Ten of the Top Freshmen to Watch in Louisiana

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday, Prep Hoops Louisiana released the 2026 watch list for the freshman class. Within this 2026 group, there are a ton of guards and wings who have shown a large amount of potential during summer league and the various fall showcases. Some of these players have since moved into prominent positions on their varsity team. In this Prep Hoop Louisiana exclusive, we will take a look at 10 freshmen who should make an impact this season on the hardwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680588' first='De'avery' last='Durham'] (5'9" | Gibsland-Coleman)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Durham plays Robin to [player_tooltip player_id='1213567' first='Terrance' last='James'] Batman and plays it well. In the Class C state championship he was the second best player on the floor and has carried that into the season. He is lightning quick on offense and can get downhill in a hurry. Durham is also very good from three. His man-to-man defense and speed in transition will help him be one of the best players in Class C this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543684' first='Autrail' last='Manning'] (6'1" | John Curtis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manning is probably the best point guard in this class. He is a lead guard who can score at all three levels while also making others better. Manning was a key in helping John Curtis to the state championship game and will be a primary figure in any success they have this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684320' first='Rondell' last='Battle'] (5'11" | Phoenix)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Battle is a proven varsity scorer on the Class B level averaging double digits last season. He is a player who uses short hooks and mid-range jumpers to score in the paint. His craftiness as a scorer makes Battle a true threat in and around the paint wherever he catches the rock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543665' first='Travis' last='Gallien'] (6'2" | Teurlings Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gallien is a bruising forward who knows his way around the paint. He can score by backing down his defender and scoring through them or he uses his strength to go through them. Travis has an adequate handle and can finish on the break as well. His ability to dominate in the paint by scoring, rebounding, and taking fouls makes him a hard guard as a freshman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543674' first='Gavin' last='Lucas'] Jr. (6'1" | Bonnabel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are few freshmen with "in the gym" range on their shot and [player_tooltip player_id='1543674' first='Gavin' last='Lucas'] is that rare breed who has it. His shooting form from behind the arc makes every shot look effortless. Lucas can also put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. His shooting opens up the rest of his floor game which makes him very dangerous when he is on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543647' first='Cooper' last='Nelson'] (5'</strong>7<strong>" | Sterlington)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson is a small guard with a slick handle and the ability to make plays. He is the epitome of a facilitating guard who can make every pass there is. Nelson is also very skilled in the open floor and usually makes the right play. Guards with his passing ability are hard to find. Sterlington has a good one in Nelson. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543705' first='Tallion' last='Rideau'] (6'2" | JS Clark Leadership)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rideau may be the most athletic player in this freshmen class. He is a handful in transition and can finish above the rim and through contact. Rideau is also very good at rebounding and finishing on the offensive glass. Once he rounds out his perimeter game, Rideau will be an unstoppable force. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680525' first='Brian' last='French'] (5'8" | BTW-Shreveport)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are few freshmen who handle the point guard duties from the first game of their varsity career and French has managed to do that under the tutelage of Kenny Sykes. French handles pressure well and is a confident scorer in the mid-range. Once he cleans up his turnovers, French will be a tough guard to cover. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543675' first='Roderick' last='Tezeno'] (6'1" | Opelousas Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tezeno is a guard who can score from the perimeter and the mid-range. He also has a little flair to his game that shows an air of confidence when he plays. While he is more of a perimeter scorer, he can attack downhill and finish above the rim. Tezeno is definitely a guard with unlimited potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680509' first='E'Jayden' last='McDonald'] (5'9" | Captain Shreve)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDonald showed this summer that he is mature enough to handle varsity action on or off the ball. He is a quick guard who can get to the rim in a hurry. He also plays aggressive, on the ball defense. McDonald plays hard on both ends and his ability to handle point guard duties and defend will help him navigate any varsity struggles he has. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These freshmen are only a few of the 2026 group that will take this year by storm. Most of them are already varsity contributors which gives them a leg up on others. Watch these freshmen throughout the season as we head into the holiday season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->