2021 Power Forwards

The power forward position in Louisiana is one that is loosely interpreted at times. Players who play the four range in height anywhere from 6’2" to 6’8". To play on the Division I or II level, power forwards (or stretch 4s) of considerable skill are usually 6’6" or taller. Louisiana has twelve very skilled forwards who fit the power forward criteria. These players all play in different classifications but have the necessary skills for the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="530977" first="Jourdain" last="Dishmond"] | 6’7" | Holy Savior Menard Dishmond has the size and the game to be the prototypical stretch four because he can operate anywhere in the halfcourt. He knows how to face up and attack defenders his size or taller with the bounce. This summer that part of his game was nonexistent. He needs to revisit some to vary his attack. When he has a smaller defender guarding him, Dishmond takes them to either block. He really has good touch from the perimeter and can make a team pay for leaving him open. [player_tooltip player_id="765906" first="Will" last="Allen"] | 6’8" | Bonnabel Allen plays more like a traditional four man who has expanded his game. Rebounding and blocking shots are some of Allen’s better traits because of his good sense of timing blocking shots without causing contact or fouling. On the offensive end, he is a space eater with the best motor. Allen knows how to use his frame to carve out space when he posts. The deeper he catches the ball, the harder it is to stop him from scoring. While layups and putbacks are a large part of his game, he now has a consistent mid-range jumper. With the tools Allen possesses in his toolbox, the LA Tech commit should have a senior season to remember. [player_tooltip player_id="566550" first="Eric" last="Williams"] | 6’7" | St. Augustine Williams may end up being a solid wing once his game finishes developing. However, if he plays the stretch four, he may find a niche in a top tier program. Williams has attributes that colleges desire. He is long, he is athletic, and he can run the floor. Last season, he began shooting the three more with some moderate success. Williams already has the ability to block shots and keep them in bounds. If he becomes a consistent shooter from outside, his stock as a four will definitely skyrocket. [player_tooltip player_id="566552" first="Rollin" last="Belton"] | 6’7" | Ruston Belton has the best footwork of any big man in north Louisiana when it comes to playing in the post. When he catches the ball on the block, it is almost a certainty that he is going to score. Belton can score over either shoulder, can drop step and dunk, and has a short jumper to boot. This summer, Belton played better as the summer went on. However, he still needs to develop better touch on that short jumper to be more of a threat. He is a handful to guard in the post as is. Marist, LSUA, and a couple of Southland schools love the upside of his talent and effort. [player_tooltip player_id="765912" first="Randarius" last="Jones"] | 6’7" | Carroll Jones is a gifted athlete who is very good on the offensive and defensive boards. His best attribute, however, might be defense. Jones can switch out on smaller defenders and still defend the paint well. He is a shot blocker who can change shots in and out of his immediate area. Jones does need to develop more of a perimeter game and get stronger. Overall, there is no better athlete than Jones in the 2021 class. How he plays after the recovery from his knee injury will decide what his next stop is. [player_tooltip player_id="765934" first="Deonte" last="Edwards"] | 6’6" | Carroll Edwards is part of a twin tower-type combination that roams the Bulldog paint. While Jones is somewhat slender, Edwards is built like a tight end. He is strong in the upper body and rebounds the ball through all types of contact. He is an shot-blocking big who can run the floor. His touch around the basket needs to be improved but he can definitely create fouls on the opposite team. Colleges looking for a rebounding big will love what he brings in toughness and ability. When his offensive game catches up, watch out for this one. Other Louisiana power forwards: [player_tooltip player_id="1045520" first="Christopher" last="Flippin"] | 6’7" | East Jefferson - Flippin is an active forward who uses his strength to carve out space puts defenders on their heels in the post. He played well this summer and hopes to carry that moment into the season. [player_tooltip player_id="765939" first="Sai’vion" last="Jones"] | 6’7" | St. James - One of the best tight ends in the state is pretty good at basketball as well. Jones has great hands and finishes pretty much everything he catches at or above the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="765922" first="Trenton" last="Colbert"] | 6’8" | Mansfield - The LSUA (Alexandria) commit has good hands, runs the floor well, and has a solid jumper out to 15 feet. Colbert will get pushed to be more aggressive offensively with Chris Bush at the helm. [player_tooltip player_id="765909" first="LaMarc" last="Amos"] | 6’6" | Opelousas - Amos had to sit out last season after transferring from David Thibodeaux. His aggresiveness on the boards and his ability to score in the paint may help propel the Tigers to Marsh Madness. [player_tooltip player_id="765946" first="Keavin" last="McKeever"] | 6’8" | Logansport - McKeever had a rough summer in the two grassroots tourneys he played in. He is a long and athletic shot blocker who can change the game with his effort alone. [player_tooltip player_id="765935" first="De’mon" last="White"] | 6’6" | Oak Grove - White may play wideout at Oak Grove; however, the basketball court seems to be where he is comfortable. He is a high flyer who puts pressure on teams with his athleticism and defense. All of these players have potential to make a mark on the junior college or college/university level. Look for these names to be popular around the basketball signing periods.

The power forward position in Louisiana is one that is loosely interpreted at times. Players who play the four range in height anywhere from 6’2" to 6’8". To play on the Division I or II level, power forwards (or stretch 4s) of considerable skill are usually 6’6" or taller. Louisiana has twelve very skilled forwards who fit the power forward criteria. These players all play in different classifications but have the necessary skills for the next level.

Jourdain Dishmond Jourdain Dishmond 6'7" | PF Holy Savior Menard | 2021 State LA | 6’7" | Holy Savior Menard

Dishmond has the size and the game to be the prototypical stretch four because he can operate anywhere in the halfcourt. He knows how to face up and attack defenders his size or taller with the bounce. This summer that part of his game was nonexistent. He needs to revisit some to vary his attack. When he has a smaller defender guarding him, Dishmond takes them to either block. He really has good touch from the perimeter and can make a team pay for leaving him open.

Will Allen Will Allen 6'7" | PF Bonnabel | 2021 State LA | 6’8" | Bonnabel

Allen plays more like a traditional four man who has expanded his game. Rebounding and blocking shots are some of Allen’s better traits because of his good sense of timing blocking shots without causing contact or fouling. On the offensive end, he is a space eater with the best motor. Allen knows how to use his frame to carve out space when he posts. The deeper he catches the ball, the harder it is to stop him from scoring. While layups and putbacks are a large part of his game, he now has a consistent mid-range jumper. With the tools Allen possesses in his toolbox, the LA Tech commit should have a senior season to remember.

Eric Williams Eric Williams 6'7" | PF St. Augustine | 2021 State LA | 6’7" | St. Augustine

Williams may end up being a solid wing once his game finishes developing. However, if he plays the stretch four, he may find a niche in a top tier program. Williams has attributes that colleges desire. He is long, he is athletic, and he can run the floor. Last season, he began shooting the three more with some moderate success. Williams already has the ability to block shots and keep them in bounds. If he becomes a consistent shooter from outside, his stock as a four will definitely skyrocket.

Rollin Belton Rollin Belton 6'7" | PF Ruston | 2021 State LA | 6’7" | Ruston

Belton has the best footwork of any big man in north Louisiana when it comes to playing in the post. When he catches the ball on the block, it is almost a certainty that he is going to score. Belton can score over either shoulder, can drop step and dunk, and has a short jumper to boot. This summer, Belton played better as the summer went on. However, he still needs to develop better touch on that short jumper to be more of a threat. He is a handful to guard in the post as is. Marist, LSUA, and a couple of Southland schools love the upside of his talent and effort.

Randarius Jones Randarius Jones 6'7" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA | 6’7" | Carroll

Jones is a gifted athlete who is very good on the offensive and defensive boards. His best attribute, however, might be defense. Jones can switch out on smaller defenders and still defend the paint well. He is a shot blocker who can change shots in and out of his immediate area. Jones does need to develop more of a perimeter game and get stronger. Overall, there is no better athlete than Jones in the 2021 class. How he plays after the recovery from his knee injury will decide what his next stop is.

Deonte Edwards Deonte Edwards 6'6" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA | 6’6" | Carroll

Edwards is part of a twin tower-type combination that roams the Bulldog paint. While Jones is somewhat slender, Edwards is built like a tight end. He is strong in the upper body and rebounds the ball through all types of contact. He is an shot-blocking big who can run the floor. His touch around the basket needs to be improved but he can definitely create fouls on the opposite team. Colleges looking for a rebounding big will love what he brings in toughness and ability. When his offensive game catches up, watch out for this one.

Other Louisiana power forwards:

Christopher Flippin Christopher Flippin 6'7" | PF East Jefferson | 2021 State LA | 6’7" | East Jefferson - Flippin is an active forward who uses his strength to carve out space puts defenders on their heels in the post. He played well this summer and hopes to carry that moment into the season.

Sai’vion Jones Sai’vion Jones 6'7" | C St. James | 2021 State LA | 6’7" | St. James - One of the best tight ends in the state is pretty good at basketball as well. Jones has great hands and finishes pretty much everything he catches at or above the rim.

Trenton Colbert Trenton Colbert 6'8" | PF Mansfield | 2021 State LA | 6’8" | Mansfield - The LSUA (Alexandria) commit has good hands, runs the floor well, and has a solid jumper out to 15 feet. Colbert will get pushed to be more aggressive offensively with Chris Bush at the helm.

LaMarc Amos LaMarc Amos 6'6" | PF Opelousas | 2021 State LA | 6’6" | Opelousas - Amos had to sit out last season after transferring from David Thibodeaux. His aggresiveness on the boards and his ability to score in the paint may help propel the Tigers to Marsh Madness.

Keavin McKeever Keavin McKeever 6'8" | C Logansport | 2021 State LA | 6’8" | Logansport - McKeever had a rough summer in the two grassroots tourneys he played in. He is a long and athletic shot blocker who can change the game with his effort alone.

De’mon White De’mon White 6'5" | PF Oak Grove | 2021 State LA | 6’6" | Oak Grove - White may play wideout at Oak Grove; however, the basketball court seems to be where he is comfortable. He is a high flyer who puts pressure on teams with his athleticism and defense.

All of these players have potential to make a mark on the junior college or college/university level. Look for these names to be popular around the basketball signing periods.