Senior Standouts at the Centenary College Prospect Camp

Every college is seeking to improve their roster going into the 2021-2022 basketball season. While many schools are trying to improve via the 1800 players left in the transfer portal, other colleges are looking through other means. Division III member Centenary (LA) held a prospect camp in April hosting seniors of interest that may possibly help their program now and in the future. I will take a look at players who made the most of their opportunity during this Saturday of drills and game play. [player_tooltip player_id="931054" first="Eric" last="McKnight"] (6’4″ - Southwood - 2021) McKnight was one of the most impressive athletes at the Centenary Gents prospect camp. He displayed athleticism and shotmaking that makes one wonder why only a few D1 schools have inquired about him. McKnight is already comfortable at the college three point line and he put a hurting on the rim with some of his baseline drives. He is a playmaker and above average defender as well. I will not be surprised if a DI comes in late and offers him. NMcKnight has the talent to play at that level. If he has another workout like this one, he will have a suitors. [player_tooltip player_id="1126391" first="Jamarian" last="Cato"] (6’4″ - Simsboro - 2021) The Simsboro senior was mistaken for a junior college transfer at the prospect camp. He is built like a fullback but has a feathery touch from the perimeter. Cato shot the ball extremely well. During one stretch, he made four triples in a row from well past the college three point line. In early drill work, he displayed his combination of strength and athleticism punishing the rim with several dunks. Cato really improved his stock on this day and is one of those under-the-radar seniors that could make a difference on a school at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="1045506" first="Zach" last="Parrie"] (6’0″ - Ebarb - 2021) There might have been some question about [player_tooltip player_id="1045506" first="Zach" last="Parrie"] being able to play on the next level despite him being named the best player in class C last season. After the first couple of scrimmage sessions, it was evident that Parrie can play on the college level. Parrie kept his dribble alive often and probed the lane to find others cutting or spotting up. He made the effort plays time and time again for his squad giving them extra possessions several times. His jumper was also pretty consistent this day. Some school will be happy they took a chance on him. Cortez Collins (6’7″ - North Caddo - 2021) Collins represented himself well at the Centenary prospect camp. He was the only traditional big that attended the camp and he did the things that he did best. That was rebounding and blocking shots. Collins showed that he was able to make blocks that were not necessarily in his area along with ones that were. He rebounded the offensive and defensive boards well and flashed the ability to get up and down the floor in some transitioins situations. His improvement has been steady. A college like Centenary may be a good place to hone his future skills on the hardwood. Ring Riak (6’6″ - Liberty High - 2021) Riak was one of the players who displayed an ability to play well in the open floor. He seemed to understand elements of being the trailer on the break and made himself available for the wide open trail three pointer or set the high screen to create pick and pop situations. Riak is a very good athlete and shoots it well enough that defenders have to account for him. He also showed he can adequately defend the post or the perimeter if need be because of his height and ability. He would be an asset to a school like Centenary because of those traits. Centenary has improved under the leadership of Coach Dorsey. They are a year removed from a national tournament appearance and winning the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (2020). The Gents were also a top four seed and number two in the nation on defense holding teams to right at 56 ppg. Adding caliber players to this program is a must for Coach Dorsey to be successful. If he succeeds in recruiting players like the ones above, Centenary will restore some of the championship success from the early 90s and carry this new momentum into the 2020s.

Every college is seeking to improve their roster going into the 2021-2022 basketball season. While many schools are trying to improve via the 1800 players left in the transfer portal, other colleges are looking through other means. Division III member Centenary (LA) held a prospect camp in April hosting seniors of interest that may possibly help their program now and in the future. I will take a look at players who made the most of their opportunity during this Saturday of drills and game play.

Eric McKnight Eric McKnight 6'4" | SG Southwood | 2021 State LA (6’4″ - Southwood - 2021)

McKnight was one of the most impressive athletes at the Centenary Gents prospect camp. He displayed athleticism and shotmaking that makes one wonder why only a few D1 schools have inquired about him. McKnight is already comfortable at the college three point line and he put a hurting on the rim with some of his baseline drives. He is a playmaker and above average defender as well. I will not be surprised if a DI comes in late and offers him. NMcKnight has the talent to play at that level. If he has another workout like this one, he will have a suitors.

Jamarian Cato Jamarian Cato 6'4" | SF Simsboro | 2021 State LA (6’4″ - Simsboro - 2021)

The Simsboro senior was mistaken for a junior college transfer at the prospect camp. He is built like a fullback but has a feathery touch from the perimeter. Cato shot the ball extremely well. During one stretch, he made four triples in a row from well past the college three point line. In early drill work, he displayed his combination of strength and athleticism punishing the rim with several dunks. Cato really improved his stock on this day and is one of those under-the-radar seniors that could make a difference on a school at the next level.

Zach Parrie Zach Parrie 5'11" | PG Ebarb | 2021 State LA (6’0″ - Ebarb - 2021)

There might have been some question about Zach Parrie Zach Parrie 5'11" | PG Ebarb | 2021 State LA being able to play on the next level despite him being named the best player in class C last season. After the first couple of scrimmage sessions, it was evident that Parrie can play on the college level. Parrie kept his dribble alive often and probed the lane to find others cutting or spotting up. He made the effort plays time and time again for his squad giving them extra possessions several times. His jumper was also pretty consistent this day. Some school will be happy they took a chance on him.

Cortez Collins (6’7″ - North Caddo - 2021)

Collins represented himself well at the Centenary prospect camp. He was the only traditional big that attended the camp and he did the things that he did best. That was rebounding and blocking shots. Collins showed that he was able to make blocks that were not necessarily in his area along with ones that were. He rebounded the offensive and defensive boards well and flashed the ability to get up and down the floor in some transitioins situations. His improvement has been steady. A college like Centenary may be a good place to hone his future skills on the hardwood.

Ring Riak (6’6″ - Liberty High - 2021)

Riak was one of the players who displayed an ability to play well in the open floor. He seemed to understand elements of being the trailer on the break and made himself available for the wide open trail three pointer or set the high screen to create pick and pop situations. Riak is a very good athlete and shoots it well enough that defenders have to account for him. He also showed he can adequately defend the post or the perimeter if need be because of his height and ability. He would be an asset to a school like Centenary because of those traits.

Centenary has improved under the leadership of Coach Dorsey. They are a year removed from a national tournament appearance and winning the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (2020). The Gents were also a top four seed and number two in the nation on defense holding teams to right at 56 ppg. Adding caliber players to this program is a must for Coach Dorsey to be successful. If he succeeds in recruiting players like the ones above, Centenary will restore some of the championship success from the early 90s and carry this new momentum into the 2020s.