2021 Texas Rankings: Central Texas Watch List
PrepHoops 2021 Texas Rankings dropped earlier this week and 32 players from the Central Texas area made the list. There are a handful of players who just missed the cut, but are in a good position to rise up into…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoops 2021 Texas Rankings dropped earlier this week and 32 players from the Central Texas area made the list. There are a handful of players who just missed the cut, but are in a good position to rise up into the rankings with a big senior season with their high school teams. In this article, we highlight a few of those players to keep an eye on this upcoming season as they could make big waves with their play.
Here is the Central Texas Watch List for the 2021 Texas Rankings:
JahVante O’Conner | 6-3 PG | Austin High
- O’Conner has great length for the point guard position and is a crafty playmaker with the ball in his hands, O’Connor displayed highlight reel passes and the ability to find his open teammates in his junior year hudl tape. He has a really good understanding of the pick-and-roll offense and can either pull up from three or blow by his defender. Has good shooting range and isn’t afraid to pull the trigger from beyond-the-arc even with a hand in his face. He also does a great job of using his length to be disruptive on the defensive side of the court. Was a big player for T.H.P. Elite during the summer grassroots circuit. Earned All-District 25-6A First Team.
Rob Wade | 6-5 SF | McCallum
- Wade was a breakout star for McCallum during his junior season averaging 15.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game while shooting 52% from the field during district play. Wade is a do-it-all kind of scorer from the small forward position who does a great job of getting to the basket where he can finish with either hand. He is good as a spot-up shooter from three-point territory and has developed a pull-up jumper from the mid-range. Wade plays with great physicality and uses his strong frame when in the paint, and is one of the strongest rebounders in the Austin area. Wade will be a force this season for the Knights and put up huge numbers during his senior campaign. Earned All-District 25-5A First Team.
Tristan Schlinke | 5-9 PG | Blanco
- Schlinke is an elite scoring point guard who has the ability to create his own shot at any level of the half-court. During his junior season at Blanco, he averaged 14.8 points, 5.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 steals over 37 games played. Schlinke can score in a variety of ways but specializes in his three-point shot, where he can hit from anywhere beyond-the-arc. Has very good court vision and passing ability. His play earned him a few offers this summer from Graceland University, Schreiner University, and Waynesburg University. Earned TABC 3A Region 4 All-Region Team.
KeShawn Williams | 6-2 SG | Pflugerville Hendrickson
- Williams enjoyed a great summer showing on the grassroots circuit with ASAK Elite, showing that he belonged with some of the top talent in the area. After playing as Hendrickson’s sixth man a season ago, Williams is expected to jump into a larger role this upcoming season. A tall and long guard who has put on some bulk to his frame, Williams has great shooting range and can be a slasher in the lane. He is a good drive-and-dish passer and possesses a great jump stop near the basket. Averaged 15 points per game in the playoffs, shot 80% from the free-throw line on the season, and had 35 total steals. Earned All-District 13-6A Honorable Mention.
Joseph Taylor | 6-3 SG | San Antonio Johnson
- Taylor has good size and bounce for the wing position, and was an impact player for Johnson during his junior season. Taylor can be seen all over the court making plays and can be a difference-maker on defense creating steals and turnovers. Plays terrific off-ball defense and has great awareness. Taylor is explosive when going toward the basket and can finish above taller opponents. Has a nice mid-range pull up jumper, and is a great spot-up shooter from deep. Taylor was a consistent performer for the Next Level Raiders during the grassroots circuit this summer. Earned All-District 27-6A First Team
Joaquin Gonzalez | 6-3 SG | Boerne
- Gonzalez enjoyed a breakout junior season for Boerne averaging 12.3 points, 4.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. A playmaking combo guard with smooth handles, Gonzalez is able to attack defenses in multiple ways. Has great burst and finishing ability at the basket, as well as the ability to create his own shot from the mid-range to beyond-the-arc. Gonzalez is also a terrific passer who was able to constantly create opportunities for his teammates. An injury for Gonzalez limited his play this summer, but we are excited to see him back out on the court for Boerne for his senior season. Earned All-District 28-4A First Team & Newcomer of the Year / TABC 4A Region 4 All-Region Team
Isaac Orozco Isaac Orozco 5'11" | PG Sandra Day O'Connor | 2021 State TX | 5-11 PG | O’Connor
- Orozco is an elite defensive playmaker and floor general for O’Connor, who averaged 12.3 points, 4.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals as a junior last season. He topped all guards in his district with 65 total steals on the season, all while putting his body on the line and drawing 13 charges across 32 games played. Orozco is a high-effort player on the court who makes his teammates around him better. On offense, Orozco has excellent floor vision and delivers crisp passes. He is also a threat as a shooter from beyond-the-arc and has legit NBA range. Earned All-District 28-6A First Team.
Caleb McCrackin | 6-9 C | Harlan
- McCrackin is a true sleeper from the San Antonio area, but he shouldn’t be as he’s one of the taller prospects from the area, and is extremely hard to get around and get a shot up on in the paint. McCrackin has terrific shot-blocking ability, where he has great instincts and is able to get his hand on a ball several times a game. His presence in the paint was a huge benefit to Harlan’s defense last year, and he will look to continue it this upcoming season as he improves his offensive game. What makes McCrackin special as a prospect is the combination of his size and defensive skill set. Not many players in the San Antonio area has the size McCrackin does, and he will be a player to watch closely during his senior season at Harlan.
Stephen Mahler | 6-5 SF | Jay
- Mahler made a name for himself with his impressive play with the HD Toros during the grassroots circuits this summer. He’s an athletic wing with a really good shot from beyond-the-arc. Runs the floor well and does a great job of finishing above the rim. Mahler is a true scoring threat who also provides good rebounding ability, including on the offensive boards. Can guard the 1-3 positions and showed constant improvement in his game over the summer. During his junior year at San Antonio Jay, he averaged 9.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Earned All-District 28-6A Second Team