Louisiana 2020 Rankings: Top Five
Jalen Cook 6’0 G Walker/LA Elite
This might be the hottest take that I have ever written for this website: Jalen Cook is the most underrated prospect in the country. Cook has proven it time and time again against the best competition in the country, and shown that he is deserving of a top 70 ranking in the country, yet none of the major prospect rankings services have him ranked. He was one of the most prolific scorers in the Under Armour Association this season, and when LA Elite added 5 star Jaemyn Brakefield for July, Jalen Cook was just as integral to their success.
Reece Beekman 6’2 G Scotlandville/Phenom University
Beekman has done as much to raise his stock this grassroots season as anyone in the state, despite playing out of state since March. In the summers, Beekman lives in Wisconsin, which has given him the opportunity to play with Phenom University, an EYBL team out of Wisconsin that finished the season as a top 5 16u team in the country. He is also playing alonside 2020 5 star, top 10 player Jalen Johnson and top 100 Jamari Sibley. Beekman is the point guard, and is a big driving force for their success, driving their offense, and guarding the best guard on the other team.
Chanse Robinson 6’1 G Lincoln Prep/LA Elite
Robinson is a really impressive athletic guard with a sky high ceiling. He is capable of doing essentially everything on the court, and at a very high level. As far as high school goes, I wouldn’t be surprised if he were to average close to 27/7/7 next season. He has been compared to a mini-Westbrook as well as Dennis Smith Jr, just to show the type of ceiling that he could potentially have. However, he is going to need to continue improving in order to reach that. He still needs to improve his handle, and shooting ability, as well as solidify what position he is going to be at the next level. However, with the motor that he plays with, I would expect him to continue to improve day in and day out.
Dante Bell 6’8 C Bossier/LA Supreme
Bell was kept out of play in April with an ankle injury, so this July was his first time being able to show off his abilities in front of college coaches, and he was able to make a big impact. At 6’8 with a long wingspan and supreme athleticism, Bell might have the highest ceiling of any player in the 2020 class, but he still has to work to put it all together. He plays with a high motor and is an elite rim protector and rebounder, which is a really good base, and if he were to grow another inch or two before his graduation, that would certainly change things, but if he stays at 6’8, he is going to have to add skills to reach his full potential.
Collin Holloway 6’5 F Catholic BR/LA Supreme
Holloway is another prospect that really raised his game over the past year. When I saw him a year ago, he was probably close to twenty pounds heavier, and looked his best when kept around the rim. However, he has grown an inch, and has worked on his game a ton. He has dropped off his baby weight, and drastically improved his athleticism. To go along with his physical improvements, his game has come a long way as well. He has transitioned full time to the wing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he were labelled a guard by the time he graduates.