Stars in their Roles: Borderland Bigs

As boys' high school basketball is set to tip off in El Paso this Friday and basketball in Southern New Mexico is set for next month, it's time to talk about some prospects who do not get enough love. I am referring to the role players, underappreciated starters, bench units, or players from lower-level districts or teams that do not get enough coverage. This story will be part of a three-part series breaking down the underrated prospects at the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/11/stars-in-their-roles-borderland-guards/">guard</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/11/stars-in-their-roles-boderland-wings/">wing</a>, and big positions. Here are some Borderland bigs from El Paso, Texas to Las Cruces, New Mexico who will star in their role this season.    [player_tooltip player_id='2555159' first='Santiago' last='Gaytan'] is a first-year varsity player with a lot of buzz. He brings a much-needed inside presence to a Franklin boys team that was highly dependent on their guard/wing play last season and he is not lacking in height. Standing at 6-6, he's automatically one of the bigger centers the Borderland has to offer. That said, he brings more to the game than his height, he's a solid athlete who can run the floor and block shots. Since it is his first season in varsity, there will be some growing pains. Nevertheless, Gaytan will be a valuable addition to a Franklin squad that hasn't finished lower than second in 1-6A district play in nearly four years.     Playing last season with one of the better Bigs in the Borderland, it was easy to miss [player_tooltip player_id='2700042' first='Sebastian' last='Gutierrez']. Now entering his junior year, Gutierrez should step into a more prominent role for the Rams. At 6-4, he's a solid rim-protecting center who can play physically, boxes out, and is an above-average rebounder for the area. If his offensive game continues to progress over the next two seasons, Gutierrez will be one of the better 2026 prospects this area has to offer come graduation.     He might play for a private school that doesn't have the greatest strength of schedule, but [player_tooltip player_id='2628394' first='Noah' last='Ayala'] can play. He's most impactful on the offensive end, where his height and frame allow him to take and make most shots within 12 feet. He doesn't use any traditional back-to-the-basket post moves, but he is a comfortable mid-range shooter who can fill it up. Last season for the Warriors, Ayala averaged 9.3 ppg, 9.1 rpg, and 1.6 bpg. He's part of a team that is returning their top core players, so Ayala and Immanuel Christian should have a big 2024-25 season. Do not sleep on this private school team.     Last season, Organ Mountain arguably had the best Big in the Borderland, and from a production standpoint that was indisputable. Now, senior [player_tooltip player_id='2684180' first='Ethan' last='Pack'] will have an opportunity to shine with some significant roster talent turnover and a new head coach coming into the fold. Pack makes the most sense at the power forward position but will probably line up at the five for the Knights. That said, he's not a traditional back-to-the-basket big who just protects the rim on the other end. This kid is an athlete who can defend on the perimeter and runs the floor like a wing. Moreover, if he gets the opportunity to play collegiately he makes more sense as a wing than he does playing at the four or five position. Last season, he appeared in all but one of Organ Mountain's 31 contests, averaging 4.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 1.1 spg. He will more than likely double those averages this season.     When you think about the traditional skill sets of a Big, [player_tooltip player_id='2555155' first='Lenni' last='Oggs'] fits that mold as well as anyone on this list. He's comfortable posting up and does a good job of gaining deep post position with a height and frame that lends itself to consistent finishes within six feet. Defensively, he rebounds well and plays with high hands as a rim protector. Additionally, he's shown some flashes as a good passer out of the post, finding cutters and shooters coming off screens on weakside actions. Andress has a trio of Bigs with varying skill sets and it will be interesting to see how they mesh together. Moreover, if they can share the floor at the same this season, they will be a tough matchup. Whether Oggs is starting or coming off the bench, he is one of the better interior prospects the Borderland has to offer and will continue to show that over the next two seasons.

As boys' high school basketball is set to tip off in El Paso this Friday and basketball in Southern New Mexico is set for next month, it's time to talk about some prospects who do not get enough love. I am referring to the role players, underappreciated starters, bench units, or players from lower-level districts or teams that do not get enough coverage. This story will be part of a three-part series breaking down the underrated prospects at the guard, wing, and big positions. Here are some Borderland bigs from El Paso, Texas to Las Cruces, New Mexico who will star in their role this season.