Class 5A Player of the Year: Javonte Smart
Javonte Smart is the lone underclassmen to win one of the Player of the Years but it’s a hard argument against him. As you’ll see in the upcoming All-State teams, the talent in Class 5A was on another level just like the balance in teams was. The options for this award were limitless.
The Sophomore guard who stands at 6’4 and is a true point guard can fill the stat sheet up in an incredible way and that is what led to him being named the Gatorade Player of the Year. That makes him the first sophomore to ever win the award in Louisiana. He led Scotlandville to a state title as a freshman and was named to the 1st Team All-State team by the LSWA after averaging 15.8 ppg. This season they returned to the Top 28 but lost in the title game to Natchitoches Central.
Smart averaged 22.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks on the season while shooting 49% from the field, 45% from the three point line, and 81% from the free throw line. In the Top 28 he had a 25 point and 4 rebound game against Ouachita and a 21 point, 5 rebound, 3 assist game against NCHS in that championship game. In a two week span during district, he averaged a triple double one week then followed it up with a 50 point performance the week after.
His play on the EYBL circuit with Elfrid Payton Elite really drew interest from schools and it led to him playing for the Team USA U16 team as well as they won the U16 FIBA Americas Title. He’s one of the top ranked players nationally in the Class of 2018 and the top PG across the board in 2018. At this point he’s become a unanimous top 5 player in his class and one the more enjoyable players to watch.