Louisiana Showcase GameChangers: Freshman Wings & Forwards

Preston Edwards

August 19, 2022 @ 11:38 PM

While the point guards run the show on the basketball floor, game-changing plays are often made by the forwards and wings. Thunderous dunks, timely layups, and big jump shots are made by the players playing off the ball. At the Louisiana Freshman Showcase, there were some players who impressed off the ball. There were some definite GameChangers during the Freshman Showcased that showed what they are capable of when the point guard gives them the rock.

Roderick Tezeno Jr. (6'1" / Opelousas Catholic)

Tezeno played like a prototypical off guard/wing during the Louisiana Freshman Showcase. He showed that he could be a GameChanger by getting to the rim with straight line drives and using his jumping ability to finish above it. Tezeno is also a very good rebounder which makes a hard player to guard. Whether it is by drives or rebound putbacks, Tezeno can hurt a defense.

Travis Gallien Travis Gallien 6'2" | SF Teurlings Catholic | 2026 State LA (6'2" / Teurlings Catholic)

Gallien fit the definition of a GameChanger during the Freshman Showcase. The forward from Teurlings Catholic displayed a game full of variety in Baton Rouge. He showed that he can score with his back to the basket and power through people. Gallien can put it on the floor and get to the rim as well. He even made a couple of dribble, pull-up threes. No other player showed this type of skill on the day and this definitely made Gallien one of the days' GameChangers.

Tyris Crowell Tyris Crowell 6'7" | C Texarkana ISD | 2026 TX (6'7" / Texas High)

Crowell was the top post GameChanger on the day at the Freshman Showcase. He was a dominating figure in the paint as he carved out space to score and was very hard to box out on the offensive boards. His height was a key element in him making such an offensive impact. On defense, he blocked shots and changed a host of others. That kind of activity from a big man has GameChanger written all over it.

Gavin Lucas (6'1" / Bonnabel)

Lucas might have gotten off to a slow start shooting on the day. However, when it comes to GameChangers, he definitely made his impact felt. Lucas is very good at penetrating the lane and either laying the ball up or shooting a consistent floater. Behind the arc is where he sets himself apart. When he did get hot, he was pretty much automatic from behind the arc. A three level scorer who can handle the ball is a commodity as a freshman and is the reason Lucas was one of the GameChangers in Baton Rouge.

Tallion Rideau Tallion Rideau 6'2" | SG Opelousas | 2026 State LA (6'2" / JS Clark Leadership)

Rideau is a player who lets the game come to him. When he does that, more times than not he makes plays that help his team win. Rideau is very good at creating extra offensive opportunities. His long and athletic build made it hard to box him out. When he acted with the ball, he used a series of behind-the-back dribbles mixed with his length to finish with ease in the paint. His combination of ball-handling and athletic ability make him a GameChanger that has an enormous upside.

Other GameChangers to watch

Rushad Fleming Rushad Fleming 6'2" | SF Catholic | 2026 State LA (6'2" / Catholic) - has a ton of bounce and is good at finishing in transition. Very strong for a freshman and can overpower his defenders

Kingston Jarrell Kingston Jarrell 6'2" | SF Liberty | 2026 State LA (6'2" / Liberty) - very good at filling the lanes on the break. Hard to stop from getting to his right hand when he drives to the rim

Sam Ponder Sam Ponder 6'5" | PF Calvary Baptist Academy | 2026 State LA (6'3" / Calvary Baptist) - very good at the pick and pop. Has a very good shooting stroke and is a tough rebounder

Colton Spence Colton Spence 6'11" | PF McLeod ISD | 2026 TX (6'8" / Providence) - good at defending the rim and deterring shots. Very good shooter from the corner three