Texas 2019 Freshman of the Year Standing

By: Ani Umana and Rod Clark 1/4/2016 The top ten for the Freshman of the Year standings is up for the season. Some names had to unfortunately be dropped due to injuries, and other names have risen due to a mid season surge. This is NOT DEFINITE but here are the top ten standings for the FOY list. 1.  Name: Chris Harris Jr. Position: CG School: South Garland Note: Harris Jr. has had to step up into the lead role for South Garland with former #1 player in the freshman rankings Tyrese Maxey going down with injury. Since, Chris has avg 20ppg 5asts & 5 rbs. Also, one of the best 2-way guards in the state regardless of class with his pesky perimeter defense. 2. Name: Grant Sherfield Position: CG School: Mansfield Summit Note: Although he has cooled down from a blistering start to the season (averaged 25ppg during the first month of the season) Sherfield has cemented that his ability to score is second to none. Needs to become a more committed defender. 3. Name: Sahvir Wheeler Position: PG School: Houston Christian Note: For pure point guards, Sahvir Wheeler has been the best one in the 2019 class. Averaging 14 points and 8 assists a game and with the Kopp brothers, 2018 Jalon Clark and Blake Foley also on that team, Wheeler has found a way to not only create for others but for himself as well. 4. Name: Justin Webster Position: SG School: Prestonwood Christian Note: Webster has consistently been one of if not the best player PCA has had this entire season. Playing with Mississippi St.  Schneider Herard, Webster is often freed up for spot-up jumpers that is knocks down at a high rate. The freshman also is very good off the catch with ball fakes and jab steps he uses to open up drives to the rim. 5. Name: Jared Cook Position: C School: Cypress Lakes Note: The 6’6 post is one of the most physical and active bigs in his class. Playing with Kentucky commit De’Aaron Fox, Cook has been able to be a solid scoring option and rebounder for the Spartan squad. Averaging 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks a game; Cook most definitely is a FOY candidate. 6. Name: De’Vion Harmon Position: SF School: Denton Guyer Note: The athletic Harmon appears at number six since last being on the outside looking in. Having gotten the rust off from early in the season, Harmon has showed his versatility and has impacted games on both sides. A strong on-ball defender, Harmon has generated good defense to easy shots on offense. 7. Name: Jalen Wilson Position: WF School: Denton Guyer Note: Wilson has been one of the better freshmen simply due to his activity on both ends of the floor. The Denton Guyer Frosh scores well in transition, rebounds the ball, plays great perimeter & interior defense, and displays his versatility every outing. Might have the most upside out of this group due to his long frame and mature body. 8. Name: Jalen Jackson Position: PG School: Wagner Note: The point guard from San Antonio has had a very strong showing this season.  Being names captain for the Thunderbirds, Jackson the last ten games has averaged 13 points and 5 assists a game.  Jackson was on the outside looking in but now he sees himself at number eight and I wouldn’t be surprised if he rises. 9. Name: Lejon Doss Position: CF School: Nolan Catholic Note: Doss has had his share of down games due to him being in foul trouble that often comes with a mature body. With that being said, Doss has a versatile skill set that allows him to take bigger defenders off the dribble as well as pound smaller defenders in the post. Already mature for a freshman, it will be interesting to see his body and game come full circle in the future. 10. Name: Charles Smith IV Position: CG School: Westbury Christian Note: Smith lands the last spot for the FOY and he has started to find himself in the rotation this season for Westbury, and his numbers have risen. Showing off his scoring and passing abilities, Smith just suffers from playing with a senior heavy team. The staff feel a couple of big games are coming for Smith soon and can definitely see his stock sky rocket. The fact that he worked his way into the rotation is good enough and now he can showcase what he can really do. On Fire This goes to the Freshman that isn’t in the top 10 but is playing lights out recently. Name: Niko Bossinakis Position: SG High School: Colleyville HS Niko has consistently put up solid scoring numbers and played with immense confidence that is normally uncommon for freshman. “Bossy” as we like to call him, has the ability to put up big scoring numbers due to his shooting ability that continues to improve. Would not be surprised if he avg 20 ppg next season as he has scored 20+ on multiple outings this season already and avg around 14ppg. Creeping In Name: Avery Anderson Position: PG School: Justin Northwest HS Avery might be the best kept secret in the DFW. Anderson currently plays on a senior leaden team which causes him to sometime defer to the elder teammates but make no mistake, his confidence, ability, and overall skill set makes him a player to keep tabs on in the future. Avery possesses a long, thin, slender frame but has deceptive quickness, speed, and great change of pace. Also shoots the ball at a high clip from deep. Name: Jayden Williams Position: PG School: Nolan Catholic If it were not for him being undersized, Jayden might be the best freshman lead guard in the DFW area. Williams has a knack for breaking down the defense off of the dribble, and finding guys for great shots. Almost seems as though he’s spoon-feeding his teammates for buckets. With a strong frame, quick feet, and slick handle he oozes with long term potential. Vision is also second to none, but once again his height holds him back at times. Williams along with Chris Harris might be the best on-ball defenders on this list. Name: Darius McBride Position: SG School: Vista Ridge High School Note: The 6’2 guard isn’t a household name but he has been putting up solid numbers for Vista Ridge this season. McBride excels at rebounding for a guard and scoring. He is a solid option for his team and he can crack the top ten. Name: Tariq Aman Position:  PG School: Coppell Note: Aman is in the outside looking in but he wasn’t even on the watch list a few months ago. Now starting the point for Coppell, Aman has averaged 8 points and 8 assists for the 14-4 Cowboys team. Aman is a quick guard that does a good job making the right decisions on the floor. He isn’t flashy but he gets the job done. Name: Bryce Cooks Position: PG School: South Grand Prairie Note: Cooks had a blazing hot start to the season but has cooled off some. He is just going through the freshman struggles so it isn’t anything serious. Cooks is still a skilled guard that can score in high volumes. The season is in district play now and if he starts playing at a high level his stock will rise. Hurt but not forgotten Name: Tyrese Maxey Position: CG School: South Garland Note: We are definitely hoping for a speedy recovery for Maxey. He is out for the whole regular season but he should be ready during the AAU season. If Maxey wasn’t hurt he may have been number one. We didn’t forget about you Tyrese. Can’t wait to see you on the court again! Sleepers Jacob Giunta – Forth Worth Christian Keyon Craddock – South Garland Scottie Turner – All Saints High School Jordan Turner – SATCH Isaiah Lewis – Lone Star High School