Texas Gold Rush | 2026 Small Forwards

Texas high school basketball is in the midst of a transformative era. With an ever-growing talent pool, the Lone Star State is producing prospects that are catching the eye of college coaches across the nation. Despite some top players transferring to out-of-state prep programs to chase opportunities on a national stage, Texas continues to be a powerhouse for homegrown talent. This movement of players hasn't diminished the state's reputation, but rather, it has highlighted just how deep the talent pool remains. In fact, Prep Hoops recently updated their database with over 4,000 Texas prospects, showcasing the unmatched wealth of basketball talent that still resides here.   If you've been sleeping under a rock, you may have missed the buzz surrounding some of Texas' top prospects transferring out of state to explore opportunities on a national schedule. Over the past few months, at least 20 top prospects from the 2026 and 2025 classes have made the jump to prep programs outside of Texas. While such a trend might drastically impact the recruiting climate in other states, that's definitely not the case in the largest state in America. Texas continues to not only showcase but also develop one of the richest talent pools in the country, and college coaches would be wise to continue exploring and prioritizing Texas prospects due to the immense depth here.   One major misconception about Texas high school basketball prospects is that the state only produces athletic players with raw talent. This couldn't be further from the truth. While athleticism remains a key focus, Texas is now producing some of the most skilled and complete players on the national stage. These players are no longer just athletic but are also showcasing well-rounded games with an improved basketball IQ. Over the last few months, I've spent more than 100 hours in training sessions with some of the state's top trainers, including Trey Slate, Bret Michael, Tyler Relph, and Justin Lovvorn, among others. These trainers are working diligently to ensure that college coaches are recruiting prospects who are not only athletic but also highly skilled and possess a deep understanding of the game. Texas basketball is evolving, and it's evident that the state's prospects are ready to compete at the highest levels.   To truly grasp the level of talent Texas continues to produce, it's important to highlight the prospects who have chosen to remain in-state. These players, staying loyal to their high school programs, are showcasing elite skill sets and a basketball IQ that sets them apart on the national stage. From dynamic scorers and skilled playmakers to lockdown defenders, Texas is brimming with prospects ready to make an immediate impact at the next level. Let's dive into some of the top names in the 2026 class who are still competing within the state's borders and why they're drawing attention from college coaches across the country.    [player_tooltip player_id='1569945' first='Austin' last='Goosby'] is a versatile wing with the ability to score from all three levels. His blend of athleticism and size allows him to finish strong at the rim while also being a reliable shooter from beyond the arc. Defensively, Goosby uses his length to disrupt passing lanes and block shots, making him a two-way threat. His court vision and ability to create for teammates add to his well-rounded game, making him a key asset for any team.   Translatable Skills ✅ Scoring Versatility ✅ Defensive Presence ✅ Playmaking     [player_tooltip player_id='1590876' first='Antoine' last='Almuttar'] is a high-motor forward with great athleticism and an ability to get to the rim with ease. He excels in transition, using his speed and physicality to finish at the basket. His defensive intensity, especially on the perimeter, makes him a tough matchup for any opposing player. Almuttar is also improving his outside shot, making him an all-around offensive weapon.   Translatable Skills ✅ Transition Scoring ✅ Perimeter Defense ✅ Athleticism     [player_tooltip player_id='1593894' first='Mayson' last='Thomas'] is a smooth, skilled forward who plays with a high basketball IQ. His ability to shoot from deep and his mid-range game make him a consistent scoring option. Thomas is also a strong rebounder, using his size to dominate the boards on both ends. Defensively, he's versatile enough to guard multiple positions, which adds tremendous value to his overall game.   Translatable Skills ✅ Shooting ✅ Rebounding ✅ Versatility     [player_tooltip player_id='1590875' first='Armon' last='Almuttar'] is a physical, hard-nosed forward who excels in attacking the rim. He's a solid finisher in traffic and uses his strength to overpower defenders. Armon's defensive prowess shines with his ability to guard multiple positions and switch seamlessly on screens. His energy and toughness make him a key contributor on both ends of the court.   Translatable Skills ✅ Finishing ✅ Defensive Versatility ✅ Toughness     [player_tooltip player_id='1225571' first='Austin' last='Senters'] brings a versatile offensive game to the table with his ability to score from anywhere on the court. He has a solid outside shot, and his footwork in the post allows him to finish over defenders. Senters also contributes on the boards, using his size and positioning to secure key rebounds. His defensive effort and work ethic make him a valuable two-way player.   Translatable Skills ✅ Shooting ✅ Post Moves ✅ Rebounding     [player_tooltip player_id='2077360' first='Sawyer' last='Dotson'] is a lengthy, athletic forward who can stretch the floor with his shooting ability. His range extends beyond the 3-point line, making him a tough cover for traditional big men. Dotson also uses his length to be an effective shot blocker and rebounder. His upside is significant as he continues to refine his offensive skills.   Translatable Skills ✅ Shooting ✅ Shot Blocking ✅ Stretch Four Potential     [player_tooltip player_id='1593895' first='Luke' last='Susko'] is an athletic wing with a strong motor and the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. He's a solid defender who uses his length to contest shots and disrupt opponents. Offensively, Susko is effective driving to the basket, and his mid-range jumper is reliable. His energy and effort on the court make him a difference-maker.   Translatable Skills ✅ Defense ✅ Mid-Range Scoring ✅ Energy     [player_tooltip player_id='1569948' first='Sibu' last='Socks'] is a versatile forward who excels at using his physicality to create mismatches. He's a relentless rebounder and finisher around the rim, using his strength to overpower defenders. Socks is also a capable defender, especially when switching onto smaller players. His effort and intensity are unmatched, making him a key contributor on both ends of the floor.   Translatable Skills ✅ Rebounding ✅ Finishing ✅ Defensive Intensity     [player_tooltip player_id='2382175' first='Xavier' last=''] Roberson is a dynamic forward who brings a well-rounded skill set to the court. He's an efficient scorer, capable of hitting from deep and finishing inside. Defensively, Roberson uses his length and athleticism to guard multiple positions effectively. His ability to impact the game in various ways makes him a valuable asset to any team.   Translatable Skills ✅ Scoring Versatility ✅ Perimeter Defense ✅ Athleticism        <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Here are a few Stock Risers for College Coaches to Radar</h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='1590878' first='Jaden' last='Marshall'] is a long, athletic wing with a versatile offensive game. His ability to shoot from the outside and attack the rim makes him a constant scoring threat. Marshall is also a solid defender, capable of guarding multiple positions with his length and lateral quickness. His high basketball IQ and court awareness make him a key asset on both ends of the floor.   Translatable Skills ✅ Scoring Versatility ✅ Defensive Length ✅ Basketball IQ     [player_tooltip player_id='2453463' first='Keshawn' last='Myles'] is a physical forward who thrives in transition and around the rim. He's a strong finisher, capable of absorbing contact and scoring through defenders. Defensively, Myles brings toughness and energy, using his strength to guard bigger players and his quickness to defend on the perimeter. His hustle and work ethic make him a game-changer on both ends of the court.   Translatable Skills ✅ Finishing ✅ Perimeter Defense ✅ Toughness     [player_tooltip player_id='1778910' first='Jalon' last='Brown'] is an explosive wing with a natural scoring touch. He's effective both inside and out, using his quickness to get past defenders and his shooting ability to stretch the floor. Brown's defensive intensity makes him a reliable option on both ends, and he's known for his ability to guard multiple positions. His all-around game makes him a key prospect to watch.   Translatable Skills ✅ Scoring ✅ Perimeter Defense ✅ Quickness     [player_tooltip player_id='2422653' first='Kai' last='Johnson'] is a versatile forward who can score from anywhere on the court. He uses his size and length to dominate in the paint, while his developing perimeter game makes him a dual threat. Johnson's defensive skills are solid, as he uses his agility to guard both wings and forwards effectively. His upside is high as he continues to refine his all-around game.   Translatable Skills ✅ Interior Scoring ✅ Versatility ✅ Defensive Potential     [player_tooltip player_id='2077351' first='Wesley' last='Wake'] is a skilled forward with a smooth shooting stroke and the ability to stretch the floor. His height allows him to shoot over defenders with ease, and he's also a strong rebounder on both ends. Wake's defensive potential is significant due to his length and mobility, making him a tough matchup for opposing players. His combination of shooting and size makes him a valuable asset.   Translatable Skills ✅ Shooting ✅ Rebounding ✅ Defensive Potential     [player_tooltip player_id='1560935' first='Will' last='Saunders'] is a high-IQ forward who excels at making smart plays and contributing on both ends of the court. He's a consistent shooter with range, and his ability to make quick decisions with the ball makes him an effective offensive player. Defensively, Saunders uses his size and awareness to guard multiple positions and disrupt opponents. His versatility and basketball smarts set him apart.   Translatable Skills ✅ Shooting ✅ Basketball IQ ✅ Defensive Versatility

Texas high school basketball is in the midst of a transformative era. With an ever-growing talent pool, the Lone Star State is producing prospects that are catching the eye of college coaches across the nation. Despite some top players transferring to out-of-state prep programs to chase opportunities on a national stage, Texas continues to be a powerhouse for homegrown talent. This movement of players hasn't diminished the state's reputation, but rather, it has highlighted just how deep the talent pool remains. In fact, Prep Hoops recently updated their database with over 4,000 Texas prospects, showcasing the unmatched wealth of basketball talent that still resides here.