Texas leads the way in updated On3 Top 100 for the class of 2023
There is little doubt that the state of Texas has become a hotbed for basketball prospects, and the 2023 cycle is further illustration.
The Lone Star State leads all states in the updated and expanded On3 top 100 with 10 prospects representing.
While the state won’t likely match the 2022 cycle anytime soon with Texas producing 17 prospects rated as 5-stars or 4-star, the 2023 cycle ranks best in the country by state.
Headlining the class in Texas is one of the biggest risers in the updated top 100, power forward Ronald Holland.
Ronald Holland the 5-star
Ronald Holland is two days removed from helping lead Duncanville to back-to-back Texas 6A State Championships. The 6-foot-8 forward showed throughout the season that he was one of the most improved prospects in the class nationally. On the recruiting front, there will be spring visits to UCLA, Oregon, and others. Kentucky, Memphis, Arkansas, Texas and potentially TCU are in the mix. Then there is the possibility that Holland could opt to go the pro route after one more state title run at the Duncanville High. .
Ronald Holland Scouting Summary
Considered one of the best energy players, defenders and transition players at the power forward position, Holland has shown an expanded offensive game as a junior. The 6-foot-8 prospects out of the Dallas area has a high-end motor, with similar agility, leaping ability and arm length. Holland impacts the game defensively with his length and ability to switch and defend guards in the ball screen game. He’s also continued to be a player that impacts the game as a rebounder, and that includes outside his area. Holland has greatly expanded his offensive game as a junior. He has become a threat to knock down the perimeter jumper, and has become a much more confident player putting the ball on the floor against pressure defense. He has gone from a player with NBA upside as a freshman and sophomore, to one that is a lock to be an NBA Draft pick if he continues to expand his offensive game. Another area On3 has seen improvement is Holland’s maturity on the floor. He’s responding to adversity much quicker from play to play. – Gerry Hamilton, On3 Senior National Recruiting Analyst
Four guards in the top 50
No. 32 SG Ja’Kobe Walter
Walter was on the losing end to Duncanville in the 6A State Championship game, but put together a terrific season for 36-5 McKinney. The 6-foot-5 scorer averaged 23 points and seven rebounds per game in two games at the Texas State Tournament. The schools getting the most traction with Walter are Baylor, Alabama and Auburn. Texas is seemingly on the peripheral. Walter has a lot of family in the state of Alabama, where he was born.
No. 33 SG KJ Lewis
The recent Arizona commitment has a terrific combination of playing strength, quickness for his size and the ability to finish with long limbs in his peripheral. Lewis combines with 5-star point guard Kylan Boswell to provide Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd with a tremendous future backcourt in Tucson.
No. 39 SG Chris Johnson
The Houston area guard is one of the most talented prospects in the country. The 6-foot-4 guard has fast twitch athleticism, plenty of bounce, the ability to run the floor and finish through contact, and under valued court vision for an off the ball player. The ability to improve consistency from the three-point line will be key in how much he ascends over time. LSU was quietly trending for Johnson prior to the firing of Will Wade. Kansas is thought to be in a solid position.
No. 48 SG Wesley Yates
Yates didn’t have his best shooting weekend at the state tournament in San Antonio, but he made several huge plays down the stretch of both games. The result was Beaumont United winning back-to-back 5A State Championships. Wesley put up 40 points in a third round playoff win that went into triple overtime. Auburn and Baylor continue to lead a pack that includes Stanford, Alabama, Washington and Texas.
The remaining five
No. 68 SF Malik Presey
No. 75 SG R.J. Jones
No. 80 SF Jacolb Cole
No. 90 C Cameron Barnes
No. 9 SG Drew Steffe – Texas Tech commitment