The local guard makes 500 threes a day and receives mentorship from Longhorn legend Dexter Pittman.

AUSTIN, Texas — More than 500,000 boys play high school basketball every season, and so far in 2026, none of them have hit more three-pointers than Austin Prep Academy guard Pierce Paul.

“I love shooting threes,” Paul said.

“He’s just able to get hot in a hurry,” Austin Prep Academy coach and director of operations Neema Djavadzadeh said.  “Anytime he gets hot, we want to get him the ball.”

So far this season, Paul has made 195 three-pointers and has had multiple 50-point performances. These numbers are put even further into perspective when you consider this high school star is not technically in high school yet. 

“I’m actually the youngest guy on the team,” said Pierce. “Because I’m in eighth grade.”

“That’s the exciting part for him,” said Djavadzadeh. “He has four more years of high school basketball where we can really see what he can accomplish down the line.”

Paul’s work ethic is what sets him apart from others.

“I try to make at least 500 threes a day,” he said. “Sometimes it’s good to shoot 500 while your legs are tired, so like in the games, if it’s a game scenario where my legs are tired and it’s the fourth quarter, I can still make that shot.”

Former Texas center Dexter Pittman is Paul’s family friend and is now also his mentor.

“Dexter Pittman is like, basically my uncle,” Paul said. “He’s giving me advice, like if I’m missing my shots, he’ll say, ‘Just keep shooting’, and ‘Keep your head up,’ and ‘Next shot.'”

Pittman was selected as number 32 overall in the 2010 draft, and Paul hopes to follow a similar path by someday playing for the NBA, too.

“My long term goal is to make the NBA and have a successful NBA career,” said Paul. “That’s always kind of been my vision forever.”

“He already has a skill that translates at the highest level,” said Djavadzadeh. “Being able to spread the floor at 6’4.”