Positional Rankings Review: Class of 2023 Point Guards

The point guards of the class of 2023 are some of the more unheralded players in my opinion. They may not be Division I point guard size; however, they are some quality basketball players nevertheless. In this latest positional rankings review, we will take an overview of this class of point guards. They may be small in stature but their game is big indeed. The Top 5 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Canin-Jefferson.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1014112" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Canin-Jefferson-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> <ol> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1130920" first="Canin" last="Jefferson"]</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1055169" first="Kam" last="Johnson"]</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="970139" first="Chris" last="Carpenter"]</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="970121" first="Trevor" last="Daughtery"]</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1275264" first="Connor" last="Greavis"]</li> </ol> [player_tooltip player_id="1130920" first="Canin" last="Jefferson"] (6’0" - Isidore Newman) - Jefferson is the best point guard in the class and one of the top three in the state. He can score at all three levels but is most dangerous when he is directing the band. Basketball IQ is off the charts good. [player_tooltip player_id="1055169" first="Kam" last="Johnson"] (5’9" - Archbishop Shaw) - Johnson has shown the ability to score when his team needs him the most. His mid-range, stepback is his go to shot when he is tighty guarded. That shot, mixed with his ability to shoot the three, keeps defenses honest. [player_tooltip player_id="970139" first="Chris" last="Carpenter"] (5’9" - Huntington) - Carpenter may have the most overall talent of any top 5 guard in this class. While he is a gifted scorer, when he is dishing the rock with one of his patented no-look passes, he is in another stratosphere. The athleticism he possesses is eye-catching as well. [player_tooltip player_id="970121" first="Trevor" last="Daughtery"] (6’2" - JS Clark Leadership) - Daughtery is definitely the leader of the JS Clark offense. He usually gets everyone else going before he eats on the floor. His combination of size, passing, and scoring may place him at the top of this list by this time next year. [player_tooltip player_id="1275264" first="Connor" last="Greavis"] (5’11" - Livonia) - I do not know a player who played more basketball than Connor from April to August. He had an outstanding summer on the Prep Hoops Circuity playing for both Showtime Elite teams. He is really good at directing an offense and when he is open from three, the bucket is as good as made. Defensive-minded PGs (These point guards wreak havoc on the defensive side of the ball game after game) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Morris-Derrick-3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1269739" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Morris-Derrick-3-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1130803" first="N’Derius" last="Walker"] (6’0" - East Ascension) - The way Walker plays man-to-man defense disrupts many a possession of the opposition. He is hard to drive past because his hands and feet are so quick and he makes it difficult to shoot over him. Walker is one of the better defenders in the Boot. [player_tooltip player_id="1213631" first="Derrick" last="Morris"] (5’8" - St. Michael’s) - I have never heard a guard so verbal on defense. When it comes to talking on switches, yelling out screens, and having teammates in position, I have not seen a better point guard. His defensive game is equal to what he does offensively and that makes him a complete point guard. [player_tooltip player_id="1130733" first="Tahj" last="Roots"] (5’10" - Bossier) - Defense runs in the family as his brother Kaalas was one of the state’s best defenders when he attended Bossier. Roots is very good in help situations and with on the ball defense. He can also read passing lanes very well. Definitely one of the smarter defenders we have at the point guard position. PGs who live in the Paint (These guards get to the rim no matter what) [player_tooltip player_id="1273401" first="Jabarri" last="Berry"] (6’0" - Barbe) - Berry is a strong and powerful guard for his height. Guards defending him have a hard time staying in front of him because of his tight handle and his upper body strength. When he gets to the rim, it is like an automatic two for his team. [player_tooltip player_id="1275324" first="Jai" last="Johnson"] (5’10" - Hahnville) - Johnson spent the summer months of the Prep Hoops Circuit living at the rim. He has an ultra quick first step when he is in the half court and he moves even faster in transition. I have not seen a point guard quicker than him considering how quickly he gets to the rack. These PGs let it fly from 3 (The best shooters of the bunch) [player_tooltip player_id="1275335" first="Christian" last="Walker"] (6’0" - New Iberia) - Ten threes in a game and a 40 piece against Showtime Elite proves Walker can put it up big numbers. When he is on from deep, he is white hot. [player_tooltip player_id="970135" first="LeTavian" last="Crockett"] (6’0" - St. Amant) - Crockett was another player who blossomed on the Prep Hoops Circuit. The St. Amant point can fill it up from behind the arc. [player_tooltip player_id="1213622" first="Canon" last="Edgecombe"] (5’11" - St. Michael’s) - One of the most consistent shooters all summer and can fill it up from the corner three. He will play more off the ball because [player_tooltip player_id="1213631" first="Derrick" last="Morris"] will have it in his hands. [player_tooltip player_id="970117" first="Demarion" last="Carter"] (5’8" - Huntington) - When the Raiders need a spark from deep and still need good offense run, Carter usually comes through for them. He is a lefty with a nice stroke. Breakout Point Guards [player_tooltip player_id="1275314" first="Kylan" last="Dugas"] (5’10" - New Iberia) - He was the backup point on a district winner in class 5A. His wealth of experience will help the Yellow Jackets and their new coach excel this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1213812" first="Jordan" last="Davis"] (5’10" - Ouachita) - If your last name is Davis and you play point at Ouachita, chances are you are pretty good. Jordan is a better defender than his brother and still has two full seasons to play. [player_tooltip player_id="1213564" first="Jonathan" last="Barron"] (5’10" - Northwood-Lena) - Barron can burn teams from deep and he can be a dynamic playmaker. Last year’s run to Marsh Madness will fuel him to be better. With the two wings he has, he may lead the state in assists. Other Point Guards to Watch [player_tooltip player_id="1213605" first="Cameron" last="Lumar"] (6’0" - Hahnville), [player_tooltip player_id="1132619" first="Anthony" last="Johnson"] (5’10" - L.B. Landry), [player_tooltip player_id="1275314" first="Kylan" last="Dugas"] (5’10" - New Iberia), [player_tooltip player_id="1130735" first="Rictavion" last="Johnson"] (5’11" - Carroll), [player_tooltip player_id="1275297" first="Zachary" last="Semien"] (5’10" - Zachary), [player_tooltip player_id="1213796" first="Colby" last="O’glee"] (5’11" - Airline), [player_tooltip player_id="1213754" first="Damien" last="McCoy"] (5’8" - McMain) Check out the class of 2023 rankings on the Prep Hoops Louisiana website. These players, and others, will be at a high school gym near you.

The point guards of the class of 2023 are some of the more unheralded players in my opinion. They may not be Division I point guard size; however, they are some quality basketball players nevertheless. In this latest positional rankings review, we will take an overview of this class of point guards. They may be small in stature but their game is big indeed.

The Top 5

Canin Jefferson Canin Jefferson 6'1" | PG Newman | 2023 State LA
Kam Johnson Kam Johnson 5'9" | PG Archbishop Shaw | 2023 State LA
Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter 5'9" | PG Huntington | 2023 State LA
Trevor Daughtery Trevor Daughtery 6'2" | PG JS Clark Leadership | 2023 State LA
Connor Greavis

Canin Jefferson Canin Jefferson 6'1" | PG Newman | 2023 State LA (6’0" - Isidore Newman) - Jefferson is the best point guard in the class and one of the top three in the state. He can score at all three levels but is most dangerous when he is directing the band. Basketball IQ is off the charts good.

Kam Johnson Kam Johnson 5'9" | PG Archbishop Shaw | 2023 State LA (5’9" - Archbishop Shaw) - Johnson has shown the ability to score when his team needs him the most. His mid-range, stepback is his go to shot when he is tighty guarded. That shot, mixed with his ability to shoot the three, keeps defenses honest.

Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter 5'9" | PG Huntington | 2023 State LA (5’9" - Huntington) - Carpenter may have the most overall talent of any top 5 guard in this class. While he is a gifted scorer, when he is dishing the rock with one of his patented no-look passes, he is in another stratosphere. The athleticism he possesses is eye-catching as well.

Trevor Daughtery Trevor Daughtery 6'2" | PG JS Clark Leadership | 2023 State LA (6’2" - JS Clark Leadership) - Daughtery is definitely the leader of the JS Clark offense. He usually gets everyone else going before he eats on the floor. His combination of size, passing, and scoring may place him at the top of this list by this time next year.

Connor Greavis (5’11" - Livonia) - I do not know a player who played more basketball than Connor from April to August. He had an outstanding summer on the Prep Hoops Circuity playing for both Showtime Elite teams. He is really good at directing an offense and when he is open from three, the bucket is as good as made.

Defensive-minded PGs (These point guards wreak havoc on the defensive side of the ball game after game)

N’Derius Walker N’Derius Walker 6'0" | PG East Ascension | 2023 State LA (6’0" - East Ascension) - The way Walker plays man-to-man defense disrupts many a possession of the opposition. He is hard to drive past because his hands and feet are so quick and he makes it difficult to shoot over him. Walker is one of the better defenders in the Boot.

Derrick Morris Derrick Morris 5'8" | PG St. Michael | 2023 State LA (5’8" - St. Michael’s) - I have never heard a guard so verbal on defense. When it comes to talking on switches, yelling out screens, and having teammates in position, I have not seen a better point guard. His defensive game is equal to what he does offensively and that makes him a complete point guard.

Tahj Roots Tahj Roots 5'11" | PG Bossier | 2023 State LA (5’10" - Bossier) - Defense runs in the family as his brother Kaalas was one of the state’s best defenders when he attended Bossier. Roots is very good in help situations and with on the ball defense. He can also read passing lanes very well. Definitely one of the smarter defenders we have at the point guard position.

PGs who live in the Paint (These guards get to the rim no matter what)

Jabbari Barry Jabbari Barry 6'1" | PG Barbe | 2023 State LA (6’0" - Barbe) - Berry is a strong and powerful guard for his height. Guards defending him have a hard time staying in front of him because of his tight handle and his upper body strength. When he gets to the rim, it is like an automatic two for his team.

Jai Johnson (5’10" - Hahnville) - Johnson spent the summer months of the Prep Hoops Circuit living at the rim. He has an ultra quick first step when he is in the half court and he moves even faster in transition. I have not seen a point guard quicker than him considering how quickly he gets to the rack.

These PGs let it fly from 3 (The best shooters of the bunch)

Christian Walker (6’0" - New Iberia) - Ten threes in a game and a 40 piece against Showtime Elite proves Walker can put it up big numbers. When he is on from deep, he is white hot.

Letavian Crockett Letavian Crockett 6'1" | CG St Amant | 2023 State LA (6’0" - St. Amant) - Crockett was another player who blossomed on the Prep Hoops Circuit. The St. Amant point can fill it up from behind the arc.

Canon Edgecombe Canon Edgecombe 6'1" | CG St. Michael | 2023 State LA (5’11" - St. Michael’s) - One of the most consistent shooters all summer and can fill it up from the corner three. He will play more off the ball because Derrick Morris Derrick Morris 5'8" | PG St. Michael | 2023 State LA will have it in his hands.

Demarion Carter Demarion Carter 5'7" | PG Huntington | 2023 State LA (5’8" - Huntington) - When the Raiders need a spark from deep and still need good offense run, Carter usually comes through for them. He is a lefty with a nice stroke.

Breakout Point Guards

Kylan Dugas (5’10" - New Iberia) - He was the backup point on a district winner in class 5A. His wealth of experience will help the Yellow Jackets and their new coach excel this season.

Jordan Davis Jordan Davis 6'1" | PG Ouachita | 2023 State LA (5’10" - Ouachita) - If your last name is Davis and you play point at Ouachita, chances are you are pretty good. Jordan is a better defender than his brother and still has two full seasons to play.

Jonathan Barron Jonathan Barron 5'11" | PG Northwood-Lena | 2023 State LA (5’10" - Northwood-Lena) - Barron can burn teams from deep and he can be a dynamic playmaker. Last year’s run to Marsh Madness will fuel him to be better. With the two wings he has, he may lead the state in assists.