2023 Rankings Risers: Central Texas Prospects

<p>The Post-Spring update of the 2023 Texas Rankings dropped earlier this month and a few Central Texas area prospects moving up the rankings after an impressive start to their AAU/Grassroots seasons. Here are four players from the Austin/San Antonio area who climbed up the rankings and garnered a ton of buzz with their play this spring and summer.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://prephoops.com/texas/rankings/2023-rankings/"><em>2023 Texas Rankings</em></a></h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1039603" first="Zayden" last="High"] | PF | Smithson Valley</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>New Ranking: 26</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Previous Ranking: 36</em></p> <ul> <li>High has been making waves this spring/summer season earning offers from UTSA and UT-RGV, while also gaining interest from other D1 programs around the country. The 6'8" stretch forward from Smithson Valley continues to climb up our rankings and has a ton of upside as a scorer both around the basket and from three-point range. </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787325" first="Nazar" last="Mahmoud"] | SG | Leander Rouse</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>New Ranking: 40</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Previous Ranking: 46</em></p> <ul> <li>Mahmoud moved up six spots in the rankings update and now sits as a top 40 player in Texas after his hot start to the AAU season. The three-level scoring guard plays physically at the point of attack while also deploying a really good deep-range shot where he can put up points in a hurry. Mahmoud's play has caught the eyes of evaluators and coaches, and he has the potential to keep moving up the rankings as he has shown steady improvement over the course of the spring and summer events.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1153456" first="Aashon" last="Holmes"] | PG | San Antonio Harlan</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>New Ranking: 72</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Previous Ranking: 86</em></p> <ul> <li>We've got the chance to watch Holmes live in several events and he has impressed us in each game watched. Holmes is an athletic and physical point guard who likes to attack the basket and can finish through contact, while also showing an improved shot in both the mid-range and from beyond the arc. On defense, he is a hard-nosed on-ball defender who plays with nice instincts and anticipation which translates to a good amount of deflections and steals. </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="892165" first="Levi" last="Rutledge"] | SF | Cedar Park</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>New Ranking: 85</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Previous Ranking: 97</em></p> <ul> <li>Rutledge is starting to take the next step as a true wing prospect as he continues to evolve and improve in his offensive attack. Rutledge has a soft shot in the mid-range and can also nail shots from deep range, all while being aggressive and attacking the rim where he finishes over opponents. Rutledge also provides plus rebounding from the wing spot as he does a good job using his length to bring down boards.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p>