Class of 2026 Top 10 Borderland Sophomores
With the 2023-24 season over for nearly all high school players in the Borderland area, it now feels appropriate to rank and file the top players I have scouted. The players on this list are the best sophomores from the…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2023-24 season over for nearly all high school players in the Borderland area, it now feels appropriate to rank and file the top players I have scouted. The players on this list are the best sophomores from the class of 2026 from El Paso, Las Cruces, and Alamogordo, also known as the Borderland.
10: Emmitt McDaniel
10: Emmitt McDaniel
So much is made about the star talent out at Organ Mountain, but behind that talent is a group of solid role players. Sophomore Emmitt McDaniel is part of that depth that provides another solid team defender, reliable ball handling, and outside shooting. In fact, McDaniel is Organ Mountain’s top 3-point shooter, leading the team in makes and percentage. Assuming he still has a few more inches to grow, I believe McDaniel will turn into one of the top point guards in Las Cruces by 2026.
9: Mathew Saucedo
9: Mathew Saucedo
When he is on, this kid is a mini bucket getter. Saucedo is an undersized guard who can absolutely fill it up when he is at his best. He shoots a lot of threes and floaters and plays with a high pace. He started his sophomore year playing for Mountain View but to my knowledge he is transferring to Hanks. I believe the move will only be beneficial for the sophomore guard as his game is in much need of a program that knows how to develop talent. The program at Hanks should do wonders for the talented Saucedo.
8: Josh Pichardo
8: Josh Pichardo
At times was the third best players on an Americas team that won a share of the 6A title and 29 games. Pichardo was fourth on the team in scoring behind three seniors and their second best 3-point shooter. Americas is graduating their three best players this season. Naturally, Pichardo’s role and much needed outside shot will be key for the Trail Blazers going forward.
7: Xzavier Stewart
7: Xzavier Stewart
Another young Chapin prospect with tremendous upside and a soon to be expanded role. Stewart is one of many talented guards the Huskies can deploy on any given night. However, Chapin is losing invaluable wing depth this season and I foresee Stewart as a natural replacement at the two or three. Currently, he comes off the bench, providing defensive energy and ball handling when needed. By his senior year, I expect him to be one of the top wings in the Borderland.
6: Carmello Jackson-Hayward
6: Carmello Jackson-Hayward
Jackson-Hayward is a tough prospect to evaluate because injuries plagued what should have been a breakout sophomore year. However, injured or not, the sophomore big man has tremendous upside and a 6-6 frame that he is still growing in to. Andress boasts a lot of talent at the forward and center positions, so it will be interesting to see how he is deployed next season. Nevertheless, he is someone to keep track of over these next two years.
5: Braeden Quigley
5: Braeden Quigley
One of the best rebounders in all of 6A and doing it as a sophomore. Quigley is another prospect with the potential to be one of the elite players in El Paso by his senior year. He has good height and athletic ability that projects well to the next level if he continues to develop the prerequisite skills. Eastlake is losing three high level starters this season. Thus, Quigley will have the opportunity to step into a much bigger role from an offensive perspective in his junior year.
4: Jovanni Ortiz
4: Jovanni Ortiz
An athletic wing with good height who has the potential to blossom into a legitimate scoring threat. Canutillo was a score by committee team this season, not overly relying on one player to get it done. That said, Ortiz was one of those players who, from time to time, could get the Eagles a bucket if needed. With Canutillo graduating three key players this season, I expect Ortiz to have a breakout junior season.
3: Jacob Garcia
3: Jacob Garcia
Very few sophomores can say they have impacted winning as much as Jacob Garcia. The sophomore guard plays serious minutes on one of the best teams in the state of Texas. Furthermore, he plays ahead of juniors and seniors on a loaded Chapin squad. Garcia doesn’t excel at one thing in particular but is a reliable bench scorer, ball handler, and playmaker. His role is only going to get bigger next season, so expect to hear more of the name Jacob Garcia.
2: Johan Camacho Johan Camacho 6'3" | C El Paso Bowie | 2026 TX
2: Johan Camacho Johan Camacho 6'3" | C El Paso Bowie | 2026 TX
A physically imposing player with high level production for the best 4A team in El Paso. Camacho is a dual sport athlete with a football player’s frame but has the prerequisite skills to succeed on the basketball court. Few if any players in the Borderland can match Camacho’s physicality, let alone any sophomores. The Bowie big man was a walking double-double this season and only projects to get better with two years of eligibility remaining.
1: Anthony Rubio Anthony Rubio 6'3" | SF El Paso Burges | 2026 TX
1: Anthony Rubio Anthony Rubio 6'3" | SF El Paso Burges | 2026 TX
From a scoring perspective, Anthony Rubio Anthony Rubio 6’3″ | SF El Paso Burges | 2026 TX has more upside than any player I have scouted these past four months. The reasons being: he’s a 6-3 sophomore with legitimate three level scoring. As a sophomore, he’s already one of the more polished scorers in the Borderland. Plus, he has proven to be an effective shot blocker when challenged. If his game continues to develop, he will have a chance to be the top recruit from this region in 2026.