High Profile Players to Follow During the Jr./Sr. Academy

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baton Rouge is hosting another showcase today for the juniors and seniors of Louisiana. Hoopfest Tours, under the direction of Mal Mundy, is hosting an 8 team showcase meshing various players from the north and south. Mal and his team usually do a fine job of pairing players together so the match-ups should be pretty even. That being said, there are still some players to follow. In this highlight of the showcase, we will highlight high profile players to follow during the Academy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1684320"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dc6b6e45484"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Battle is one of the best players in the 2026 class. His play as a combo guard has helped his high school team be a successful one during his time there. Playing with players he does not know, he will need to show how he can make others better. He has the ability to pass and score when he has the ball. Those traits help. Playing off the ball and showing he can knock down open jumpers will be a flex as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560371"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dc6b6e454ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The defensive-minded point guard out of Natchitoches will go into his final year as the unquestioned floor general of the Chiefs. While his defense is never questioned, his offense will be needed. In this setting, if he shows that he can score as well as distribute, his recruitment will definitely trend upward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560448"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dc6b6e45543"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The top point guard in the 2025 class and arguably the best point guard in the state is who Brown is. He has been on go mode seemingly since the playoffs began in February. All summer, and into this showcase season, he has been one of the top players every time he steps on the floor. He will need to do the same today with a different set of players. Low majors have shown interest in him. He can solidify that interest in a setting like the Jr./Sr. Academy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1601451"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dc6b6e4558c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Butler is one of the most athletic players in Louisiana. His 6'7" frame coupled with his rim protecting blocks and exciting dunks can be intimidating. Butler has stepped up his perimeter game which makes him a more complete player. Playing with [player_tooltip player_id='1543647' first='Cooper' last='Nelson'] may showcase his already potent game and unlock some other things he can do. Watch for the lob play a ton today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2132646"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dc6b6e455cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The De La Salle guard has a wide variety to his skill set. He can handle the ball very well in the open floor and score with his back to the basket. His inside and outside play can show how he makes others better on the floor. Having a good day passing and scoring will only bring more eyes to follow his already high level game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543647"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dc6b6e45610"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cooper has shown, since his freshman season, that he is the most gifted passer in the Boot. No one has played the role of a facilitator better than Nelson. While others have to show that they make others better, Cooper will need to show he can be consistent offensively when he has the opportunity. He displayed that he can play off the ball and make open shots at The Expo. Today will need to be more of the same. Playing with [player_tooltip player_id='1601451' first='Kobe' last='Butler'] should be fun also. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1679403"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dc6b6e45652"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kevin is probably the most under-the-radar top ten player in the state in any class. Today would be a great day to shine a bright light on his skill set and play. White is a multiple level scorer with surprising bounce. He has enhanced his game with the ball in his hands and knows how to get to spots to make himself, and others better. He also turns the ball over a ton. White cuts down on those in a setting like today and he will wake some people up to who he is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jr./Sr. Academy has already begun. These are the players who will be highly noticed due to their ranking or from previous playoff runs. They all have great floor games, so they should be fun to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->