We don’t have much time left until the 2022-2023 scholastic season comes to a close but from AAU, transitioning to fall camps, fall leagues, pre district & now to district games, I got a better feel of this freshman (2026) class. Travel with me as we go through the DFW, Houston, Beaumont & Central Texas to explore and get an intro to the 2026 crop.

DFW

It’s early but DFW seems to have a stronger depth of talent in the 2026 class. Especially when it comes to wings. Again, it’s VERY early and players will come up as I get to see this class more.

To start it out, I’m heading to Frisco to talk about a player that’s arguably the best player in his class. Trent Perry of Frisco Lone Star is a good size wing with wide shoulder length, long arms that’s a big-time athlete. There’s more to his game though than just his athleticism. Holds a sturdy handle, ambidextrous with his drives to the rim and while his vertical pop is noticeable, what I do like is that he can find the open man when he’s in attack mode. His ability to use his length to guard primary ball handler and intercepting passing lanes draws some similarity to Jordan Walsh at the same time (in that category). Trent has all the tools to become a 5-star prospect when the time comes.

Staying in Frisco, we check out Seven Spurlock of Frisco Memorial. A big guard that’s inching closer to about 6’5, Spurlock holds strong basketball bloodlines with a father that played overseas and a brother that played D1 & D2 basketball. A lefty power guard with a high feel for the game, Spurlock knows how to use his size & strength to get to the rim, a good passer with either hand that can see the play before the play. Would like to see him attack right and make defenders pay when backing off of him, but the talent is there. 

Melissa High School is the next spot. We are going some ways out and will need to take the tolls to reach our next destination after this. Still, there’s a legit player out here and that’s two-sport athlete Austin Goosby. Austin plays football as well, but is a promising basketball talent. His older brother Trevor is a 2023 commit to UT Austin as an offensive tackle. On the hardwood, Goosby is someone that can really space the floor with his extended range from deep and holds a quick trigger. I like his ability to play & constantly move off the ball to put himself in position to score. He has a solid handle, does need to tighten it up, but I like his positional size as a two guard for his age as well as his activity & ability to shoot it with range.  

I took the tolls and still had a 50-minute drive but I’m here at Denton High School to see Ethan Sheats. Very young for his class and just continues to grow. Sheats is an active wing prospect with a skill set to build on. Handles it well in space, capable shooter from 15 feet out off the catch and there’s upside as a shot creator down the road. One to really keep tabs of. A player that attends a school not far from Sheats, Silas Rodriguez of Denton Guyer, starts for the Wildcats and right away brought prominent floor spacing. A confident shot taker and maker that’s equipped with good feel moving off the ball. 

About 25 minutes out, we’re at Coppell High School where you’ll see Sibu Socks flying from end to end. Sibu is the brother of the late Simi Socks who played and started at University of Incarnate Word (2015-2018). Sibu draws similarities to his brother’s game: athletic slashers that play with an endless motor.  I like the versatility Socks brings on the defensive end, more than holding his own as a switchable defender and rebounder vs. length. It will be interesting to see how he develops throughout his high school career. 

Grapevine High School is the next landing spot and point guard David Coe will be a name we will hear in that class all the way through. Fairly sturdy built guard that knows how to win or put his team in position to win. Nice floater game, makes the right read for the most part and has no problem taking the challenge at the varsity level of handling the ball under pressure. Should win newcomer of the year in his district.

"Funky Town" (Fort Worth) as some would call it to get a glance at Alex Barther of Eastern Hills. A lot of promise with this prospect. Seen him consistently make open shots and when the ball is swung to him he knows to go get his. Was impressed with him at the Pangos SW Frosh/Soph camp and he’s a kid that hasn’t scratched the surface with his ceiling. 

When Pinkston High School comes up the first player that comes to mind is highly ranked 2024 guard Dink Pate. But 2026 Bryce Dixon is a welcoming addition to the Vikings, as he brings very solid size for his position, motor, with plus athleticism. A glue guy that’s always up for whatever challenge. With Dink garnering a lot of the defenses’ attention, Bryce steps up and makes plays on the glass or as a cutter to gain a quality look.  

Now time to start going more south and to Oak Cliff, TX and Faith Family , where the FAB 50 ranked unit has two freshmen that have a chance of being really good. Anthony Spencer is an athletic 6’5’-6’6 small forward that thrives in the open court as a finisher. A utility guy that can get a lot done on both ends because of his motor, improved toughness, finishing capabilities and sound IQ as an individual and team defender for his age. Next is big man Davion Adkins who still is raw, but has shown he can make his presence known in the paint. More of your high motor, active, rebounding type center that has shown improved footwork in the paint. Has long arms and big hands. Adkins will continue to grow, height wise, and once the game slows down for him and understands how to navigate around tight spaces in the paint, he can be really good.

Let’s go even further south and head to Waxahachie High School who have a young and promising foundation with a strong crop of 2024, 2025 & 2026 players. In 2026 Trae Nunn stands out more due to his productivity at the varsity level already and just his overall skill set. A thicker frame wing with a strong pull-up game and needs limited dribbles to score the ball. Also a capable shooter off the catch that brings versatility in his offensive game playing both on and off the ball. Better off the ball scorer at this stage but there’s upside as being a primarily playmaker with time and if he continues to improve. 

East Texas

Now I'm going to head to my old stomping grounds of East Texas. Carter Chism of Mount Pleasant High School is a savvy guard that can score the basketball. Smoothness in his handle and ability to create space. Carter has a natural, good feel for the game and shows play-making upside on the varsity level.

Houston/Beaumont

In H-Town and this trip will have us all over. Several players have impressed me and my staff and we’ll start with Jachai Cantave of Atascocita. A crafty guard with an advanced approach to the game for class. Fairly steady with the ball in his hands, wiggle off the dribble that allows him to get where he wants as he holds an array of ways to finish versus length. 

Beaumont, the city of current U-of-H freshman Terrance Arcenaux and recent 2023 Washington commit Wesley Yates resides, is next. There’s a crop of even younger talent coming up and 2026 Elijah Garrett is the headliner of Beaumont Westbrook. Garrett is a wiry, long armed guard that’s wired to score. Like his ability to use his length on defense, create his own look offensively and knows how to play off it and thrive with another guard on the floor. Kelly Catholic, a TAPPS Class 5A school in Beaumont, has a freshman that is putting up numbers: Langston Adams Jr. is filling up the scoring column. A quick guard that can stop on a dime and pull. Thrives in the open court and does a fine job facilitating. Has accumulated over 500 points this season.

Dawson High School has a wing with a lot of promise. Ja’Lon Brown has the positional size, long arms and motor to provide impactful minutes on the varsity level. A slashing wing that utilizes his plus wingspan to finish versus length, thrives in the open court as a scorer and the jumper will come along. His freshman teammate and dual sport athlete Devan Brown is talented too. Looks to be assertive with the ball, gets paint touches and competes on the defensive end.

Byron “BJ” Green of St. Thomas Episcopal was an under-the-radar performer at the Pangos SW Camp. Liked how he got paint touches and showed a nice mid-range and floater game. Did a good job changing speeds and finding open man on kickouts. One I’ll continue to keep on my radar. 

Katy Seven Lakes have a strong crop of 2026 players, but Nasir Price headlines that group.  An athletic, gangly combo who contends for top of his class in Texas and makes a very strong case. Although he really uses his length he holds a quick first step, gets to the paint and mixes scoring and facilitating well. Albeit skinny, fluid with handle and knows how to split and navigate in traffic with the ball in his hands. Price Competes on the defensive end and is able to guard the full length of the court when locked in. 

I’m intrigued by Devon Simmons. He's a long armed wing that looks to not be done growing at all. Athletic at 6’1 ish with a growing perimeter game. Decent shooter off the catch. Better from 15 feet in, Simmons uses length to finish vs athleticism and comparable length. Handle isn’t great but can straight line drive and looks to finish. I like Simmons' ability to be able to mix it inside/out when it comes to scoring. 

Central Texas

There’s real solid depth in Central Texas when it comes to the 2025 & 2026 class. Time will tell but could see the majority stay in the area through their high school careers. 

Starting off in Austin at St. Michaels with Bo Ogden. He is the son of Chris Ogden who is on the coaching staff at University of Texas. Bo has a flamethrower when launching from deep. Connects shots with range and shoots with a ton of confidence. A gangly looking off-guard/wing with a pure shooting stroke, Ogden will be relied upon when it comes to scoring at his high school on the varsity level. 

San Antonio Brennan is rich with the talented young group they have on their roster. 2026 Isaiah Ward is the name people talk about most. At about 6’4-6’5, Ward is a versatile wing/guard prospect with a nice pull-up game. He rebounds well for position, plays through contact fairly well and shown to be able to rebound, push the ball and make a solid decision with a full head of steam. Every-time I watch Talon Todd, he impresses me more and more. A lefty point guard that knows how to win and plays whatever role to win. If that’s to play off it and become more of a scorer, or be the primary ball handler and create shots for himself and others. Todd projects as a D1 guard in my book. Love how he competes and makes winning basketball plays. Donovan Criss is more ‘projecty’ than the others, but could end up being high up there in his class when it’s all said and done. At close to 6’4 (grown since the summer) and a shot from the perimeter that’s reliable and versatile, Criss' has the ability to shoot with range, showing promise as a potential three level scorer with fluidity with athleticism. If Criss puts it together, he could be a higher end D1 prospect. 

Notables

Jose Martins - Seven Lakes

Hudson Smith - Seven Lakes

Colin Callahan - St. John’s

Chase Baker - Ridgepoint

Kingston Willis - Faith Family

Michael Gatewood - Red Oak

Armon Almuttar - Grapevine

Antoine Almuttar - Grapevine

Cameron Lomax - Heritage High School

Amare Johnson - TACA BLK