Top 100 Players to Watch this Season (Part I)

November 15th will be the day when all of Louisiana tosses up the orange for basketball season to officially begin in every parish. While classes B and C have been playing for a little while, we are still in season preview mode here at Prep Hoops Louisiana. In this latest preseason article series on PHL, I will look at the players I believe are the top 100 players to watch this season around the Boot. From the casual fan to the college coach, these preps (from class C to class 5A) are the ones to see in Louisiana.  

Players will be listed in alphabetical order:

Kylan Billiot Kylan Billiot 6'3" | CG Terrebonne | 2024 State LA (6’3" / Terrebone / ’24) - One of the up-and-coming combo guards in the state.  His ball skills and ability to score should make him one of the premier players to see in 7-5A

Jalen Bolden (6’5" / Zachary / ’22) - Bolden applies pressure to defenses from inside and out.  He is one of the main cogs on a Zachary team attempting to win back-to-back titles in class 5A. 

Jonathan Bradshaw Jonathan Bradshaw 6'4" | SF Ouachita Christian | 2023 State LA (6’4" / Ouachita / ’23) - Mr. Versatility is what his name should be.  Bradshaw can score it from deep or post defenders up.  Should be the Lions best player this season.  

Alex Broussard (6’3" / Vermilion Catholic / ’22) - His breakout performance during the Prep Hoops Top 250 attests that this senior can play.  Broussard can takeover on both ends of the floor.  

Donald Butler (6’5" / Walker / ’22) - The Walker wing can fill a lane better than anyone in his class.  His dunks and defense have propelled him into what should be a stellar senior season.  

Corey Chest Corey Chest 6'7" | SF Hickman | 2023 #94 Nation MO (6’8" / McMain / ’23) - The McMain forward is quickly becoming on of the more complete players in the state.  He is also becoming one of the most heavily recruited.  His athleticism is off the charts and he can dominate a game with his scoring in the paint or protection of the rim.  

Jamaria Clark Jamaria Clark 6'2" | CG Doyline | 2023 State LA (6’2" / Doyline / ’23) - One of the most prolific scorers Louisiana has.  He can put up 30, in a half, on any given night and he has in the gym range.  Clark is pretty hard to stop.  

Troy Cole Troy Cole 6'5" | SG Donaldsonville | 2022 State LA (6’4" / Donaldsonville / ’22) - Cole is a true "3 & D" player who is also excellent in transition.  His ability to switch and defend all five positions makes him very special.  

Calvin Collins Calvin Collins 6'4" | SF BTW (Shreveport) | 2022 State LA (6’4" / BTW-S’port / ’22) - No one plays harder than Collins when he is on the floor.  He is a tough lefty who can do the dirty work on the boards or kill teams with his baseline jumper

JT Curry JT Curry 6'7" | SF Southern Lab | 2022 State LA (6’7" / Southern Lab / ’22) - Curry can facilitate the offense or go get his own from the defensive boards to the offensive end.  He is a matchup nightmare for most teams.  

Jakobe Dykes Jakobe Dykes 6'5" | SF St. Mary's Academy | 2023 State LA (6’5" / Springfield / ’23) - For a top ten talent, he is one of the most underrated players in the Boot.  Offensively, he can carve up a defense.  There are not many better.   

Jeremiah Evans Jeremiah Evans 6'10" | C Southwood | 2024 State #249 Nation LA (6’9" / Southwood / ’24) - Evans has the potential to be the top player in the ’24 class.  He can score on the block and he can shoot from the perimeter.  He is good in pick-and-pop as well as pick-and-roll situations using the high ball screen.  Evans is also a shot blocker who can switch on smaller guards.  He is a potential Power 5 talent. 

Zach Fenn Zach Fenn 6'2" | CG St. Paul's | 2022 State LA (6’3" / St. Paul’s / ’22) - Fenn is a stat sheet stuffer in every sense of the word.  His all around play is a reason why he is one of the top players in the state.  

Trey’Dez Green Trey’Dez Green 6'8" | PF Zachary | 2024 State #54 Nation LA (6’7" / East Feliciana / ’24) - Green does major work on the gridiron and the hardwood.  His back to the basket game is more advanced than some juniors and seniors.  He is receiving high majors offers in both sports for good reason.  Green is a major talent in the prep game.  

Marquis Harris Marquis Harris 6'5" | SF Bossier | 2022 State LA (6’5" / Bossier / ’22) - Harris was the breakout prep star of the summer and is still improving.  His above the rim exploits will have fans in the seats while his defense may just help Bossier hoist another title before leaving 3A.  

Zaren James (6’5" / University Lab / ’22) - James has gone from a guy who plays primarily on the block to an all-around player.  He has better guard skills than people think and he is consistently jumper away from being a Michael Beasley type player.  He will have a senior season for the books.  

Alexzaye Johnson Alexzaye Johnson 6'4" | PG St. Benedict’s | 2023 State NJ (6’3" / Shaun Dumas Academy / ’22) - The UNO commit was already one of the best point guards in the state.  His ability to get to the rim whether in the half court or transition is special and the SDA national schedule will provide a stage for that talent. 

Noah Jonker (6’5" / ASH / ’22) - Jonker has evolved from a pick-and-pop, rebounding forward to a well-rounded basketball player.  He has a high IQ and exposes mismatches religiously.  Not to many players have ball skills like his.

De’Vion Lavergne De’Vion Lavergne 6'3" | CG North Centrals | 2023 State LA (6’3" / North Central / ’23) - Lavergne is one of the best combo guards in the state.  He is a streaky shooter who can get hot and score in bunches.  The Hurricane guard can also get to the rack in a hiccup.  

Andri Lewis Andri Lewis 6'3" | CG Woodlawn | 2022 State LA (6’3" / Woodlawn Leadership / ’22) - When someone says a dog on the court, they must have had Lewis in mind.  He will be the Knights primary ballhandler this season to go with his rebounding and scoring responsibilities.  I do not think he would have it any other way.  

Other states do a good job off letting readers know who the primary players are for respective teams around the state.  This top 100 list will do just that.  Look for the following editions to come as we get closer to the whole state tipping off on November 15th.