Summer Review: Most Improved Players in North Louisiana
There are several players who improved there games during the summer. Players like Ben Ponder (Calvary Baptist) have put the time into individual workouts and team practices to make themselves better players. Besides Ponder, there are five such players in…
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Continue ReadingThere are several players who improved there games during the summer. Players like Ben Ponder (Calvary Baptist) have put the time into individual workouts and team practices to make themselves better players. Besides Ponder, there are five such players in north Louisiana. In this article, we will review some of the players that I believe have improved tremendously this summer.
Brayden Thompson / 6’6″ / 2020 / Airline High
No one has made more improvements in his game over the summer than Brayden Thompson. It seems like he made the conscious decision to get better. From the June team camps to the NCAA Basketball Academy, Thompson has displayed an ever-evolving basketball game. He has improved his footwork and timing when defending post players. Thompson has attacked post players off the dribble in the last two months more than I have seen him the last two years. He is even shooting the ball confidently from distance. The play that stamped his improvement for me was the steal and finish he executed at ETBU. He stole the ball from a guard, did a spin move in the open floor, and finished with a two handed flush. All parts of his game were shown in that one play. If Thompson keeps the same energy, his senior season will be a memorable one.
Michael Jones / 6’6″ / 2020 / Woodlawn High (Shreveport)
Jones made strides during the course of last season as he helped the Knights stay highly ranked all season. During summer league and team camp play for the Knights, Jones showed even more improvement. It is not that he began handling the ball and playing the wing, he has played his current position more confidently. Running the floor, rebounding, and playing above the rim are his greatest assets. He is already an excellent shot blocker. Now he is becoming more of an offensive threat. Woodlawn repeatedly caught teams on the out of bounds, alley-oop play they run to Jones. Now, the consistency of Jones on his mid-range jumper has improved. His offensive play can open up more options for the team in the half court. If his offensive output nears his defensive prowess, Woodlawn may in fact finish the deal this year.
Javari Williams / 6’0″ / 2021 / Huntington High
Williams has been a gifted scorer since he stepped on the Raider campus. This summer, it appears that maturity and shot selection has improved his game greatly. At the Prep Hoops Top 250, Williams actually displayed how potent his game could be when the defense has to account for other players. Teamed with TJ Small (Brother Martin), Hunter Strickland (Weston), and Jordan Johnson (Madison Prep), Williams was on a team of players who had to be double teamed or command more attention than he. What resulted was his best shooting exhibition of the summer. Williams knew when to take a shot and when to give it up. He also has the knack for finding areas in the half court to make himself an offensive threat. If his maturing game can translate well with McCullar and the next guy on the list, Huntington will give all of 4A fits this season.
Kenny Hunter / 6’9″ / 2020 / Huntington High (pictured above)
Hunter and the Raiders lost a tough playoff game to Carencro to end last season. That, along with his playing time with Nike Pro Skills, seemed to motivate his improvement this summer. When I saw Hunter in various team camps, he was very decisive with his offensive moves. Whether it was a make or miss, put back, dunk, or jump hook, Hunter was aggressive with all movements. This more active and aggressive play obviously caught the eye of an ESPN scout who ranked him the #2 player in his class. There is no denying the talent he has. He is athletic and can do many things offensively and defensively. The Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech seem to be the lucky recipient of Hunter’s motivated play. In his senior season, the Raiders may also benefit as Hunter and his teammates look to make this a championship season.
Christian Caldwell / 6’6″ / 2020 / Southwood High
Another name that is buzzing in Division One circles is Christian Caldwell. This summer, a light went off for Caldwell and he began to take his game to another level. In the past, Caldwell has had to play the post for the Cowboys because of his height. However, he openly embraced becoming more of a wing who could rebound and push the ball. This style of play led to Caldwell being more aggressive on offense and becoming more of a play maker. Now, he has a consistent jumper from the elbows in to go with his rim-rocking attacks. Couple his expanding game with what else the Cowboys have offensively and Southwood should make plenty of noise in class 5A.
Confidence is always a help when we speak of improvement in a player. These players have had coaches and teammates who have given them the confidence to do what they do on the floor. As a result, they have improved as players.