Arkansas’ best boys basketball players: Meet the state’s top juniors

Arkansas’ top junior boys basketball players

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Tommy Land

With the high school basketball season in full swing, SBLive is looking at the best boys players in Arkansas class by class. Today, we feature the top juniors. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list as there are hundreds of great basketball players in the state. Use the comments section to discuss other standout players in the state.

Soon, you will have a chance to vote on who you think is the top junior boys basketball player in the state.

TOP SENIORS

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Nate Coley | Parkview | 5-9 point guard

Coley had a December to remember being named the MVP of the Charles Ripley Tournament and averaging 11.5 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals at the end of 2021. He is a nightmare for opposing teams on defense being a constant threat to snag a steal and has also been known to block shots.

Khamani Cooper | Watson Chapel | 6-3 shooting guard

A member of MOKAN Elite 17U, Cooper has averaged 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and three assists this year for the Wildcats. 

“Khamani has gotten more comfortable handling the basketball this year,” Wildcats Coach Marcus Adams said. “We can put him at [point guard] where he has become a playmaker and is able to read the defense with his vision and size.”

Justin Crews | Sheridan | 6-0 point guard

Crews is an excellent 3-point shooter averaging 16 points per game and four assists, which leads the team. 

“Justin is one of the hardest players to guard in a one-on-one setting,” Yellowjackets Coach Joe Scott said. “He is very good at taking players off the bounce and creating a pull-up shot or finish move.” 

Jordan Harris | Pine Bluff | 6-7 small forward

While he also has a knack for getting baskets, Harris is a force on the boards as it seems like every time he plays, his rebound totals are in double digits. He is a big reason for the Zebra’s fast start in conference play.

Isaac Harrell | Jonesboro | 6-7 small forward

Harrell will spend this upcoming summer playing for MOKAN Elite out of Kansas City but hopes to help Jonesboro win another Class 5A state title first. He is currently averaging 12 points per game and 4 rebounds shooting 50% from the field and 38% from deep.

“Isaac is just really good,” Jonesboro Coach Wes Swift said. “His mid-post game is one area he is very underrated.”

Ryan Forrest | Marion | 6-3 point guard

From tip-off until the final horn, Forrest plays as hard as anyone on the floor. He eclipsed 37 points on January 11 against Nettleton and is one of the top leaders on a Marion team primed to make a deep run in the Class 5A state tournament.

Jayden Forrest | Marion | 6-0 shooting guard

Forrest is a 4-star recruit per ESPN as the No. 1 shooting guard in the state. He was tabbed all-tournament in multiple tournaments during non-conference play and put up 15 points per game during the Route 13 Christmas Tournament at the end of 2021. 

Tyler Frederick | North Little Rock | 6-4 shooting guard

Frederick is one of the overshadowed players on a very talented North Little Rock team, but recently stepped up big against Fort Smith Northside scoring 21 points (three 3-pointers) in the absence of injured Nick Smith Jr. 

Evan Goldman | The New School | 6-5 post 

One of the state’s small school stars, Goldman is putting together another all-state season shooting 54% from the field and 15.2 points per game to go with 6 rebounds. 

“Evan has developed into a dominant player that can take over any game he is in,” TNS assistant coach Jarred Osnes said. “He is a true leader on and off the floor and has worked hard in the weight room to progress into a more physical presence in the post.”

Tyler Gottsponer | Wonderview | 6-4 small forward

Gottsponer handles a good bit of the things you do not always see on the stat sheet for the Daredevils leading the team in charges taken. He is averaging 7.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

“Tyler can be as good of a player as he wants to be,” Daredevils Coach Jerod Squires said. “He is very tough and competes on both ends of the floor.”

Tyree Jackson | Blytheville | 6-5 wing

Jackson has majorly improved his stock for the next level averaging 11.5 points and five rebounds per game during his junior season and makes 80% of his free throws.

“Tyree guards the other teams’ best player night in and out,” Chickasaws Coach McKenzie Pierce said. “He has a high motor and is a super athlete.” 

QJ King | Mills | 5-8 point guard

Mills got off to a slow start to begin the year, but King has been one of a handful of players who have stepped up with the absence of the team’s top player Javion Guy-King due to injury. He earned All-Tournament honors in December’s Neosho Holiday Classic averaging 17 points. In the semifinals of that tournament against St. Joseph (Mo.) Lafayette Irish he eclipsed 24 points (12-12 free throws) and 7 rebounds to lead the Comets to the finals.

Colby Lambert | Fountain Lake | 6-2 point guard

Lambert is highly effective as both a ball handler and scorer, but also on the defensive end as the leader for the Cobras. He is shooting 64% from the field averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds per game.

“Colby is our primary ball handler but also leads us in scoring and has made big shots for us all season,” Cobras Coach Jacob Dettering said. “He has improved from last season by scoring more in transition, driving the basketball, and mid-range opportunities.”

Jaylen Lee | Bentonville | 6-2 point guard

Lee is a great ball handler and checks all the boxes a coach wants in a point guard, but is also a highlight waiting to happen as he has shown on multiple occasions he can drive the lane for a thunderous dunk. 

“Jaylen is a very skilled guard that makes his teammates around him better,” Tigers Coach Dick Rippee said. “He is a very underrated shooter from the perimeter and makes great decisions out of our ball-screen offense.”

Rashaud Marshall | Blytheville | 6-9 power forward

Marshall has continued to make big strides in his first full varsity season averaging a double-double (19 points and 10 rebounds) with an eye-popping field goal percentage of 75%. 

“The sky is the limit for Rashaud, he just keeps getting better and better,” Blytheville Coach McKenzie Pierce said. “I believe you would be hard-pressed to find 50 prospects nationally in the class of 2023 better than him.”

Devarious Montgomery | Jonesboro | 6-4 small forward

His stats may not jump off the page, but Montgomery is one who can do whatever you ask him to do at a high level while shooting 75% from the floor.

“Devarius is ‘Mr. Intangible’,” Jonesboro Coach Wes Swift said. “He does whatever is necessary for us to win and can defend every position on the floor.”

Javon Orr | Bigelow | 6-6 power forward

Orr is just shy of averaging a double-double this season -14 points per game and 9 rebounds along with 2 blocks while often facing double and triple teams.

“Javon has really improved on his passing and being tougher,” Panthers Coach Craig Neumeier said. “We have won games when he has not scored very much but it has opened it up for other guys.”

Zac Pennington | Lake Hamilton | 6-0 point guard

Pennington’s numbers are slightly down from last season due the depth of the Wolves’ roster but has still managed to put up 15 points per game and six assists dishing out shots as the team’s floor general. He also boasts a stellar 3-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

“Zac has worked very hard,” his head coach and father Scotty Pennington said. “He has improved leaps and bounds defensively from last year.”

Mike Reddick | Dumas | 6-0 point guard

On top of being a stellar athlete, Reddick also takes care of business in the classroom ranking fourth in his class with a 3.9 GPA. He averaged 13 points and 4 rebounds during his sophomore season and has increased that this year to 21.9 points 4.2 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3.9 assists each time he steps on the court.

“Mike is crafty at getting to the basket and finishing around the rim with both hands,” Bobcats Coach Larry Harris said. “He is also very skilled in the mid-range game with pull-up jumpers and timely floaters.” 

Sam Reynolds | Wonderview | 6-4 point guard

Also a shortstop for the Daredevils’ baseball team, Reynolds is a player coaches love to have on their team. He’s averaged 20.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.8 steals so far this year.

“There is not much that Sam can not do on the court,” Wonderview Coach Jerod Squires said. “Great teammate and is very selfless.” 

Brandon Scott | Charleston | 5-11 shooting guard

A three-sport athlete for the Tigers, Scott missed four games due to an injury he sustained in football. Since returning to the hardwood, he is averaging 20.6 points per game and 5 rebounds.

“Brandon is a special talent,” Tigers Coach BJ Ross said. “He is finally healthy and playing very confident. His ceiling is high.”

Keaton Stone | White Hall | 6-3 shooting guard

Stone got rolling quick this season putting up 29 points in the season opener against Searcy and continued that success in non-conference play including multiple double-digit point performances in December’s King Cotton Classic. 

Braden Tanner | Dardanelle | 6-0 combo guard

Following an all-conference sophomore campaign, Tanner has built on that throughout his junior year. He posted a double-double (25 points, 10 rebounds) in late December at the Hoops 4 Hunger Classic and has continued to average double-digit points in conference play and around eight assists per game.

Nevi Tell | Magnolia | 5-7 point guard

Tell has helped Magnolia continue to remain one of the top overall teams in the state and helped the Panthers win the Creed bracket over Parkview in the King Cotton Classic when he chipped in on 15 points. He is currently averaging around 15 points per game in conference play. 

Deion Wesson | Jonesboro | 5-11 combo guard

Wesson possesses the ability to play both guard spots averaging seven points per game and 2.5 assists and shoots 40% from three-point range. 

“Deion is the best on ball defender in the state,” head coach Wes Swift said. “He’s the best (on ball defender) I have coached in 28 years.”