25 South Texas high school boys basketball player of the year candidates in 2023-24

From Gregory-Portland's Shawn Williams to Corpus Christi Veterans' Billy White III, who has been top hooper in South Texas?

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.

Starting with South Texas. We gathered 25 standout players so far this season, from Brownsville to Corpus Christi and the rest of South Texas, spanning high schools of all sizes.

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

Here is a closer look at 25 candidates:

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SOUTH TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF YEAR CANDIDATES

Veterans Memorial's Sean Mondragon attempts a contested layup during the game at Flour Bluff High School on Jan. 12 / Photo by Angela Piazza, Caller-Times, USA TODAY NETWORK

Axel Garza, forward, sr.

School: Edinburg Vela

Garza has been arguably the best player on the best team in the Rio Grande Valley this year, ranking No. 1 among his teammates in points per game (15.1), rebounds per game (8.9), blocks per game (1.2) and field goal percentage (59%). The 6-foot-4 point forward has the SaberCats marching towards their third straight district title, with the team sitting 23-5 overall and 10-0 in league play. 

Beto Galarza, guard, jr. 

School: Brownsville Hanna

Galarza splashed onto the scene a season ago, earning Newcomer of the Year honors for the Brownsville area as a sophomore. The junior guard has taken his game to another level this season, doubling his scoring average to 16.6 points per contest while also improving on his defensive impact (2.0 SPG). Galarza has been as consistent as they are this season, scoring in double figures during 25 of his 27 appearances thus far.

Billy White III, forward, soph.

School: Corpus Christi Veterans

White was a star on the gridiron for the Eagles during the fall, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns during his first varsity season. Its no surprise he’s just as big of a star on the hardwood. The 6-foot-7 forward is one of four players on the team averaging double figures this season, ranking third with 14.1 per game. His exceptional court vision and ability to clean the glass make him a pivotal player on the Eagles squad, averaging a team-high 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest.

Bradeon Gomez, forward, sr.

School: Corpus Christi Carroll

With still more than a handful of games remaining in the regular season, Corpus Christi Carroll has already matched its win total from a season ago, sitting at 15-7. A big reason for their success this season is the player of the senior Gomez. The 6-foot-7 forward leads the team in points (16.3), rebounds (8.1), steals (3.0) and blocks per game (1.3), helping his team to a 2-1 start in district play. 

Calvin Villanueva, guard, jr.

School: Alice

The Coyotes look like a different team this season. After going 15-21 a year ago and just sneaking into the playoffs, Alice currently sits at 18-8 and second in district with a 4-2 mark. A big reason for their improvement is the evolution of their point guard. The 5-foot-8 Villanueva is shooting at a 49% clip from the field this year, averaging a team-high 14.0 points per game. His court vision, however, is what sets him apart on the hardwood, distributing 6.2 assists per game. Despite standing well below six feet tall, Villanueva has also made an impact on the boards, averaging 3.7 rebounds per game.

CJ Vela, guard, sr.

School: Corpus Christi Veterans

Corpus Christi Veterans has three viable candidates for SBLive’s South Texas MVP award this season, each contributing to their team in their own unique ways. Vela is the second of those three candidates. The 5-foot-11 senior is a threat to score from anywhere on the floor, evident by his 60% field goal percentage, 55.5% 3-point percentage and 85% conversion rate at the line. His sweet stroke has him leading the team in scoring this year, averaging a career-high 16.2 points per game.

Cole Rivers, guard, sr.

School: Skidmore-Tynan

 The Bobcats have only four blemishes on their record this season, sitting at 19-4 overall and 3-1 in district. Rivers has been the cog that moves the Bobcats machine, averaging a team-high 14.1 points per game. The 6-foot-2 guard has also become more of a presence on the glass this season, improving his average from 5.4 a year ago to 8.4. 

Donny Thomas, guard, sr.

School: Bishop

Thomas has been a steady contributor for the Bishop Badgers since his freshman year, averaging double-digit points each season. It has been no different during his senior season, averaging a team-high 17.8 points along with 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.7 steals. Thomas’ all-around effort has the Badgers sitting at 19-9 overall, including a 5-0 mark at the midway point of district play.

Gio Galvan, forward, jr.

School: Los Fresnos

Los Fresnos has experienced a three-year district title drought, with their last coming during the 2020 season. The Falcons think they have the squad to claim their stake at the top once again this year thanks to a pair of MVP candidates. First off is junior Gio Galvan. The 6-foot-0 forward has taken serious strides during his third varsity season, averaging a double-double (17.0 points, 10.1 rebounds) through 27 games this season. Galvan’s improvement has the Falcons sitting at 22-6 overall and 2-0 in district play.

Hector Murillo, forward, soph.

School: Laredo United South

Murillo broke out as a freshman for the Panthers last season, displaying his potential with multiple double-digit performances. The sophomore forward is looking even more dominant during Year 2, making 20-point performances look easy. Murillo’s continued rise has the Panthers looking like the best team in the Laredo area, sporting a 19-8 overall record and 2-0 mark in district play.

JJ Salazar, guard, sr.

School: Los Fresnos

Salazar has become Los Fresnos’ go-to guy since first stepping onto the court as a freshman in 2021. A knee injury during football season derailed the start to his senior year, but the 6-foot-1 forward is looking like himself once again on the hardwood, adding to an already loaded Falcons squad. Salazar ranks second on the team in points per game with 15.0, while also adding 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.9 steals. His numbers have seen an uptick over the past five contests, averaging 19.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists during that span.

Joey Tello, guard, sr.

School: Laredo United South

Tello is the second half of the dynamic backcourt leading the Panthers this season. The 5-foot-11 guard has been arguably the best player in the Laredo area this season, easily averaging over 14 points per game this year., with multiple 20-point contests also under his belt. His game goes beyond his scoring prowess, however, with his ability to set up his teammates, like Murillo, for easy baskets. Tello’s impact makes him an early candidate to earn not only Laredo’s top honors, but possibly SBLive’s South Texas MVP award.

Jordan Villalobos, forward, jr.

School: Taft

The Greyhounds are one of the hottest teams in South Texas heading into the back half of regular season play, riding a 10-game winning streak as of Jan. 17. A huge reason for that dominance is the 6-foot-3 Villalobos. The junior forward has stuffed the stat sheet this season, averaging a team-high 23.6 points, along with 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals.

Jorge Martinez, guard, jr.

School: Laredo Martin

Martinez was named as the top player to watch this season in the Laredo area by the Laredo Morning Times. He hasn’t disappointed thus far, continuing to build off strong freshman and sophomore campaigns. The 6-foot-1 guard is a near guarantee for double-digits points each night. The Tigers will go as far as Martinez takes them this season and he seems to have them headed in the right direction after a slow start to the season, winning five of their last six games to move to 5-1 in district. 

Jose Escobar, guard, sr.

School: Laredo Nixon

The Mustangs have coasted through the first half of district play, sitting perfect at 6-0 with one team left to play in round 1. The key to their success has been their two-headed monster backcourt. Escobar is one half of the Mustangs two-point guard system. The senior guard knows his role on the team and plays it well, serving as the team’s second scoring option with 13.9 points per game. He’s also a pest on defense averaging a team-high 3.1 steals per game. The Mustangs’ two-headed duo has Laredo Nixon humming at the right time, with a third straight district title well in sights.

Jose L. Gonzalez, guard, jr.

School: La Joya Palmview

Laredo area schools have stood in the way of a district title for La Joya Palmview for years. Last year the Lobos competed for the title but ended up finishing third in the district. This year’s squad hopes to break through the Laredo wall this season. Gonzalez is a big reason for that hope. The 5-foot-10 guard is one of the top scorers not only in the RGV, but in all of South Texas, averaging 22.2 points per game. He’s also continued to develop as a passer this season, bringing his assist numbers up from 2.6 to 4.4 per game. Gonzalez’s play has the Lobos in the mix for their first district title, sitting behind only Laredo Nixon with a 4-1 record. 

Kennedy Onwuzurike, forward, sr.

School: IDEA Edinburg

IDEA Edinburg is fairly new to UIL competition, with less than a decade under their belt. After a rough couple of years, the Eagles look like legit district title contenders this year, sporting a 15-6 overall record and 8-1 district mark. Onwuzurike has been key to the Eagles turnaround emerging as one of the top players in South Texas this year. The 6-foot-6 forward has always made an impact on the glass averaging at least 7.5 since his sophomore year. This year, however, he’s leveled up his game, becoming a scoring threat for IDEA Edinburg. Onwuzurike’s 16.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game this year have the Eagles in the mix for their first district crown.

Mario Villegas, guard, sr.

School: McAllen High

McAllen High has been one of the premier basketball programs in the Rio Grande Valley for years, constantly producing some of the best talent in South Texas. This year is no different with Villegas one of the best in the area this year. The senior guard has saved his best season for his last, averaging career highs in points per game (14.3) and steals per game (2.6). He’s also continued to show his excellent court vision, averaging 3.1 assists per contest. Villegas’ play has the Bulldogs sitting near the top of the district standings, setting a 19-8 overall mark and 8-2 record near the season’s midway point.

Mason Vela, guard, jr.

School: Laredo Nixon

Vela spent most of his sophomore season as a role player, averaging just 5.3 points per game. What a difference a year makes. The second half of the Mustangs dynamic backcourt has taken the lead role by the rein, emerging as one of the top players in South Texas this year. The junior guard is a threat to score anytime the rock is in his hands, averaging a team-high 19.3 points per game. His sweet touch from behind the arc has been a key part to his game this year, shooting 40.0% from 3-point range. Vela’s breakout season has Nixon looking like the team to beat in 30-5A once again, with a deep playoff run also possibly in the cards.

Nathaniel De La Garza, guard, jr.

School: Edinburg Economedes

It has been an up and down season for the Jaguars this year, sitting at 12-12 at the midway point. That isn’t to take away from the dominant year De La Garza has strung together early on. The 6-foot guard is the lifeblood of the Jaguars, leading the team in several major statistical categories. His 18.3 points per game make him one of the RGV’s top scorers. He’s also displayed his ability to differ to his teammates, averaging 3.3 assists per game, while also leaving his stamp on defense with 2.2 steals per game. The Jaguars aren’t far off from a playoff appearance. If they get there, De La Garza will be a big reason why.

Quisto Sanchez, guard, soph.

School: Falfurrias

The Jerseys have been near perfect through the first half of the season, with only two losses on their record. Helping drive the team’s success is the 5-foot-11 Sanchez. The sophomore guard does a little of everything for the Jerseys, leading the team in points per game (15.8) and rebounds per game (6.2), while also chipping in 1.7 assists and 0.8 steals per game. Sanchez’s play has Falfurrias amid a winning season for the first time since 2020, with a district title also in play.

Sean Mondragon, guard, soph.

School: Corpus Christi Veterans

The third member of the Eagles’ squad to crack SBLive’s South Texas MVP watchlist is Mondragon. The 6-foot-2 guard is a versatile weapon for Corpus Christi Veterans, making an impact in every aspect of the game. His 14.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game each rank second on the team. Mondragon and the Eagles’ trio has the Eagles sitting at 18-8 overall this season, including a 4-0 mark in league play.

Shawn Williams, forward, jr.

School: Gregory-Portland

Williams has been as dominant as they come this season. The 6-foot-7 forward is a near guarantee for a double-double each, recording one in 13 of his 23 appearances. The big-bodied Williams dominates opponents with his interior play, averaging 23.0 points per game while shooting 67% from the field. His size also allows him to crash the boards with relative ease, averaging 10.0 rebounds per contest. Williams impact doesn’t end there, also adding 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. The junior forward has the Wildcats sitting at 22-4 overall and 3-0 in district play heading into the back half of the season.

Trevor Jones, guard, sr.

School: Gregory-Portland

Jones has been the lightning to the thunder that is Williams this season, giving Gregory-Portland a dynamic one-two punch on the hardwood. While Williams has done the dirty work in the paint for the Wildcats, Jones has been a forced on the outside, shooting 43% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. Jones has also had a knack for finding the open man for easy buckets this year, averaging 3.3 assists per contest. Don’t let his 5-foot-11, 155-pound frame fool you either, as Jones has also shown willingness to crash the boards, averaging 3.2 rebounds per contest. With Jones in the backcourt and Williams manning the paint, the Wildcats look like one of the top teams in South Texas this year.

David De La Cruz, guard, sr.

School: Santa Rosa

The race for the District 32-3A title is going to come down to the wire, with the top four teams each sporting a 7-2 record. The Warriors are one of those four teams thanks largely in part to the play of De La Cruz. The senior guard has been lighting up the scoreboard to the tune of 20.1 points per game this season. De La Cruz seems to be ramping up his play over the team’s last three games, averaging 25.6 points per game during that stretch as the Warriors prepare to make a push for the district crown. 

-- Ivan Palacios | @sblivetx