Uptown New Orleans Players to Watch
Welcome to the Big Easy, the Crescent City, the city of New Orleans.The city known all over the world t unique traditions and culture. Just like the culture of the city, New Orleans has a unique brand of basketball. This…
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Continue ReadingWelcome to the Big Easy, the Crescent City, the city of New Orleans.The city known all over the world t unique traditions and culture. Just like the culture of the city, New Orleans has a unique brand of basketball. This brand is an up and down aggressive style that accentuates the athletes that live in this city. In continuing to cover players in the Metro New Orleans area I will divide the inner city into two parts: Uptown and Downtown since there are too many players for one article. This first article will highlight the top players who play at Uptown schools.
BTW
Kyran Ratliff 2022 6’7 Hybrid Forward Ratliff is one of the tallest players in New Orleans, and this means he’s playing near the goal. Ratliff is fundamentally sound around the goal-scoring, rebounding, and changing shots. As one of the top players in the class of 2022, he’s at a crossroads…can he make the transition to becoming an inside out player? In an effort to improve and not slide he must become stronger in the weight room. And work on 2-3 dribbles getting to the basket, guarding smaller players on the switch, and expanding his shot to the 3-pt. line. These things will make him hands down the top player in his class in Louisiana and one of the top 50 in the nation.
Tyrese Johnson 2021 6’2” SG Johnson is one of the best two-sport athletes in the New Orleans Metro area. Strong attacking the goal, good as a rebounder, tough as a defender, and decent from the outside. All those qualities help to keep BTW in the conversation of winning a championship. However, it’s highly like Johnson will be playing on the gridiron on Saturdays and a possibility on Sundays.
Christian Ferguson 2022 5’11” SG Ferguson will be one of the top shooters in New Orleans. Shooting is a skill all colleges can use without a doubt. However, Ferguson must learn the nuances of running a basketball team and improve in the area of quickness if he’s to garner serious interest from schools. He looks like he due a growth spurt which could help big time.
McMain
Alex Hammond Alex Hammond 6'3" | CG McMain | 2022 State LA 2022 6’3” CG Hammond has been on the watch list as a player due to AAU basketball and playing varsity as an 8th grader. Hammond mixes his offense up between strong drives and a consistent outside 3pt. shot. If he’s to maintain his position as one of the top players in his class he most become consistent and aggressive with and WITHOUT the basketball. Although he gets his hands on a lot of balls, he must become fundamentally sound on the defensive end: on and off the ball. These improvements will make him a serious contender for Louisiana’s top spot in the class of 2022.
Christian Pichon 2022 5’9 CG If nicknames were given…I would call Christian Pichon the opportunist. During district play with one of his teammates out due to injury, Pichon helped pick up the slack offensively enough to be named District Co-MVP. A cat-quick guard who gets into the paint, yet able to hit the 3-pt. shot he can be a tough matchup. Areas in which he must improve skill-wise are his midrange shot and different types of finishes on taller players. It also won’t hurt if he spent time in the weight room.
Taj Gilyot 2021 6’4” PG Playing on a team which seems like everyone is a point guard Gilyot plays more forward than guard. Nevertheless, Gilyot may be the best guard on his team. Blessed with size and above-average vision Gilyout is able to create for teammates with every little effort. If he’s to take a gigantic leap in his class and as a player who could come in and help a team on the next level Gilyot must become stronger and consistently dominate in games whether he’s on or off the ball.
Newman
Chris Lockett Chris Lockett 6'5" | CG Isidore Newman | 2023 State #180 Nation LA 2023 6’5” PG Some think Lockett is Louisiana’s next high-profile recruit. After playing years against elite competition with Houston Hoops and Beast Mode two of Texas’ elite travel teams, the adjustment to high school varsity was a smooth one. Mixing Size, I.Q., savvy and fearlessness at the guard position Lockett was a major contributor in Newman’s resurgence this season. If he continues on the trajectory, he may not only be the best guard at Newman next year but maybe before it’s over better than Newman alum his coach Randy Livingston.
Javon Ruffin Javon Ruffin 6'5" | CG Phhoenix Prep | 2021 State #239 Nation AZ 2021 6’4” SG Ruffin is a warrior. He’s been a contributor to Newman from the start of his career. He’s listed as a combo guard, but I believe he’s better suited for the SG position. Having battled back from injury Ruffin come back a much more consistent shooter. Nonetheless, Ruffin is a Swiss Army knife who’s able to handle the ball in a ball screen, guard bigger players, plus score from different parts of the floor. Areas to improve are his lateral movement, change of speeds, and splitting the hedge or off-ball help defender.
Wright
Jordan Boston Jordan Boston 6'1" | CG Sophie B. Wright | 2021 State LA 2021 6’1” PG If there is one person who could identify with Aretha Franklin, Rodney Dangerfield, and Birdman is Boston. With the Covid-19 halting the live period, he was looking forward to an analyst, evaluators, and scouts putting some respect on his name. The athletic scoring guard led his team in scoring from the wing position attacking the basket and hitting open 3 pt. shots. In the coming season he will be taking over at the point. This will be an adjustment for him and we are looking forward to seeing this before any more comments on Jordan.
Jon McCall 2021 6’3” SG McCall is a lover of analytics ideal player; he averaged double-digit points and rebounds for the season. Attacking on his drive, flying around on defense, and liable to dunk on his way to the basket he is someone you can not ignore on the scouting report. In an effort to raise his level of play improving his 3pt shot and midrange would seriously raise the eyes of scouts.
Treyvontay Alford 2022 6’3” SG The where did he come from award goes to Alford. In New Orleans players are identified early in rec and AAU basketball. Still Alford went from enigma to “who the hell has #30”? Alford is special…he has the ability to cook from outside on any given night, something many players can do. BUT his instincts on defense are what sets him apart. In a flash of the eye he’s in the passing lane streaking down the court with a steal finishing. Like all these youngsters the weight room must become his friend. Nonetheless, if he continues to improve guys will quickly slide down in the rankings.