times picayune dandy dozen class of 2015 - solid list (basketball)

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1. Brandon Sampson, Madison Prep, SG, 6-4, 175

Sampson is a consensus four-star recruit that already has offers from the likes of LSU, Texas A&M, Georgetown, St. John’s and Arizona. He’s a smooth natural shooting guard that has the ability to run the point if necessary. Sampson can finish around the rim with force or with ease – either by slamming it home or pulling up for a short jump shot. He also has a very good three-point shot and is ready to take the reigns of the Madison Prep program.

2. Chad Lott, Byrd, PG, 6-3, 180
Lott is a point guard that can score the ball at ease but still control the offense. He’s trying to find the proper balance but last season he averaged 25.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game on his way to being named Shreveport’s player of the year. Against some of the top players in the country – most a year his senior - Lott averaged 19.4 points in the final five games of the Nike EYBL regular season shooting 59.7 percent from the floor and 59.1 percent from 3-point range.


3. Melvin Frazier, Higgins, F, 6-5, 185

The wing from Higgins is rated as the No. 38 overall player in the country by ESPN and the No. 61 player overall from Rivals. Frazier has the capability to develop into a very good small forward on the next level. He has shown the ability to finish above the rim with some of the most forceful dunks in the New Orleans area.

4. Von Julien, Riverside, PG, 6-1, 160
Julien is the definition of a “coach on the floor” for Riverside and will continue to be so for any team that he plays for in college. He already owns an offer from Oklahoma State and was named the Class 2A Player of the Year last season while averaging 14.0 points, 8.1 assists, 4.3 steals and 4.1 rebounds in leading the Rebels to a state championship. Julien doesn’t back down from the big moments and knocked down a game-winner in the final seconds against University Lab to send his team to the championship game. He was also named the MVP of the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic in January.



5. Blake Paul, East Jefferson, PF, 6-9, 220

Paul may own the title of the most improved player in the New Orleans area from the time prep basketball ended in March and right now. He has started to trust himself more on the court and it has paid dividends. He is finishing around the goal much stronger than he did during the season last year and that comes from increased confidence in himself. Texas A&M and Oklahoma State are among the schools showing interest in Paul so far.

6. Jacob Evans, St. Michael, SG, 6-5, 195

Evans has the ability to play point guard, shooting guard or small forward but projects as a wing in college. When he gets the defensive rebound, he’s looking to push the ball up the court and typically makes the right decision in regards to finishing or passing off to a teammate. He’s not afraid to fight through screens to get himself in position to make a play to help his team.

7. Corey Davis, Lafayette, PG, 6-0, 170
Davis had a great performance at Tulane’ basketball camp this summer and is considered by some to be the top point guard in the state. He demonstrates excellent body control in traffic while finishing at the rim. He stood out during the summer when he played on a Southern Elite team that performed well nationally alongside the No. 9 and 10 prospects on the list as well as 2016 standout and Baylor commitment, Mark Vital.



8. Jeremy Trudeau, Conquering Word, SG, 6-5, 195

Trudeau will not participate in high school basketball this season and instead gearing up to come out strong when AAU season starts in April. His plan is for him to participate in high school basketball during his senior season that could allow for him to make a big jump in the rankings.



9. Javier Roper, New Living Word, SF, 6-6, 185

A long, athletic wing from Ruston, already has an offer from Western Kentucky and UNO while his hometown school Louisiana Tech is showing a lot of love at this point as well. He has great rebounding skills for his position and has the ability to play shooting guard or power forward depending on what the team needs.



10. Tivonte “Tay” Hardy, Lakeview, G, 6-3, 170

Hardy is one of the most impressive leapers in the state, especially at his size, and projects as a shooting guard although he has the ability to slide over to the point. Hardy battled a small knee injury during the summer but it didn’t restrict him from being a vocal leader when he couldn’t help his team on the court. He was named honorable mention All-State in Class 2A last year and he also holds an offer from Western Kentucky.

11. Jordan Andrews, Riverside, G/F, 6-4, 170
Andrews was invited to camp with Syracuse this past summer coming off of an honorable mention All-State selection after helping lead Riverside to the Class 2A state championship. Andrews averaged 12.7 points per game while finishing second on the team in rebounding with 8.4 per game. Andrews needs to improve his consistency on his outside shot and could very well jump into the Top 10 if he can accomplish this.



12. Richard Durant, Curtis, PG, 5-11, 160

Durant and Julien have had some epic battles for the last two seasons going at each other in the same district and Durant has never backed down from the challenge. He was named second-team All-State last season and may have the fastest hands in the city when it comes to on-the-ball defense.