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Hidden Gym Gems: Players to Watch

Hidden Gym Gems: Players to Watch
Photo: Gioia Tatum Instagram
Donald Tatum
Donald Tatum December 31, 2025 @ 10:37 PM
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In this article:

Xavier Gray
Xavier Gray 6'3" | CG/SG | 2027
LA
Javonte Ford
Javonte Ford 6'4" | SG | 2026
LA
Jeremy Williams Jr.
Jeremy Williams Jr. 6'2" | CG/SG | 2027
LA
Athan Olivier IV
Athan Olivier IV 6'0" | PG | 2026
LA
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have been in a lot of gyms and from time to time you find a gem. A player that in the past, you did not evaluate, but upon next sighting they did something of note. Something to let you know they are working and will be a player to know. Here are some of those players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2307495"],"_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-6955f9f4c1567"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Well in today's game the king of the court is going to be a shooter. He has to be able to knock down the long ball. The ability to stretch the floor is going to get every shooter minutes. Gray is a shooter. Every time he lets it go, there is a chance he can make the shot. He has a nice stroke. He is taller than last year and shooting the ball with confidence, and at this rate he is going to be a serious problem. Gibsland is one of the top teams in the state and I guarantee if you check the stat sheet, Gray has hit some from deep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1679405"],"_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-6955f9f4c1626"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ford is not a sleeper, but this year he is doing more than previous years and doing it will more flash. He is a high flyer and he is leading Pleasant Hill to an impressive season. He is elite in every aspect of the game. Ford is long, skilled, athletic and extremely coachable. He is a kid that coaches will love at the next level and will be a steal in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194365"],"_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-6955f9f4c16bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams has put on his scoring cap this season and is playing the game with a chip on his shoulder. He just eclipsed the 1000 point scoring mark and with his big scoring performances Denham Springs is earning the name as one of the scariest teams in the state. He is a big strong guard that just digs in when the game is going on. He can shoot, defend rebound and facilitate. Williams is the real deal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Robert Taylor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ferriday","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6955f9f4c1801"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor is a hidden gem in the state and with the run Ferriday is going to make this season, everyone will know his name. He is everything that coaches look for at the next level and he still has time to develop. He can score whenever he wants and in different ways. He is a strong finisher, rim protecter, dunker, shooter, facilitator. You name it, and he checks the box. Ferriday is a complete squad and Taylor is one of their most lethal players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543687"],"_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-6955f9f4c189c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I took some time to do film study and watched Olivier in a match up vs St. Augustine, and much like he has done in the past Olivier knocked down shots. AJ just looks different now, he is stronger and he is shooting from a full step back from before. He is one of the most dangerous shooters that I have watched this season, and he makes Dunham a favorite in their Division. His ability to control the game, score at will and spread the floor with his jumper is special. He is an easy pick for next level competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

I have been in a lot of gyms and from time to time you find a gem. A player that in the past, you did not evaluate, but upon next sighting they did something of note. Something to let you know they are working and will be a player to know. Here are some of those players.

Xavier Gray

Xavier Gray

LA
CG/SG
HEIGHT 6'3"
POS CG/SG
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Xavier
Gray CG/SG
Class
2027
Height
6'3"
HS
Gibsland-Coleman
|
LA
Hidden Gym Gems: Players to Watch
Well in today’s game the king of the court is going to be a shooter. He has to...
Written by Donald Tatum
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Xavier Gray

Twitter
State: Louisiana
School: Gibsland-Coleman
Club: Minden Tarheels
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Javonte Ford

Javonte Ford

LA
SG
HEIGHT 6'4"
POS SG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Javonte
Ford SG
Class
2026
Height
6'4"
HS
Pleasant Hill
|
LA
Hidden Gym Gems: Players to Watch
Ford is not a sleeper, but this year he is doing more than previous years and doing it...
Written by Donald Tatum
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Javonte Ford

Instagram
State: Louisiana
School: Pleasant Hill
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Jeremy Williams Jr.

Jeremy Williams Jr.

LA
CG/SG
HEIGHT 6'2"
POS CG/SG
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Jeremy
Williams Jr. CG/SG
Class
2027
Height
6'2"
HS
Denham Springs
|
LA
Hidden Gym Gems: Players to Watch
Williams has put on his scoring cap this season and is playing the game with a chip on...
Written by Donald Tatum
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Jeremy Williams Jr.

Instagram Twitter
State: Louisiana
School: Denham Springs
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Robert Taylor

Robert Taylor

HEIGHT 6'5"
POS PF
CLASS 2027

Robert Taylor

School: Ferriday
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Athan Olivier IV

Athan Olivier IV

LA
PG
HEIGHT 6'0"
POS PG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Athan
Olivier IV PG
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
HS
Dunham
|
LA
Hidden Gym Gems: Players to Watch
I took some time to do film study and watched Olivier in a match up vs St. Augustine,...
Written by Donald Tatum
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Athan Olivier IV

Instagram Twitter
State: Louisiana
School: Dunham
Club: Livon/Fleur De Lis
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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