Central Texas Hidden Gems

The Hill Country portion of the Lone Star State is brimming with talent, so much that not every player you come across is going to be ranked when they probably would be in smaller states. Below are some players that demonstrate that overflowing talent and are on the rise with their performance this season.    Jack is a shifty, versatile point guard that certainly won't stay hidden for long. He oozes talent on the court and can be considered a walking bucket with his elite ballhandling and ability to create for himself off the dribble. He went for 49 points last night and that's not a one-off performance, his game is absolutely legitimate. His release on his jumper is lightning quick, making it tough for his opponents to block anything. He's not afraid to get physical and often is successful at finishing at the rim through contact. He takes long strides on his drives and can gather near the free throw line and lay it up with ease going up and around his defenders. His court vision and IQ are outstanding with how frequently he identifies the thinnest of lanes to get buckets with and capitalizes. He an catch fire beyond the arc and torture his defenders with bucket after bucket when he's feeling it. Jude is one that's already making a name for himself and he's only going to get bigger from here.     Christian is a talented, sharpshooting combo guard that can light it up from three if you slack on defense for a millisecond. He moves incredibly well without the ball and knows how to get to his favorite spots on the floor with ease. He's got a nice elevation on his jumper, making him difficult to block or even disturb on his shots. He's also lengthy with an impressive wingspan, so you can toss him the ball in spots that other players may not necessarily be able to get to. He's a confident shooter - if he has an opening, he's going to take it and sink it more times than not. He has a keen eye as a passer and is skilled at identifying his cutters and getting them the ball in spots where they simply can't be denied. He'll also bang bodies in the paint and finish through contact if that's what the defense is giving him. McKinney has a bright future and he's a winning player that can bring a significant positive impact to any squad.     Legend is a skilled marksman of a guard that can beat his opponents in multiple ways. If you give him any sort of space, he'll pull up and sink the jumper from mid-range or beyond the arc before his defender realizes what happened. If you decide to play him close, he can dribble circles around you or use his elite vision and passing ability to rocket it to a streaking teammate for an easy opportunity at the rim. His confidence is unbreakable and you can feel that when you watch him. He never hangs his head after a mistake or miss - it's always on to the next play, learn and get better. He never takes a play off either, you can tell how much he loves being out on the hardwood and doesn't take it for granted for a second. Henderson is making major waves in his senior year and he's a huge difference-maker for any squad he's on.     Eli is a quick, smooth combo guard with an ability to take advantage of his opposition in a multitude of ways. He's a flat-out hustler and seems to be involved in every single play - somehow all over the court at once. He's a disruptor on defense, reading his opponent's next move and picking their passing lanes or sending their shot attempts to the moon. He's silky from beyond the arc, with a pretty jumper that's well acquainted with only the net. He uses his peripheral vision phenomenally on the break, often rewarding his teammates that are quick enough to hang with him. He always sticks with the play and often gets second and third attempts off the glass to rack up extra points for his team. His passing ability is absolutely elite: cross-court, full court, lobs, no-look - you name it, he can do it with style and accuracy. He's fantastic at getting out of jams and has an uncanny ability to stay calm under pressure in order to do so. Jones is having a stellar senior year and he's a gamechanger for any team he's on.     Andre is a speedy, collected combo guard that can make his opponent's night absolutely miserable with his plethora of talent. He's patient on the floor and never shaken, always figuring it out as he goes and enjoying the process along the way. He can create shots for others or himself with ease and if he sees a navigable lane to the hoop, he has impressive burst that will propel him there before his defender has time to respond. He's a confident shooter with nice form and a solid fadeaway. He never shies away from contact and often takes advantage of it by finishing at the rim and the free throw line. He cleans the glass effectively on both ends and is always active - never standing around or taking plays off. Jones Jr. is a special player, and more and more are taking notice. That attention will only increase from here.

The Hill Country portion of the Lone Star State is brimming with talent, so much that not every player you come across is going to be ranked when they probably would be in smaller states. Below are some players that demonstrate that overflowing talent and are on the rise with their performance this season.