Images provided by Nick Koza
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Better get used to Pangos All-American as a major player in the boys’ basketball summer camp scene.
Boasting players from several states—mostly west of the Mississippi River—and various shoe affiliations (think adidas, Nike, Reebok), Pangos managed to tip off the camp season with the aplomb of a seasoned player.
Others will have a tough time measuring up even using an embarrassment of riches. Pound for pound, Dinos Trigonis’ event might be the best, operating on a shoestring.
Just over a decade ago, the affable Trigonis found niche in early June when most elites were looking for an unaffiliated stage to showcase their talents, with the national media represent.
In spite of going head to head with USA Basketball U16 Men’s Developmental Team tryouts in Colorado Springs, Colo., Pangos culled the top available talent, giving the national analysts and at least 20 voters for the McDonald’s All-American Game a close up opportunity for three days at Cabrillo High’s East Gymnasium, to witness first hand rising seniors display dominance while some underclassmen stamped themselves as the immediate future of grassroots.
Getting selected to the Cream of the Crop Top 30 were 23 seniors, six underclassmen and a precocious rising sophomore.
The biggest splash came from 6-foot-7 Stanley Johnson, a local product from powerhouse Mater Dei in Santa Ana, Calif., who was voted Pangos Camp Most Valuable Player after sending tremors throughout the weekend for his consistent play, rising to each level of competition and unleashing in chunks why he is a high-major recruit getting attention from schools such as Louisville, Kentucky, San Diego State, Syracuse, UNLV and most of the Pac 12.
Here’s a thumbnail of the Pangos All-American Camp Top 30 (players are listed alphabetically and are from the Class of 2014 unless denoted):
Red Squad
Andre Chatfield, 6-4, Norcross (Ga.): He’s a smooth wing scorer who isn’t afraid to drive amongst the bigs. He’s also intelligent off the court with offers from Harvard and Yale. He also mentioned SEC schools getting involved.
Tyler Dorsey, 6-4, jr., St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.): The speedy guard simply jets up court. He’s a shoo-in for the 2015 McDonald’s All-American Game, with offers from Connecticut, Arizona, Florida, Louisville and UCLA.
Alex Illikainen, 6-9, jr., Grand Rapids (Minn.): Illikainen is well know in the Midwest and his interest is gaining momentum nationally. He’s a prototypical 4 with a great upside.
Jaylen Johnson, 6-9, Ypsilanti (Mich.): The highly ranked wing showed prowess and skill at both ends. Because of Michigan participation rules, Johnson couldn’t play in the all-star game
Stanley Johnson, 6-7, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.): He played at higher level, showing he can flick a switch to dominate a game. Johnson can play above the rim and drain the long three. He’s also lethal on the break, passing and finishing. He’s clearly in line for several 2014 postseason honors. He was named the camp’s MVP.
Terry Larrier, 6-7, The Phelps School (Malvern, Pa.): One of the few East Coast products that showed but made a big-time statement. The explosive scorer from the Bronx, N.Y., will need to shore up his defensive game, though.
Chris McCullough, 6-9, Salisbury (Conn.) School: It’s easy to see why the New York native will fit in seamlessly when he suits up for Syracuse. His long frame, arms are a natural for the backline of the Orange’s vaunted 2-3 zone. The freakish athlete was one of the top five players in camp.
Josh Perkins, 6-3, Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.): It’s rare—maybe the last time was the days of Chauncey Billups—when a Denver area player was this good. Perkins is a serious candidate for the senior all-star games. The true, big 1 can dictate the pace and is dangerous in transition, where he can push the ball with long strides.
Keith Pinckney, 6-2, Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.): The floor general is a leader. He’s a solid decision-maker and knows how to win after helping his scholastic team win another Georgia state championship. He said, the recruiting is all over from the SEC to the Colonial to Atlantic 10 to the Ivies. Another solid July will push the needle to the far right, where the high-majors await.
Omar Sherman, 6-8, Prime Prep (Dallas): The lefty plays for a national program and is stepping up consistently to score the basketball from long distances. A zone-buster, Sherman played at Duncanville (Texas) last season but will benefit from the transfer.
Ethan Telfair, 6-0, United Prep (Oklahoma City): He’s better than his brother—remember Sebastian—at the same age. He embraces passing the ball, setting up teammates in half-court sets and on the break. The Brooklyn native can score with consistency and made a name this weekend.
Trey Thompson, 6-9, Forrest City (Madison, Ark.): The thin, athletic forward is already committed to in-state Arkansas and this will only boost the image of the tarnished Hogs. Thompson’s ceiling is high but he needs several months in the weight room to survive the SEC battles.
Rashad Vaughn, 6-6, Robbindale Cooper (New Hope, Minn.): The word bouncing off the walls this weekend surrounded Vaughn’s recruitment, which is apparently being dictated by his father. North Carolina really wants him but it’s clear he’ll play much closer to home (think Big Ten, Big 12 or Big East). Otherwise he’s a scorer who would benefit from an up-tempo offense.
Namon Wright, 6-4, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.): He’s from Los Angeles but will spend his senior season at Findlay, benefitting from a national schedule and daily wars in practice. The long, slender wing has a silky jumper—he can fill it up from distance—but needs to develop his frame.
Stephen Zimmerman, 6-11, jr., Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas): What’s not to like about Gorman’s next high profile prospect. Zimmerman is a high post presence, who can distribute, bang in the paint, rebound and throw a bullet outlet, and defend. Zimmerman is a seasoned player for his age.
Blue Squad
Wade Baldwin, 6-3, St. Joseph’s (Metuchen, N.J.): This was a coming-out party for Baldwin, whose famous classmate (Karl Towns) usually gets the acclaim. Baldwin is a combo-guard, who is a decent ball-handler and distributor, but can play off the ball and score.
Carlton Bragg, 6-9, jr., Villa Angela St. Joseph (Cleveland): He’s one of Ohio’s top recruits, featuring a long, lean (about 200 pounds) frame. He challenges shots with his long arms while blocking shots to trigger a breakout. On offense, he has good footwork and above average moves in the blocks.
Isaiah Briscoe, 6-3, jr., St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.): Easily one of the nation’s premier players from the Class of 2015 and top-5 at camp. He can score in bunches as a classic wing guard. He’s already physically mature and tough to stop on go, especially when going off the bounce to rim.
Brekkott Chapman, 6-8, Roy (Utah): With another great month, the willowy Utahan could be ready to pull the trigger on his recruitment, which boasts mainly West schools with a few national names sprinkled in. The power forward played well at camp but he might be more suited for the wing.
Leon Gilmore, 6-7, Manvel (Texas): The lefty showed why he’s considered one of Texas’ top senior wings at camp. He canned threes and featured a solid mid-range jumper.
Daniel Hamilton, 6-7, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.): Hamilton will be the fourth brother in his family to play Division I when he suits up for Connecticut. He’s a big guard with oodles of potential and scoring ability. He’s known for a solid mid-range game.
Tra Holder, 6-1, Brentwood (Los Angeles): The smallish point guard is already committed to Arizona State and will be a steal for Herb Sendek. Has great court vision and known for his offensive output.
Jalen Lindsey, 6-7, Huntington (W.Va.) Prep: Lindsey is the latest frontline player to seek greener pastures after helping Christ Presbyterian School (Nashville, Tenn.) win the last two Tennessee state titles. He’s hoping the move will attract the elite programs but he still holds offers from a cadre of high-majors. He’s a high-flying, acrobatic athlete who can put on a show. He didn’t disappoint this weekend.
Thon Maker, 7-0, soph., Carlisle School (Martinsville, Va.): Without question, Maker was the talk of the camp with plenty of intrigue. He is a member of the Dinka tribe from Sudan but he moved to Australia before heading to the United States. He bears a resemblance to Manute Bol (a Dinka himself) and there many double takes when first walked into the gym on Friday night. He’s certainly not bashful with the ball—he needs more discipline—but all tools have been hardwired. He’s a long post, avid shot-rejecter, finishes with ease and has graceful footwork. Maker possessed the most potential of anyone here. Once he fills out … he’ll be really, really scary good!
Dwayne Morgan, 6-7, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore): In spite of playing with a jammed right thumb on his shooting, which hampered play on Friday, he bounced back and started scoring from the wing and from distance. He’s already committed to UNLV and told me that he really thinks coach Dave Rice’s style suits him. He’s already a top-10 wing in his class and a joy to watch in transition filling the lanes. He’s from great bloodlines: At a willowy 6-5, mom played at Clemson
Emmanuel Mudiay, 6-4, Prime Prep (Dallas): Clearly a top-5 player at the camp. He’s explosive in very facet of the game that it applies. He’s a mismatch for most points and mentioned schools such as Arizona, Baylor, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Louisville. Kansas and Texas. He never takes a play and features a tremendous motor. Slam-dunk for the McDonald’s All-American Game. Lottery pick material. Almost certainly a lock for UK but don’t rule out Baylor.
Alex Robinson, 6-1, Timberview (Arlington, Texas): He pushed the ball in transition and smoothly ran the point. Will be a very good four-year true 1 for a high major.
Chris Sandifer, 6-4, Serra (Gardena, Calif.): This guy has crazy hops, meaning he stalks in the stratosphere. He’s an ideal wing-forward for a mid to higher end program and dependable lefty scorer.
Elijah Thomas, 6-9, jr., Prime Prep (Dallas): He’s another player that drew oohs and ahs all weekend. The front liner puts the power in power forward, with great rebounding skills, finishing around the basket and an immoveable force in the blocks. Will play in 2015 McDonald’s Game. Might be a future lottery pick.
Craig Victor, 6-8, St. Augustine (New Orleans): The most intriguing player here. Seriously, Victor is an accomplished rebounder especially on the offensive end and always around the ball. He’s a top-25 player in his class. The slippery power forward said, he has several offers but he’s still looking (Arizona is the favorite). When he lands in college—Victor eventually will play in the league—his offensive skills and moves will land him in the starting five. He’s not afraid of contact but needs to grow if he plans on playing inside.
Thomas Welch, 7-0, PG, Loyola (Los Angeles): This skinny post is raw but didn’t back down from some of the more physical bigs at camp. Expect him to land at a New England prep school in the fall and he already has several big-time offer; expect more to roll in this summer.
