The Texas Gold Rush | 2026 Shooting Guards

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.    Dakari is a pure scoring guard with elite 3-point range and an advanced offensive arsenal. He can score off the dribble or on a catch-and-shoot, creating havoc for defenders. His defensive tenacity adds to his overall impact, making him a well-rounded prospect with high upside.   Translatable Skills ✅ 3PT Shooting ✅ Catch & Shoot ✅ Perimeter Defense     [player_tooltip player_id='1560944' first='Bo' last='Ogden'] is a versatile wing with size and a lethal 3-point shot. His height allows him to shoot over defenders, and he has excellent court awareness, making smart plays. Defensively, he uses his length to disrupt passing lanes and defend multiple positions.   Translatable Skills ✅ 3PT Shooting ✅ Versatile Defense ✅ Basketball IQ     [player_tooltip player_id='1593831' first='Christian' last='Gibson'] is a high-motor guard with a knack for scoring. He excels in transition and can knock down shots from deep, making him a constant offensive threat. His agility and hustle make him a standout on both ends of the floor.   Translatable Skills ✅ 3PT Shooting ✅ Transition Offense ✅ Agility     [player_tooltip player_id='1590879' first='Bryce' last='Dixon'] is an explosive scorer who thrives in both transition and half-court settings. His ability to shoot off the dribble, finish above the rim and create his own shot sets him apart from his peers. Defensively, he uses his quickness and elite motor to lock down opposing guards.   Translatable Skills ✅ Dribble Pull-Up ✅ Perimeter Defense ✅ Shot Creation     [player_tooltip player_id='1424792' first='Silas' last='Rodriguez'] is a sharpshooter with deep range and a quick release. He moves well without the ball, constantly finding open spaces to shoot. His size and shooting ability make him a dangerous threat on the perimeter.   Translatable Skills ✅ Catch & Shoot ✅ 3PT Shooting ✅ Off-Ball Movement     [player_tooltip player_id='1593892' first='Donovan' last='Criss'] is a smooth-scoring guard with excellent size and finishing ability at the rim. His versatility allows him to score in a variety of ways, including from mid-range and deep. He's also a capable defender, using his length to challenge shots.   Translatable Skills ✅ Finishing ✅ Mid-Range Game ✅ Versatile Defense       Jayden is a long, athletic guard who can fill it up from all three levels. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting makes him a valuable asset in any offensive system. He also contributes on the boards and can guard multiple positions.   Translatable Skills ✅ Shooting ✅ Length ✅ Rebounding     [player_tooltip player_id='1778923' first='J'Den' last='Shields'] is a powerful guard with an explosive first step. He's a tough matchup on the perimeter, as he can drive to the rim or knock down shots from range. His defensive intensity sets the tone for his team, making him a valuable two-way player.   Translatable Skills ✅ Perimeter Defense ✅ Shot Creation ✅ First Step       [player_tooltip player_id='1592889' first='Trae' last='Nunn'] is a skilled shooter with a high basketball IQ. His ability to make smart decisions and play within the flow of the game makes him an invaluable teammate. Defensively, he can guard both wings and bigger guards effectively.   Translatable Skills ✅ IQ and Decision Making ✅ Catch & Shoot ✅ Versatility     [player_tooltip player_id='1779015' first='Caden' last='Deffebaugh'] is a guard who combines shooting touch with impressive athleticism. He excels in transition, where his speed and agility shine, and is a threat to pull up from deep or attack the rim. His shooting and athleticism make him a dual threat.   Translatable Skills ✅ Shooting ✅ Athleticism ✅ Transition Scoring    <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Here are shooting guard "Stock Risers" that college coaches need to have on their radar. </h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='2453368' first='Jirehn' last='Mitchell'] is a well rounded athlete with a potent scoring ability, especially from deep. His combination of speed and agility allows him to create separation on the perimeter, and he's a deadly catch-and-shoot threat. On the defensive side, he brings intensity and can lock down opposing guards with his strong lateral movement and quick hands. His ability to both shoot the 3 and defend at a high level makes him a valuable two-way prospect.   Translatable Skills ✅ 3PT Shooting ✅ Catch & Shoot ✅ Perimeter Defense     [player_tooltip player_id='1583467' first='Aziz' last='Olajuwon'] is a well-rounded guard with an impressive blend of size, athleticism, and skill. He's a natural scorer who can drain shots from deep and excels in the mid-range with a smooth dribble pull-up. His defensive potential is equally strong, using his size and lateral quickness to guard multiple positions. Aziz thrives in transition and can create his own shot while also facilitating for his teammates. His all-around game and high basketball IQ make him one of the premier prospects in the 2026 class.   Translatable Skills ✅ Dribble Pull-Up ✅ 3PT Shooting ✅ Perimeter Defense     [player_tooltip player_id='1593785' first='Caleb' last='Richard'] is a dynamic scorer with a well-rounded offensive game. He has a smooth shooting stroke, excelling in both catch-and-shoot situations and off the dribble. His athleticism allows him to be effective in transition, while his defensive presence is strong on the perimeter. Caleb's high basketball IQ and ability to create for teammates make him an asset to any team.   Translatable Skills ✅ Catch & Shoot ✅ 3PT Shooting ✅ Basketball IQ     [player_tooltip player_id='2233735' first='Justin' last='Fern'] is a versatile guard who excels as a shooter and defender. His quick release from deep makes him a constant threat, and he's effective both as a catch-and-shoot option and creating his own looks. On defense, he brings intensity and can match up against bigger guards.   Translatable Skills ✅ 3PT Shooting ✅ Catch & Shoot ✅ Defensive Versatility     [player_tooltip player_id='1598291' first='Brandon' last='Stephens'] combines size with athleticism, giving him an edge both offensively and defensively. He can shoot over smaller defenders, hit shots from deep, and finish through contact at the rim. His defensive ability allows him to guard multiple positions, adding versatility to his game.   Translatable Skills ✅ Size & Athleticism ✅ Finishing at the Rim ✅ Defensive Versatility     [player_tooltip player_id='1583464' first='Te'Zhan' last='Francois'] is an aggressive guard who thrives in one-on-one situations. He has a reliable jumper from mid-range and deep and is adept at creating his own shot. His defensive intensity makes him a solid perimeter defender, and his motor is always running.   Translatable Skills ✅ Shot Creation ✅ Perimeter Defense ✅ 3PT Shooting       [player_tooltip player_id='2286312' first='Braidon' last='Kellum'] is a high-energy player with a strong ability to finish at the rim. He uses his quickness to beat defenders off the dribble and finish with authority. His defensive skills are solid, particularly his ability to disrupt passing lanes and create turnovers.   Translatable Skills ✅ Finishing ✅ Quickness ✅ Transition Offense     [player_tooltip player_id='2241514' first='Luke' last='Garrison'] is a sharpshooter with a deadly accurate 3-point shot. His ability to space the floor makes him invaluable in any offensive system. Defensively, he's active and uses his high IQ to stay in front of his man and contest shots.   Translatable Skills ✅ 3PT Shooting ✅ Off-Ball Movement ✅ Defensive IQ     [player_tooltip player_id='1560924' first='Logan' last='Gonzalez'] is a smooth, polished guard who excels in all facets of the game. His shooting is consistent from all three levels, and he's equally comfortable driving to the rim or pulling up from deep. His basketball IQ and poise make him a strong decision-maker, and his defensive toughness rounds out his game.   Translatable Skills ✅ Scoring Versatility ✅ Basketball IQ ✅ Perimeter Defense

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.