Players to Track in 2026

As basketball season hits its stride, a new year comes into play paired with fresh goals and reflective perspectives for many. There's so much talent in Texas, and I'm expecting big things from the student athletes below in 2026.    Hashim is a quick, sharpshooting guard that continues to impress with a strong start to his senior season. He can light it up behind the three-point line and has no problems creating space for himself with his elite footwork and ballhandling ability. He has a long frame that he uses to his advantage on drives to the rim to get shots off the glass easily up and over his defenders. He's dangerous on the drive in either direction - often blowing by defenders or elevating over them for a wide-open look. He's a nightmare for his opponents because he has the IQ to take what he's given and capitalize - you play him too close; you get left in the dust, if you give him space, he'll sink it on you more times than not. His length comes in handy when defending the paint as well. He loves seizing any opportunity for a chase-down block that sends the ball flying into oblivion.     Kenneth is a fearless two-way guard that does it all on both sides of the court. He's the kind of player coaches love because he'll fill out the stat sheet making winning plays and handle the dirty work as well. He has the best hands I've seen in recent months and can pick the pockets of even the most elite offensive playmakers. His defense is tenacious and so incredibly fun to watch. His speed is impressive, so once he gets the steal it's highly unlikely anyone is going to stop him from getting a bucket on the fast break. His shooting range extends well beyond the arc, and he has a nice ability to create his own shots when needed. I'm surprised Mitchell has flown under the radar as much as he has and I think he's going to have a HUGE 2026.     Andrew is a big that can stretch the floor with his impressive shooting ability and dominate the paint down low with his length and IQ. He leaves his defenders in shambles by making them guard the arc which opens up wide driving lanes for his teammates. He runs the fast break effectively and is a strong finisher at the rim. His patience and footwork are some of the strongest parts of his game - he doesn't ever seem rushed - always working his way into the best shot or pass available. He's an absolute beast on the glass on both ends, which makes him a walking double-double on a nightly basis with his offensive abilities. It's not often you see bigs with the finesse and touch that he has on his shots, and I believe the eyes on him will significantly increase in '26.     Taureon is a gritty, tough guard that is excellent at finishing through contact, and he shies away from no one. His ability to maneuver his body while airborne is impressive and often gets him easy looks that many less athletic players will never see. He has great vision and isn't afraid to lead the charge for his teammates. He makes them better with his passing skills and his ability to quickly identify rapidly developing opportunities. He's no slouch on defense either and his opponents should be wary of making any kind of cross-court pass attempt near him. He recognizes that vulnerability QUICK and picks those passes similarly to an elite cornerback heading the other way to the end zone. He's passionate on both ends of the floor and can be a massive spark of energy for his squad when they need a run or a momentum shift.     Nathaniel is a shifty, smart guard that is a nightmare to cover for his opponents. He uses his body well to create space and isn't afraid of any sort of contact if it leads to a winning play. His impressive ballhandling leaves his defenders dizzy and he has a nice shooting ability that extends beyond downtown. His crossover is lethal and he's fantastic at finding his bigs on the drive for wide open buckets at the rim. He's a true two-way guard with the way he hustles on the defensive end. He has great hands which lead to easy steals from lazy ballhandlers and he can rise up and block a shot to the moon when trailing in the paint. He's strong on the glass on both ends, especially for a guard, and his patience consistently allows him to identify the best shot or pass available offensively.

As basketball season hits its stride, a new year comes into play paired with fresh goals and reflective perspectives for many. There's so much talent in Texas, and I'm expecting big things from the student athletes below in 2026.