All the players I'd be gunning for if I was the Pels Head of Basketball Operations.

Northshore Prep Report Showcase Camp Delivers: 90+ Prospects Shine in High-Energy Football Prospect Camp on the North Shore

Tulane Green Wave Commit VCU Transfer Jordan Dumont- @jordann_dumont 6-8/220 Forward Offensive Game Shooting & Floor Spacing: Dumont is an outstanding shooter with excellent range and a quick, confident release. HS evaluators called him a “phenomenal shooter and overall floor-spacer.” In limited college minutes at Villanova (2024-25), he shot 45.5% from three (10-of-22) and went 4-of-4 from deep in a career-high 15-point outburst vs. No. 16 Marquette (Feb. 21, 2025). He can score at every level but thrives stretching the floor. Finishing & Scoring Versatility: Soft touch around the basket with creative finishes using either hand. He excels in transition (running the floor for easy buckets or leading breaks) and has a strong feel for scoring in a variety of ways. Not purely a catch-and-shoot guy, he can put the ball on the floor, handle in traffic, and attack closeouts. Playmaking: Solid ball-handling and passing for a forward of his size. He sees the floor well and can find teammates, though he is not a primary creator. Defense & Rebounding Dumont projects as a multi-positional defender who can guard 1-5 thanks to his length, athleticism, and IQ. He has a “strong nose for the ball” on the glass and rebounds above his listed size/position. He toggles effectively between paint and perimeter on both ends and brings toughness and competitiveness. Rebounding: Explosive on the offensive and defensive glass; uses length and timing well. Defensive Upside: High potential due to physical tools, though limited college minutes have not yet allowed him to showcase it fully in extended action. Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X #RollWave

Tulane Green Wave Commit Forward Transfer Caedmon Bontrager- @CaedmonBontrag1 6-7/230 Indiana Wesleyan U (NAIA) Bontrager has a strong, compact, NBA-ready frame at 6’7”/230 lbs with broad shoulders, long arms, and a sturdy lower body ideal for banging in the paint and absorbing contact. He plays with high motor and toughness, evident in relentless rebounding pursuits, putbacks, and recovery after falls in highlights. Athletic tools include good vertical explosiveness (frequent lob catches and authoritative dunks, including half-court alley-oops), solid lateral quickness for a big, and the ability to run the floor in transition. Not an elite leaper or freak athlete by D1/NBA standards, but his functional athleticism, timing, and body control make him highly effective around the rim. Wingspan appears average-plus for height; strength is a plus (holds position well vs. bigger bodies in NAIA). Strengths: Elite interior scorer and finisher. Uses strength, body control, and timing for high-percentage shots at the rim (putbacks, drop steps, hooks, and power finishes through contact). Outstanding offensive rebounder who converts second-chance opportunities at an elite rate. High motor and instincts around the basket make him a constant threat in the paint. Developing face-up game and mid-range touch; occasional 3PT range (volume increased in 2025-26) and improved FT% show stretch potential. Good hands for catching lobs and quick decisions in traffic. Strengths: Rim protector with excellent timing (1.1+ BPG; led team). Strong rebounder on both ends, physical and relentless on the glass with good box-out technique and second-effort hustle. Active hands and anticipation lead to steals/blocks. High effort level translates to team defense. Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X #RollWave

When Lane Kiffin arrived in Baton Rouge at the end of 2025, he came with the title of “Portal King.” He earned this name by consistently evaluating and recruiting high-level talent from the transfer portal and bringing them to Oxford to play for Ole Miss. Many expected that the level of talent Kiffin could acquire through the portal would take another step forward once he became the head coach at LSU. LSU has always been a school with a strong recruiting base, with one of its greatest advantages being that it is the only Power Four program in the state. Kiffin capitalized on that immediately when the portal opened to start 2026. Lane Kiffin and LSU secured the No. 1-ranked transfer portal class this offseason, landing several players ranked No. 1 at their respective positions. What many did not expect, however, was Kiffin elevating his high school recruiting to this level. Opportunity can breed success when it is fully embraced. At Ole Miss, the opportunity to consistently recruit elite in-state talent was not as strong as it is in Louisiana. When Kiffin stepped off the plane, his first meetings were with the No. 1 overall player in the nation, Lamar Brown, who attended a high school just minutes from LSU’s campus. Next was the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country, Richard Anderson, who is only about an hour away to the east on I-10. And the 2027 class in Louisiana is not slowing down either. The Tigers currently hold the No. 7-ranked recruiting class for 2027 with only five commitments so far—and three of those players are from Louisiana. There is still plenty of time left in the cycle. Kiffin and LSU are actively pursuing several elite prospects, including five-star wide receiver and No. 1 overall WR Easton Royal, who plays at Brother Martin in New Orleans—just about an hour from Baton Rouge. There is still a long way to go until signing day in December, but there should be little doubt that if Kiffin can push this class into the top three and follow it up with another top-10 transfer portal class at the end of the year, he will have a strong case to be considered the current King of Recruiting. Make sure to follow Anthony Parker on X

At the start of the transfer portal, it was widely rumored that LSU was going to go after the top two quarterbacks: Sam Leavitt and Brendan Sorsby. The pursuit of Sorsby was very significant, as LSU made a strong push to land the incoming transfer from the University of Cincinnati. Sorsby was widely considered all but a shoo-in to land at Texas Tech, but when you look at what he is able to do on the football field, it’s no question why a Lane Kiffin-led LSU would have been in hot pursuit. Sorsby is a 6’3”, 235-pound quarterback who threw for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. In addition to that, he rushed for 580 yards and nine touchdowns on 100 attempts. Sorsby has one year of eligibility remaining, and many have him projected as a first-round pick entering this season. He visited Texas Tech first, but then made his way to Baton Rouge. His visit to LSU was met with mixed emotions. Some believed he was only there out of respect for giving Lane Kiffin his word that he would visit, while others thought he was seriously considering committing. It ultimately turned out that the former was true—and that ended up being the best outcome for all parties involved. LSU was able to land Sam Leavitt to step in as QB1, while Sorsby returned closer to home to play for Texas Tech. The intriguing part of all of this is that everyone knew Leavitt would face adversity this offseason, but no one expected Sorsby to deal with much beyond adjusting to a new environment. However, earlier this week, that changed dramatically. News broke on Monday that Brendan Sorsby would be checking himself into a facility to seek help for a gambling problem. A gambling addiction is a serious issue for anyone to deal with, so he deserves credit for acknowledging it and taking steps to get help. Unfortunately, that is not the only concern. Reports indicate that Sorsby was gambling while enrolled in school and playing football, including betting on a team he played for. Each of these actions is a major violation on its own, and considering they occurred simultaneously, it is fair to question whether he will be able to play this upcoming season. As of now, Sorsby has hired Jeffrey Kessler to represent him in an effort to maintain his eligibility. This remains an ongoing investigation, and no official determination has been made regarding his status. This situation would have dominated headlines for weeks had he been LSU’s starting quarterback. With LSU having one of the most polarizing head coaches in sports right now, the added layer of a QB potentially facing a suspension during Lane Kiffin’s inaugural season would have created a feeding frenzy among opposing fan bases and media. In that sense, LSU was fortunate to avoid this situation. It would have been a significant PR issue and a major setback for Kiffin’s first season, especially after the work he and his staff put in during the transfer portal and spring. Now, with Sam Leavitt paired with Lane Kiffin and the weapons LSU has assembled, he has the potential to make a legitimate run at a Heisman-caliber season. In comparison, having a quarterback managing a repaired foot now looks like a much more manageable situation—and perhaps even a blessing—given everything that has come to light. Make sure to follow Anthony Parker on X

On Sunday afternoon, five-star and No. 1 overall tight end in the nation Ahmad Hudson committed to Lane Kiffin and the Tigers. Hudson has been viewed by many as one of the most athletic prospects in the 2027 class. He is a highly rated dual-sport athlete in football and basketball and plans to play both sports for the Tigers. He is the son of former LSU basketball player Antonio Hudson, who played for the Tigers from 2002 to 2005. Ahmad Hudson will finish his senior season at Ruston High School in North Louisiana, where he has already won a basketball state championship and played for a football state championship this past season. Hudson is expected to come in and most likely find himself in a role similar to what current LSU standout tight end Trey’Dez Green is playing. It is a great day for Kiffin, Hudson, and the Tigers.