2023 City Rankings: Houston (10-6)

Check out my analysis on some of the top 2023 prospects in the Houston area! Some of these guys are division one prospects, with little to no offers. So coaches make sure you check them out when you can!   #10 Josh Apkovwa 2023 6'7 Seven Lakes High School   Josh is a force in the paint, his ability to rim run and protect the rim allows him to be a real weapon for Seven Lakes High School. His massive frame punishes smaller defenders on the block and he is great at using his length and weight to his advantage with his back to the basket. Apkovwa plays off of his two lead guards very well, and is a great pick and roll punch with the two of them. He rolls hard to the basket for easy opportunities and is good at fronting the post and sealing off his defender. I would like to see him work on his end to end speed and work on becoming a more consistent rim runner.   #9 TJ Ford Jr 2023 5'11 Ridge Point High School   TJ was dominant for every second he was on the floor, showing off his blazing end to end speed and the natural ability he has to finish in the lane. It does not matter what kind of defense is being thrown at him, he always gets by his first defender and forces the defense to react once he gets into the second level of the court. He has explosive leaping ability which allows him to hang in the air and finish around defender's outstretched arms. He has the ability to contort his body to get away from contact while also adjusting his shot angle to avoid defenders. He made every finish in the book look routine with the ease in which he scores the basketball. He threw down one of the best dunks I have seen in some time from the point guard position (See Below). He is a creative scorer off the bounce who knows just the right time to get his shot off as soon as he shifts them in the slightest. He has the ability to pass his teammates open and always seems to have his head up to make the right read. Time after time he found streaking teammates on the break and put pin point passes over the top of his opponents. Each pass he makes has the right amount of juice or touch depending on the situation. On the defensive side of the ball, it is clear he has lived on the court with the way he baits opponents into lazy passes that allow him to go coast to coast. He is an elite player playing the passing lanes and came up with numerous steals.    #8 [player_tooltip player_id='1471270' first='Kameron' last='Burton'] 2023 6'3 Legacy School of Sport Sciences    Kameron is a high level combo guard with an ability to catch fire and score from all four levels of the court. I was blown away with how easily he scored off the bounce, and how confident he was to take any shot on the court. He pulled up from the coveted fourth level of the court, and easily shot over 50% in the game that I watched. I saw him hit 3 three pointers from at least three steps beyond the arc, with a defender not only in his face but fouling him and sending him into the bleachers on two of the shots. He had the gym in awe with how well he was able to score off the bounce. He is a real sniper when he gets a chance to set his feet and square up in the corner and on the wings. He has all of the necessary tools to be a knock down shooter at the next level, and can do so in whatever way you might need.   He sees the floor at a high level, allowing him to play the combo guard spot whenever necessary. He cuts backdoor and attacks the rim with and without a live dribble. You can tell he has played with real point guard with how willing he is to move without the basketball. This allows him to see the floor at a high level, being tasked with doing everything on the court and knowing where his teammates will be at any point in time.   He is an ideal defender at the guard spot as well, who plays with intensity and wants to clamp up on that end of the court. He is a willing defender who wants to make you work for every inch of space. His ability to knock down shots and defend will make him a coveted asset at the next level. He has a perfect frame to affect the game on both ends of the court as well. Burton is a player who needs to be on your radar college coaches, make sure you get out to see him whenever you can…   #7 [player_tooltip player_id='1056399' first='Jace' last='Posey'] 2023 6'4 Strake Jesuit High School    Jace is a special combo guard who can fill it up from all three levels. His elite athleticism is always on display every time he touches the court. He recently won state in the high jump and has the record as being in the top 50 jumps in people under 21 across the world. I was blown away by his aggressiveness and willingness to take over the game and attack the basket. When his team began to go down early in the second quarter, he single-handidly put the team on his back and changed the momentum in the game by getting a few big time dunks, And-1s and hitting tough shots in the midrange. Posey is a prospect to keep your eye on, especially as he continues to develop and have break out games like this one! I would like to see him work on maintaining his aggressiveness for all 32 possible minutes. He has all the tools in the world to become a successful playmaker at the next level.   #6 [player_tooltip player_id='1056401' first='Jamari' last='McDowell'] 2023 6'5 Manvel High School    Jamari is a very skilled player with an elite scoring ability and can fill up a box score with ease. He is a confident shooter from behind the arc, but his true prowess lies in his ability to get to the rim and finish. He is great at finishing with either hand and he does not mind tight defense even from bigger defenders. He has continued to develop at a rapid rate since the last time I saw him in person, definitely taking full advantage of the competition he faced in the Under Armour Circuit this summer. The highlights do not do it justice on this kid, he is a ferocious finisher when he gets some space to take off and elevate. I am continued to be blown away by his natural bounce, paired well with his aggressiveness and desire to dunk on anyone in front of him.   He also a multitude of moves and ability to get his shot up over defenders, showing great touch on his floater and runner in the lane. His ball handling skill is also very evident, he has quick crossovers he utilizes to blow by defenders. I would like to see him continue to develop his overall court vision and ability to create for his teammates. He has improved that since the high school season, calmly taking what the defense gives him in hunt for his own shot, but I want to see more play-making out of him.   He also plays elite on ball defense and made his opponents very uncomfortable when he guarded them, playing engaged full court defense and coming up with steals. His leaping ability also allows him to protect the rim and actually be a game changing force on the boards too, a true testament to his motor and hustle he plays the game with. Whoever gets a shot on him at the next level is not only getting a game wrecker with real leaping ability at the guard spot, but a player who is willing to defend every inch of the court and compete every time he steps on it.

Check out my analysis on some of the top 2023 prospects in the Houston area! Some of these guys are division one prospects, with little to no offers. So coaches make sure you check them out when you can!