Top 100 Players to Watch This Season (Part 2)

Earlier this month, I hit readers with 20 of the top 100 players I feel they need to watch during the 2021-22 season.  A lot of the super sophomores were introduced in the last edition. During part two, I will introduce twenty more players that fans, college coaches, and others need to watch this season in the Boot.

[player_tooltip player_id="781838" first="Percy" last="Daniels"] (6’9" / Madison Prep / ’22) - The Seton Hall signee is as dominant as they get on the Louisiana basketball scene.  He can score in the paint over each shoulder, rebound on both ends of the floor, and protect the rim defensively.  His maturity as a passer is another asset that may very well help Madison Prep hoist another 3A title at season’s end.  

[player_tooltip player_id="970120" first="Chris" last="Lockett"] (6’5" / Isidore Newman / ’23) - The best player in the 2023 class is the leader of a loader Greenies squad.  His offensive game is truly unmatched because he does so many things well.  Look for Lockett to be a force early and often in games as the Newman attempts to win their first title under Coach Randy Livingston.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1275269" first="Joseph" last="Manning"] (6’3" / Bossier / ’22) - One of the most complete players in the Boot.  He can be a defensive stopper, primary scorer, or the primary facilitator on any given night.  Joe is usually all three on every night however.  

[player_tooltip player_id="932860" first="Nick" last="Maryland"] (6’2" / Simsboro / ’22) - Maryland is one of the best defenders in the state.  He is a true "3 & D" player who has nerves of steel (check the final seconds of the Class B final from last season).  He plays to win at all times.    

[player_tooltip player_id="1105593" first="Jordan" last="Mathews"] (6’5" / Peabody / ’24) - Mathews is built like a tight end and plays like an old school power forward.  He is hard to keep off the boards and when he catches the rock in the paint, it is a certain two.  By the way, he still has two years.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1275290" first="Patrick" last="Mccraney"] (6’2" / Neville / ’22) - McCraney is more than just a shooter and he displayed that in his opening 30 piece against Woodlawn this season.  He can stretch the floor, play point guard if need be, and defends multiple positions.  Patrick is a multi-dimensional player and may be the best one in northeast Louisiana.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1130732" first="Omarion" last="Miller"] (6’2" / North Caddo / ’23) - The LSU wideout commit is also very good on the hardwood.  This summer he put up big numbers during team camps and also provided highlight reel material.  Once he makes it to the court from the gridiron, the Titan guard will more than likely provide more of the same.   

[player_tooltip player_id="1105547" first="Jordan" last="Moore"] (6’2" / Shaun Dumas Academy / ’24) - Moore left Crescent City to follow coach Shaun Dumas to SDA.  He is one of the up-and-coming players of the 2024 class who can already defend on a high level, can shoot off the bounce, and can finish in transition.  The SDA schedule should only bring him a larger audience to display his talent.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1127253" first="Tony" last="Percy"] (5’9" / Rayville / ’22) - Percy is a scorer who can also defend.  When he has the ball in the open floor, it is a certainty that he is going to score or get fouled.  He has a knack for getting the ball on the glass and more times than not it goes in.  The way he puts pressure on a defense is amazing at times.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1218192" first="Wayne" last="Randall-Bashay"] (6’4" / New Iberia / ’24) - Not a lot of sophomores can facilitate an offense, score from the perimeter or the block, and protect the rim.  [player_tooltip player_id="1218192" first="Wayne" last="Randall-Bashay"] is one of those rare athletes that can do all of this night after night.  He is a true all-around player.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1275268" first="John-Paul" last="Ricks"] (6’0" / Jehovah-Jireh / ’22) - They do not make point guards better than Ricks.  He can create shots for others as well as himself and he can bury jumpers from deep.  His ability to attack the rim is what makes him an elite player.  Look for Ricks senior season to be an epic one.  

[player_tooltip player_id="970133" first="Tyler" last="Ringgold"] (6’7" / Southern Lab / ’23) - [player_tooltip player_id="970133" first="Tyler" last="Ringgold"] set himself apart from others in his class this summer with his play on the grassroots scene.  His back to the basket game is elite and he is hard to stop in transition.  Ringgold is nationally rated by Prep Hoops and other services for this very reason.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1270191" first="Leland" last="Smith"] (6’3" / Edna Karr / ’22) - Smith has an elite burner and can let it fly from anywhere.  The Karr guard also has an elite handle that allows him to get to his spots and he is a better than average passer.  Smith should have a breakout season in the N.O.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1208076" first="Jaquevius" last="Thompson"] (6’3" / Caldwell Parish / ’22) - Thompson showed this summer that he can fill it up in bunches when he is on the floor.  He is a three level scorer who will command the best defender from the opposition.  He will be one of the surprise players in class 3A this season.  

[player_tooltip player_id="932856" first="Lance" last="Waddles"] (6’3" / Evangel / ’22) - Waddles is back from in class 4A this season and is one of the premier players to watch in the northern part of the state.  His ability to shoot from deep, navigate through paint traffic, and finish amidst contact was on full display all summer.  He will be a nightmare for all Eagle opponents.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1275352" first="Tony" last="Walker"] (6’3" / Northlake Christian / ’22) - Walker will be one of the state’s leading scorers this season and will command a lot of defensive attention.  Fortunately for him, he has the athletic ability plus the opportunity to make that happen.  He will not fly under the radar this season. 

[player_tooltip player_id="1130919" first="Deion" last="Ware"] (6’3" / Hamilton Christian / ’23) - Lefties are smooth in almost everything they do on the court from their shot to their handles.  [player_tooltip player_id="1130919" first="Deion" last="Ware"] fits that description.  His move to 1A and Hamilton Christian may indeed signal a title for the Warriors this year and big individual accolades for him.  

[player_tooltip player_id="937609" first="Solomon" last="Washington"] (6’7" / Carver / ’22) - The Texas A&M commit is the most exciting player in high school basketball.  He makes several plays a game that are highlight worth.  The best part is he has improved his perimeter shooting and he can switch and defend all positions.  He is the top player in the ’22 class for those reasons.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1127251" first="Decedric" last="Webb"] (6’4" / Huntington / ’23) - The Huntington forward is excellent in fast break situations and getting in his way on the break may cause defenders bodily harm.  Webb has some springs as well which means he can go get alley-oops or rebound it off the rim.  He is a very gifted wing.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1275283" first="Treylin" last="Whaley"] (6’4" / Livonia / ’22) - Whaley is another wideout that can truly hoop.  His play this summer was streaky but with plenty of superlatives.  If he is on, he can shoot a team’s lights out or punish them in the paint.  His uniqueness in doing both should keep Livonia relevant all season.  

[player_tooltip player_id="1275272" first="Jacob" last="Wilson"] (6’5" / Liberty / ’22) - Wilson is 6’5" and is one of the best wings in the state.  He can rebound and go from coast-to-coast on any given possession.  Wilson is also a threat from the mid-range and behind the arc.  His skill set has mid-majors and low majors requesting his services.  He definitely makes it happen on the prep level.  

[player_tooltip player_id="970138" first="Warren" last="Young"] (6’1" / Walker / ’23) - Young can snatch passes on the football field but may be a better as a scoring point.  He had several twenty point games last season leading Walker into the playoffs.  Look for more of the same from Young this season.  

The third edition of the top 100 will introduce more of the players from around the state that are must see preps.  Look for that edition in the near future.