By TOBIAS BASS
With so much talent up and down the Lone Star state, which prospects have the highest ceiling?
Anthony Black (Coppell High School, Class of 2022) – The college basketball world fell in love with Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham, but Anthony Black has the capabilities to be even better. The 6-foot-7 point guard from Coppell, TX is the jack of all trades. He checks off every box of a basketball player you would want on your team. He can do everything the 2021 College Player of the Year can do but is more athletic. Black has made it a point of emphasis to scouts that he is a ‘point guard’ and for good reason. He sees plays before they unfold and rarely makes a mistake. As a dual-sport athlete, he is wired differently and affects winning culture without scoring. Black is hands down a top-25 player in the country and will compete for the best player in Texas. Black holds 17 Division 1 offers from Baylor, Texas, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Auburn, Creighton, Illinois, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and several others.
Keyonte George (iSchool, Class of 2022)- George is not only the best scorer in the state, but he is also arguably the best shooter. The 6-foot-4 guard from Lewisville, TX is a powerful three-level scorer that can play make for others. His game is built more on skill than quickness. His solid frame allows him to bully defenders when attacking the rim. George makes every dribble count and is the best downhill scoring guard in the country. When you watch George play, he gives you that superstar feel, the confidence, splash plays, and swagger. However, you don’t see him force the action, he scores within the offense and makes the right play consistently. George announced his top five last week of Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Texas, and Kansas.
Arterio Morris (iSchool, Class of 2022)- Similar to Keyonte George, the 6-foot-3 guard has a superstar feel to him. Morris is very quick and puts a lot of pressure on the defense. If you blink, he could have 20 points in a flash. Morris has a swagger to his game with an array of ball-handling moves that allow him to get anywhere on the floor when he wants. Not to mention his long arms and elite athleticism makes him a multi-positional defender. Morris also has the potential to be one of the best players in the 2022 class. Going into his senior year Morris and George decided to team up and play for the ischool Entrepreneurial Academy. They will also play alongside three-star Trae Clayton. Morris, last week announced his top five of Texas, Georgia, Oregon, Kansas, and Florida.
Bryce Griggs (Fort Bend Hightower High School, Class of2022)- If you are looking for an unguardable, playmaking point guard, Bryce Griggs is your man. Despite being able to score at will, he is arguably the best passer in the state. His ability to make plays in the pick-and-roll is elite as a scorer or facilitator. The 6-foot-3 guard dominates the game with his change of pace and finding unique angels. He has various moves he uses to create his shot whether, it’s a step back, side steps, or step through. Griggs is as a complete scorer as anyone in the state or country. Last week Griggs announced his top six schools consisting of Houston, Texas, Memphis, Baylor, Kansas, LSU, or the Overtime Elite League.
Jordan Walsh (Waxahacie Faith Family Academy, Class of 2022)- College basketball and the NBA are all about playing positionless and versatility. Jordan Walsh fits that narrative, with his next-level playmaking ability and defensive prowess. Having multiple players on your team that can initiate offense without turning the ball over is a plus, and Walsh will bring that trait to the next level immediately. Outside of Anthony Black, Walsh is the most versatile player in the state and checks off all the boxes. The 6-foot-7 point forward has an Andre Iguodala type of feel to his game. Walsh has offers from Arkansas, Auburn, California, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M.
Ryan Agarwal (Coppell High School, Class of 2022)- Basketball has changed so much since the emergence of Steph Curry, meaning if you can’t shoot, you won’t play. Ryan Agarwal is one of the best shooters I’ve seen in some time, and his 6-foot-7 frame makes it near impossible to contest his shot effectively. The Stanford commit has a high basketball IQ and plays well alongside elite offensive players. He reads defenses well, moves well off the ball, and finds the open space to slide into when ball-handlers attack the rim.
Tyler Smith (Fort Bend Bush High School, Class of 2023)- Smith has a solid combination of skill, athleticism, and size. At 6-foot-9, he can score in a variety of ways and is a legit pick-and-pop threat. His ability to make shots from not only mid-range but behind the arc makes his offensive ceiling is very high. Smith is more than a floor spacer, over the years he has valued rebounding and shown more effort on defense. Smith has seven Division 1 offers from Auburn, Baylor, Georgia Tech, Houston, LSU, Memphis, and Texas.
Ron Holland (Duncanville High School, Class of 2023)- You won’t see a kid play as hard as Ron Holland. He has a high motor, runs the floor well, and is very active on both ends. Holland affects the game in many ways, but his ability to attack the glass is uncanny. He is the best rebounder in the class of 2023. The Duncanville, TX native can guard multiple positions and uses his 6-foot-8 frame to disrupt opposing offenses from running their sets. Holland holds offers from Memphis, SMU, Texas, and Texas A&M.
Cason Wallace (Richardson High School, Class of 2022)-One of the best two-way players in the class, Wallace doesn’t defend he disrupts and can get to his spots to elevate over defenders with his pull-up jumper. Offensively, Wallace doesn’t need the ball to score. He cuts well off the ball, curls of screens, and can read the defense to pick his spots accordingly. His long-term upside starts with his defensive ability, his long arms allow him to get into passing lanes, and is one of the best shot-blocking guards in the country. Wallace has 17 Division 1 offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Creighton, DePaul, Illinois, Kansas State, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, and Texas Tech.
Vince Iwuchukwu (La Lumiere, Class of 2022)- The 7-footer has taken it upon himself to improve his game over the past year. He is an elite shot-blocker with unlimited potential on the offensive end. When engaged, he looks like the best player in the country, from his ability to shoot threes, dominate on the glass, and being a presence at the rim. Once he polishes his skillset, Iwuchukwu will develop into a high major big man and likely be a one-and-done NBA selection. The San Antonio native has nine Division 1 offers from Baylor, Kansas, Purdue, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Arkansas, and Florida State.
Yohan Traore (Prolific Prep, Class of 2022)- There are not five big men in the country that bring the combination of size, athleticism, and skill like Traore does. The 6-foot-10 center from Prolific Prep is the most polished big in his class from the standpoint of he can score on all levels efficiently and has an array of moves in his bag. Once he catches the ball free-throw line extended it’s practically a guaranteed bucket. Traore has a pro skillset, from is his fluid athletic ability to his nimble feet that allow him to score in any way possible. By the summer’s end, he will be a top 40 player in the 2022 class. Traore has several Division 1 offers and has set unofficial visits to Texas, TCU and Tennessee.
*Tre Johnson (Lake Highlands High School, Class of 2024) Johnson still has to develop, but he is a terrific shot maker. He can score on all three levels, shows a high IQ, and competes defensively. Johnson is a name to watch over the next few years, as I think he could be better than five-star guard Keyonte George at some point. Johnson has two scholarships from Alabama State and Oklahoma State.
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