Inside Look: Top Players to Watch in El Paso
The 2020-21 high school basketball season is off and running across the state of Texas with several weeks of non-district matchups already in the books. El Paso and its surrounding areas started the season a few weeks later than most…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020-21 high school basketball season is off and running across the state of Texas with several weeks of non-district matchups already in the books. El Paso and its surrounding areas started the season a few weeks later than most of the state, but basketball is now officially underway with most programs having a few games under their belt entering this week.
The El Paso area is budding with talent and has a great crop of prospects emerging from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 classes, which features a versatile group of playmaking guards and wings, and one of the top recruits in Texas.
In this article, we preview standout players from the El Paso Area who fans, coaches, and college programs should keep an eye on during the 2020-21 high school basketball season.
2021 Class
KJ Ware | 6-3 G | Bel Air
An athletic and explosive guard who has a college-ready frame, Ware does it all for El Paso Bel Air. Ware is a stud on defense and plays with great hustle and focus. On offense, Ware is a physical playmaker who does a great job driving to the basket and finishing either through contact or with a finesse finish. Ware is garnering interest from several D2 & D3 programs.
James Holmes | 6-4 W | Chapin
Long and athletic with a huge 6’11” wingspan for a guard, Holmes is a versatile player on the court who can play either wing position and even go down low and play power forward. Holmes has a nice mid-range game on offense and can get by defenders and finish above the rim with athletic dunks. On defense, Holmes has shown he can guard the 1-4 positions and is a playmaker who can block shots and create steals. So far Holmes is gaining interest from D3, NAIA, and several JUCO college programs.
Sincere Edwards | 6-5 W | Pebble Hills
Another wing prospect with great length and athleticism, Edwards brings the juice and energy on defense where he does a great job of creating turnovers and protecting the basket. Edwards can really run and he does a good job of running the floor in transition. He’s a player who can fill up the stat sheet, provide excellent defensive pressure, and is just scratching the surface of his offensive potential. Edwards is currently garnering interest from JUCO programs.
Omar Ibarra | 6-3 W | Ysleta
Ibarra is on the rise entering his senior season as the high-academic, savvy shooting guard has already landed offers from UT-Dallas and Sul Ross. Ibarra is a versatile offensive weapon with a high basketball IQ, he plays with a smooth pace and knows how to get to his spots where he can be a knock-down shooter. Has a sweet shot from both the mid-range and from deep, and has shown to be a solid rebounder and passer.
2022 Class
Antwonne Holmes | 6-3 G | Chapin
Holmes is a crafty guard who knows how to get to his spots and has shown to be a three-level scorer. Holmes plays aggressive on both sides of the court and is a tough as nails defender who has active hands and shows great anticipation. Holmes contributes in all facets of the game and is a clutch performer in crunch time. Entering his junior season Holmes is garnering interest from Low-Mid D1 programs, and several D2 college programs.
Jonathan Leggett | 6-0 G | Bel Air
A smooth playmaking point guard with great passing ability, Leggett is a budding offensive weapon who supports a great pull-up jumper. Leggett has a good feel for the game, playing with nice pace and vision, and does a great job creating shots for his teammates as well as himself. Not only is he a playmaker on offense, but he also plays tough defense and is a more than willing rebounder. Currently, Leggett is receiving interest from D3 level college programs.
Khanye Bland | 6-1 G | Parkland
One of the top shooters in El Paso, Bland is a sniper from three-point range as he hit over 40% from beyond-the-arc as a sophomore. Bland not only can score from the perimeter, but he is a versatile offensive playmaker and a vocal leader on the court for Parkland. Bland is gaining interest from D2 and D3 programs entering his junior season.
2023 Class
K.J. Lewis K.J. Lewis 6'4" | SG Duncanville | 2023 State #30 Nation TX | 6-4 G | Chapin
Last but not least, Lewis is the top-ranked player from the El Paso area regardless of classification. The elite playmaking sophomore already has several D1 offers, including offers from Arizona State, TCU, Texas A&M, and DePaul, and he just earned a McDonald’s All-American invitation. Lewis is an elite athlete and can do it all from the guard position. During his freshman season, he averaged 16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.3 steals per game.