We don’t have a lot time left till the 2022-2023 scholastic season involves a detailed however from AAU, transitioning to fall camps, fall leagues, pre district & now to district video games, I obtained a greater really feel of this freshman (2026) class. Journey with me as we undergo the DFW, Houston, Beaumont & Central Texas to discover and get an intro to the 2026 crop.
DFW
It’s early however DFW appears to have a stronger depth of expertise within the 2026 class. Particularly in terms of wings. Once more, it’s VERY early and gamers will come up as I get to see this class extra.
To begin it out, I’m heading to Frisco to speak a couple of participant that’s arguably the very best participant in his class. Trent Perry of Frisco Lone Star is an effective measurement wing with large shoulder size, lengthy arms that’s a big-time athlete. There’s extra to his recreation although than simply his athleticism. Holds a sturdy deal with, ambidextrous along with his drives to the rim and whereas his vertical pop is noticeable, what I do like is that he can discover the open man when he’s in assault mode. His potential to make use of his size to protect major ball handler and intercepting passing lanes attracts some similarity to Jordan Walsh on the identical time (in that class). Trent has all of the instruments to turn out to be a 5-star prospect when the time comes.
Staying in Frisco, we try Seven Spurlock of Frisco Memorial. A giant guard that’s inching nearer to about 6’5, Spurlock holds robust basketball bloodlines with a father that performed abroad and a brother that performed D1 & D2 basketball. A lefty energy guard with a excessive really feel for the sport, Spurlock is aware of find out how to use his measurement & energy to get to the rim, a great passer with both hand that may see the play earlier than the play. Wish to see him assault proper and make defenders pay when backing off of him, however the expertise is there.
Melissa Excessive Faculty is the subsequent spot. We’re going some methods out and might want to take the tolls to succeed in our subsequent vacation spot after this. Nonetheless, there’s a legit participant out right here and that’s two-sport athlete Austin Goosby. Austin performs soccer as properly, however is a promising basketball expertise. His older brother Trevor is a 2023 decide to UT Austin as an offensive deal with. On the hardwood, Goosby is somebody that may actually area the ground along with his prolonged vary from deep and holds a fast set off. I like his potential to play & consistently transfer off the ball to place himself in place to attain. He has a strong deal with, does have to tighten it up, however I like his positional measurement as a two guard for his age in addition to his exercise & potential to shoot it with vary.
I took the tolls and nonetheless had a 50-minute drive however I’m right here at Denton Excessive Faculty to see Ethan Sheats. Very younger for his class and simply continues to develop. Sheats is an lively wing prospect with a ability set to construct on. Handles it properly in area, succesful shooter from 15 toes out off the catch and there’s upside as a shot creator down the street. One to actually preserve tabs of. A participant that attends a college not removed from Sheats, Silas Rodriguez of Denton Guyer, begins for the Wildcats and straight away introduced distinguished flooring spacing. A assured shot taker and maker that’s outfitted with good really feel shifting off the ball.
About 25 minutes out, we’re at Coppell Excessive Faculty the place you’ll see Sibu Socks flying from finish to finish. Sibu is the brother of the late Simi Socks who performed and began at College of Incarnate Phrase (2015-2018). Sibu attracts similarities to his brother’s recreation: athletic slashers that play with an countless motor. I like the flexibility Socks brings on the defensive finish, greater than holding his personal as a switchable defender and rebounder vs. size. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how he develops all through his highschool profession.
Grapevine Excessive Faculty is the subsequent touchdown spot and level guard David Coe shall be a reputation we’ll hear in that class all over. Pretty sturdy constructed guard that is aware of find out how to win or put his crew in place to win. Good floater recreation, makes the fitting learn for essentially the most half and has no downside taking the problem on the varsity degree of dealing with the ball below strain. Ought to win newcomer of the yr in his district.
“Funky City” (Fort Price) as some would name it to get a look at Alex Barther of Jap Hills. Lots of promise with this prospect. Seen him persistently make open pictures and when the ball is swung to him he is aware of to go get his. Was impressed with him on the Pangos SW Frosh/Soph camp and he’s a child that hasn’t scratched the floor along with his ceiling.
When Pinkston Excessive Faculty comes up the primary participant that involves thoughts is extremely ranked 2024 guard Dink Pate. However 2026 Bryce Dixon is a welcoming addition to the Vikings, as he brings very strong measurement for his place, motor, with plus athleticism. A glue man that’s at all times up for no matter problem. With Dink garnering loads of the defenses’ consideration, Bryce steps up and makes performs on the glass or as a cutter to achieve a high quality look.
Now time to begin going extra south and to Oak Cliff, TX and Religion Household , the place the FAB 50 ranked unit has two freshmen which have an opportunity of being actually good. Anthony Spencer is an athletic 6’5’-6’6 small ahead that thrives within the open courtroom as a finisher. A utility man that may get quite a bit carried out on each ends due to his motor, improved toughness, ending capabilities and sound IQ as a person and crew defender for his age. Subsequent is massive man Davion Adkins who nonetheless is uncooked, however has proven he could make his presence recognized within the paint. Extra of your excessive motor, lively, rebounding kind heart that has proven improved footwork within the paint. Has lengthy arms and massive palms. Adkins will proceed to develop, top sensible, and as soon as the sport slows down for him and understands find out how to navigate round tight areas within the paint, he could be actually good.
Let’s go even additional south and head to Waxahachie Excessive Faculty who’ve a younger and promising basis with a powerful crop of 2024, 2025 & 2026 gamers. In 2026 Trae Nunn stands out extra as a result of his productiveness on the varsity degree already and simply his total ability set. A thicker body wing with a powerful pull-up recreation and desires restricted dribbles to attain the ball. Additionally a succesful shooter off the catch that brings versatility in his offensive recreation taking part in each on and off the ball. Higher off the ball scorer at this stage however there’s upside as being a primarily playmaker with time and if he continues to enhance.
East Texas
Now I’m going to move to my previous stomping grounds of East Texas. Carter Chism of Mount Nice Excessive Faculty is a savvy guard that may rating the basketball. Smoothness in his deal with and talent to create area. Carter has a pure, good really feel for the sport and reveals play-making upside on the varsity degree.
Houston/Beaumont
In H-City and this journey may have us throughout. A number of gamers have impressed me and my employees and we’ll begin with Jachai Cantave of Atascocita. A artful guard with a complicated strategy to the sport for sophistication. Pretty regular with the ball in his palms, wiggle off the dribble that permits him to get the place he needs as he holds an array of how to complete versus size.
Beaumont, town of present U-of-H freshman Terrance Arcenaux and up to date 2023 Washington commit Wesley Yates resides, is subsequent. There’s a crop of even youthful expertise developing and 2026 Elijah Garrett is the headliner of Beaumont Westbrook. Garrett is a wiry, lengthy armed guard that’s wired to attain. Like his potential to make use of his size on protection, create his personal look offensively and is aware of find out how to play off it and thrive with one other guard on the ground. Kelly Catholic, a TAPPS Class 5A college in Beaumont, has a freshman that’s placing up numbers: Langston Adams Jr. is filling up the scoring column. A fast guard that may cease on a dime and pull. Thrives within the open courtroom and does a nice job facilitating. Has accrued over 500 factors this season.
Dawson Excessive Faculty has a wing with loads of promise. Ja’Lon Brown has the positional measurement, lengthy arms and motor to supply impactful minutes on the varsity degree. A slashing wing that makes use of his plus wingspan to complete versus size, thrives within the open courtroom as a scorer and the jumper will come alongside. His freshman teammate and twin sport athlete Devan Brown is proficient too. Appears to be like to be assertive with the ball, will get paint touches and competes on the defensive finish.
Byron “BJ” Inexperienced of St. Thomas Episcopal was an under-the-radar performer on the Pangos SW Camp. Favored how he obtained paint touches and confirmed a pleasant mid-range and floater recreation. Did a great job altering speeds and discovering open man on kickouts. One I’ll proceed to maintain on my radar.
Katy Seven Lakes have a powerful crop of 2026 gamers, however Nasir Value headlines that group. An athletic, gangly combo who contends for prime of his class in Texas and makes a really robust case. Though he actually makes use of his size he holds a fast first step, will get to the paint and mixes scoring and facilitating properly. Albeit skinny, fluid with deal with and is aware of find out how to break up and navigate in site visitors with the ball in his palms. Value Competes on the defensive finish and is ready to guard the total size of the courtroom when locked in.
I’m intrigued by Devon Simmons. He’s an extended armed wing that appears to not be carried out rising in any respect. Athletic at 6’1 ish with a rising perimeter recreation. Respectable shooter off the catch. Higher from 15 toes in, Simmons makes use of size to complete vs athleticism and comparable size. Deal with isn’t nice however can straight line drive and appears to complete. I like Simmons’ potential to have the ability to combine it inside/out in terms of scoring.
Central Texas
There’s actual strong depth in Central Texas in terms of the 2025 & 2026 class. Time will inform however might see the bulk keep within the space by way of their highschool careers.
Beginning off in Austin at St. Michaels with Bo Ogden. He’s the son of Chris Ogden who’s on the teaching employees at College of Texas. Bo has a flamethrower when launching from deep. Connects pictures with vary and shoots with a ton of confidence. A gangly wanting off-guard/wing with a pure taking pictures stroke, Ogden shall be relied upon in terms of scoring at his highschool on the varsity degree.
San Antonio Brennan is wealthy with the proficient younger group they’ve on their roster. 2026 Isaiah Ward is the identify individuals speak about most. At about 6’4-6’5, Ward is a flexible wing/guard prospect with a pleasant pull-up recreation. He rebounds properly for place, performs by way of contact pretty properly and proven to have the ability to rebound, push the ball and make a strong choice with a full head of steam. Each-time I watch Talon Todd, he impresses me increasingly more. A lefty level guard that is aware of find out how to win and performs no matter function to win. If that’s to play off it and turn out to be extra of a scorer, or be the first ball handler and create pictures for himself and others. Todd tasks as a D1 guard in my ebook. Love how he competes and makes profitable basketball performs. Donovan Criss is extra ‘projecty’ than the others, however might find yourself being excessive up there in his class when it’s all mentioned and carried out. At shut to six’4 (grown for the reason that summer time) and a shot from the perimeter that’s dependable and versatile, Criss’ has the flexibility to shoot with vary, displaying promise as a possible three degree scorer with fluidity with athleticism. If Criss places it collectively, he might be a better finish D1 prospect.
Notables
Jose Martins – Seven Lakes
Hudson Smith – Seven Lakes
Colin Callahan – St. John’s
Chase Baker – Ridgepoint
Kingston Willis – Religion Household
Michael Gatewood – Purple Oak
Armon Almuttar – Grapevine
Antoine Almuttar – Grapevine
Cameron Lomax – Heritage Excessive Faculty
Amare Johnson – TACA BLK
