Friday night, I was in Central El Paso watching Canutillo play a road game against El Paso High. Both teams are playoff programs battling for the second seed in 1-5A. EP High boasts some talented prospects for guard/wing positions, but the best player on the floor was Austin Bonilla Austin Bonilla 5'3" Canutillo | 2025 TX . The senior guard was exceptional on the offensive end with his scoring and facilitating. He had a jaw-dropping moment in the second half where he broke a defender’s ankles. Bonilla had the ball near the right corner by the halfcourt line; El Paso sent a big over to trap, and he blew past the big and dropped the primary defender, crossing over back to his left. You can’t overplay this kid to his right-hand side or either side, for that matter; he’s too quick and usually has a plan for how he sets up defenders behind his primary defenders. Just as soon as you force him to pick up his dribble, Canutillo has a cutter waiting for a Bonilla pass at the rim. It’s a program with great off-ball movement and a great passing point guard who identifies that movement.

To my knowledge, Austin Bonilla Austin Bonilla 5'3" Canutillo | 2025 TX is the shortest player in the Borderland to start on a varsity basketball program in the Borderland. But Bonilla does more than start. He’s one of the best playmakers and penetrators in the area with the ability to navigate tight spaces and hard angles. Moreover, he’s a reliable ball handler who seldom gets turned over by heavy ball pressure. If Canutillo replicates or improves on their 23-win season from 2023-24, it will be in large part due to Bonilla.