Ballin Basketball on the Bayou

NEW ORLEANS, Lou.– New Orleans is known for their great food and tasty treats some are well known and some you might want to sample and get to enjoy.  Basketball on the Bayou is one of my favorite stops on recruiting circuit with over 200 teams and a boat load of college coaches lining the baselines to watch such a collection of established dishes and talented programs there were bound to be some impressive individual performances.  While we sample a few other menu items who excelled, it’s worth noting that past dishes like Baylor’s Ieshia Small and LSU’s Raigyne Moncrief were on hand to take in the action.  The focus for the Bayou was to celebrate the next group of ballers that will dominate the headlines for the upcoming years. Basketball on the Bayou had a ton of talented prospects and here are the ones that stood out above the rest.

Love watching dynamic inspiring guard play and after following a tip from a college coach I had the chance to view Khadaizha Sanders the 5 foot 6 Bradley, Illinois native. She fits the definition of a true point guard the cool calm and collected explosive Sanders has all the moves and passes to make her teammates better. She does a great job creating opportunities and feeding the hot hand.  Sanders had a hand in on just about all the Baylor Basketball points. She loves to push the rock up the floor but she also understands tempo and when to slow it down. Sanders has a tremendous command of her dribble and can get in the paint at will. Defensively, Sanders is a physical on ball defender that anticipates well and jumps the passing lanes. Sanders has the complete package she has a sweet 3 point stroke to go along with all the tools to help make her successful at the next level and should be considered a Top 25 prospect in Class of 2015.  

While walking around looking for a game to watch I couldn’t help but notice Talladega, Alabama native Camille Buckhanon.  A 6-3 forward with plenty of upside. She is very active at both ends of the court. Buckhanon has a solid college body and has the ability to shoot out to 17 feet. She is a great rebounder and runs the floor extremely well and can finish in traffic. Buckhanon isn’t afraid to put the ball on the floor in traffic or under pressure. She has a powerful low-post game to go along with a nice face up game. Defensively, Buckhanon did a good job protecting the paint. Her offensive skill set will only get better with time the 2018 prospect is definitely one to watch. Buckhanon has the potential to be a high DI recruit.

Unique Thompson the 6-2 post who plays for Port City Lady Rain has an athletic build with long arms. She has a strong presence in the paint at both ends of the court. Thompson is a smart enough low post defender with the ability to block shots but doesn’t pick up silly fouls, a trait that plagues a lot of young players.  Thompson moves and runs the floor well. She boxes out and hits the boards at both ends. Thompson on the offensive end is an effective low post scorer in the paint and is not afraid to knock down the short jumper. She needs to further develop her low post and face up game and continue to gain strength. Thompson is a work in progress with a good foundation. She has nice upside. Thompson, a 2017 prospect, has potential to play at mid to high DI program.

I only need two words to describe the dynamic unassuming 5-10 Bianca Jackson– “Dewayne Wade.” Watching Jackson, the Montgomery, Alabama native, she reminded me of NBA All-Star Dwayne Wade. She tenaciously attacked the passing lanes with reckless abandon and defended the perimeter, consistently hounding her opposition into turnovers with steal after steal. Offensively Jackson can do it all. She scores from every way imaginable attacking off the dribble with a really sweet combination of a crossover into a step-back jumper. Jackson continued the onslaught by penetrating the paint with a purpose, looking to score or create opportunities for teammates and she succeeded on both counts. Jackson is an good athlete and has a chance to be one of the best guards in Class of 2017.

Big guards are a huge commodity and a match up nightmare for opposing teams if you’re a looking for a commodity to invest in I suggest you take a look at 2016 6-3 Ja’Tavia Tapley.   The Jacksonville, Fla native, who plays for Essence Purple is a long athletic wing that reminds me of current WNBA Phoenix Mercury standout DeWanna Bonner.  Tapley loves to shoot the 3 ball which she does quite well she stoked multiple treys.  Tapley has a sweet right to left crossover and attacks off the dribble and can finish with either hand.  She made several no look passes and has good court vision and like most Essence players she a good on ball defender.   Tapley rebounds well for her position and needs to add strength to her wiry frame. With continue development Tapley has all the tools to be a special player.

I’ve said it once and I will say it again I always enjoy watching young post players and 2016 6-3 Nadia Fingall, from Navarre, Fla fits the bill. Fingall has a college frame with long arms and runs the floor well. Fingall has a high motor hustles and is very active at both ends.  She likes to bang around the glass fighting for rebounds. Fingall has good hands and finishes in the paint.  She has a nice offensive low post game. Fingall is a solid on ball and low post defender with excellent timing for blocking shots. Really like Fingall game and potential she has a big upside.

Point guard Khayla Pointer a 5-7 show stopper from Marrietta, Georgia patterned her game after NBA All-Star and current Clipper Chris Paul or CP3.  Pointer the niece of LSU Head Coach Nikki Caldwell, a cat-quick, ultra speedy guard played a stellar all-around game. Pointer likes to attack off the dribble, with either hand, looking to create contact and finish in traffic.  She also showed the willingness to manufacturer her shot by attacking off the bounce as well as consistently draining the spot up jumper. Pointer did a great job of pushing the ball up the floor on made and missed baskets. Pointer played aggressive at both end of the court and has a knack for being around the ball. Pointer rebounds well for her position and is an excellent on ball defender. Pointer did a super job watching and learning from one of the best point guards in the world and is well on her way to being a female version of CP3.  Pointer has all the tools to be a big time point guard. 

Denisha Swain a 5-7 2015  speedy combo guard from Jacksonville Lady Rams played extremely well. Swain had her entire repertoire on display. She used her killer crossover, coupled with her explosive first step, to attack the paint looking to score or dish to slashing teammates. Swain used her speed and quickness to get out and finish off the break weaving in and out of traffic handling the rock equally with both hands. Swain also showed that she can consistently stroke the mid-range jumper as well as be a threat from beyond the arc, forcing opponents to choose their poison. Swain can translate her speed and athleticism to pay great dividends on the defensive end forcing turnovers and cashing in on the other end.  Swain is still uncommitted and will be a welcome attention to some lucky program. 

Quickhitters

Mikayla Coombs – 2017 – 5-9 Guard – Buford, GA – Smooth midrange shot…Very sweet stroke from beyond the arc…Good ball handling skills…Went right and left equally well… Very athletic and finishes…strong in paint…Top 25

Cierra Johnson – 2016 – 5-9 Guard – Mobile, Ala. – Long and athletic…Great court vision…Solid on ball defender…Shoots well from 15-20 feet…Mature calmness…Ability to attack the paint…High basketball IQ

Kaitlyn Rogers – 2016 – 6-2 Forward – Birmingham, Ala. – Great length…Runs the floor…Rebounds well…College body…Good low post defender and shot blocker…Also has the ability to defend on the perimeter…Finishes in paint

Tyra Johnson – 2016 – 5-8 Guard – Decatur, Ala. – Smooth and athletic…Great handles…Crisp passer…Sees the entire floor…Has midrange jumper and three point range…Nice pull up off the dribble…Good defender..Top 25

LaKhilan Rankins – 2018 – 5-5 PG – Mobile, Ala. – Cat quick and athletic…creates for self or teammates…Scoring PG