27 North Texas high school boys basketball player of the year candidates for 2023-24

From Irving Prep's Jaden Toombs to Oak Cliff Faith Family's Doryan Onwuchekwa, here are 27 standouts to watch

Author:
Cody Thorn
Publish date:
Feb 4, 2024 3:55 PM EST

As Texas high school boys basketball district races take shape in early 2024, SBLive is taking a look at the players in each region who have made the biggest impact on the hardwood.

After starting with South Texas, we're moving to North Texas. We gathered 25 standout players so far this season in North Texas, from the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex and more, spanning high schools of all sizes and association affiliations.

If the season ended today, who would be the North Texas high school boys basketball player of the year?

Here are 27 North Texas standouts to watch:

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NORTH TEXAS PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST

Oak Cliff Faith Family's Doryan Onwuchekwa dunks against Vashon on Jan. 20.
Photo by Nate Latsch, SBLive Sports

Kuol Atak, sr.

School: Haltom City

Measurables: 6-9, 185

The power forward and Oklahoma signee is scoring 22.8 points per game, a tick above last year’s tally of 22.5 points per game. He is also averaging 10.4 rebounds per game. The four-star recruit is No. 113 in the nation according to 247Sports.

Brooks Bahr, sr.

School: Keller

Measurables: 6-4, 180

The combo guard is a three-star recruit and No. 8 in the state signed to play at BYU. The McDonald’s All-American Game nominee is averaging 10.7 points, 9 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game for the Indians.

Keitenn Bristow, sr.

School: Holliday

Measurables: 6-8, 193

The unsigned senior is scoring more than 20 points per game for the second year in a row for the Eagles. Scored a season-high 40 in a win against Idalou. Had posted double-doubles in 12 games.

Kensington Candler, soph.

School: Little Elm

Measurables: 6-1 135

In his second year on varsity, he’s picked up scoring, tallying 21.4 points per game for the Lobos, after tallying 6.3 last year. The guard is averaging 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game as well.

Nic Codie, sr.

School: Carrollton Newman Smith

Measurables: 6-9, 200

He’s the top-ranked recruit in the state for the senior class by 247Sports. He’s No. 45 in the country and the four-star recruit signed with Texas. He was selected as a nominee for the McDonald’s All-American game.

BJ Davis-Ray, jr.

School: Duncanville

Measurables: 6-7, 187

A transfer from Link Academy in Missouri, he holds more than a dozen offers from Big 12, SEC and Big Ten schools. He is averaging 17.6 points per game, while adding 8.1 rebounds per game and is second on his his squad with 2.6 assists per game.

Kadyen ‘Bugg’ Edwards, jr.

School: Duncanville

Measurables: 6-2, 165

The 6-foot-2 guard has scored 14 or more points in every game and had a season-high 45 points in a win against Silsbee in December, averaging 23.8 points per game. In 17 games this season, he has at least 1 3-pointer one every game.

Anthony Elizondo, soph.

School: Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis

Measurables: 5-10, 155

The combo guard is one of the top scores in DFW. He’s averaging 21 points per game, 6.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 4.1 steals per game for the Eagles.

King Grace, jr.

School: Waxahachie

Measurables: 6-5, 186

The shooting guard is the No. 2-ranked player in the state and 34th in the country in the 2025 class. He averages 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Indians. In 10 of 17 games this season, he has scored 20 or more points.

Ryan Hampton, fr.

School: Rockwall-Heath

Measurables: 6-6, 170

There aren’t many freshmen on the list but makes a case for being one. He’s averaging 19.6 points per game, while grabbing 6.9 rebounds and dishing out 1.5 assists per game for the Hawks.

Leon Horner III, sr.

School: Irving Dynamic Prep School

Measurables: 6-5, 195

He’s one of two McDonald’s All-American Game nominees from Dynamic Prep. The unsigned forward is the team’s top scorer with 14.3 points per game while tallying 2 assists, 1.4 steals and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Jaylen Lawal, sr.

School: iSchool of Lewisville

Measurables: 6-2, 195

He put himself on the map last year with a 47-point game while at Plano West. At a new school, he’s averaging 17.5 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Cougars.

Cameron Lomax, soph,

School: Frisco Heritage

Measurables: 6-2, 165

The combo guard holds an offer from UNLV. He is pacing the Coyotes’ offense this year with 23.7 points per game. He had a season-high 41 points against Mansfield Legacy on Dec. 8. Lomax is averaging a little more than 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

Tyran Mason, sr.

School: Plano

Measurables: 6-6, 180

The North Texas pledge is one of the area’s top scores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with 25.9 points per game. In addition, he averages 6.7 rebounds per game. He’s another McDonald’s All-American Game nominee.

Doryan Onwuchekwa, sr.

School: Dallas Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy

Measurables: 6-10, 245

The four-star recruit is a Colorado signee. He is averaging 15.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game this winter. In the UIL Class 4A finals last year he had 15 points and 15 rebounds. He’s a McDonald’s All-American Game nominee.

Julian Perez, sr.

School: Fort Worth Brewer

Measurables: 6-0, 165

A four-year player for the Bears, he’s tallying 19.2 points per game this season, with 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.4 steals per game. He makes 40% of his 3-pointers and scored a season-high 36 in a win against Kauffman on Dec. 28.

Drew Perry, jr.

School: Dallas Lakehill Prep

Measurables: 5-10, 155

The point guard is among the DFW leaders in steals with 3.7 thefts per game. He is also scoring 22 points per game, with 3 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game for the Warriors.

Steven Ramirez, jr.

School: Keller

Measurables: 6-5, 190

He leads the Indians in a few offensive categories, including points per game (21.3), defensive rebounds per game (5.3), total rebounds (7.1 per game) and steals per game (2.7).

Shamar Richburg, sr.

School: Rio Vista

Measurables: 6-5, 160

He’s been a force inside for the Eagles on both offense and defense. He is averaging a double-double through 25 games with 10.9 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game. He’s also blocking 4.1 shots per contest. Nine times this year he’s blocked 5 or more shots and he set the school record last year with 14 in a game.

Caden Sandlin, sr.

School: Garland Christian Academy

Measurables: 6-1, 165

The senior is having his best season yet for the Swordsmen by scoring 27.6 points per game, scoring 20 or more in 10 games. He chips in 7 rebounds and 7 steals per game.

Carter Scott, sr.

School: Collinsville

Measurables: 6-3, 180

He’s a walking double-double machine with 11 of them in 15 games for the Pirates. In a win against Lindsay on Jan. 12, he had a season-high 29 points and 14 rebounds. His best rebound game was 19 against Gunter. He is averaging 14 points and 13.4 rebounds per game.

Cyrus Shaw, sr.

School: Irving Universal Academy

Measurables: 6-3, 181

The unsigned combo guard is averaging 21.7 points per game for the Eagles, despite not playing for about a month. He nearly averages a double-double by grabbing 9 rebounds per game, while adding 4.1 assists per game.

Tyree Sheffield, sr.

School: Dallas Inspired Vision Academy

Measurables: 6-1, 181

He’s the leading scorer for the Eagles with 22.3 points per game. He is a transfer from Garland Lakeview Centennial

Dakari Spear, soph.

School: The Colony

Measurables: 6-3, 165

The combo guard is No. 3 in his position, No. 2 in the state and No. 45 nationally and has picked up offers from Tennessee, Texas A&M and Texas Tech. He is scoring 18 points per game for the Cougars this winter.

Caleb Steger, jr.

School: Dallas Jesuit Preparatory School

Measurables: 6-4, 185

The highly-recruited guard — with offers from LSU, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and North Texas to name a few, is scoring 16.9 points per game for the Rangers. He Is hitting 39% of his 3s and 52% overall.

Jaden Toombs, jr.