Names to Know from the Statement Session

Preston Edwards

August 12, 2022 @ 11:24 PM

When there is a showcase of any kind, there are always names that stick out more than others. Some of the players who attended the Statement Session had plenty of buzz around their name due to how they performed during the high school season while some others it is due to their performances on the grassroots circuit. There are also players whose name is not as big, but they are very good players that will make an impact on the next level. Those are the players that this article will focus on. We will take a look at names that coaches and others need to know that attended the Statement Session.   [player_tooltip player_id='970140' first='Kevin' last='Jones'] (Peabody | 2023)   Jones is one of the most athletic wings we have in the Boot. He is not going to kill teams from the perimeter even though he is capable of shooting the jumper. What he can do is run the floor faster than the person guarding him and embarrass them if they jump late. Jones is an above average defender who is good on the ball and as a help defender. He also rebounds well. The way Jones contributes to the success of his team will keep defenders awake. He does a lot of different things.   [player_tooltip player_id='1381595' first='Shavurdacour' last='Nicholas'] (LB Landry | 2023)   When I think of a dynamic player in the open floor, Nicholas may be the first player that comes to mind. His athleticism is off the charts and the way he punishes the rim on dunks is raw and vicious. Nicholas is hard to keep off the glass as well which makes him difficult to cover. From the perimeter, he has good form but is very streaky. Nicholas has a wealth of talent and may be one of the sleepers in this 2023 class.   Malik Miner (JF Kennedy | 2024)   Miner was one of the most pleasant surprises of the Statement Session as he manned the paint for the team who won the day. He is more than just a rim protector; however. Miner displayed a great pair of hands and was good at catching passes rolling to the rim or on outlets during rim runs down the floor. He also showed a touch from behind the arc which makes him look like a prototypical stretch four. Miner, at 6'9", has some gifts that will have him being one the sought after big men in the 2024 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='1386539' first='Turner' last='Duncan'] (St. Augustine | 2024)   The 6'3" combo guard from St. Augustine may end up being one of the top guards in the 2024 class. His combination of shooting, ball handling, and athleticism is unique Louisiana hoops circles. Duncan can get to the rim almost at will. Even with the way he can get to the rim, he is just as deadly from behind the arc. It is like picking your poison when guarding Duncan. He can score at any level of the floor and is a player who has a ton of upside.   [player_tooltip player_id='1387999' first='Lionel' last='Larvadain'] (McMain | 2024)   Larvadain was another player who performed well at the Statement Session. He is a small guard but is very explosive when he has a line to the rim. Lionel has some serious bounce and can finish above the rim. He is a very good defender who disrupts ball-handlers and causes turnovers in which he converts into points. Larvadain will be one of the reasons McMain will be in the mix for a champion this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1347444' first='Bryson' last='Williams'] (Southside | 2023)   Williams may be an undersized big man but displayed that he could hold his own in the paint at the Statement Session. He has exceptional footwork and is good at using it to get his shot off. His willingness to go at other big men showed that he is not scared of a challenge and he held his own against them. Williams is good at playing his role and will be an asset to what Southside is trying to accomplish this season.   The season is still a couple of months away as school has just begun in Louisiana. When it does start, these players will be ones that should be on the radar of fans and others. They are players everyone should definitely know as the season draws closer.

When there is a showcase of any kind, there are always names that stick out more than others. Some of the players who attended the Statement Session had plenty of buzz around their name due to how they performed during the high school season while some others it is due to their performances on the grassroots circuit. There are also players whose name is not as big, but they are very good players that will make an impact on the next level. Those are the players that this article will focus on. We will take a look at names that coaches and others need to know that attended the Statement Session.