9 southeast LA football standouts to watch in hoops playoffs

Louisiana's boys basketball playoffs tip off this weekend with the first of five quick round during just over two weeks to eventually crown 10 state champions in mid-March.   The brackets, paths and many top teams are loaded with multisport talent all over the state, including some familiar names from the football field and recruiting trail.   Prep Redzone Louisiana will look at some of the most relevant names to know in terms of both notable and high-profile football potential and the players' roles for top basketball teams with the ability to make some runs and, in some cases, even contend for titles.   Here's a look at nine athletes from the southeast third of the state, including the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas and rest of the 225, 504 and 985 area codes.   For more on players from Southwest Louisiana and the 337 area code overall, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/2026-basketball-playoffs-football-prospects-to-watch-sw-la/">click here</a>.   And for more on players from north Louisiana, CenLA and the 318 area code overall, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/2026-basketball-playoffs-football-prospects-to-watch-north-la/">click here</a>.   [player_tooltip player_id='1741290' first='Jackson' last='Williams'] — 6-2, 180 DB — Archbishop Shaw (2026)   and [player_tooltip player_id='1782659' first='Allen' last='Shaw III'] — 5-9, 155 DB — Archbishop Shaw (2027)   Home-state powerhouse LSU added just one in-state high school signee in February as coach Lane Kiffin and company focused on retooling their roster through the transfer portal. That signee was [player_tooltip player_id='1741290' first='Jackson' last='Williams'], the versatile defensive back who is also a key member of the rotation for a Eagles basketball program that fell short in a heartbreaking title game in 2025 and aims to complete the mission this year. Along with Williams in the Eagles' core: Shaw, the team's starting quarterback and a Prep Redzone Louisiana-ranked cornerback prospect, as well as 2029 wide receiver Baylon Jackson, the nephew of longtime NBA player Greg Monroe. Shaw is a No. 11 seed in the Division-II Select bracket and would have a short trip just across the river in the second round.   [player_tooltip player_id='740981' first='Brysten' last='Martinez'] — 6-6, 290 OL — East Ascension (2026)   Along with Williams among LSU's 2026 football signees, Martinez is a star big man for his Spartans, the No. 14 seed in the Division-I Non-Select bracket. The tackle prospect possesses rare athleticism at his size, showcased as the MVP of a solid District 5-5A and Class 5A all-state selection last basketball season and then as a versatile athlete on the football field this fall playing tight end and wildcat quarterback with his relative quickness, ball skills and even passing ability to go with his physicality. East Ascension will host No. 19 H.L. Bourgeois in the first round.   [player_tooltip player_id='642719' first='Elijah' last='Haven'] — 6-5, 220 QB — Dunham (2027)   Haven took a step back from AAU basketball last spring to focus on continuing to establish himself as one of the elite quarterbacks of not only Louisiana's loaded 2027 class at the position, but on a national scale. But on the heels of helping lead his Tigers football team to their first state title since 2004 this winter, Haven got back to the court to follow up his all-state sophomore campaign and try to help get Dunham back over the hump in basketball as well. The state semifinalist the past three years is the No. 2 seed in the Division-III Select bracket with a first-round bye and home-court advantage to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='1372199' first='Curtis' last='McAllister'] — 6-3, 185 WR — Metairie Park Country Day (2028)   and Kellen Brewer — 6-6, 160 WR — Metairie Park Country Day (2027)   Key multisport stars helped lead the Cajuns to the Division-III Select state championship in 2025 and have them positioned well again as the No. 3 seed in the bracket with a first-round bye and home-court advantage to the tournament. McAllister, the son of former New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister, already earned a top-30 class ranking for Prep Redzone Louisiana last year and is due for a climb in the next update. Brewer, the son of former NBA wing Corey Brewer, meanwhile was an all-state first-team selection last basketball season and is another intriguing wide receiver prospect to watch in upcoming rankings updates.   [player_tooltip player_id='920618' first='Kristion' last='Brooks'] — 6-4, 180 WR — Zachary (2026)   and [player_tooltip player_id='1610147' first='Ethan' last='Kimmie'] — 6-4, 190 WR/DB — Zachary (2027)   Louisiana (Lafayette) wide receiver signee [player_tooltip player_id='920618' first='Kristion' last='Brooks'] should be a familiar multisport star for Zachary for both Prep Redzone Louisiana and PrepHoops fans the past couple of years and now heads into his final high school postseason with the No. 1 Broncos atop the Division-I Non-Select bracket and aiming to repeat as champions. The team has also added one of the state's top 2027 prospects in both sports in Kimmie, who arrived this year after initially hitting our radars as a promising underclassman at University Lab.   [player_tooltip player_id='1610241' first='Jude' last='Chamberlain'] — 6-5, 230 TE — Catholic-Baton Rouge (2027)   The Bears' big, versatile athlete has developed into a highly ranked tight end prospect in Louisiana's rising senior class with several Division-I offers, and he's also one of the top players for the school's basketball program with his size, agility and hands. Catholic (Baton Rouge) opens the Division-I Select bracket as the No. 12 seed with a home game Friday against St. Paul's before potentially heading to No. 5 Teurlings Catholic.

Louisiana's boys basketball playoffs tip off this weekend with the first of five quick round during just over two weeks to eventually crown 10 state champions in mid-March.