2022 Prospect Observations and some Lagniappe

Some consider the class of 2022 to be deeper than the class of 2021. I have had the opportunity to watch some of these prospects in workouts and in live play. However, at some point, there must begin separation. In the coming weeks, I will be looking closely to determine who has really worked to improve their game and which prospects are competitors. Competitors are truly lacking today. Guys who compete, bring it offensive and defensively. Furthermore, they push and motivate their teams with their actions. This has been a part of conversations across the recruiting landscape. Any player looking to take their game to its next level must be the toughest competitor at his position, in his matchup, in that particular game, and the tournament they are playing. [player_tooltip player_id="937609" first="Solomon" last="Washington"] 6’7" SF Carver I had a chance to Washington at the LivOn practices, in a scrimmage, and the Power 24. He has been steady and consistent, even hitting 2 3 point shots in the Select 1 one scrimmage, plus a crowd wowing meet be above the rim shot block. Washington played in 4 games at the Power 24 tournament two at the 16U and two in the 17U. Surprisingly he looked better in the 17U division. He shot 52% going 11-21 from 2, 0-2 from 3, 67% 8-12 from the free-throw line, accumulated 23 rebs, 8 turnovers, 4 assist, 6 steals, and 8 blocks. With his ability to stuff the stat sheet, plus an improvement in his 3 point shot. Washington is the ideal 3 and D guy. [player_tooltip player_id="781851" first="Kyran" last="Ratliff"] 6’8" F BTW Ratliff is another player who is vying for the 2022 top spot. Having a chance of watching him during the last few months, noticing the work he has put in on his face-up game. The mix of inside and out has worked well for him, so much so he’s starting to gain more attention from the college scouts. In speaking with one mid-major assistant coach, he strongly believes Kyran has a huge upside, plus a chance to gain an inch or two. [player_tooltip player_id="981596" first="Alexzaye" last="Johnson"] 6’2" PG Cox Johnson is a promising prospect who has played in three events so far has been a different player in each event. This has led to confusing and inconsistent performances. In the Power 24 event, Johnson’s stat line in the two games he played was 33% on 3-9 from 2 pt, 0-1 from 3 pt, 2-2 ft, 7 reb, 8 t.o., 2 ast, and 4 stl. Johnson must define and refine his game. The attacking style of play that has made him successful is what he must continue to do and build upon it. This is a big month for showing growth and improvement. [player_tooltip player_id="937608" first="Dorian" last="Finister"] 6’4" SG Carver The #4 ranked player was supposed to use the Spring and Summer tournaments to show coaches how much he has improved in relation to other prospects they have offered. In the Power 24 Finister in two games shot 44% from 2 pt on 4-9 shooting, 25% on 1-4 from 3pt, 3-4 from ft. Not great, however not good for someone who has the responsibility of the #4 ranking. Even worse in 2 games Finister only had 1 rebound, 0 assists, 4 t.o., 0 steals, 1 block. In an effort to improve, this young player must learn there is more to the game than shot taking. He must embrace playing both sides of the ball, making teammates better, and toughness. And this will be measured by how many times he gets to the foul line, how many rebounds he battled for, how many teammates he helped get easier shots, and the aggressive anticipation that leads to steals. [player_tooltip player_id="781839" first="Troy" last="Dunn"] 6’3" G East Ascension Dunn the SG from Gonzales had some solid practices with LivOn. He used his muscular frame, athleticism, and toughness to create opportunities for himself through shots and rebounds. At Power 24 he shot 20% from 2, going 2-10, 2-4 from 3, 7-7 from the free-throw line, 5 rebs, 4 t.o., 0 ast, 3 steals in 2 games. Dunn focuses heavily on getting his points, he can enhance his game more with kicks and dump off to teammates, becoming a bigger headache for opponents. [player_tooltip player_id="781863" first="Jacob" last="Wilson"] 6’3" G Liberty/Lee Wilson is a talented perimeter player, that can do it all. At Power 24 he shot the basketball in only one of the two games he played in. He was 7-12 or 58%, 4-7 from 2, 3-5 from 3, 2-5 from ft, 1 reb, 2 t.o., 2 ast, and 1 stl. If Wilson is to climb in the rankings or attract the interest higher level coaches he must play hard at all times. I have seen him appearing aloof and too laidback. With the talent he possesses he must display to all he’s the best or one of the best consistently. Quinten Henry 6’6" F Liberty/Lee Henry is a high energy athletic forward who uses his hustle to add value to his team’s success. He’s too underweight and undersized to be a post player. Currently, he’s trying to grow his perimeter game, if he’s able to grow in this area, Henry will become a recruitable asset. <h4>Some Lagniappe....</h4> With the Pelican Hoopfest event coming up this weekend in Jackson MS, there is a renewed energy around Louisiana Summer Basketball. There will be showcase games involving Louisiana Elite 15U-17U, Liv On 15U-17U, and New Orleans Elite 17U-16U. Plus other Louisiana programs will be in attendance. With reputations and rankings on the line, two questions that stand out are: Who will stand out? Who will fold under the pressure... trying to be Louisiana’s best player or best program? <h4>2021 Key matchups that I will watch closely are:</h4> [player_tooltip player_id="566567" first="Camryn" last="Carter"] vs. [player_tooltip player_id="530986" first="Emar’eyon" last="McDonald"] These are two of the top point guards in Louisiana per offers. Will they guard each other? Who will have a bigger impact on their team’s production? Excuses will not be entertained with the possibility of the best point guard and/or the top 2021 prospect on the line in this matchup. [player_tooltip player_id="566569" first="Derrick" last="Tezeno"] vs. Everybody This will be Tezeno’s first tournament, and all eyes will be on Louisiana’s top-ranked 2021 player. Can he show the game and the attitude "you guys are beneath me" or will he be like a deer in headlights with guys clawing for his spot? [player_tooltip player_id="765923" first="Daniel" last="Ortiz"] vs Himself Everyone knows Ortiz is another top-scoring point guard in the state. But, how deep can he dig in is his bag? Can he use his dribble to create for himself and others? What about his scoring effectively over length? Lastly, can he keep that same energy on defense that he has on offense? Who get’s the Big Piece of Chicken? [player_tooltip player_id="530977" first="Jourdain" last="Dishmond"], [player_tooltip player_id="765906" first="Will" last="Allen"] or [player_tooltip player_id="566552" first="Rollin" last="Belton"] Chris Rock once did a comedy skit about how hard his daddy worked and his only reward was the Big Piece of Chicken. These guys will have a chance to show who’s the guy worthy of being Louisiana’s top inside threat in the 2021 class and deserving of the Big Piece of Chicken? Just plain Disrespectful The following guys felt downright disrespected in our last rankings. And they may have a case with that. Which guy will make the largest leap? And I must say [player_tooltip player_id="765936" first="Taj" last="Gilyot"] has played well in his last two events. #33 [player_tooltip player_id="765911" first="Devon" last="Lizana"] #49 [player_tooltip player_id="931319" first="Bennie" last="Amos"] #50 [player_tooltip player_id="980482" first="Zavier" last="Sims"] #52 [player_tooltip player_id="977255" first="Isaiah" last="Crawford"] #69 [player_tooltip player_id="765936" first="Taj" last="Gilyot"] Lights, Cameras, Action With the high flying [player_tooltip player_id="937609" first="Solomon" last="Washington"], [player_tooltip player_id="765903" first="Jamond" last="Vincent"], and possibly [player_tooltip player_id="765904" first="Keon" last="Coleman"] participating in the Pelican Hoopfest, who will have the most high flying and electrifying dunks and blocks? 2022 Guards, Guards, Guards There are 82 players ranked in the class of 2022 class rankings, and 49 of them are guards. The guards have been overshadowed by the top-ranked forwards in this state. Louisiana Elite has the #1 ranked guard John Paul-Ricks, #10 [player_tooltip player_id="932856" first="Lance" last="Waddles"], #40 Jamari McCray, and #54 [player_tooltip player_id="981491" first="Jalen" last="Williams"]. N.O. Elite boast the following guys who have been complaining they are ranked way too low #5 [player_tooltip player_id="781846" first="Tyren" last="LeBeauf"], #37 Christian Pichon plus #49 <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-barnes-2/">[player_tooltip player_id="981610" first="Isaiah" last="Barnes"].</a> Looking to claw their way up the ladder is the crew from LivOn, #11 [player_tooltip player_id="781842" first="Alex" last="Hammond"], #7[player_tooltip player_id="781863" first="Jacob" last="Wilson"], #9 [player_tooltip player_id="981596" first="Alexzaye" last="Johnson"], #17 Christain Ferguson, and # 22 [player_tooltip player_id="781839" first="Troy" last="Dunn"]. The questions are "Who’s backcourt will be Prime Time? Which group will be Showtime? And which group will be waste of time? MidSouth Basketball The debate over who is the top player or even the top post player in 2022 has largely centered on two players, LivOn’s [player_tooltip player_id="781851" first="Kyran" last="Ratliff"] and L.A. Elite’s [player_tooltip player_id="781838" first="Percy" last="Daniels"]. The chatter reminds me of old school MidSouth wrestling when two opponents were vying for the top spot, and winning the match just wouldn’t be enough. They would arrange a loser leaves town match for a certain amount of time. With the age of social media...I wonder how long the entourage of the player/ team who comes up short, will stay away from Twitter? I suggest no tweets until the... next match up.