TABC Players of the Year
TexasHoops.com's Lyndon Cook was in attendance at the yearly Texas Association of Basketball Coaches awards banquet at the El Tropicano in San Antonio where Texas players of the year were honored. Find out more about the players of the year, complete with player analysis and commitment status.
Small Private School - Luke Schultz - Kerrville Our Lady of the Hills
Season stat line: 22.8 points, 15.8 rebounds, 7.1 blocks
Commitment: Montana State
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Schultz is one of the state's premier rim protectors in the 2017 class. His ability to block and alter shots as well as dominate the glass make him a tough matchup for any school regardless of size. Schultz has a solid set of post moves around the basket, and can step out to the 12-15 foot range to knock down jumpers. Schultz really excelled on the summer GASO circuit, benefitting from a high/low offense as part of a two-big look with Loyola (MD) signee River Reed. Schultz led his team to the TAPPS class 3A state championship in his senior season, and will continue his career at Montana State in the fall.
Class 1A - Tate Phillips - Lipan
Season stat line: 14 points, 8 rebounds 4.5 assists
Commitment: Undecided
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Phillips is a lanky swingman with bounce and a nice looking shot. At six-foot-5, he possesses the athleticism to compete on defense against both guards and forwards. Phillips elevates well on the drive and can finish strong through contact. One of his calling cards is how he gets others involved and looks to feed the ball inside to the post. He has a great set of fundamentals and all the hallmarks of a next level player. Phillips was the focal point on offense for 1A state champions Lipan, and will continue his career next fall once he makes a decision on where he will sign.
Class 2A - Logan Cook - Muenster
Season stat line: 12.3 points, 14.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.6 steals, 2.1 blocks
Commitment: St. Edward's
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Cook is one of the most versatile players in the state. It's not at all uncommon to see the six-foot-6 St. Edward's signee run the point, play on the wing, and post up inside within the same game. His strength and rebounding ability set him apart from other big guards in the class. Cook has well polished handles and great court vision in both transition and the halfcourt set. He has a serviceable outside shot and has been a cornerstone of one of the state's most successful 2A programs the past four years. Cook also started every game in his four year career at Muenster, compiling a 127-17 record with the Hornets and reaching the state finals on three separate occasions, winning state on his final trip.
Class 3A - Patrick Terry - Dallas Madison
Season stat line: 17.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals
Commitment: Undecided
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Terry is a strong, quick guard who can really get into the paint and finish. After dropping down to class 3A, Madison was the heavy favorite to claim the 3A title thanks to players like Terry. Terry ran the show for the Trojans and headed their defensive pressure with gritty play on the opposing team's ballhandlers. He scored the majority of his points in transition, though he can also shoot it from the outside. Though he is currently uncommitted, Terry has garnered plenty of collegiate interest during his senior season.
Class 4A - Kortijk Miles - Dallas Lincoln
Season stat line: 22.0 points, 12.0 rebounds
Commitment: New Mexico State
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Miles is a long guard/forward who is at his best in transition. He has a great knowledge of the game and fills his role and excels in it. For the most part, his role is as a primary scorer where he gets the most of his points attacking the rim and slipping between defenders. Miles prides himself on the defensive end, where he is a ball stopper and forces a ton of steals that lead to easy buckets on the other end. After a junior campaign where Miles was named MVP of the 4A state title game when his Dallas Lincoln team won state, he followed it up by taking his team to the regional tournament before losing to Paris.
Class 5A - John Walker III - Fort Bend Marshall
Season stat line: 16 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.5 assists
Commitment: Decommitted from Duquesne, currently undecided
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Walker III is a trim inside player who really enjoys running the court and making plays in transition. Though he weighs less than most of the interior players he faces, Walker more than makes up for it with his quickness and length. Walker has shown the ability to shoot it at a high rate from outside, and has the speed to beat defenders down the court. Walker led his Fort Bend Marshall team to their first ever appearance at the UIL state basketball tournament, where they finished as runners-up. Walker was committed to Duquesne during the season, but decided to re-open his recruitment and is currently mulling offers to where he will play next season.
Class 6A - Tristan Clark - San Antonio Wagner
Commitment: Baylor
Season stat line: 17.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 blocks
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Clark might be the most dominant big man in the 2017 class. Standing at a towering six-foot-9, Clark can control games on the boards and beat other teams into submission with his physical post work. The Baylor signee is a hard worker on both ends and most teams at the high school level simply cannot match his dominant physicality. Clark also has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor as well as knock down the mid range jumper with improved consistency. Having spent his junior season at Findlay Prep in Nevada, Clark returned to Texas for his senior season, when he was the driving force behind Wagner's trip to the state finals.
Mr. Texas Basketball - Cedrick Alley - Klein Forest
Season stat line: 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds
Commitment: Houston
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Alley's complete game makes him nearly impossible to shoehorn into one position. In essence, he is simply a basketball player with no glaring weaknesses in his game. Though he stands at six-foot-7 and is loosely described as a forward, he can handle the ball like a guard and shoot from all over the court. Alley's Klein Forest team looked to be overwhelming favorites for the 6A title, before Dallas Skyline ruined their perfect season by taking the air out of the ball in the regional final and dropping his previously undefeated Forest team to 34-1. Alley is an elite athlete and a great get for his hometown Houston Cougars, who will look forward to the presence of 2017's Mr. Texas Basketball on campus for the next four years.