Top Available Louisiana 2016 Posts
The top of 2016 seems to have found homes but there is plenty of available talent after the most recent batch of commitments. We’ve already taken a look at guards and forwards and we’ll continue our look at available players in…
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Continue ReadingThe top of 2016 seems to have found homes but there is plenty of available talent after the most recent batch of commitments. We’ve already taken a look at guards and forwards and we’ll continue our look at available players in the class of 2016 with the top posts whether it be the true low post bigs or those who can step out. Some players in the rankings above others aren’t on here due to either another sport being primary or they won’t be playing basketball anymore. A few of these players were also listed in the forwards article and we’ll revisit them first.
Khalea Turner (6’9 F/C, Helen Cox) – Turner returned to the state this year after being at Findlay Prep. He still sports a high basketball IQ but isn’t known for scoring a ton. Can be very efficient from the high post as a passer and defends with positioning and his size. Shows touch out to the free throw line. Needs to be more consistent.
Javante Walker (6’7 F/C, St. Martinville) – Walker is another big bodied player who can play the high or low post at the next level. Has nice range to 15 foot and has shouldered the load for St. Martinville this year. Rebounds his area and does a nice job of grabbing a few out of area rebounds as well. LM potential.
Darian Jones (6’7 F, Brusly) – Listed as a center, he’s shown the ability to play the power forward position and even flashes a jumper and the handles to play some on the wing. While he’s likely two years away from being an impact player, he’s a very young senior. The little brother of the Vandy star will grow physically and plenty in his game. A huge sleeper!
Amari McCray (6’8 C, Ruston) – McCray is certainly a physical threat on the low block. Almost impossible to move off his spot, he has to do most of his work before the catch. He’s an athlete that will have to go JUCO first and that should help develop his game as well. Big bodied center.
Jarod Carter (6’9 C, Bonnabel) – Like McCray, Carter will likely be JUCO first and is a big body down low. What he’s shown since joining Bonnabel in the 2nd semester is the intangibles. He brings passion and does all the little things like picking teammates up. Has post moves and moves extremely well for his big size.
Yuryk Lazard (6’8 C, Madison Prep) – Lazard has been playing for Prep on varsity for quite some time and while he’s battled some injuries lately, there is certainly college ability there. Needs to be much more consistent but there are things there you can’t teach that a small college could certainly use.
Harrison Prieto (6’7 F/C, St Pauls) – Prieto is a stretch big who is likely one of the better pure shooters in the class. Defensively he has to remain closer to the basket. A very high academic kid who is looking for a specific degree so the fit for him to continue playing basketball has to be the right one.
Jacob Vines (6’7 F/C, Pineville) – Like Prieto, Vines does most of his scoring from the outside as a stretch big. Unlike Prieto, he’s very slender in size and needs to add some serious weight and muscle. A kid who could develop into a nice stretch big and is willing to rebound and do the things defensively to stay on the court.
Devante James (6’5 F/C, Bonnabel) – James is a very athletic, yet undersized post player. He plays from the elbow in offensively and has no issue defending players bigger than he is. Very strong physically and extremely explosive which allows him to defend bigger players. Can defend stretch bigs without an issue as well.
Emonie Nelson (6’6 F/C, Terrebone) – Nelson has been known as a physical and athletic post player for some time and this year he’s bulked up even more. He is excellent at carving out space and on the defensive end he isn’t afraid to switch out on a guard if the situation calls for it. Limited offensively away from the basket.