Point Guards of the Statement Session
The Statement Session is one of those events that coaches and scouts look forward to in Louisiana. This year the event will have some of the best point guards from the Boot leading their prospective teams this coming weekend in…
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Continue ReadingThe Statement Session is one of those events that coaches and scouts look forward to in Louisiana. This year the event will have some of the best point guards from the Boot leading their prospective teams this coming weekend in Youngsville. This group has combined for 9 Marsh Madness appearances and three state titles. So, when it comes to point guard play, the people in attendance should see some of the best floor leadership around.
Kam Johnson Kam Johnson 5'9" | PG Archbishop Shaw | 2023 State LA (AB Shaw | 5’9″)
Johnson may be the smallest of the point guards playing at the Statement Session. He also may be one of the most accomplished. District MVP, all-metro, and all-state are just some of the accolades for this pint sized point. Johnson is very good at handling the ball and passing it when his teammates are in position to score. If they do not score, he is very capable of taking over a game himself. He is definitely a dual threat.
Laurence Nathan Laurence Nathan 6'2" | PG Carver | 2024 State LA (Carver | 6’0″)
The lefty point from Carver has greatly improved since his freshman year. Nathan has always been able to hurt teams from the perimeter and he can shoot the rock with the best of them. He is much better with his ball-handling and he uses it to penetrate the paint constantly. His passing is almost as good as his shooting now. When it comes to point guards, Nathan can hold his own with this field.
Canin Jefferson Canin Jefferson 6'1" | PG Newman | 2023 State LA (Newman | 6’1″)
Jefferson continues to grow physically and his game continues to mature right along with it. He is a three level scorer who keeps defenders off balance because of that reason. Jefferson can drop a dime using his fundamentals or he can put some sauce on it with a no-look pass. When it comes to hurting teams by any method, Jefferson may be the most versatile of the group playing in Youngsville.
Lionel Larvadain Lionel Larvadain 6'0" | PG McMain | 2024 State LA (McMain | 5’11”)
Larvadain may be the most explosive point guard when it comes to attacking the rim. He is a point guard who digs in on defense and can change defense to offense quickly. Larvadain is also an improving shooter from behind the arc. Once he gets going from there, it is hard to cool him off. While Larvadain is becoming more of a complete point guard, it may be his defense and quickness that helps him win possessions at this event.
Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter 5'9" | PG Huntington | 2023 State LA (Huntington | 5’9″)
There is not a more polished offensive guard in this group than Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter 5'9" | PG Huntington | 2023 State LA . One dribble or two dribble pull-ups, hesitation dribble pull-ups, or just flat out blowing by someone, Carpenter has the full repertoire. He keeps the ball on a string and can make any move at any point and time. His passing is top level stuff as well. When Carpenter is creating turnovers, he is as good as it gets at the point.
Howard Gaskins Howard Gaskins 6'1" | PG Liberty Magnet | 2024 State LA (Liberty | 6’1″)
While Gaskins may have deferred to Jacob Wilson a lot at the point last season, he is as capable as anyone at playing point. Howard is good at creating opportunities in transition and is very good at draining the wide open three in those opportunities. He is very good at drawing the defense to him and finding cutters and shooters. Gaskins play off the ball makes him a serious threat in the front court and keeps defenders on their toes.
Anthony Johnson Anthony Johnson 6'0" | PG L.B. Landry | 2023 State LA (LB Landry | 6’0″)
Johnson may be the best pass first point in this group. He has excellent vision and is very good at changing speeds when he has the ball. His speed allows him to get to the rim in a hurry and finish before the defense rotates. Johnson can go on mini-runs by himself and change the complexity of a game in an instant. His ability to pass first and then turn it on offensively makes him a chore for defenses to defend.
This group of point guards fits the traditional look probably more than any other group in the brief history of this event. These point guards are very good at what they do, however. Saturday in Youngsville will be a sight to see as these guards battle one another during the day.