Which 2027 talents are set to shine this spring?
In this article:
One of the things I love about Texas basketball is the immense amount of talent there is out there. We’re seeing players get better and better at younger ages and develop quicker than ever before. Below are a handful of…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOne of the things I love about Texas basketball is the immense amount of talent there is out there. We’re seeing players get better and better at younger ages and develop quicker than ever before. Below are a handful of freshman guards and forwards with incredible potential to watch.
Sakai Briggs
Sakai Briggs
Sakai is dangerous because he can spot up and drain the open three on his opponents and the next play down, he can beat a full court press with his elite ballhandling skills and beat them in the paint. He’s a multiple-sport athlete and his speed is a big reason why. You have to stay on your defensive game at all times if you’re guarding him, because if you miss even half a step, he’ll have you beat before you realize it. He has great court vision and can find his open teammates when he’s doubled and he has no issue driving in either direction. Package those offensive skills with his pure hustle on defense and Briggs is showing that his potential is sky high.
DiAris Anderson
DiAris Anderson
DiAris is an incredibly versatile and intelligent player. He possesses a lot of confidence for his young age and he will absolutely make you pay without hesitation if you leave him open for a second. He can go right, he can drive left, and if you actually manage to shut that down successfully, he’ll just use his basketball IQ and elite court vision to get it to a teammate with the best shot opportunity. He’s great at causing fits for his defenders. He’s got the ballhandling ability to calmly work his way out of traps and make the best decision on what to do next in an instant. He uses his vision and length on defense by picking cross-court passes and anticipating his opponent’s next move before they make it. Anderson is one of the smartest 2027 players I’ve seen and you can tell he puts in the work regardless of how bright the lights are. He’s steadily improving his game in the right ways and if he keeps this up and stays consistent, his potential is going to be through the roof.
Brody Stewart
Brody Stewart
Need a knock-down sharpshooter for your squad? Look no further than Stewart. He’s an absolute sniper from the arc and knows how to get open and find his spots. Even against good defense, hands in the face don’t seem to bother him or affect his jumper in the slightest. If you go for his pump fake, he’s got a quick first step to make his way to an easy bucket in the paint. He clearly demonstrates the common phrase, “that was good defense, but better offense”. He can finish successfully on the break and he consistently finds his teammates well. His enthusiasm for the game is obvious and infectious and I love seeing that in players so young. He lifts up his teammates when they succeed and you really can’t help but enjoy the game when he’s out on the court. A pleasure to watch and a must-have guy for a winning team.
I love Cain’s game because he has the hops and natural ability to put on an absolute show offensively, but that’s not the peak of his talent. His defense is tenacious and you can tell he puts in a lot of work on that side of the ball. That will pay off in volumes down the road because it’s exactly what coaches look for when scouring athletes to add to their squad. He’s the kind of player that can help transform a good team to a great team. He does all the little things right – hustling back on D, challenging every shot, effectively swiping for steals without fouling, being the first to loose balls. A player that does all this without an ego and pairs that with star potential on the offensive end is going to garner massive attention.
Mason Carlino
Mason Carlino
Though he’s talented in multiple areas, my favorite part of Mason’s game is his beautiful passing ability. He makes his teammates better, simple as that. Full-court heaves, half-court lasers, and quick dishes off the drive – this guy can do it all. He’s surprisingly imposing on defense despite a thinner stature. If you’re not careful in the paint when he’s lurking, he will absolutely send your shot to the rafters. He has quick hands and his court awareness is off the charts. He pairs those skills with impressive three-point shooting and the ability to drive both ways and easily finish with either hand to round out his game very nicely. Carlino has massive potential and is one to keep tabs on as he continues to get even better.