2028s to Keep Eyes On, Pt.1

One of the most exciting things about what we do is that while we're seeing seasoned high school players we've followed and covered get offers and move forward to their college careers, a plethora of young talent is entering the conversation every single year and I think it's particularly fruitful in Texas. Below are a handful of players that are on their way to impressive high school careers.    Brandon is a long, versatile small forward with one of the prettiest floaters you'll see when he drives the lane. He has a shooter's touch, which is made incredibly apparent when he catches fire beyond the arc or when he persuades the rim to be unbelievably forgiving as he floats it above the toughest of his defenders. He's a walking bucket that can rack up points for his squad in a hurry and he stays active on the glass on both ends of the floor, often leading to second-chance opportunities and extra points for his team. He's a great decision maker on the fast break and he never shies away from contact - he actually seems to prefer it and is skilled at finishing through the foul. I expect Watts to make a ton of noise going forward and I'm looking forward to seeing it.     Isaiah is a quick, clever combo guard with handles for days that can break the sturdiest of ankles. He's tenacious on both ends of the floor and he always brings the energy to every play. He's a gamechanger for his squad - one of those players with the ability to motivate his entire team with the level of his effort and hustle. I love his patience - often passing up his first and second chances to put it up in order to use his elite footwork and work himself into a much higher-percentage opportunity. He's skilled at snatching the ball from his opponent without fouling and can be a sprightly menace on the defensive end. He's vocal on the floor with a great passing ability and he always finds a way to lift his teammates up. Looking forward to seeing plenty more of Robinson's play.     Shawn is a versatile, gritty player that can fill up the stat sheet in multiple areas and make a huge impact on defense for his squad. He can knock it down from beyond the arc and he knows how to get to his spots and stay ready at all times. He has no fear, often finishing through contact and being the first one in the mix for loose balls and challenging rebounds. He has an incredibly quick release on his jumper that he'll utilize in an instant if his defender decides to give him any amount of space. He's an impact player - one that can change the momentum for his squad and lead by example. I expect Hall to continue getting better and better and to keep ascending throughout his high school career.     Blaize is an incredibly well-rounded combo guard with a beautiful jumper and an impressive ability to shake his defenders on the drive. He drives the lane with a ferocity and knows how to draw contact and finish through the foul when his defenders take the bait. He can light it up from the three-point line and he doesn't lack confidence - never hesitates when he's got a good look, he capitalizes. I love the way Wilson plays defense. He overwhelms his opponent, clinging to them like ivy and never losing a step - always stays in front of his man. When the opposing team catches some momentum on the drive or fast break, he puts his body on the line for his team - racking up charges and gaining extra possessions for his squad left and right. Wilson is going to turn more and more heads as his high school career continues and I'm excited to see it.     Daniel is a speedy, smart combo guard that drives the lane with no fear and is constantly setting his teammates up for success. One thing I love about his game is that despite being a good shooter, he doesn't often settle for the three. He'll pump fake his opponent and work his way into a much higher-percentage shot in the paint, sometimes even finishing through contact and getting extra trips to the free throw line. His awareness on both ends is off the charts, especially for his young age. He's got nice footwork and solid ballhandling skills that he uses to consistently get himself the best look at the basket available. You don't see many players today that will pass on a decent look beyond the arc for a wide open mid-range jumper, but Mapp is one of them and I love it.

One of the most exciting things about what we do is that while we're seeing seasoned high school players we've followed and covered get offers and move forward to their college careers, a plethora of young talent is entering the conversation every single year and I think it's particularly fruitful in Texas. Below are a handful of players that are on their way to impressive high school careers.