Rankings Review: Class of 2023 Top Point Guards

The class of 2023 in Louisiana has some of the best playmakers and floor generals of any class. Many of them have had success in previous years on the grassroots circuit and some are seeing that success transition to their play with their high school teams. In this rankings review, we will take a look at the top point guards in the class and highlight what makes them the players they are today. [player_tooltip player_id="1130920" first="Canin" last="Jefferson"] (Newman | 6’1") Jefferson has turned himself into the best point guard in the state and the top point guard in 2023. He is fresh off of a title game MOP designation this past season and has kept it going during the beginning of his grassroots season. Jefferson is a three level scorer and is equally as good at distributing the rock. Newman and LivOn Fleur-de-Lis are hard to beat with him running the show. [player_tooltip player_id="970132" first="Chilaydrien" last="Newton"] (Simsboro | 6’3") While Newton can play very well off the ball, he is more dangerous with it in his hands. The Simsboro lefty has been a part of teams that went to three straight championship games (winning two) and was a key figure in all three. His ability to get to the rim puts defenses in peril constantly. Newton can get it done from anywhere on the floor and should be a player closely watched in recruiting circles. [player_tooltip player_id="1055169" first="Kam" last="Johnson"] (Archbishop Shaw | 2023 | 5’9") Johnson may be the best player at the end of games in the state. His willingness to take on the pressure of making big shots is what makes him special. He is not the biggest but he has more heart than a lot of preps playing today. Johnson, a great passer as well, has proven to be clutch during grassroots play and during the regular season. He is a district MVP and a point guard who is only getting better. [player_tooltip player_id="1132619" first="Anthony" last="Johnson"] (L.B. Landry | 5’11") Mouse Johnson is a gifted point guard in his own right and he displays it whenever he is on the floor. He has a high basketball IQ and seems to make the right play exactly when it is warranted. Johnson can penetrate and finish with either hand or catch his defender slipping and make him pay from deep. His free throw line jumper is a weapon as well which makes him a threat from anywhere on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="970139" first="Chris" last="Carpenter"] (Huntington | 5’9") Carpenter had to sit last season due to LHSAA transfer rules. However, from the look of his April in grassroots, he has regained his 2019-2020 form quickly. Carpenter is a slick shooting lefty who has the ability to take over games at a moment’s notice. He is very good at making a shot and stealing the subsequent in-bounds pass. His timely defense and his skill at passing and scoring make him a big time threat. [player_tooltip player_id="970121" first="Trevor" last="Daughtery"] (Opelousas | 6’2") Daughtery was a key contributor at the point on a JS Clark team that had consecutive appearances at Marsh Madness. Now, in his senior season at Opelousas, he will be running the show hoping to help them return to the top of class 4A. Daughtery has some of the quickest hands and he reads passing lanes very well. Drives to the cup and converting in transition is where he is at his best. [player_tooltip player_id="1273401" first="Jabarri" last="Berry"] (Barbe | 6’0") Berry is a strong guard who is very good at getting into the paint. While most of his drives end with him getting to the rim, he is very good at finding others as well. Berry helped Barbe to the second round of the playoffs and in his senior season, I see him doing the same thing. [player_tooltip player_id="1130733" first="Tahj" last="Roots"] (Bossier | 2023 | 5’10") Like his brother, former Bossier guard Kaalas Roots, Tahj is a high level defender who has grown into a more prominent offensive threat. He is excellent at converting a steal or block into points on the other end. His three point shooting, when he is on, makes him tough to guard. [player_tooltip player_id="1145567" first="Connor" last="Greavis"] (Livonia | 5’11") Connor is very good at setting up others and is probably the closest thing to a pass first point guard in this group. He seems to get pleasure out of penetrating and kicking it to others for scores. Greavis can really shoot the three as well. [player_tooltip player_id="1130803" first="N’Derius" last="Walker"] (East Ascension | 6’0") Walker is a tough, on-ball defender who is very good at getting to the rim. He is a guard who can find a straight line drive whether the defense is in man-to-man or zone. Walker is also a good rebounder especially on the defensive boards. When he can rebound and go, watch out. Other 2023 point guards: [player_tooltip player_id="1471643" first="Simeon" last="Powell"] (Amite); [player_tooltip player_id="1273366" first="Kenneth" last="Montgomery"] (Zwolle); [player_tooltip player_id="1241644" first="Christian" last="Walker"] (New Iberia); [player_tooltip player_id="1213605" first="Cameron" last="Lumar"] (Hahnville); [player_tooltip player_id="1130810" first="Kylan" last="Dugas"] (New Iberia); [player_tooltip player_id="1213631" first="Derrick" last="Morris"] (St. Michaels); [player_tooltip player_id="1213564" first="Jonathan" last="Barron"] (Northwood-Lena); [player_tooltip player_id="1273357" first="Jai" last="Johnson"] (Hahnville); [player_tooltip player_id="1213812" first="Jordan" last="Davis"] (Ouachita); [player_tooltip player_id="1226673" first="Miguel" last="Fland"] (Varnado) Look for other ranking reviews in reference to the class of 2023 and class of 2024 rankings. Both lists have been released recently and are full of talented players from all area of Louisiana.

The class of 2023 in Louisiana has some of the best playmakers and floor generals of any class. Many of them have had success in previous years on the grassroots circuit and some are seeing that success transition to their play with their high school teams. In this rankings review, we will take a look at the top point guards in the class and highlight what makes them the players they are today.

Canin Jefferson Canin Jefferson 6'1" | PG Newman | 2023 State LA (Newman | 6’1")

Jefferson has turned himself into the best point guard in the state and the top point guard in 2023. He is fresh off of a title game MOP designation this past season and has kept it going during the beginning of his grassroots season. Jefferson is a three level scorer and is equally as good at distributing the rock. Newman and LivOn Fleur-de-Lis are hard to beat with him running the show.

Chilaydrien Newton Chilaydrien Newton 6'3" | PG Simsboro | 2023 UT (Simsboro | 6’3")

While Newton can play very well off the ball, he is more dangerous with it in his hands. The Simsboro lefty has been a part of teams that went to three straight championship games (winning two) and was a key figure in all three. His ability to get to the rim puts defenses in peril constantly. Newton can get it done from anywhere on the floor and should be a player closely watched in recruiting circles.

Kam Johnson Kam Johnson 5'9" | PG Archbishop Shaw | 2023 State LA (Archbishop Shaw | 2023 | 5’9")

Johnson may be the best player at the end of games in the state. His willingness to take on the pressure of making big shots is what makes him special. He is not the biggest but he has more heart than a lot of preps playing today. Johnson, a great passer as well, has proven to be clutch during grassroots play and during the regular season. He is a district MVP and a point guard who is only getting better.

Anthony Johnson Anthony Johnson 6'0" | PG L.B. Landry | 2023 State LA (L.B. Landry | 5’11")

Mouse Johnson is a gifted point guard in his own right and he displays it whenever he is on the floor. He has a high basketball IQ and seems to make the right play exactly when it is warranted. Johnson can penetrate and finish with either hand or catch his defender slipping and make him pay from deep. His free throw line jumper is a weapon as well which makes him a threat from anywhere on the floor.

Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter 5'9" | PG Huntington | 2023 State LA (Huntington | 5’9")

Carpenter had to sit last season due to LHSAA transfer rules. However, from the look of his April in grassroots, he has regained his 2019-2020 form quickly. Carpenter is a slick shooting lefty who has the ability to take over games at a moment’s notice. He is very good at making a shot and stealing the subsequent in-bounds pass. His timely defense and his skill at passing and scoring make him a big time threat.

Trevor Daughtery Trevor Daughtery 6'2" | PG JS Clark Leadership | 2023 State LA (Opelousas | 6’2")

Daughtery was a key contributor at the point on a JS Clark team that had consecutive appearances at Marsh Madness. Now, in his senior season at Opelousas, he will be running the show hoping to help them return to the top of class 4A. Daughtery has some of the quickest hands and he reads passing lanes very well. Drives to the cup and converting in transition is where he is at his best.

Jabbari Barry Jabbari Barry 6'1" | PG Barbe | 2023 State LA (Barbe | 6’0")

Berry is a strong guard who is very good at getting into the paint. While most of his drives end with him getting to the rim, he is very good at finding others as well. Berry helped Barbe to the second round of the playoffs and in his senior season, I see him doing the same thing.

Tahj Roots Tahj Roots 5'11" | PG Bossier | 2023 State LA (Bossier | 2023 | 5’10")

Like his brother, former Bossier guard Kaalas Roots, Tahj is a high level defender who has grown into a more prominent offensive threat. He is excellent at converting a steal or block into points on the other end. His three point shooting, when he is on, makes him tough to guard.

Connor Greavis Connor Greavis 5'11" | PG Livonia | 2023 State LA (Livonia | 5’11")

Connor is very good at setting up others and is probably the closest thing to a pass first point guard in this group. He seems to get pleasure out of penetrating and kicking it to others for scores. Greavis can really shoot the three as well.

N’Derius Walker N’Derius Walker 6'0" | PG East Ascension | 2023 State LA (East Ascension | 6’0")

Walker is a tough, on-ball defender who is very good at getting to the rim. He is a guard who can find a straight line drive whether the defense is in man-to-man or zone. Walker is also a good rebounder especially on the defensive boards. When he can rebound and go, watch out.

Other 2023 point guards:

Look for other ranking reviews in reference to the class of 2023 and class of 2024 rankings. Both lists have been released recently and are full of talented players from all area of Louisiana.