There are a number of outstanding athletes in high school athletics who are breaking records and creating waves both on and off the court. Some of the notable figures grabbing attention this season are as follows:
Shelton Henderson High School in Bellaire
Bellaire High School senior forward Shelton Henderson, who stands at an astonishing 6-feet-6, has established himself as one of the country’s best basketball players. According to 247Sports, the five-star prospect is the top player in Texas and the 15th best player in the US.
Henderson led Bellaire High School in several areas last season, including assists (3.9 per game), steals (2.9 per game), blocks (1.4 per game), rebounds (7.6 per game), points (21.6 per game), and field goal percentage (56%). He recently committed to Duke University, beating out Texas and Louisville, two prestigious schools. Henderson, who is well-known for his explosive scoring and court dominance, has committed, which is a significant step as he gets ready to play NCAA basketball.
Cypress Springs High School’s Ayla McDowell
Ayla McDowell, a 6 2 senior forward for Cypress Springs, has been a formidable opponent on the floor. She just broke the school record previously held by her teammate Jemini Mitchell by scoring an incredible 48 points in a single game. Additionally, McDowell has hit the incredible 2,000 career point threshold.
McDowell led Cy Springs in points (19.6 per game), rebounds (9.2 per game), and steals (2.5 per game) during her junior year. McDowell is committed to making an impact at the next level after signing with the University of South Carolina. She guided her team to the verge of a state championship the previous season, but they lost a close game to Duncanville. McDowell is still an important player to keep an eye on because of her outstanding leadership and scoring abilities.
At Alief Taylor High School, Nataliyah Gray
Nataliyah Gray, the 6-foot-3 senior of Alief Taylor, is a walking double-double and has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most versatile players. With an incredible 15 double-doubles so far this season, Gray is the top player in the country in that category and leads the fourth-ranked Alief Taylor girls varsity basketball club.
Gray’s other honors include being ranked No. 3 in free throws, No. 8 in scoring, and No. 9 in rebounds. She averaged 20.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game during the previous campaign. She is still dominating the floor with her all-around skill and tenacity after signing with Mississippi State.
Michael Collins, High School at Shadow Creek
Shadow Creek High School senior point guard Michael Collins is still a remarkable physical playmaker. During his junior year, Collins, who is well-known for his offensive and defensive skills, was selected to the 2024 TABC Hoops All-Region 3-6A Boys Basketball Team and was voted District 23-6A MVP.
Collins showed off his skills in the EYBL circuit over the summer, scoring 11.3 points per game on average. Collins continues his high school career as a standout to watch because of his steady success. Several universities, including George Mason, Arizona State, Grambling State, Jackson State, and Lamar University, are reportedly considering Collins at this time, according to 247 Sports.
Brianna Rivers, High School at Summer Creek
Brianna Rivers, a senior at Summer Creek High School, is establishing herself as a versatile and dominant athlete as she moves to the track. In addition to her already impressive track career, the 2024 UIL 6A high jump state champion recently inked a contract with the University of Oklahoma.
Rivers is a multi-talented athlete who has a long jump record of 18 1.5, a personal best of 5 10 in the high jump, and times of 43.87 and 14.38 seconds in the 300- and 100-meter hurdles, respectively. Rivers has additional time to improve her already stellar resume now that she is a part of the class of 2025.
These players are future leaders in their respective sports in addition to being high school stars thanks to their amazing performances and commitment. Watch these names because they are influencing how sports will develop in the future.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
