July Review: Underclassmen to Watch this Season
Louisiana had a lot of players who turned heads on the 16U and 17U level. While most coaches were focused on those players for recruiting purposes, there were some underclassmen making things happen on the back courts and other venues.…
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Continue ReadingLouisiana had a lot of players who turned heads on the 16U and 17U level. While most coaches were focused on those players for recruiting purposes, there were some underclassmen making things happen on the back courts and other venues. Those underclassmen are the focus of this Prep Hoops Louisiana article. We will look at some of the underclassmen who made their mark during the month of July.
Xavier Ferguson Xavier Ferguson 6'2" | CG Zachary | 2025 State #322 Nation LA (LA Broncos | 2025) – pictured above
Ferguson was a key player in the Broncos 16U victory at the Grind Region Final. His ability to do multiple things on the floor offensively and defensively is what sets him apart from a lot of players. Ferguson can rebound and push the ball on one possession or play as a slasher on the next. He can shoot the ball from the perimeter as well which makes him dangerous at all offensive levels. Ferguson can defend numerous positions as well which makes him one of the better all-around players in the Boot.
Chris Shiflett Chris Shiflett 5'10" | PG Evangel | 2025 State LA (OWE-RW3 | 2025)
Shiflett is one of the top point guards in the 2025 class and got a chance to display it with his play with OWE in July. Shiflett has a great feel for the game and has an innate ability to know when to pass or when to shoot. His ball-handling is some of the best in any class and he can make almost any pass. Shiflett is not a bad point guard to have when your team needs a bucket. The scary part is that he still has room to improve.
Christopher Cenac (LA Elite | 2025)
Cenac is one of those forwards that has an air of confidence about him game when he is on the floor. He is not shy about shooting the ball when the offense is stagnant and he has a great touch from 18 feet in. Along with the mid-range jumper, he is willing to put it on the deck when he sees he has an advantage. At his age, his ability to protect the rim separates him from others. Few can handle business on offense and defense like he can.
Antron Mason II Antron Mason II 6'1" | CG Wossman | 2025 State LA (AAO Flight | 2025)
Mason might not have started many games for AAO Flight during July but he was a key figure when it came to winning time. His defense really improved in July as he displayed an ability to read passing lanes well and convert those turnovers into points. Mason is a scoring point guard who can fill it up quickly. He was one of the more consistent three point shooters in the month and regularly made at least two threes a game. Mason is a player who can flat out get it done on both ends.
Cortez Graham-Howard Cortez Graham-Howard 6'5" | PG Hillsboro | 2025 State TN -Howard (NYBA Elite 2025)
Graham-Howard is a guard who can play both ends of the floor. During his time in Atlanta, he made plays all over the court. Whether it was a steal in the back court he converted into a dunk or spotting up on the wing for an outside shot, Graham-Howard made an impression. He does not panic when the ball is in his hands and he always takes one more dribble to probe the lane or to his spot. Graham-Howard is a very heady player.
Zion Weeks Zion Weeks 6'0" | PG Wossman | 2025 State LA (C&S Hoopstars | 2025)
Weeks is a guard who can attack a team from all three levels. He is very good at reading the defense in transition situations and looks for ways to exploit the defense early on in those possessions. He is a confident player who is just as good at walking into a dribble, pull-up three as he does at attacking the rim. Weeks is a good weakside rebounder and creates extra possessions routinely. He is good as they get at the 1 and 2 as a sophomore.
Other underclassmen to watch
Chase Meeking Chase Meeking 6'2" | CG Union Parish | 2025 State LA (Elevation Basketball | 2025) – a guard who can flat out shoot the rock; Meeking can create offense for himself and others as well but is hard to stop when he gets it going
Benjamin McCurry (LA Elite | 2025) – another excellent shooter who is tough as nails; McCurry can put it on the deck but seems to hurt teams more from catch-and-shoot situations
Marques Wilson Marques Wilson 6'4" | SF Green Oaks | 2025 State LA (OWE-RW3 | 2025) – excellent rebounder who can score on anyone in the paint; his quickness off the floor is what makes him such as good rebounder; he can attack from the perimeter as well which makes him a tough player to cover
Austin Brown (LivOn Fleur de-Lis | 2026) – a player who can do almost everything on the floor; when he adds some muscle to his frame, his all-around skill set will be even more deadly.
When elite camps come around in August, some of these sophomores should be on the invitee list. They are some of the more talented underclassmen playing and they will be ones to watch as the mature and get older.