Louisiana Grassroots Fresh Faces

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During prospect camps and grassroots tournaments, we often run across new names and faces on the prep scene. Although the grassroots season has been a very short one for Louisiana, there have been prospects in the 2023 and 2024 classes who will be players to watch going forward. In this article, we will take a look at some of these fresh faces that will be gracing the Louisiana hardwood at various schools as we wind down the grassroots season.</p> <p><strong>Jeremiah Evans | 6’7" | Xpress</strong> - We do not see very many 6’7" kids on the 14U circuit in Louisiana.  Needless to say, Jeremiah Evans is a player who stuck out on that level.  It also helps that he can play.  Evans was pretty dominate during his time on the backboards.  He has long arms and already knows to keep the ball above his head when rebounding.  Evans is still growing into his body and definitely has to get stronger; however, he is tall and plays hard.  With his ability to finish around the rim, I look for him to be very good in the year’s to come.  </p> <p><strong>Keith Jones | 5’10" | Jazz Nation - </strong>Jones was one of the first players that I saw during the Pelican State Hoopfest.  He and his team played a game MBA in their first pool game and Jones left a good impression.  He did not shy away from trash talking to the other team but he back it up for the most part.  Jones showed lateral quickness in trapping situations and in the half court.  He also showed the ability to put it on the deck and to shoot from outside.  Jones is a 2024 kid so I will be anxious to see how his game evolves in high school.  </p> <p><strong>Corey Chest | 6’4" | LivOn Fleur-de-lis </strong>- At the Pelican State tournament was my first chance getting to see Corey Chest.  LivOn did a good job with this pickup because he appears to have a bright future in front of him.  When he walks on the floor, his whole persona spells athletic wing/forward.  Chest was able to get up and down the floor and finishing above the rim for him seemed like a novelty.  He blocks everything in his wingspan and he is already ready for a tip-in or put back.  If Chest taps into all of his athletic ability, he will definitely be one to watch going forward.  </p> <p><strong>Me’Khai Taylor | 6’2" | LivOn Fleur-de-lis - </strong>Taylor was one of the most relentless players for LIvOn during the time I watched them.  If the ball is coming off the board, he is trying to rebound it.  While Taylor does not have the athleticism of some of his teammates, he knows how to carve out room on the offensive and defensive boards.  He fought for his points on put backs and absorbed contact.  I look for Taylor to be one of those players who works for his buckets around the basket.  With his ability to rebound, he should make a mark on the prep landscape.  </p> <p><strong>Javon Johnson | 5’8" | Xpress - </strong>Another guard on the Xpress squad that made an immediate mark during the weekend was Javon Johnson.  Johnson played both ends of the floor with effectiveness against other 14U players.  He was able to garner a couple of steals and finish on the opposite end.  Other times, he got the steal and gave it up to another guard who eventually gave it back to Johnson spotting up for three.  Johnson can dribble, pass, and shoot with an innate ability to choose the right one.  He will be a good guard going forward in northwest Louisiana.  </p> <p><strong>Other 2023 &amp; 2024 Fresh Faces</strong></p> <p><strong>Braylen Clark</strong> (Xpress); <strong>Aaron Guinn</strong> (Xpress); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="848261" first="John" last="Kelly"]</strong> (LivOn); <strong>Deion Ware</strong> (LivOn); <strong>Robert Youngblood</strong> (LivOn)</p> <p>These five had a good introduction to the grassroots scene.  As they move on to their high school season, I look for them to be in the conversation with some of the other good freshman and sophomores that the state has to offer.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->