Diamond Deshields to headline Basketball on the Bayou

Diamond Deshields, one of the best guards in the country and a member of the U17 USA national team, will play in the top Mardi Gras division with her team A.O.T. Lady Rebels at the Basketball on the Bayou tournament in New Orleans. (photo by Kelly Kline)

There are a lot of reasons to visit New Orleans -- from the food to the nightlife to the pure fun -- but coaches and players know there's another really good reason: Basketball on the Bayou, an annual tournament that draws the best young players in the South. During its ten-year run, Basketball on the Bayou has hosted more than 60 McDonald's All-Americans, including Maya Moore, Brittney Griner, Tina Charles, Epiphanny Prince and Nneka Ogwumike, and this year's 10th annual gathering will feature the usual top-drawer talent. 

For example, the Mardi Gras division will showcase Diamond Deshields, the number one player in the class of 2013, with the A.O.T. Rebels, and she'll be joined by Ieshia Smalls (Essence Purple), Tea Cooper (A.O.T. Lady Rebels), Ronnie Williams (Central Florida Elite), Imani Wright (Arkansas Mavericks), Aja Wilson (Palmetto 76ers), Sydney Umeri (Peak Performance National) and Jessica Washington (Oklahoma A-1 Premiere Red).

DFW T-Jack Elite is back to defend its title, but the task will be tougher without star Brianna Turner, who has USA Basketball commitments.

The local favorites in the tournament are the New Orleans Lady Blues, and if you’re looking for young talent, be sure to catch the Kenner Angels who just won the U16 division at AAU Nationals.

Full Court is the official media partner of Basketball on the Bayou, so stay tuned all week for complete coverage of the tournament from game recaps to highlight videos to player evaluations.