Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Figger announced on Thursday the signing of 6-9, 215-pound forward Donte Houston Jr. for the 2021-22 season.
Houston comes to UTRGV after playing a prep year at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kan., in 2020-21.
Originally from Garland, Houston played both basketball and football at Lakeview Centennial High School. As a senior, Houston was nominated for the 2020 McDonald’s All American Games. After his senior season, Houston was one of 10 nominees for USA Today Dallas Boys Basketball Player of the Year. USA Today staff referred to Houston as having “left a defensive legacy on the Texas courts as he bodied up opposing big men and altered countless shots as one of the best rim protectors in the Lone Star State.”
Houston entered his senior season ranked as the No. 6 player in the SportsDayHS Top 20. He was the District 10-6A Defensive Player of the Year as a junior.
Houston played AAU basketball with Drive Nation, averaging 8.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks while shooting 51.3% from the field in 30 games during the summer of 2019.
“Donte is a versatile big that can play both the 4 and the 5,” Figger said. “He’s skilled around the basket. He’s a big-time shot blocker that can alter shots at the rim. He can run in transition. He has good footwork and hands. He has the size and the body to help us defend teams in the WAC and help us in the front court.”
Houston joins 6-8, 210-pound forward Shavaul Butters as part of the 2021-22 recruiting class.
