Cenla Freshman Watch List – Part 1

August 19, 2024

Braylon Dixon | 2028 | Guard | Peabody Magnet High School

Braylon shows exceptional quickness on the floor, allowing him to create separation from defenders and push the pace in transition. He possesses advanced ball-handling skills for his age, making him an effective penetrator and capable of navigating tight defensive pressure. His shooting mechanics are smooth, with solid range for a young guard. He can hit consistently from mid-range and shows potential from beyond the arc. Dixon has a keen ability to see plays develop, making smart passes and finding open teammates, especially on drive-and-kick opportunities. He is aggressive on the defensive end, showing good lateral quickness and active hands. His ability to pressure ball handlers disrupts opposing offenses.

With continued development, particularly in his shooting and physicality, he has the potential to be an impactful playmaker at the high school level. His combination of speed, skill, and court awareness makes him a player to watch closely.

 

Joshua Johnson | 2028 | Guard | Peabody Magnet High School

Joshua Johnson is an explosive athlete with a quick first step and impressive shooting ability, making him a tough matchup for defenders. He excels in transition, often finishing at the rim. Johnson has a natural feel for defense, with quick reflexes and the ability to anticipate passes. His on-ball defense is intense, and he has shown great timing when contesting shots or getting steals. He has the ability to score in a variety of ways, from attacking the rim with confidence to pulling up for mid-range jumpers. His ability to drive and finish through contact is a notable asset. Johnson shows strong leadership qualities on the court. He is vocal, sets the tone for his team’s intensity, and embraces challenges head-on.

Joshua Johnson is an exciting prospect with a strong mix of athleticism and scoring prowess. With development in his shooting and playmaking, he has the potential to be a dynamic guard at the high school level.

 

Blake Anderson | 2028 | G/F | Peabody Magnet High School

Blake Anderson’s ability to play both guard and forward makes him a unique asset on the court. He can handle the ball on the perimeter or operate in the mid-post, giving his team flexibility on offense. Anderson has good size for his position, which he uses effectively on both ends of the floor. His length helps him contest shots, disrupt passing lanes, and finish over defenders in the paint. He is an active rebounder, particularly on the offensive glass, where he shows great timing and positioning to give his team second-chance opportunities. With his combination of size, length, and mobility, Anderson has the tools to be a highly effective defender. He can guard multiple positions and has shown flashes of being able to lock down on the perimeter or provide help defense in the paint.

Blake Anderson is a promising young prospect with the versatility and size to play multiple positions. As he continues to develop his ball-handling, outside shooting, and aggressiveness, he has the potential to grow into a highly impactful player at the high school level. His rebounding and defensive upside make him a valuable two-way player with room for significant growth in the coming years.

 

Jadyn Eli | 2028 | Guard | Alexandria Senior High School

Jadyn Eli is exceptionally quick on the court, with an explosive first step that allows him to blow by defenders. His speed makes him a constant threat in transition and on fast breaks. Eli has advanced dribbling skills, able to control the ball in traffic and create opportunities off the dribble. His ability to handle pressure sets him apart from many of his peers. His quickness translates well on the defensive end, where he can guard smaller, faster guards and stay in front of them. He applies solid pressure, often forcing turnovers with his active hands. While still developing consistency, Eli shows promise with his shooting stroke, especially from mid-range. He’s capable of hitting shots off the dribble and has good mechanics that suggest he can develop into a reliable perimeter shooter.

Jadyn Eli is a quick, dynamic guard with excellent ball-handling and defensive potential. With continued development with his playmaking and three-point shooting, he has the tools to be a standout at the high school level. His speed and defensive ability make him a valuable asset, with the potential to grow into an all-around guard as his offensive game develops further.

 

Elijah Glasper | 2028 | Forward | Peabody Magnet High School

Elijah Glasper has an impressive physical presence for his age, with the size and strength to dominate the paint. He is aggressive on both ends of the floor, particularly when battling for rebounds and finishing through contact. One of his standout traits is his ability to control the boards. Glasper uses his strength and timing to secure rebounds, especially on the offensive glass, where he gives his team second-chance opportunities. His touch around the basket is advanced, and he has a variety of moves in the post, which makes him difficult to guard close to the rim. Defensively, Glasper is a force in the paint, using his size and timing to block or alter shots. His presence as a rim protector makes opponents think twice before attacking the basket.

Elijah Glasper has the potential to be a dominant forward with his strength, rebounding, and defensive capabilities. As he develops his perimeter game and footwork, he could become a highly versatile player. His size and physicality give him a strong foundation to build on, and with continued development, he could be a major presence at the high school level.

 

Zaylon Birdlong | 2028 | Guard | Pineville High School

Zaylon Birdlong has good speed and agility, allowing him to be a dangerous player in transition. His ability to blow past defenders makes him a constant threat to push the pace and create scoring opportunities. Birdlong demonstrates excellent ball control, able to handle tight defensive pressure and create space for himself off the dribble. His crossovers and change of pace make him tough to contain. On defense, Birdlong excels with quick lateral movement and a relentless motor. His active hands lead to deflections and steals, and he’s capable of guarding multiple positions on the perimeter. Birdlong shows potential as a scorer, particularly in his ability to finish at the rim and shoot the ball from the outside. He has a knack for driving into the lane and converting through traffic, making him an effective slasher.

Zaylon Birdlong is an solid guard with good quickness and defensive potential. With continued development in his shooting and playmaking, he has the tools to become a excellent all-around player. His ability to impact both ends of the floor makes him a prospect to watch closely as he progresses through high school.