Top Unsigned/Uncommitted Seniors in the Boot (Part I)

The NCAA transfer portal has been the hottest topic in basketball this off season. Player movement from program to program without the penalty of sitting out is definitely a plus for programs and players alike. One group of players being hurt by all of the college veterans movement is the class of 2021. Many of the players in this class would normally have different opportunities if player movement was not at such a premium. We will take a look at some unsigned seniors who should still get offers even with the player movement via the transfer portal. [player_tooltip player_id="765914" first="Kendrick" last="Delahoussaye"] (6’0″ / Lafayette High) The state’s top remaining unsigned point guard can score, defend, and distribute. He has received interest from junior colleges in the Ark-La-Tex and Ark-La-Miss but no committment as of yet. Schools in need of point guards would have normally zeroed in on him. Even with the number of transfers looking for a new start, good point guards are hard to find. In this case, it seems to be taking longer than usual. [player_tooltip player_id="530988" first="Delatrion" last="Moton"] (6’4″ / Woodlawn-Shreveport) Moton may get knocked for not being the most athletic guard. However, no one has a higher basketball IQ than him. Moton improved his three point shooting and made a living at the free throw. He has also been in every big game situation so nothing is foreign to him. Moton will definitely contribute to any team that signs him. He just needs the opportunity. [player_tooltip player_id="765912" first="Randarius" last="Jones"] (6’7″ / Carroll High) Jones is coming off a senior season where he averaged a double-double and helped his team to the state semifinals in their classification. A couple of low major D1s have interest in the Carroll big man. While experience is coveted right now by many schools, I believe that Jones will find a home that will give him an opportunity to contribute early. [player_tooltip player_id="765933" first="John" last="Mitchell"] (6’3″ / Captain Shreve) He might have played out of his position most of his high school career. Consequently, there’s probably no guard with a more diverse skill set. Mitchell can take defenders off the dribble, post them up, and shoot over them if they play off of him. He is also strong as an ox. Defending other guards in space may come into question. However, the offensive upside should be explored. [player_tooltip player_id="765913" first="Brandon" last="Harton"] (6’4″ / Jehovah-Jireh) Another player who rarely got a chance to show his ability outside of the paint because he was the best post presence for his school. Harton is a great defender and is athletic enough to defend wings and guards. He may need to refine some things offensively to consistently play a wing position. I think if he gets a solid opportunity, he will make that school a very happy camper. [player_tooltip player_id="530977" first="Jourdain" last="Dishmond"] (6’7″ / Holy Savior Menard) Dishmond is another double-double player who is known for being a bully in the post. He has great footwork and will punish a team on the boards. Dishmond has the ability to hit short jumpers and will beat defenders off the dribble if given the opportunity. While there may be other players in the transfer portal more athletic, Dishmond and his offensive skill set should find suitors when the portal hype cools off. [player_tooltip player_id="765925" first="Devonte" last="Austin"] (6’1″ / Wossman) The reigning 3A Most Outstanding Player is a player who has interest from the junior college level to Division II. Although he is not a pure point guard, he definitely has the ability to make plays for others when he has the ball. Austin makes it very hard to guard him because of his ability to get to the rim. Whether it is a school on the aforementioned levels, NAIA, or low DI, a player of his talent should find a home soon. [player_tooltip player_id="977260" first="Lorenzo" last="Caldwell"] (6’4″ / Slidell) During his last game as a prep, Caldwell willed his team back into the game with his three point shooting prowess. While Caldwell can fill it up from deep, he is more than a three point shooter. He can defend the wing, rebound well for a guard, and is electric in transition. I understand that schools are looking for experience at that position right now. However, he is one that could help a school right away. [player_tooltip player_id="977272" first="Kaden" last="Pierre"] (6’3″ / Hahnville) Pierre is another guard who played out of position for a large portion of his high school career because he was so good in the post. That being said, Pierre is a multifaceted player who can do whatever it is that the team wants. He is at that awkward height where schools will wonder what position he will play. Make no mistake though, there is not a better competitor on both ends of the floor coming from this class. [player_tooltip player_id="765920" first="Darrien" last="Perry"] (6’1″ / Plain Dealing) Perry is one of the guards who got hurt the most by COVID, COVID protocols, and the transfer portal. It did not help that his team won one game and was an early playoff out. Perry routinely gave opposing guards the business when he played. He put up 37 against Bossier and scored 20-plus on a host of 5A and 4A opponents. Perry is a point guard who can get it done. It may be summer before he gets something definite but he will be a good one to sign. It is hard to phatom that many of the top 40 players in the class of 2021 are having trouble finding a home. However, it is understandable that in today’s "win now" society, coaches are looking for players who have been through some of the college wars already. Regardless, when these players get their names called, they should be quality players for the program that chooses to bring them in.

The NCAA transfer portal has been the hottest topic in basketball this off season. Player movement from program to program without the penalty of sitting out is definitely a plus for programs and players alike. One group of players being hurt by all of the college veterans movement is the class of 2021. Many of the players in this class would normally have different opportunities if player movement was not at such a premium. We will take a look at some unsigned seniors who should still get offers even with the player movement via the transfer portal.

Kendrick Delahoussaye Kendrick Delahoussaye 6'0" | PG Lafayette High | 2021 State LA (6’0″ / Lafayette High)

The state’s top remaining unsigned point guard can score, defend, and distribute. He has received interest from junior colleges in the Ark-La-Tex and Ark-La-Miss but no committment as of yet. Schools in need of point guards would have normally zeroed in on him. Even with the number of transfers looking for a new start, good point guards are hard to find. In this case, it seems to be taking longer than usual.

Delatrion Moton Delatrion Moton 6'4" | CG Woodlawn-Shreve | 2021 State LA (6’4″ / Woodlawn-Shreveport)

Moton may get knocked for not being the most athletic guard. However, no one has a higher basketball IQ than him. Moton improved his three point shooting and made a living at the free throw. He has also been in every big game situation so nothing is foreign to him. Moton will definitely contribute to any team that signs him. He just needs the opportunity.

Randarius Jones Randarius Jones 6'7" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA (6’7″ / Carroll High)

Jones is coming off a senior season where he averaged a double-double and helped his team to the state semifinals in their classification. A couple of low major D1s have interest in the Carroll big man. While experience is coveted right now by many schools, I believe that Jones will find a home that will give him an opportunity to contribute early.

John Mitchell John Mitchell 6'3" | CG Captain Shreve | 2021 State LA (6’3″ / Captain Shreve)

He might have played out of his position most of his high school career. Consequently, there’s probably no guard with a more diverse skill set. Mitchell can take defenders off the dribble, post them up, and shoot over them if they play off of him. He is also strong as an ox. Defending other guards in space may come into question. However, the offensive upside should be explored.

Brandon Harton Brandon Harton 6'4" | SF Jehovah-Jireh | 2021 State LA (6’4″ / Jehovah-Jireh)

Another player who rarely got a chance to show his ability outside of the paint because he was the best post presence for his school. Harton is a great defender and is athletic enough to defend wings and guards. He may need to refine some things offensively to consistently play a wing position. I think if he gets a solid opportunity, he will make that school a very happy camper.

Jourdain Dishmond Jourdain Dishmond 6'7" | PF Holy Savior Menard | 2021 State LA (6’7″ / Holy Savior Menard)

Dishmond is another double-double player who is known for being a bully in the post. He has great footwork and will punish a team on the boards. Dishmond has the ability to hit short jumpers and will beat defenders off the dribble if given the opportunity. While there may be other players in the transfer portal more athletic, Dishmond and his offensive skill set should find suitors when the portal hype cools off.

Devonte Austin Devonte Austin 6'0" | CG Wossman | 2021 State LA (6’1″ / Wossman)

The reigning 3A Most Outstanding Player is a player who has interest from the junior college level to Division II. Although he is not a pure point guard, he definitely has the ability to make plays for others when he has the ball. Austin makes it very hard to guard him because of his ability to get to the rim. Whether it is a school on the aforementioned levels, NAIA, or low DI, a player of his talent should find a home soon.

Lorenzo Caldwell Lorenzo Caldwell 6'5" | SF Slidell | 2021 State LA (6’4″ / Slidell)

During his last game as a prep, Caldwell willed his team back into the game with his three point shooting prowess. While Caldwell can fill it up from deep, he is more than a three point shooter. He can defend the wing, rebound well for a guard, and is electric in transition. I understand that schools are looking for experience at that position right now. However, he is one that could help a school right away.

Kaden Pierre Kaden Pierre 6'3" | SF Hahnville | 2021 State LA (6’3″ / Hahnville)

Pierre is another guard who played out of position for a large portion of his high school career because he was so good in the post. That being said, Pierre is a multifaceted player who can do whatever it is that the team wants. He is at that awkward height where schools will wonder what position he will play. Make no mistake though, there is not a better competitor on both ends of the floor coming from this class.

Darrien Perry Darrien Perry 6'1" | PG Plain Dealing | 2021 State LA (6’1″ / Plain Dealing)

Perry is one of the guards who got hurt the most by COVID, COVID protocols, and the transfer portal. It did not help that his team won one game and was an early playoff out. Perry routinely gave opposing guards the business when he played. He put up 37 against Bossier and scored 20-plus on a host of 5A and 4A opponents. Perry is a point guard who can get it done. It may be summer before he gets something definite but he will be a good one to sign.

It is hard to phatom that many of the top 40 players in the class of 2021 are having trouble finding a home. However, it is understandable that in today’s "win now" society, coaches are looking for players who have been through some of the college wars already. Regardless, when these players get their names called, they should be quality players for the program that chooses to bring them in.