55 Central Texas boys high school basketball players to watch in 2026-27

Bowie guard Joshua Baskin drives to the basket against Lake Travis on Jan. 20, 2025 at Lake Travis High School. (Provided by Blaine Smith Photo) Ready for the Central Texas high school boys basketball season? While some Austin-area private schools have already played their first game, UIL programs open their season Friday. With all teams set to be playing at least twice a week starting Monday, the American-Statesman takes a look at 55 Central Texas players to watch this winter. Players listed alphabetically. Alex Allen, Westlake: A key part of the Chaps' run to the Class 6A Division II state championship game, the senior forward is a lockdown defender.Teyo Barnett, Round Rock: Crafty senior forward averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 rpg and 1.5 steals and enters his third year as a starter for the Dragons.Joshua Baskin, Bowie: Arguably the best player in the Austin area and a first-team all-Central Texas pick, he averaged 16 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.1 apg and 2.5 spg and is the main reason the Bulldogs could win District 26-6A.Brayden Bell, Liberty Hill: Talented enough to start for the Panthers as a freshman, the sophomore forward will take on a bigger scoring role and could be one of the area's top players in another year.MORE:2026 All-Central Texas UIL boys basketball teamNico Cajas, St. Michael's: A name that will be well known by the end of the year, the sophomore guard is one of the top players on a Warriors team that might be the area's best.Silas Clark, Regents: Electric junior guard was an all-district pick after averaging 13 points, 3.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds.Kingston Colter, Manor New Tech: Combo guard does it all for the Titans and is coming off a year when he averaged 15.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.2 spg and 3.8 apg.Colin Cook, Hyde Park: The area's scoring leader last winter with 27 ppg paces the Panthers' playoff hopes in TAPPS District 3-5A.Tytan Crayton, San Marcos: An all-district pick as a freshman in 29-6A, the 6-foot-5 forward averaged 10 ppg and 7 rpg and should only be better this winter.Cole Davenport, St. Stephen's: Junior guard will be the Spartans' top scoring option after averaging 10 ppg, 6 rpg and 5 apg.Cason Davis, Austin High: Maybe the area's best player you don't know about but should, the junior forward averaged 15.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg in helping the Maroons to the 6A playoffs.Osas Edo, Pflugerville: Senior forward is strong on both ends of the court and one reason the Panthers have their sights set on the postseason. Skyler Elliott, Hendrickson: The American-Statesman's defensive player of the year last winter, he averaged 2.2 steals and 3 deflections a game. A senior guard, he's one of four returning starters for a Hawks team that went 30-7.Brady Ford, Austin High: Teaming up with Davis to give the Maroons a powerful one-two punch, the senior wing shot 44% from the field and averaged 10.3 ppg and 6 rpg.Ethan Fox, Vandegrift: Junior guard will step into a major role for a Vipers program that has been perennially strong under Jaime Sierra.Powell Frickenschmidt, Westlake: The point guard on a team that won 32 games and finished runner-up in Class 6A Division II, he's a player who doesn't get enough credit for his impact.Everett Gomez, LASA: Injuries hindered his junior year, but the guard is a three-level scorer that makes the Raptors a playoff threat in District 24-5A.Cameron Graves, Rouse: Junior point guard will run the offense for a Raiders team that perennially wins 20 or more games and makes the playoffs.Jaedan Hanley, Hutto: One of the area's better sophomores, the guard makes the Hippos dangerous in District 24-6A.DJ Hardge, Hendrickson: A second-team all-Central Texas pick, the senior guard is one of the area's best do-it-all players. He averaged 10.9 ppg, 4.7 apg, 4.4 rpg and 3 spg while setting the school record for assists in a game and season.Austin Haywood, Anderson: The 6-foot-7 junior wing averaged 9 ppg and is poised for a breakout season for a Trojans team that seemingly is always in the postseason.Destin Herring, Vandegrift: A returning starter off a team that won 29 games and advanced to the third round of the Class 6A Division II playoffs, the senior point guard will lead the Vipers this winter.Kam Hill, Westwood: Broke into the playing rotation as a freshman for a Warriors team that won 31 games and went 16-0 in district play. When he returns from a football injury, he'll be key for Westwood.Cayden Hinderman-Close, East View: He should help make the Patriots' jump to 6A a smooth one after averaging 17 ppg, 2.6 apg and 2.6 spg as a junior. The combo guard is one of the area's most underrated players.Dylan Howard, St. Michael's: Hays transfer will make an impact for the Warriors, who will be a threat to win a state title in TAPPS 6A.Damonie Jackson, East View: Junior point guard, who averaged 8.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 4.2 apg, teams up with Hinderman-Close to give the Patriots one of the area's best backcourts.Sun Jinkal, St. Michael's: If he's not the best player in Central Texas, he's one of the top three. He'll be the No. 1 scoring option for the Warriors for the first time and should thrive. Averaged 16.5 ppg, 6 rpg and 3.5 apg for a team that won 29 games.Owen Johnson, Liberty Hill: Transfer from Rouse will provide an immediate impact for the Panthers as a junior guard.Justin Lee, Glenn: The Grizzlies graduated a talented senior class, but the dynamic wing will soften that blow. He averaged 9 ppg and 6 rpg as a junior.Max Lipnisky, Round Rock: The Central Texas newcomer of the year after averaging 14.7 points, 3.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds, the junior guard could put up bigger numbers this season. Ryan Longoria, Hendrickson: Part of a loaded Hawks team, he averaged 11.5 ppg and is one of the area's better shooters from behind the arc. Roman Lubetzky, St. Andrew's: Senior sharpshooter is back for the Highlanders after an impressive junior year averaging 15.5 ppg, 4 rpg and 3 apg.Bryson Mack, Manor: The Mustangs will benefit from the drop to 5A, with the 6-3 junior wing pacing their postseason hopes in District 23. Averaged 10 ppg and 6 rpg last winter.Owen Marriott, Leander: Junior forward should thrive in the post in Lions coach Clint Bradley's system. Mack Martin, Westlake: Maybe the best three-point shooter in Central Texas, he hit 43.1% of his attempts a year ago. The small forward and Louisiana Tech signee averaged 13.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg.Aaron Mathis, Lake Travis: Junior guard is one of the best players on one of Central Texas' top teams. Averaged 11.9 ppg for a team that won 25 games and a share of a district title.Izaac Montgomery, Leander: Impressive and athletic senior guard has been a varsity staple since his freshman year for Lions. Cashis Moore, Pflugerville: Senior guard will help lead Panthers coach David Raigosa's fast-paced style of play.Aiden Ott, Brentwood Christian: One of the better private school players in the area, he'll shoulder the scoring load for the Bears at guard after averaging 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg as a junior.Damari Perkins, Anderson: Talented guard is the lone returning starter for the Trojans from a team that won a district title.Cohyn Pickell, Legacy Ranch: After helping lead the Wranglers to the playoffs as a freshman, the guard will be counted on to smooth their transition to Class 5A.Hudson Roberts, Glenn: One of the area's better sophomores after averaging 12 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg and 2 spg, he's now the Grizzlies' top scoring option. Should thrive in district play as Jon Ortiz's teams always peak when it matters most. Maddox Ross, Weiss: An important part of a team that won 20 games and went to the third round of the playoffs, averaging 8 ppg, 4 rpg and 4 apg, he'll have a major impact when he returns in mid-December from an injury.Jackson Sallade, Cedar Park: Senior guard/forward is one of many reasons the Timberwolves have playoff hopes, even with the jump to 6A.Legend Samuel, Hendrickson: The leading scorer on a Hawks team that won 30 games a year ago with 13.8 ppg, he's one of four returning starters on what should be one of the area's best squads.Alex Scott, Bowie: Towering at 6-foot-8 to give the Bulldogs a presence in the paint, he's also a skilled passer.KJ Scott, Rouse: Energetic shooting guard will shoulder a bigger scoring load for the Raiders after averaging 8.5 ppg and shooting 38% from behind the arc as a junior.Keandre Sharpe, Del Valle: Senior point guard has the potential for a big season and could spur the Cardinals into the District 26-6A playoff race. Averaged 12 ppg and 4 apg last winter and is also one of Del Valle's top defenders. Will Slyker, Lake Travis: A second-team all-Central Texas pick, the dynamic guard is one of the area's top 10 players and a threat to score more than 20 every night. He averaged 18.1 ppg as a junior.Charlie Smith, McCallum: A transfer from Westlake, the senior forward should make a big impact for the Knights.Miller Stephens, McCallum: After being the Knights' sixth man a year ago, the senior guard will lead a program that perennially makes the playoffs.Malik Stewart, Connally: The Cougars will be improved this season, and the junior returning starter at guard will be a big reason why.Rex Stroup, Legacy Ranch: Led the Wranglers with 11.9 ppg and 5.2 rpg as a sophomore. Should give Legacy Ranch a shot to make the playoffs in its first year in 5A.Braeden Terrell, Akins: Another player who flies under the radar but shouldn't, he's an outstanding senior guard who gives the Eagles a shot to make the playoffs out of District 24-6A.Alejandro Ulloa-Valdez, Hays: One of the area's taller players at 6-foot-7, the senior forward paces Hays' playoff hopes out of District 26-6A.Zaccai Williams, Cedar Ridge: He may not join the program until December due to football, but the junior guard will be one of the top options for the Raiders in district play.Adonis Wright, Weiss: The focus of every opposing defense, he's an electric athlete who was a third-team all-Central Texas pick after averaging 14 ppg and 7 rpg for a team that went to the third round of the playoffs. Sign up for the Daily Briefing from the Austin American-Statesman. Start your day with the must-read headlines from Austin's most trusted news source.This article originally published at 55 Central Texas boys high school basketball players to watch in 2026-27.