2021 Texas Rankings: Central Texas Risers

<p>PrepHoops Texas dropped its updated 2021 Rankings this week and a handful of Central Texas players made a jump up the rankings due to their impressive play during the high school season. This article features five players who stood out above the rest in the Austin-San Antonio area and caught the attention of evaluators and college scouts this season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://prephoops.com/texas/rankings/2021-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>Click here to view the 2021 Rankings!</strong></em></a></h4> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1039561" first="Isaiah" last="Washington"] | CG | Judson</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>New Ranking: 104</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Previous Ranking: 140</em></p> <ul> <li>Washington played primarily shooting guard for the Rockets but has the handles and athleticism to play either guard spot. A pure jump shooter who can hit from the mid-range and from beyond-the-arc, he moves very well without the ball, has a good lift on his jumper, and is not afraid to pull the trigger from deep as he hit 79 threes (36%) during the season. Washington averaged 17.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in 27 games played. <em>Earned District 27-6A First Team.</em></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1039048" first="Jailen" last="Bedford"] | SG | Hutto</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>New Ranking: 106</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Previous Ranking: 146</em></p> <ul> <li>Bedford took a major leap in his development during his senior year with Hutto, leading the team in scoring and improving as a shooter from three-point range. A bouncy athlete at shooting guard, Bedford does most of his damage with his pull-up mid-range jumper, and he also shows good court speed with and without the ball. Averaged 18.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, while shooting 37% from the three-point range. <em>Earned District 25-6A First Team &amp; UIL 6A Region 4 All-Region team.</em></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1027625" first="Jonas" last="Carlisle"] | SG | South San Antonio</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>New Ranking: 125</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Previous Ranking: 137</em></p> <ul> <li>Carlisle was a leader on the court for South San Antonio playing the 2-5 positions while posting 17.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Carlisle displays a high basketball IQ on the court, can defend several positions, plays consistently game-in and game-out, and can shoot the ball from three. One of the best rebounding guards in San Antonio who isn't afraid to battle in the paint. <em>Earned District 27-6A First Team &amp; UIL 6A Region 4 All-Region Team.</em></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1039563" first="Akhwari" last="Smith"] | SG | Steele</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>New Ranking: 130</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Previous Ranking: 151</em></p> <ul> <li>One of the top athletes from San Antonio in the 2021 Class, Smith is incredibly explosive in his movements on the court and can blow by defenders to the basket. Has displayed a nice pull-up jumper in the mid-range and averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Smith's length and speed contribute to his tough defense and playmaking ability, and he projects as a player whose best ball is still ahead of him. <em>Earned District 27-6A First Team.</em></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1039047" first="Jaylen" last="Thompson"] | CG | Leander Glenn</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>New Ranking: 142</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Previous Ranking: 157</em></p> <ul> <li>Thompson had a huge season for Glenn leading the team to a state championship semi-final appearance while earning <em>District 25-5A First Team honors and making the UIL 5A Region 4 All-Region Team.</em> A true combo-guard with a good frame and plus athleticism, Thompson plays a physical brand of basketball and loves to make plays downhill attacking the basket. He was also tasked with running the offense and did a good job as a passer setting up teammates for open shots. </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p>