This past weekend, Phenom Hoops had a special opportunity to travel down to Lafayette, Louisiana for Mal Mundy’s Louisiana Top 40 Statement Session. Between the talent, competition, and general hospitality, it made for an amazing weekend. The slew of prospects on display at Southside High School made for an entertaining day and ultimately led to a variety of offers for these players. We’ve already put out a piece highlighting some of the top standouts, and this article will take a closer look at five highly differing interior prospects worthy of attention…
6’7 ’22 Jeffarie Landry (East Jeff)
Strength is obviously a vital part of being a big man, as it directly relates to defending, rebounding, and battling inside the paint. There were plenty of strong, physical players in attendance, but Jeffarie Landry seemed to make everyone else look tiny in comparison. He’s an absolute ox with the upper and lower-body strength to really overwhelm opponents around the basket. Landry plays with a high motor, fights for extra possessions, and understands how to make his presence felt on both ends of the floor. He’s a capable finisher with the ability to step out and knock down the occasional perimeter jumper. Though built line an NFL lineman, Landry should be a useful basketball addition wherever he advances his playing career.
6’9 ’22 Amare Anderson (White Castle)
As the tallest player on display, it should come as no surprise to see Amare Anderson on this list of notable interior pieces. He’s long, wiry, and already understands how to properly utilize his length to alter shots around the basket. Anderson highlights nice timing when pursuing blocks and regularly involves himself in the rebounding battle on both ends of the floor. He finishes at a solid rate, runs hard in transition, and operates effectively within his low-maintenance role at all times. The upside is clear and, with physical development, Anderson has the chance to be a very useful big man at the next level.
6’6 ’22 Noah Jonker (Alexandria)
Different than most interior guys at the event, Noah Jonker stood out with his blue-collar approach and balanced inside-out game. He’s a high-motor forward with interior toughness, rebounding instincts, and willingness to do the dirty work on either end of the floor. Jonker is a capable finisher or floor-spacing option from midrange and beyond the arc. He’s a useful screener with an understanding of how to fill in the gaps however necessary. Jonker should be able to carve out a productive role in the collegiate ranks.
6’6 ’22 Marquis Harris (Bossier)
It’s always refreshing to see guys who can succeed without needing to control and offense, like Marquis Harris—who made a lasting impression with his incredibly low-maintenance identity. He arguably has the highest motor of anyone listed, which simply speaks to his game-changing energy on both ends of the floor. Harris is a long, fluid athlete with a combination of strength, toughness, and willingness to do the little things. He alters shots defensively, finishes through contact, and consistently involves himself in the rebounding battle.
6’7 ’23 Tyler Ringgold (Southern Lab)
Despite being one of the younger interior prospects on display, Tyler Ringgold highlighted a ton of enticing flashes. Although he falls under the “interior prospects” category, he actually showed useful perimeter ability within the flow of the action. Ringgold hit jumpers, attacked off the bounce, and displayed fluidity when defending along the arc. That being said, he also proved more than capable of asserting himself within the paint and overwhelming various types of opponents. Between the steady production, appealing flashes, and two more seasons of progression, folks should be excited about Ringgold.