Louisiana Freshman-Sophomore Focus – Part 2

August 27, 2024

Taylon Barnes | 2028 | 6-3 | Guard-Forward | Live Oak High School

Twitter: @Taylon14Barnes

Taylon Barnes is a versatile and athletic 6’3″ guard-forward from the class of 2028, making waves at Live Oak High School. His ability to play multiple positions, combined with his scoring, rebounding, and defensive prowess, makes him a valuable asset on the court. Barnes’ well-rounded game and physical attributes position him as one of the more intriguing prospects in his class. Barnes can comfortably play both guard and forward positions, making him a matchup nightmare for opponents. His ability to handle the ball, shoot, and defend multiple positions allows his coaches to deploy him in various roles depending on the team’s needs. His size and athleticism enable him to contribute on both ends of the floor, whether it’s scoring, rebounding, or defending. Barnes is a versatile scorer who can finish at the rim with strength and finesse, hit mid-range jumpers, and step out to knock down three-pointers. His ability to score from different spots on the floor makes him difficult to defend. He excels in transition, using his speed and athleticism to outrun defenders and finish with authority. Barnes is also adept at creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates on the break. Barnes is a tenacious on-ball defender who uses his length and lateral quickness to stay in front of his man and contest shots effectively. His understanding of defensive rotations and his ability to provide timely help defense make him a key defensive asset and his athleticism also aids in his ability to guard multiple positions and compete above the rim. His quick first step allows him to beat defenders off the dribble, while his lateral quickness helps him to stay in front of faster guards on defense.

Taylon Barnes is a highly promising prospect in the class of 2028, with the size, skill, and versatility to excel at multiple positions. His ability to impact the game as a scorer, rebounder, and defender makes him a valuable player for Live Oak High School and a potential star at the next level. As he continues to develop his shooting consistency, ball-handling, and leadership, Barnes is poised to attract significant attention from college programs. His all-around game and athleticism give him a high ceiling, and with continued development, he has the potential to be a standout player in the years to come.

 

Braylen Wilson | 2028 | 6-0 | Guard | Captain Shreve High School

Twitter: @IhoopBray223

Braylen Wilson is a talented 6’0″ guard from the class of 2028, representing Captain Shreve High School. Known for his quickness, scoring ability, and defensive intensity, Wilson has quickly become a key player for his team. His all-around skill set, and natural athleticism make him a promising prospect with a bright future in high school basketball. Wilson is an effective scorer at all three levels. He can knock down shots from beyond the arc, hit mid-range pull-ups, and finish at the rim with creativity and strength. His ability to score in a variety of ways makes him difficult to defend. Wilson possesses a quick first step, allowing him to blow by defenders and get to the basket with ease. His speed and agility make him a constant threat to drive and score. Wilson is an aggressive on-ball defender who takes pride in locking down opposing guards. His lateral quickness and tenacity make him a formidable presence on the perimeter. He has strong defensive instincts, often reading passing lanes and creating turnovers. His ability to anticipate plays allows him to disrupt the flow of the opposing team’s offense.

Braylen Wilson is a promising guard in the class of 2028 with the potential to become a standout player at Captain Shreve High School and beyond. His scoring ability, defensive intensity, and athleticism make him a valuable asset on the court. As he continues to build his strength, improve his shooting consistency, and develop his decision-making, Wilson is likely to draw attention from college scouts. With his work ethic and natural talent, Wilson has the tools to make a significant impact in the years to come, and his progression will be closely watched as he moves through his high school career.

 

Zaveon Shepherd | 2027 | 6-1 | Guard | John Curtis High School

Twitter: @ZayZayBalling

Shepherd has an impressive combination of speed and agility, which allows him to excel both in transition and on the defensive end. His vertical leap adds to his ability to finish around the rim and contest shots. He shows strong ball-handling skills, with the ability to create his own shot and navigate through defenses with ease. His crossover and ball handles are particularly effective in isolation situations. Shepherd has a good court vision and is capable of making precise passes. He can set up teammates well and is adept at finding open players in transition. On defense, he is aggressive and tenacious. His quickness and anticipation help him disrupt passing lanes and apply pressure on opposing guards.

Zaveon Shepherd is a good guard with a lot of potential. His athleticism, ball-handling, and defensive skills stand out, making him a significant asset on both ends of the floor. If he can refine his shooting and physicality, he has the potential to become a highly regarded prospect in the coming years.

 

Zion Guilbeaux | 2027 | 6-5 | Forward | Liberty Magnet High School

Twitter: @Guilbeauxzion

Guilbeaux possesses impressive athleticism for his age, showing strong leaping ability and speed on the court. His physical tools allow him to excel in transition and contribute effectively on both ends of the floor. He has a versatile scoring game, capable of scoring both inside and from mid-range. Guilbeaux can drive to the basket with strength and finesse, and he has shown potential as a reliable mid-range shooter. His size and athleticism make him a strong defender. He has the capability to guard multiple positions, and his shot-blocking ability and rebounding skills are notable. Guilbeaux can impact the game defensively through steals and altering shots. With his physicality and leaping ability, he excels on the boards, particularly on the defensive glass. His hustle and tenacity contribute to his effectiveness in rebounding situations.

Zion Guilbeaux is a promising prospect with a lot of potential. His athleticism and defensive prowess stand out, and with continued development in his offensive skills and consistency, he has the makings of a highly impactful player at the next level.

 

Joseph Metoyer | 2028 | 6-0 | Guard | Huntington High School

Twitter: @Joe24Metoyer

Metoyer displays excellent ball-handling skills for his age. He has a smooth and controlled dribble, which allows him to create his own shot and navigate through defenses effectively. He is a versatile scorer who can score from multiple areas on the court. Metoyer has a reliable mid-range jumper and a knack for finishing at the rim. His ability to create his own shot and make plays in isolation situations is a standout quality. Metoyer has good vision and passing skills. He demonstrates the ability to read defenses and find open teammates, which helps in setting up scoring opportunities and running the offense smoothly. He is a solid defender, showing good on-ball defensive skills and the ability to pressure opposing guards. His quick hands and anticipation lead to steals and disrupt the opponent’s offensive flow. Metoyer is known for his strong work ethic and commitment to improving his game. His dedication to training and refining his skills is evident in his performance on the court.

Joseph Metoyer is a talented and promising guard with a well-rounded skill set. His ball-handling, scoring ability, and court vision make him a valuable player, and with continued development in areas like strength and shooting consistency, he has the potential to become a standout player in his class.

 

Kortlan Williams | 2027 | 6-0 | Guard | David Thibodaux High School

Twitter: @KortlanWilliams

Williams excels as a playmaker, showing strong court vision and passing skills. He has a knack for finding open teammates and creating scoring opportunities, which makes him an effective floor general. He has a reliable jump shot, particularly from mid-range. Williams is capable of scoring from beyond the arc as well, making him a versatile threat on the perimeter. His quickness and agility are notable assets. Williams can navigate through defenses with ease, change directions swiftly, and apply pressure on both ends of the floor. He is a tenacious defender with good on-ball defensive skills. His quick hands and ability to read the game contribute to his effectiveness in stealing the ball and disrupting the opponent’s offense. Williams has a high basketball IQ, demonstrating an understanding of the game that helps him make smart decisions both offensively and defensively. His awareness and decision-making are advanced for his age.

Kortlan Williams is a promising guard with a well-rounded skill set. His playmaking, shooting, and defensive abilities make him a valuable asset on the court. With continued development in areas like strength and consistency, he has the potential to become a standout player in his class.