Prospects flex all-around athleticism with all-state hoop seasons
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The Louisiana Sports Writers Association released its all-state basketball teams throughout the past two weeks. And, as always, the lists featured a few familiar faces for football fans. Here are 10 of the most notable multitalented, multi-sport standouts to earn…
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Continue ReadingThe Louisiana Sports Writers Association released its all-state basketball teams throughout the past two weeks.
And, as always, the lists featured a few familiar faces for football fans.
Here are 10 of the most notable multitalented, multi-sport standouts to earn accolades for their performances on Louisiana’s courts this winter.
Harvey Broussard Harvey Broussard 6'4" | 180 lbs | WR St. Martinville | 2023 State LA — 6-4, 180 WR — St. Martinville (2023)
The tall, wiry wide receiver’s development from basketball player snatching highlight-reel jump-ball throws to more complete football player and Power Five prospect has been consistently documented on Prep Redzone Louisiana. And his junior year garnered Class 3A all-state honorable mention in both sports’ senior-heavy lists. Broussard averaged 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists for a quarterfinal team this winter.
J’Michael Gray — 5-10, 150 ATH — Franklin (2022)
The defensive back and wide receiver was among the senior standouts on a football team that upended the No. 2 seed, district rival Loreauville, in the Class 2A playoffs en route to a quarterfinal appearance. And, on the basketball court, he followed up an all-state second-team junior campaign with a District 7-2A MVP and first-team all-state senior performance in which he averaged 22.1 points, 5.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 6.5 steals to lead his Hornets to a 20-8 record.
Kylon Harris Kylon Harris 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR East St. John | 2022 State LA — 6-0, 165 WR — East St. John (2022)
The Stephen F. Austin wide receiver signee continued his run of all-district performances from baseball as a junior to football and now basketball as a senior and all-state honorable mention recognition for both seasons thus far this school year. Harris was the District 7-5A MVP in basketball with 20 points, four rebounds and three steals per game to help lead his Wildcats to the Class 5A quarterfinals.
Greg Manning — 5-9, 160 RB — Benton (2024)
The sophomore surpassed the 1,000-yard mark this fall in a breakout performance as one of the state’s top young running backs to watch. And in the winter, he earned all-state honorable mention status and heavy consideration on the senior-heavy lists after finishing basketball season with averages of 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 steals per contest.
Omarion Miller Omarion Miller 6'2" | 195 lbs | WR North Caddo | 2023 State LA — 6-2, 195 WR — North Caddo (2023)
Probably the top multisport athlete of the whole bunch, Miller hails from a small community with more of a history of basketball success — including Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III — and largely considered that more his route than football until a recruiting explosion last spring. Now, he’s an LSU-committed wide receiver who high-points touchdown passes like an elite rebounder. And he recently added Class 2A all-state basketball honors with averages of 26 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks to his all-state football accolades in the fall.
Dmitry Payne — 5-11, 160 ATH — Lincoln Prep (2022)
The only other student-athlete in the state to join Miller with positions on the LSWA all-state teams in both sports. The versatile player slotted in as the return specialist on the Class 1A all-state football team after consideration in all three phases for a senior season in which he compiled 907 yards and nine touchdowns on 43 receptions; 162 yards and two more scores rushing; 866 yards, six scores and a 39.4-yard average on kickoff returns; and two interceptions, including one pick-six, on defense. He then transitioned straight into a Class 1A all-state second-team basketball season in which he averaged 16.0 points, 4.4 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game to help lead the Panthers to the state semifinals.
Ja’dais Richard Ja’dais Richard 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB West Monroe | 2022 State LA — 6-1, 185 DB — West Monroe (2022)
The one-time TCU football committed pivoted following the longtime coach Gary Patterson’s dismissal and ultimately signed with Vanderbilt in December. During that span, Richard put together a Class 5A all-state senior season with 80 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble, a blocked field goal and a blocked punt. He then pivoted into an all-state honorable mention basketball season with 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals per contest.
Kohen Rowbatham Kohen Rowbatham 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State LA — 6-1, 180 ATH — Northshore (2024)
The sophomore established himself this year as one of Louisiana’s top young basketball players and multisport athletes. Rowbatham earned second-team all-district football honors as an athlete, then first-team Class 5A all-state basketball recognition as one of the state’s top scorers and an all-around dynamic standout on his school’s first-ever team to reach a state title game. He averaged 23 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals throughout the season to help highlight the historic run.
Reginald Stoner — 6-1, 150 ATH — North Central (2022)
The Co-District 5-1A MVP was one of Louisiana’s top basketball players this season, particularly in Class 1A, as one of the stars of his Hurricanes’ 33-5 run and dominant 23-point state championship victory — of which he was the title game MVP. Stoner averaged 23.4 points, 6.6 steals, 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game in his final high school basketball season. He compiled some decent numbers during football season as well with 1,065 total yards and 13 scores, including 25 catches for 754 yards and 10 touchdowns, as a speedy and dynamic weapon with the ball in his hands on screens and sweeps or stretching downfield in the vertical passing game, as well as as a returner and defensive back.
Warren Young Jr. — 6-1, 180 ATH — Walker (2023)
The junior has started garnering some college football interest, including a Southeastern Louisiana offer, after a strong fall, including second-team All-District 4-5A recognition as a wide receiver. He then earned second-team Class 5A all-state honors with averages of 19 points, six rebounds and four assists for his Wildcats en route to a state semifinal appearance for the proud program with a recent championship run in 2018 and runner-up follow-up in 2019.