We are still just less than two months until the regular season starts in Texas and this year I wanted to give a public guide on each class in the Lone Star State. Today I go through the 2026 class. Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on your reading stamina), my evals are shorter, but hopefully more precise and can give you a snapshot on the players’ play-style. Let’s dive in, as the University Interscholastic League (UIL) regular season begins on Friday, Nov. 14.
The “Big Dogs” Top 30 Guys
Austin Goosby, 6’6 SG – Melissa: A top 20 player in the country. A high-feel orchestrator at 6’6 with a mature approach to the game.
Bryson Howard, 6’4 SG – Frisco Heritage: From fairly unknown on the national scene in April to now being a McDonald’s All American candidate, Howard’s play at the EYBL and NBPA Top 100 Camp has propelled him potentially to 5 Star status. A lefty, assertive guard that impacts the game on both ends.
Elijah Williams, 6’6 SG/SF – TMI (Baylor Commit): High-end four star prospect and top 30 player is the son of former NBA Coach of The Year Monty Williams. The future Baylor Bear utilizes his size on drives and is adequate as a second side scorer. Most impressive part is he’s kept a high ranking throughout his high school career thus far.
Key Transfers
Gallagher Placide, 6’9 PF – Faith Family: One half of the Placide Twins, who transferred to Faith Family from Sunrise Christian. Gallagher is a 6’9 two-way forward that saw a leap in his productivity in the summer.
Gavin Placide, 6’10 PF – Faith Family: The other half of the Placide twins that has the physical tools, work ethic and emerging skill to be a pro one day.
Cam Lomax, 6’1 PG – Faith Family: Will play a big role for Faith Family as their primary ball-handler. Quick, gets to his spots and balances play-making and scoring fairly well. A winner!
Steven Reynolds, 6’5 SG – Arlington Martin: Skinny shooting guard with next level offensive skill and overall touch.
Dakari Spear, 6’4 SG – Dynamic Prep: A wiry built floor spacer with off the dribble shooting prowess.
Kam McGilveary, 6’2 CG – Dynamic Prep: Athletic, long armed, defensive guard that’s learning how to run a team and making strides in that department.
Phoenix Woodson, 6’8 PF/C – Dynamic Prep: Promising face-up big that uses a blend of finesse and physicality to score. Good when he plays within strengths.
Elton James, 6’9 C – Dynamic Prep: Broad framed post with high motor, offensive versatility and a developing feel for the game.
Seven Spurlock, 6’5 SF – Dynamic Prep: Attacking, strong body 3-man that plays with a noticeable edge and nastiness. Containing emotions will be key.
Kayden Johnson, 6’3 PG – Leadership Prep: Next-level framed pg with improved overall skill-set. Defense is most translatable skill right now.
Anthony Spencer, 6’8 C – Desoto: Physically and athletically impressive big man with questionable feel. Regardless, a dependable lob threat and interior play finisher.
Delano Tarpley, 6’10 C – SA Brennan: Big framed, pudgier post with intriguing skill but hasn’t put it together yet. Bigs take a longer time to figure it out.
Daniel Patton, 6’7 SF – Cy Falls: Transfer from Centennial in Tennessee, Patton is a wiry 6’7 slasher that makes on target passes off the drive. The kid will be playing basketball for free in college.
Elijah Hayeems, 6’7 SF – BigTyme Prep: Transfer from PHH Prep in Arizona, point-forward prototype with array of passing skills.
Guys That Can Have Breakout Seasons
Jonathan Williams, 5’10 PG – Mansfield Timberview: Explosive, downhill guard that plays with a chip on his shoulder. Will look to throw it down vs. anyone when attacking at full-speed.
Mateo Rico, 7’2 C – New Wave Academy: Developing big man that’s making noteworthy strides. There will be a time where college coaches will be demanding for his services from the portal.
Hudson Lucas, 6’9 PF – Parrish Episcopal: If he goes to the right level after high school, the same rule will apply for Hudson when he’s 25 lbs heavier.
K.J. Bradford, 6’ PG – Red Oak: Making loud statements in pre-season. If this carries into season, he could land him a D1 scholly late.
Jose Martins, 6’3 PG – Seven Lakes: Underrated heady pg that D1 coaches should keep tabs of for late spring grab.
Talon Todd, 5’9 PG – SA Brennan (Austin Peay Commit): Automatic paint toucher in which he and the guy listed below him will finally get the keys to the whip.
Donovan Criss, 6’5 SG – SA Brennan (UTEP Commit): Big guard with high major ability that’s a steal for UTEP. Will get to show full offensive repertoire.
Jacori Jones, 6’1 PG – Denton Braswell (Corpus Christi Commit): Lefty, exciting pg that packs a mean scoring punch and has a point to prove.
Lamin Foom, 6’11 C – Anna (Corpus Christi Commit): He’s a blend of Mateo Rico and Hudson Lucas. But I project the same result for him too. 📈
Gilbert Aluga, 6’6 PF/SF – Frisco Liberty: Versatile combo-forward coming back from an injury. High school matchup problem.
Kenisngton Candler, 6’1 PG – Little Elm: His pre-season play so far is loud enough to put him in the convo for best pg in Texas for 2026.
Let Me Re-Introduce Myself
This is about the players that were highly rated during underclassman years, had a set-back or two and are now coming back to make an impact to the current line-up.
Nasir Price, 6’3 CG – Seven Lakes: Suffered torn acl and took about a year and a half to get back to the Nasir we remembered. Assertive, thin framed combo that has burst, confidence and touch.
Isaiah Ward, 6’5 PF/SF – SA Brennan: Injuries have plagued his high school career too. A healthy Isaiah Ward plays bigger than his listed height and is a matchup problem at the high school level. Brennan looks to take another crack at the 6A title.
Other 2026’s to see While In “The H” Houston
Jachai Cantave & Adam Boyd Backcourt
Atascocita High School is one of the favorites for the large UIL Class 6A state title. Loaded with talent and have an elite coach on the side-lines. The play of Jachai Cantave and Louisiana Tech bound guard Adam Boyd plays a large determining factor in how far the Eagles make it.
Macadou Diouf, 6’8 C – Xavier Academy: Intriguing frontline prospect with back-to-basket and face-up skill.
Elijah Garrett, 6’2 CG – Beaumont Westbrook: Elijah is eyeing another Class 5A state title in his trophy collection.
Anthony Avalos, 6’6 SF/PF – Madison: Athletic, transition monster that plays with length.
Josh Goodwin, 6’4 SG – Cy Ranch: Relentless two-guard that has adequate triple threat game.
Shia Francis, 6’3 SG – Second Baptist (Navy Commit): A bruising SG that has transferred well from a SF to a 2-guard/combo. The phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover” applies to him.
Zayson Salanoa, 6’6 SF – Atascocita: Solid built floor spacer that has good rebounding instincts.
Reggie Rideau, 6’ PG – Summer Creek: Natural scoring PG that can light it up from deep.
Other 2026 Prospects To See When Your in The DFW
Birdville Duo
UNI commit Sawyer Dotson and Avery Webb licked their wounds from a state title game loss last season and look to finish high school on a high note. Sawyer is arguably the best catch n shoot threat in the state and Avery is a crafty lefty guard that plays with some bravado.
Texas Storm Big 3
Texas Storm have 3 players that have committed to 4-year universities. Tyson Heard to UT Dallas, Brayden Jones to Lamar and Austin Senters to Air Force. How or if these three jell and perform will play a large part on how good this iteration of Texas Storm (Formerly TACA) will be.
Almuttar Twins
The interesting case of Armon and Antoine Almuttar. I’ll touch on the subject because I feel like it’s needed. They are listed at about 6’3, built like a tank and play bigger than their height. The chatter is they should play football, but that gives the boys more motivation to make basketball work.
They have the height of a guard but honestly play more like a big wing or a 4-man at times. I don’t list them as a four and they are transitioning to be more primary and secondary ball-handlers but although there is growth, there’s still a lot of room for more in regards to it translating at the D1 level. My feelings could change by the end of the season because guys just get better.
Honestly the Almuttar twins have held their own or out-played numerous D1 commits. They’ve played a large part in Parish Episcopal being put on the basketball map in the DFW. I personally believe they are D1 caliber players with a better skillset than they are given credit for, but have to go to the right system that utilizes their versatility.
Aneaus Alexander, 6’8 PF – Leadership Prep: Highly skilled, mismatch 4/5 that, albeit not the most impressive athletically, has nascent scoring skills that reminds of a couple all-conference D1 players from the past.
Lyndell Buckington, 6’2 PG – Leadership Prep: Downhill, electric guard that media/scouts should be talking more about.
Jaelon Germany, 6’1 PG – Crowley (Denver Commit): Shifty bucket-getter that has natural ability to create space and put ball through the basket.
Jaxson Thompson, 6’2 SG – Greenhill (Rice Commit): Guard that can put on a scoring exhibition coupled with emerging vertical pop.
Kameron Smith, 6’9 C – Greenhill: Developing big man in which the light bulb has turned on a couple times. Best basketball is ahead of him.
Ethan Sheats, 6’7 PF – Denton: Is this the year Sheats keeps stacking the days? Talent has never been in question, but consistency has been.
Silas Rodriguez, 6’4 SG – Denton Guyer: The 6A Small School State Title MVP, Rodriguez helped bring Guyer its first ever state title. Now shouldering a bigger role this season, can he guide the Wildcats back to San Antonio?
Wyatt Seale, 6’11 C – Ischool: Another developing big but this once can stretch the floor. The toughness/playing through contact part of his game are swinging skills.
Mario Wooden, 6’5 SF – Ischool: Slashing, high motor wing that can play basketball for a while if he continues to embrace the glue-guy role.
Luke Susko, 6’6 SF – Flower Mound Marcus (SIU Commit): Mature well-rounded wing that fits into Southern Illinois’ style of play and culture like a glove.
Devan Kirk, 6’5 SF – Red Oak (Townsend Commit): Do it all, low maintenance wing that makes winning basketball plays.
Caden Deffebaugh, 6’5 SF – Frisco Memorial (New Mexico State Commit): Explosive wing with tools of becoming a legitimate two-way threat one day.
Theo Brannon, 5’9 PG – Mansfield Summit: A natural leader that makes everyone around him better in the scholastic setting.
Bryce Dixon, 6’4 Wing – The Colony (LA Tech Commit): Productive, slashing wing that plays with a mean streak. Saying he plays with a chip on his shoulder doesn’t truly define his approach. It’s something bigger than that. Still, it’s what makes him really good but sometimes it has the reverse effect.
Zion Ibekwe, 6’7 SF/PF – BigTyme Prep: Lefty, attacking forward that eats when operating off the top of the key.
Other 2026 Prospects To See When Your in Austin/SA/Killeen
Bo Ogden, 6’6 SF – Austin Westlake: Weird to call a top 75 player underrated but I think Ogden’s game will be appreciated more in college.
Trevaun Clark, 6’7 PF/SF – SA Wagner (UTA Commit): Talented combo-forward that looks really good when he plays off motor first, then coupled with the skill.
Sean Parks, 6’0 PG – Killeen Ellison: Pesky, defensive guard that makes life hell for opposing guards.
Other 2026’s to see While In East Texas
Carter Chism, 6’1 CG – Mount Pleasant: Confident combo that’ll keep his team in games they have no part of being in. His game deserves more respect than it’s gotten.
Austin Brown, 6’8 SF – Lufkin (Maryland Commit): Versatile and high feel forward that leads his high school in numerous categories.
Editor's Pick
OTE Pro Day: 2027 Best of The Rest