2023 Texas Rankings: Central Texas Risers
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PrepHoops’ post-summer update of the 2023 Texas Rankings was released earlier this week and prospects from the Central Texas area are well represented in the latest update, with several players rising up the rankings. Let’s take a look at some of the players from Austin and San Antonio that made the biggest leap in the rankings.
Here are the top stock risers from Central Texas represented in the 2023 Texas Rankings:
Malik Presley Malik Presley 6'6" | SF San Marcos | 2023 State #108 Nation TX | 6-4 SF | San Marcos
New Ranking: 15
Previous Ranking: 32
- Presley jumped up in the rankings to number 15 overall after a huge summer where he got offers from several D1 programs including Houston, SMU, Oklahoma State, and IUPUI. Presley has a really nice frame and great length for the small forward position, with the potential to add a couple more inches to his height over the next couple of years. During his freshman season for San Marcos, he averaged 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game during district play. This past summer playing for Houston Hoops E15 and ASAK Elite, Presley improved on his game and routinely had double-double performances. He is impressive out on fast breaks flashing his athleticism with high flying dunks and finishes while providing consistent offensive production with his mid-range shot and on put-back opportunities. Does a fantastic job rebounding the ball using his bounce and long wingspan, and is a plus defender with blocks and tipped passes.
Kendrick De Luna Kendrick De Luna 6'10" | C TMI | 2023 State #246 Nation TX | 6-9 C | Cornerstone Christian
New Ranking: 19
Previous Ranking: 24
- De Luna moved up into the top 20 of the Texas Rankings and is the number 2 ranked center in the state. De Luna is another prospect who garnered attention from D1 programs this summer, earning offers from Oklahoma State, Prairie View A&M, TCU, Illinois, and Iona. A tall and slender post prospect with a good wingspan, De Luna has a strong low-post game where he plays under control and is smooth attacking the basket. Goes up strong for rebounds and battles on the boards. Very good help-side rim protector and defender, where he shows good awareness and anticipation when to slide over and contest opponents shots. Wouldn’t be surprised to see De Luna continue to rise up the rankings as he will be one of the more heavily recruited prospects for the 2023 class.
Zayden High Zayden High 6'9" | PF AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #40 Nation AZ | 6-6 PF | Smithson Valley
New Ranking: 37
Previous Ranking: unranked
- The biggest riser from Central Texas in our 2023 Texas Rankings is Smithson Valley stretch-forward Zayden High Zayden High 6'9" | PF AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #40 Nation AZ , who had a breakout freshman season last year. High averaged 10.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game for the Rangers while hitting on 34% of his shots from beyond-the-arc. Still growing into his frame, High has the potential and versatility to play either forward position but could grow into a stretch-four due to his ability to shoot the ball. Showed good defensive range and blocking ability with Smithson Valley, due to his great athletic ability and length. With a ton of senior talent leaving the Ranger program, High is expected to be a leader on the court this upcoming season and looks to build on his impressive freshman campaign.
Kaden Gumbs Kaden Gumbs 6'2" | PG San Marcos | 2023 State TX | 6-0 PG | San Marcos
New Ranking: 38
Previous Ranking: 43
- Gumbs consistently improved over the summer playing with ASAK Elite and was impressive in his play going up against some of the top talents in Texas. A three-level scorer with plus athleticism, Gumbs shows great instincts on the court and is already a tough man-to-man defender. During his freshman season at San Marcos, Gumbs averaged 14.0 points, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game during district play. On offense, Gumbs has smooth handles and knows how to get to his spots on the floor. Shows good vision on his passes and plays with great pace setting up the offensive sets. Is a good deep-range shooter who can hit from anywhere beyond-the-arc. Gumbs is also a bouncy athlete who can sneak up on you with his athleticism in the fast break.
Nazar Mahmoud Nazar Mahmoud 6'3" | SG Rouse | 2023 State #256 Nation TX | 6-4 SG | Leander Rouse
New Ranking: 75
Previous Ranking: unranked
- Mahmoud makes his rankings debut as the number 75 ranked prospect in Texas. The Leander Rouse shooting guard has great size for the wing position and could potentially grow into a small forward. Another player who plays a smooth brand of basketball on the court, and does a great job of attacking the basket. Is a terrific shooter from three-point range who can hit a pull-up shot or create on his own. Possess legit NBA range as a shooter. On defense, he shows good awareness and can be a threat creating turnovers and running fast-break opportunities. Mahmoud impressed with his play over the course of the summer, and we look forward to keeping an eye on his progression playing with Rouse this season.
Other notable players included in the recent 2023 Texas Rankings update:
Ma’shy Hill Ma’shy Hill 6'9" | C Spire | 2023 State #251 Nation OH | 6-9 C | Pflugerville Hendrickson
- Ranked #13
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson Jaylen Crocker-Johnson 6'8" | PF San Antonio Warren | 2023 State TX | 6-7 PF | San Antonio Warren
- Ranked #30
Santiago Ochoa Santiago Ochoa 6'4" | PG NBA Academy | 2023 TX | 6-4 PG | Antonian College Prep
- Ranked #40
Matthew Soto Matthew Soto 6'0" | PG Somerset | 2023 State TX | 5-10 PG | Somerset
- Ranked #47
Zachary Crawford Zachary Crawford 6'7" | PF San Antonio Harlan | 2023 TX | 6-6 PF | San Antonio Harlan
- Ranked #51
Jaden Greathouse Jaden Greathouse 6'3" | PG Austin Westlake | 2023 TX | 6-3 SG | Austin Westlake
- Ranked #52
Josh Jones Josh Jones 6'10" | C St. Michael's | 2023 State TX | 6-9 PF | St. Michael’s
- Ranked #53
Levi Rutledge Levi Rutledge 6'6" | SG IMG Academy Post Grad (2024) | 2023 State TX | 6-5 SG | Cedar Park
- Ranked #56
Dylon Richardson Dylon Richardson 6'2" | PG Hutto | 2023 TX | 6-1 PG | Hutto
- Ranked #68