Louisiana Showcase GameChangers: Guards from the Boot

Preston Edwards

August 14, 2022 @ 11:10 PM

The Team Sportsplex in Baton Rouge hosted the inaugural Prep Hoops Louisiana Freshman Showcase. Over 70 freshmen from around Louisiana and the neighboring states competed in game play to showcase their basketball talent. This being Louisiana, there was a large assortment of guards who showed their skills in Baton Rouge. In this Prep Hoops Louisiana exclusive, we will look at some of the guards who are projected GameChangers from the class of 2026 and highlight traits that make them players to watch going forward.

Christopher Charlot, Jr. (5’10” / Beau Chene)

Charlot was one of the few freshmen in the showcase with varsity experience and his play displayed it from game one. He showed a lot of poise when driving to the rim and was very decisive on his plan when it came to finishing. Charlot was one of the best shooters on the day, also. His dribble pull-up from two and three was hard to defend. He also displayed the ability to rebound and finish in traffic. Because of his polish and comfort at both guard positions, Charlot may be a GameChanger for the next four years in Louisiana prep basketball.

Cooper Nelson Cooper Nelson 5'10" | PG Sterlington | 2026 State LA (5’7″ / Sterlington)

Speaking of GameChangers, we may look down the road and talk about Cooper Nelson Cooper Nelson 5'10" | PG Sterlington | 2026 State LA in high esteem as one of the best point guards in the state. His ability to run the show with the ball in his hands was amazing to watch. As a freshman, he has the wherewithal to create passing lanes to teammates with the use of the dribble. All his dribbles are purposeful. Nelson dribbled to certain spots on the floor and when he got the reaction he wanted, he placed a pinpoint pass to a cutter or shooter. He also nailed threes and mid-range jumpers showing that he can be more than just a passer. When it comes to GameChangers, Nelson has the game to be one for a long time.

Autrail Manning, Jr. (6’1″ / John Curtis)

The freshman guard from John Curtis may be the top GameChanger in the 2026 class. He is a versatile point guard who played like a veteran varsity guard during the showcase. Manning is very good at penetrating from everywhere on the floor. He was able to attack from the top of the key using the dribble to get to various spots. When he attacked the rim from the baseline, he used the rim to protect his layup from attempted blocks. His ability to spot up from three from various spots was high level play as well. Manning is a GameChanger because his game is very advanced. He was a tough, tough cover at the Showcase.

Jakyi Frank Jakyi Frank 5'11" | PG Glen Oaks Magnet | 2026 State LA (5’9″ / Glen Oaks)

Frank had his full bag on display during the Freshman Showcase. When it comes to being a GameChanger, Frank may be a key piece in Glen Oaks having a resurgence on the hardwood. Frank displayed an ability to penetrate to the cup with ease and finish with either hand. He was also very good at driving and then kicking the ball out to shooters in the corners or on the wing. Frank is very good at controlling the game as he showed on Saturday. He put all the players on notice that he will be a GaneChanger in Louisiana prep basketball.

Xarian Babineux (5’10” / St. Thomas More)

Babineaux proved to be a GameChanger of another kind on Saturday. Instead of penetrating the lane and passing it out to others, he did a lot of the scoring on the day. Babineaux was a flamethrower from behind the arc and made three pointers with regularity. His outside shot sets up his drives to the cup. Babineaux showed a propensity to go on mini runs on his own as well. He had a couple of 8-0 and 6-0 runs that helped break games open for his team. GameChangers came in various forms on the weekend and the way Babineaux shot the ball was one of them.

Other standout guards

Caleb Evans Caleb Evans 5'10" | PG Parkway | 2026 State LA (5’7″ / Parkway); Joseph Grau Joseph Grau 5'10" | PG Benton | 2027 State LA (5’8″ / Providence); John Hayes Hutchison John Hayes Hutchison 5'5" | PG Saint Thomas More | 2026 State LA (5’6″ / St. Thomas More); Kaleb Leblanc Kaleb Leblanc 5'10" | PG St.Amant | 2026 State LA (5’10” / St. Amant); Brenton Gordon Brenton Gordon 5'7" | PG Archbishop Hannan | 2026 State LA (5’3″ / Archbishop Hannan); Khristian Allen Khristian Allen 5'10" | PG North Vermilion | 2026 State LA (5’7″ / North Vermilion); Athan Olivier (5’7″ / Dunham)

By the looks of it, there is a wealth of talent in the 2026 class. The inaugural Freshman Showcase from Prep Hoops Louisiana was definitely a success. The way that the freshmen in this class were brought together to compete with one another was a big hit with parents and coaches in attendance.

Prep Hoops will continue with their showcases with the Top 250 on August 20th.