Positional Rankings Review: Class of 2022 Posts/Power Forwards

Our last positional rankings review dealt with the rising sophomores who can play the post or power forward position. While there are some budding prep stars at that level, the forwards in the class of 2022 are still the big dogs in the yard. The 2022 class has a crop of posts and power forwards who can contribute on the next level anywhere from the Power 5 conferences to the junior college levels. These posts and power forwards are players who are chomping at the bit to show what they can do. The Top Five [player_tooltip player_id="781838" first="Percy" last="Daniels"] (6’9" / Madison Prep) The ultra-talented big man from Baton Rouge had a very good summer and there were times where he looked like he was the most dominate player in the state. His ability to score from both blocks, command the boards on each end, and turn away shots at times left many (including me) shaking their heads. Daniels is emphatic with finishes at the rim and is almost impossible to defend if the option does not have a post player. The SEC and Big East have shown interest in Daniels. It will be interesting to see where he lands. [player_tooltip player_id="781857" first="Dionjahe" last="Thomas"] (6’8" / Ellender) It is hard to believe that the last time I saw Thomas in an Ellender uniform was their quarterfinal playoff loss to Woodlawn-Shreveport. Dionjahe has since announced that he will play with the Legacy (TX) School of Sport Sciences in Houston for his senior season. He was definitely on the verge of being a top five player in Louisiana with his athleticism and ability to run the floor. His outside shot had improved as well. Thomas was a definitely a preseason candidate for 4A most oustanding player. [player_tooltip player_id="1275271" first="Noah" last="Jonker"] (6’5" / Alexandria High) The ASH big man showed what kind of resolve he has within him after returning from a broken wrist early in the summer. His ability to be stretch 4 or 5 in high school or the next level is part of what is so intriguing about him. Now that he puts the ball on the deck with confidence and can get to the cup, he is making it almost impossible to guard him on the perimeter or the post. Jonker will definitely be one to watch this season. Donald Lewis Jr. (6’7" / Central Catholic) Lewis was a player who burst on the scene as a freshman during Marsh Madness his freshman year. Three years later he has anchored himself as the stalwart of the Central Catholic defense. Lewis is a shotblocker who is atheltic and can run the floor. He rebounds well for his frame and can score as well. If Central Catholic makes another top 28 run, Lewis will have a large part in it. [player_tooltip player_id="932854" first="Phil" last="Bradford"] (6’5" / Ouachita) One of the best defensive ends in 5A is also an impressive basketball player. Bradford is a space-eatng banger on the boards and a defensive enforcer when it comes to defending the paint. Phil is a very good passer from the post and has some of the best footwork I have seen by a big man. If a defender is on his back, they are not going to stop Bradford from scoring. He is a post threat who handles himself well. The Best of the Rest [player_tooltip player_id="1051625" first="Quentin" last="Henry"] (6’5" / Liberty) - Henry can give his team ten boards a night but is most valuable defending the paint. He is a shotblocker who will finish on defenders heads at a moments notice. [player_tooltip player_id="1127331" first="Joe" last="Bob Wiltz"] (6’6" / Cecilia) - The Cecilia post has always been a lot to handle in the paint and is a lock to score when he catches the ball with one foot in it. Whether the finish is with a dunk or a short jump hook, Wiltz is has post skills galore. [player_tooltip player_id="1211097" first="Amare" last="Anderson"] (6’9" / White Castle) - Anderson may be limited offensively but he is superb when it comes to blocking and altering shots. He is long and wiry defensive specialist with a huge upside. [player_tooltip player_id="1127254" first="Brayden" last="Kimberlin"] (6’5" / Northwood) - Kimberlin has a high basketball IQ and can facilitate an offense by the way he operates in the high post. He is now in North Shreveport with the Falcons where he hopes the help guide them in a playoff push. [player_tooltip player_id="981601" first="Jalen" last="Taylor"] (6’4" / Benton) - He may be a little undersized in the post but you will not find anyone as strong as he is on the block. He has improved his scoring around the basic and has some touch within 14 ft. Nobody will outwork this kid on the boards either. [player_tooltip player_id="1127256" first="Kendrick" last="Haywood"] (6’8" / Helen Cox) - Haywood has a big body and is a rebounding force on the glass. No plays are run for him but he will score just from being active around the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="981493" first="Quency" last="Wiggins"] (6’7" / Madison Prep) - The Chargers may not see him until after a deep playoff run. He is made like granite and cannot be moved off the block on offense or defense. If he catches the ball in a scoring position, it is a done deal. [player_tooltip player_id="932853" first="Gerald" last="Abbott"] (6’5" / Captain Shreve) - He may have a slight build but he is the best post player the Gators have. Abbott is strong for his size and has a mean streak. Be sure you block him out or he might dunk one on your head as well. [player_tooltip player_id="981494" first="Chase" last="Alexander"] (6’6" / Breaux Bridge) - Alexander will be counted on to be the inside presence and one of the team leaders under a new coach at Breaux Bridge. [player_tooltip player_id="1206570" first="Lee" last="Abney"] (6’5" / Simsboro) - Abney is a one of the better inside players in Class B. If he is on the floor, he is going for the shot block more times than not. When he gathers and powers up, not many on this level can stop him. [player_tooltip player_id="932858" first="Chris" last="Burton"] (6’7" / Northwood) - Burton is long and rangy. He improved over the summer in rebounding and blocking shots. If his scoring improves this season, Coach Lindsey (new Falcon HC) will have him a steal. Height is something you cannot teach and these players have plenty of it. This class may not have the overall talent of the ’23 and ’24 classes but they will all be factors in the win/loss columns for their teams.

Our last positional rankings review dealt with the rising sophomores who can play the post or power forward position. While there are some budding prep stars at that level, the forwards in the class of 2022 are still the big dogs in the yard. The 2022 class has a crop of posts and power forwards who can contribute on the next level anywhere from the Power 5 conferences to the junior college levels. These posts and power forwards are players who are chomping at the bit to show what they can do.

The Top Five

Percy Daniels Percy Daniels 6'8" | PF Madison Prep | 2022 State LA (6’9" / Madison Prep)

The ultra-talented big man from Baton Rouge had a very good summer and there were times where he looked like he was the most dominate player in the state. His ability to score from both blocks, command the boards on each end, and turn away shots at times left many (including me) shaking their heads. Daniels is emphatic with finishes at the rim and is almost impossible to defend if the option does not have a post player. The SEC and Big East have shown interest in Daniels. It will be interesting to see where he lands.

Dionjahe Thomas Dionjahe Thomas 6'8" | PF Ellender | 2022 TX (6’8" / Ellender)

It is hard to believe that the last time I saw Thomas in an Ellender uniform was their quarterfinal playoff loss to Woodlawn-Shreveport. Dionjahe has since announced that he will play with the Legacy (TX) School of Sport Sciences in Houston for his senior season. He was definitely on the verge of being a top five player in Louisiana with his athleticism and ability to run the floor. His outside shot had improved as well. Thomas was a definitely a preseason candidate for 4A most oustanding player.

Noah Jonker (6’5" / Alexandria High)

The ASH big man showed what kind of resolve he has within him after returning from a broken wrist early in the summer. His ability to be stretch 4 or 5 in high school or the next level is part of what is so intriguing about him. Now that he puts the ball on the deck with confidence and can get to the cup, he is making it almost impossible to guard him on the perimeter or the post. Jonker will definitely be one to watch this season.

Donald Lewis Jr. (6’7" / Central Catholic)

Lewis was a player who burst on the scene as a freshman during Marsh Madness his freshman year. Three years later he has anchored himself as the stalwart of the Central Catholic defense. Lewis is a shotblocker who is atheltic and can run the floor. He rebounds well for his frame and can score as well. If Central Catholic makes another top 28 run, Lewis will have a large part in it.

Phil Bradford Phil Bradford 6'5" | PF Ouachita Parish | 2022 State LA (6’5" / Ouachita)

One of the best defensive ends in 5A is also an impressive basketball player. Bradford is a space-eatng banger on the boards and a defensive enforcer when it comes to defending the paint. Phil is a very good passer from the post and has some of the best footwork I have seen by a big man. If a defender is on his back, they are not going to stop Bradford from scoring. He is a post threat who handles himself well.

The Best of the Rest

Quentin Henry Quentin Henry 6'6" | PF Liberty | 2022 State LA (6’5" / Liberty) - Henry can give his team ten boards a night but is most valuable defending the paint. He is a shotblocker who will finish on defenders heads at a moments notice.

Joe Bob Wiltz Joe Bob Wiltz 6'6" | PF Cecilia | 2022 State LA (6’6" / Cecilia) - The Cecilia post has always been a lot to handle in the paint and is a lock to score when he catches the ball with one foot in it. Whether the finish is with a dunk or a short jump hook, Wiltz is has post skills galore.

Amare Anderson Amare Anderson 6'9" | PF Moravian Prep | 2022 State LA (6’9" / White Castle) - Anderson may be limited offensively but he is superb when it comes to blocking and altering shots. He is long and wiry defensive specialist with a huge upside.

Brayden Kimberlin Brayden Kimberlin 6'6" | PF Northwood | 2022 LA (6’5" / Northwood) - Kimberlin has a high basketball IQ and can facilitate an offense by the way he operates in the high post. He is now in North Shreveport with the Falcons where he hopes the help guide them in a playoff push.

Jalen Taylor Jalen Taylor 6'4" | PF Benton | 2022 State LA (6’4" / Benton) - He may be a little undersized in the post but you will not find anyone as strong as he is on the block. He has improved his scoring around the basic and has some touch within 14 ft. Nobody will outwork this kid on the boards either.

Kendrick Haywood Kendrick Haywood 6'8" | PF Helen Cox | 2022 State LA (6’8" / Helen Cox) - Haywood has a big body and is a rebounding force on the glass. No plays are run for him but he will score just from being active around the rim.

Quency Wiggins Quency Wiggins 6'7" | PF Madison Prep | 2022 State LA (6’7" / Madison Prep) - The Chargers may not see him until after a deep playoff run. He is made like granite and cannot be moved off the block on offense or defense. If he catches the ball in a scoring position, it is a done deal.

Gerald Abbott Gerald Abbott 6'5" | PF Captain Shreve | 2022 State LA (6’5" / Captain Shreve) - He may have a slight build but he is the best post player the Gators have. Abbott is strong for his size and has a mean streak. Be sure you block him out or he might dunk one on your head as well.

Chase Alexander Chase Alexander 6'5" | PF Breaux Bridge | 2022 State LA (6’6" / Breaux Bridge) - Alexander will be counted on to be the inside presence and one of the team leaders under a new coach at Breaux Bridge.

Lee Abney Lee Abney 6'5" | PF Simsboro | 2022 State LA (6’5" / Simsboro) - Abney is a one of the better inside players in Class B. If he is on the floor, he is going for the shot block more times than not. When he gathers and powers up, not many on this level can stop him.

Chris Burton Chris Burton 6'6" | PF Northwood | 2022 State LA (6’7" / Northwood) - Burton is long and rangy. He improved over the summer in rebounding and blocking shots. If his scoring improves this season, Coach Lindsey (new Falcon HC) will have him a steal.

Height is something you cannot teach and these players have plenty of it. This class may not have the overall talent of the ’23 and ’24 classes but they will all be factors in the win/loss columns for their teams.