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The 2023-24 VYPE Basketball Preview
The Mt. Rushmore of Hoopston; the 2023-24 VYPE Basketball Preview Flipbook
How about this focus group poll?
When you think of Great Houston basketball, what is the first name that comes to mind? That really depends on how old you are, right? Are we talking girls or boys?
Having covered high school sports for over 20 years in Hoopston, I feel like I have a pretty good perspective. Let’s do a Mr. Rushmore of boys and girls for the VYPE-era, shall we? Ladies first.
Nimitz legend Brittany Griner has to lead the way. I’ve seen her bring the Aldine Campbell Center to its feet in a playoff game as she flew downcourt with a two-handed slam. Can an entire family count as one? The Ogwumike foursome – Nneka (first pick in WNBA) and Chiney (first pick in WNBA), Olivia (Rice) and Erica (Rice) – are the first family or womens’ basketball on a national level. Barbers Hill’s Charlie Collier was also the No. 1 pick in the WNBA coming out of the University of Texas. The fifth of the Mr. Rushmore is Brianna Turner, who led Manvel to a State Title in 2014 and won an NCAA Title with Notre Dame in 2018. She was drafted No. 11 in the WNBA draft in 2019.
Now that is a list. Let the arguments begin in 3... 2... 1.
How about the boys?
Sterling High’s Clyde Drexler was a little too far back, so let ’s stay more recent day. Willowridge’s TJ Ford, Elsik’s Rashard Lewis and Madison’s Tommy Mason Griffin are still a little before our time.
This is where it gets into a grey area.
It has to start with De’Aaron Fox of Cypress Lakes, who went on to Kentucky and was the No. 5 overall pick by the Sacramento Kings. He is growing into a star in the NBA. Quentin Grimes of College Park makes the monument. Grimes was a McDonald’s All-American, the AAC co-Player of the Year for the University of Houston which went to the NCAA Final Four and was the 25th pick in the NBA Draft in 2021.
Aaron and Andrew Harrison were spectacular twins at Fort Bend Travis, before staring at Kentucky. They won a State Title with the Tigers, before advancing to the NCAA Final Four with the Wildcats.
The last one is tough... VYPE chisels Atascocita star, Carsen Edwards, into the monument. Edwards made Atascocita basketball a super-power during his tenure, before making Purdue relevant in the NCAA Tournament in 2019. He won the Jerry West Award for the top shooting guard in the nation and was a consensus All-American. He was drafted in the second round of the NBA Draft and has bounced around the league, the G League and Europe.
The real question is, who is next?
With that... Welcome to the 2023-24 VYPE Basketball Preview, the guide of the Who’s Who of Hoopston.
NEXT IN LINE: Houston Christian's Thomas is #Trending
THE HOUSTON-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL SCENE IS RICH IN TRADITION. MAYBE THE RICHEST IN THE COUNTRY.
What other city has had four WNBA No. 1 overall draft picks — Nneke Ogwumike (Cy-Fair), Chiney Ogwumike (Cy-Fair), Brittney Griner (Nimitz) and Charli Collier (Barbers Hill) — dating back to the beginning of the WNBA in 1997? None. The Houston Comets won the first four Championships in league history.
Houston is the epicenter of girls basketball.
As Rori Harmon and Kyndall Hunter of Cypress Creek head to the University of Texas this fall, the question begs...who is the next big thing?
Houston Christian combo- guard D'Asia Thomas is currently a nationally-ranked star in the Class of 2023 with college coaches all vying for her signature a year from now.
"When I was younger, I was always overlooked," the 6-foot-3 Thomas said. "If you would have told me I would be where I am today back then, I would have thought you were crazy. But I've put the work in from running hills, on the track, in the weight room and in the gym for countless of hours. It's all paid off."
When not dominating the SPC for the Mustangs, she plays in the summer with Cy- Fair Elite.
"I was pretty good in middle school and then I joined Cy-Fair Elite. They opened up my game tremendously and made me so much better. They put me on a much bigger platform." What makes Thomas special, is her versatility.
"In school ball, I play all five positions," she said. "If I need to play the point, I'll play the point. It's really helped me improve on my guard skills from shooting the three-pointer to seeing the open man to getting to the basket. I can always get a bucket.
"What I really need to concentrate on now is my defense," she laughs. "I don't love defense but that is going to take me where I need to go. I watch a lot of DiDi Richards (Cy Ranch, Baylor and New York Liberty). I play her position and she made her name playing defense."
The offers have begun piling up as she starts to whittle down her list of favorites.
"I like to watch Baylor and I've been to a few UH games, but it's starting to get really busy," she said. "I'm looking for a place where I can build a great relationship with the coaches and players, and is big on God. I'm looking for a second family."
For now, she's just a kid doing TikToks, fishing with her father, hanging with friends and family, watching Outer Banks and listening to 'Lil Baby.
On the court, however, Thomas can see her future.
"I want to be the best girls basketball player to ever come out of Houston Christian and get drafted in to the WNBA in five years," she said. "It will take more work, but I know I can get there."
Much like the ones before her.
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