Desmond" last="Washington"]. At 6’5", Washington can post and score around the bucket. He knows how to dive to the basket and make himself available to guards as well. His ability to operate off the dribble will make him a player to watch next season. Washington can catapult his stock with a big season. [player_tooltip player_id="765938" first="Javari" last="Williams"] (CG) | 6’1" | Huntington | 2021 Williams has the prowess to score the ball against anyone. His jumper and driving ability have allowed him to have confidence against anyone who defends him. What has been his problem in the past is that he allows his opposite to score as well. That is why, for Williams to ascend to the next level, he will have to lock guys down. If Williams maintains his scoring capability and improves his defense, all-city and all-state will see them on their lists. [player_tooltip player_id="781863" first="Jacob" last="Wilson"] (W/F) | 6’4" | Lee Magnet | 2022 Wilson has all the potential to end up on the Gatorade and Mr. Basketball list by season’s end. He is already a district MVP and all-state honorable mention. Wilson can score at multiple levels. He can also rebound in traffic and rim run like a big man. The only thing missing from his resume is postseason success. Lee was bounced from the playoffs losing a home quaterfinal game. If that game loss lights his fire, Wilson will have a breakout season. Warren Young, Jr. (CG) | 6’1" | Walker | 2023 While he is not an upperclassmen, Warren Young has the game to follow in the footsteps of [player_tooltip player_id="778619" first="Jalen" last="Cook"]. The sophomore guard saw his confidence grow as the season went on. His play was helpful in the Wildcats making yet another run to Lake Charles. Young can shoot the ball effectively from outside and can take players off the dribble as well. He is also a tough defender. Despite playing football, I think Young will be ready for the basketball spolight. This series of articles has highlighted players from all around the Boot. If Covid-19 does not derail this coming season, I think we will be treated to some of the best basketball we have seen in Louisiana in quite a while. Hopefully that will be the case.

This last group of ten players to watch are some of the most hard-nosed and gritty players of the 30 listed. Some of them play football while others are just tough as nails. We will take a look at this last list of players because they are going to be some of the top players this coming season.

Last season was almost lost for Mitchell due to an LHSAA rulings. Once he got the green light, he made the most of it. Mitchell pulled all of his tools out of his tool shed to be the Parkway tournament MVP, 1-5A all-district first team member, and a member of the all-state and all-city teams. The rising senior can play four positions on the floor. Mitchell can rebound, shoot, and defend. After football season, he may turn in spectacular basketball season.

The Washington-Marion junior is one of the best defenders we have on the Louisiana prep scene. He will pick up opposing guards anywhere on the floor and will hound them into turnovers. Moore is also good on the offensive end as well. He scores at each offensive level and excels at creating turnovers for scores. His play both ways garnered him all-district and all-state honors this past season. Look for more of the same from Moore in 2020-21.

Natt came from the Rayville football field to the Hornet hardwood and had one whale of a season. He lead the team in scoring and was one free throw away from helping the Hornets repeat as 2A champions. Natt has the height of a guard but the heart of a big man. He rebounds, plays the top of the press, and scores at different levels. Natt also defends three positions. This type of play aided in him being first team all-state. His senior year should be special.

Dez’iel Perkins (CG) | 6’2" | Madison Prep | 2021

The lefty guard was his a key cog in the Chargers run to Lake Charles this past season. His ability to fill it up quickly was a skill that was needed all season long. While he might not have gotten many individuals accolades this season, Perkins got another key year of experience. Next season, he will have a heavy part of the scoring load from the perimeter for the Chargers. If there is a player that can step into the scorer’s role, Dez Perkins is that guy.

Perry will be the best guard returning to a Bossier parish school in 2020-21. He can play on or off the ball and has the talent to facilitate or score. His ability to do both at a high level makes Plain Dealing a dangerous team when they step on the floor. What makes Perry so dangerous is that nothing rattles him on the floor. He is going to play his game no matter the competition. Because of his talent, Perry should post big stats in his final season as a Lion.

Pierre is another player who can do multiple things on the floor at a high level. He can defend as many as four positions for Hahnville with his physical size and athleticism. As a 5A all-state honorable mention, Pierre can also score from various positions. He can handle from the top of the key and drive, catch and shoot from three land, and duck in and post. His talents helped Hahnville to Lake Charles last year and make him a key player to watch.

Huntington definitely hated to see Kenny Hunter Kenny Hunter 6'10" | C Huntington | 2020 State LA (Louisiana Tech) leave for the next level. However, they may be more versatile in the post with Desmond Washington Desmond Washington 6'4" | SF Huntington | 2022 State LA . At 6’5", Washington can post and score around the bucket. He knows how to dive to the basket and make himself available to guards as well. His ability to operate off the dribble will make him a player to watch next season. Washington can catapult his stock with a big season.

Williams has the prowess to score the ball against anyone. His jumper and driving ability have allowed him to have confidence against anyone who defends him. What has been his problem in the past is that he allows his opposite to score as well. That is why, for Williams to ascend to the next level, he will have to lock guys down. If Williams maintains his scoring capability and improves his defense, all-city and all-state will see them on their lists.

Wilson has all the potential to end up on the Gatorade and Mr. Basketball list by season’s end. He is already a district MVP and all-state honorable mention. Wilson can score at multiple levels. He can also rebound in traffic and rim run like a big man. The only thing missing from his resume is postseason success. Lee was bounced from the playoffs losing a home quaterfinal game. If that game loss lights his fire, Wilson will have a breakout season.

Warren Young, Jr. (CG) | 6’1" | Walker | 2023

While he is not an upperclassmen, Warren Young has the game to follow in the footsteps of Jalen Cook Jalen Cook 6'0" | PG Walker | 2020 State #98 Nation LA . The sophomore guard saw his confidence grow as the season went on. His play was helpful in the Wildcats making yet another run to Lake Charles. Young can shoot the ball effectively from outside and can take players off the dribble as well. He is also a tough defender. Despite playing football, I think Young will be ready for the basketball spolight.

This series of articles has highlighted players from all around the Boot. If Covid-19 does not derail this coming season, I think we will be treated to some of the best basketball we have seen in Louisiana in quite a while. Hopefully that will be the case.