It’s a New Year and below are 13 juniors in the state of Texas college coaches and national media should monitor as 2026 rolls on. This is a group that isn’t heavily-known on the national scene, but have a chance to become legit D1 prospects with a strong finish to this high school season and a strong start to the travel ball season.
Let’s take a look.
2027 Texans To Watch
Alim Olajuwon, 6’4 SG – Houston Episcopal: Son of NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon. He’s getting better and stronger each year. He’s an intriguing prospect with adequate positional size, length, athleticism and intriguing scoring chops. The sizable amount of talent has always been there but consistency and half-court decision making as a primary ball-handler just needs fine tuning. Still, I think this time next year, Alim can position himself to another tier and be more known on a national level.
‘27 F @landoveal (Houston Christian HS) is a top 50 National prospect in his class. Elite athleticism, shot blocker, lob threat. 26 points today in vs Tulsa East Central. @ExposureOtr #ChristmasCrossover pic.twitter.com/MZgBKiMAmI
— Marcus Sloan (@bigsloan32) December 20, 2025
Landon Veal, 6’8 PF – Houston Christian: An athletic finishing forward that’s a formidable rim protector. Mobile, equipped with long arms and has had a very productive season for Houston Christian so far. Schools from wide ranges have been inquiring about him.
Lucai Anderson, 6’2 CG – Trinity Christian School: Brother of Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson. A dynamic scoring guard that can score on three levels and get to the foul line. He’ll be able to exhibit his game more when more eyes see him on the circuit this spring. We’ll hear his name more and more as the year continues.
Mack Martin, 6’7 SF – Austin Westlake: An interesting big wing that’s more prospect than player right now. He’s a solid catch n’ shoot target, has soft touch on floaters and can attack closeouts. He has a high ceiling due to positional size and shooting, plus he moves well, but just needs to put it all together and play through physicality better.
Jaden Harding, 6’4 SG – Texas Storm: Athletic southpaw guard that’s been turning the corner as of late. Dependable mid-range shooter, plus leaper, switchable defender that’s improving as a catch n’ shoot 3-point shooter.
Broderick Wyatt, 6’4 Wing – Houston Legacy: Broderick is an intriguing prospect. He’s built like a tank, moves quicker and has a higher level of skill than you would initially think. He’s a dependable ball handler, adequate passer, physical defender, where 3-point shooting is the swinging skill but it’s gotten better. I think the next eight months will be big for Wyatt to show college coaches he’s not a small ball 4-man, but a guard. I’m a big fan of his game and think he’s someone worth watching this year.
Drew Guy, 6’5 2/1 CG – Epischopal School Of Dallas: His play this year could put him on the national scene. He’s a big guard that has a good frame and has vastly improved as a leaper. Handles well, more assertive as a scorer and he’s more of “2” than a “1” at this stage but he showed last summer he can make quality passes in the half-court. I think this could be a breakout summer for him.
Princeton Jones Bynum, 6’1 PG – Cinco Ranch: A shifty guard that is a tough one on one cover. He first got on my radar when I watched him on the 17U division of the EYBL with Houston Hoops. He did a fine job when he played. Fast with the ball, has good balance and footwork that allows him to stop on a dime and navigate through tight spaces.
James McCall Spears, 6’7 PF – Garland Lakeview Centennial: A skilled post that reminds me of DJ Hall, who is at Texas State. His arms aren’t as long, but same offensive archetype. Broad framed, below the rim to at the rim posts that are a nightmare one on one cover with their back to the basket or facing up. Spears has adequate footwork, capable of stretching the floor and knows how to use his body to carve out space vs bigger players. Spears, like Hall, can see the floor, find cutters or make the skip pass. All about him getting his body right and I think he can be even more of a problem.
Photo: Ani Umana/Athlete AI
Sun Jinkal, 6’5 Wing – St. Michaels: A skilled wing that has played well vs higher end talent this scholastic season. A dependable second and third ball-handler, shooter and decision maker. Just a play-making wing that has been consistent. Can be a D1 player.
Trey Pinkard, 6’0 PG – Grand Oaks: The High Point commit has deep range on his jumper and generates gravity when he’s off the ball because, one, his defender has to stick with him and two, the other four defenders have to keep tabs of him. He’s shown more of a willingness to pass and get others involved, which has opened up his scoring this year.
Jae’Qurian Lincoln, 6’5 SF – Humble: Athletic wing with long arms. Adequate slasher, rebounder, off ball cutter that impacts the game with his physicality, athleticism and emerging skill.
Tyson Forrest, 6’0 PG – College Park: Tyson has had multiple 30 and 40-point outings. He’s even had a 51-point performance vs. Veterans Memorial. Takes and makes tough shots and mainly connects off the bounce. Having one of the best scholastic seasons in the 2027 guard class.
Editor’s Pick
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