HTX Class of 2026 Impact Players to Watch This Year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There has been a lot of 2025 hoopers to watch on the Greater Houston high school scene this year as the season is almost upon us, but let's not forget about the 2026 class that has been steadily improving every year. They are coming into the school year with a lot to prove and will have a lot of key standouts for who to watch, but let's take a look at some athletes I will be keyed in on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2077351"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa0ae67b26b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wesley is a big time, versatile scorer who can take his game to the post or the perimeter. In the paint, he uses his length and athleticism to finish over the top of defenders and he can shoot from deep range to score as well. He has great transition speed going up and down the floor as well as scoring at an efficient clip. Look for Wesley to make a lot of noise this year as Barbers Hill looks for a district crown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2556062"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2419916,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa0ae67b30f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shia is one of the bounciest 2026 athletes I have watched in the city of Houston, and he has improved his game a lot since last summer with Texas Takeover. He continues to fly high above the rim on both sides of the ball, soaring up for blocks on defense and getting himself open to the rim on offense. Francis knows when to cut and when to shoot, as well as playing physical defense with his matchup at all times. He is a major hustle player and is willing to sacrifice himself for those loose balls and energy plays needed to help his team win. Shia also has transferred from Stratford to Second Baptist for this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2241507"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa0ae67b3a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2509526' first='Daryus' last='Tasby'] is one of the most physical guards I have seen in recent seasons that is a "glue guy" when he is on the floor. He knows how to get after it on defense and is a very lethal slasher on offense, while maintaining good energy throughout the entire game. He can finish through contact at a high clip under the basket and can also knock down open jumpers from the midrange. He is a great contributor in the Katy Mayde Creek offense and will look to take the next step up this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"DaTerrick Buckner","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Humble","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa0ae67b48b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buckner is an explosive combo guard that goes to Humble High School and controls the tempo of the offense very effectively and is an excellent playmaker. He always knows when to make the extra pass and has high IQ with the ball in his hands, as well as being quick in transition and scoring at an efficient rate from all three levels. DaTerrick put his name on the radar this summer and will continue to look to prove himself this year for the Wildcats as they take the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2556242"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa0ae67b501"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gotti is a spot up sniper that is looking to make a name for himself at North Shore this upcoming season. He has speed to blow past his matchup to the basket, but he also knows when to bring the ball out and reset the offense. Mack is a high percentage sniper when left open by the defense and will make opponents pay from long range. He has been in the gym over the summer and is slowly raising his stock as the season inches closer. Look for him to continue his hot shooting and fundamental defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->