NORWALK, Calif. — In the 14 years since camp director Dinos Trigonis created Pangos All American Camp, the talent was never so deep.
Veteran analysts Van Coleman and Brick Oettinger noted at least “60 or more high major players” on rosters when the camp opened on Friday night. Collectively at least a dozen (of the 24 players), who potentially will appear on the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Game rosters next spring, were in Cerritos College’s Falcons Gymnasium.
That’s why earning a spot in the Cream of the Crop All Star carries more weight than in previous years. In this case, the cream certainly did rise, with a few added wrinkles. The camp totals were 110 players, with few no-shows.
All players are rising seniors from the Class of 2017 unless denoted and are listed alphabetically with their height, high school and hometown:
White Squad
Cole Anthony, 6-2, So. Archbishop Molloy, Briarwood, N.Y.: On Sunday, Anthony showed why he will be the next great point guard from New York City. He already plays in one of the nation’s top prep leagues and now he showed why. He is a go-to player when the game is on the line and earned the respect of his teammates. He drained five 3s in a three-minute stretch and threw down two straight windmill dunks. His point guard skills are polished. He’s only going to get better.
DeAndre Ayton, 7-0, Hillcrest. Phoenix: This guy has it all. He was the best player in camp and is a bit of a throwback. Withcenters playing more on the perimeter, Ayton needs to be a true post and play with his back to the basket. He cleans up missed shots with authority, rebounds like a beast, can step back to hit the mid-range shot, but mostly he an intimidator. He’s a classic one-and-done player. He can run the pick-and-roll (NBA staple) and has deft footwork. If he winds up at one of the elite programs (Kentucky or Duke) don’t be surprise.
Hamidou Diallo, 6-6, Putnam (Conn.) Science Academy: This is an exciting player and is the best player from New York (Corona, Queens). He’s listed as a shooting guard but he’s more of a hybrid. He’s always in attack the rim mode. He has quick feet and is an explosive dribbler that creates separation from the defender in the lane or on the perimeter. Good rebounder at the defensive end. Will head to Colorado Springs, Colo., this weekend for the USA U18 trials.
Trevon Duval, 6-4, API, Dallas: Some think Duval is the nation’s top point guard. Showed that he can turn up the jets, score off the dribble and changes direction at the drop of a dime. He’s the ultimate playmaker.
Spencer Freedman, 6-0, Jr., Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif.: As a point guard, he make the offense go. The pass-first guard will step back to uncork a 3, makes good decisions under duress and can perform in tight spaces.
Hasahn French, 6-7, Commonwealth Academy, Springfield, Mass.: He’s undersized power forward but has a chiseled body and plays physical in the post. His offensive skills are emerging but his rebounding and positioning are solid.
Deng Gak, 6-10, Blair Academy, Blairstown, N.J.: Gak’s best days are ahead. First, he’s athletic and plays with an innate ability that makes the game look effortless. He’s long and lean, runs the floor well, rejects shots, gets way above the rim and finish in traffic. Once he bulks up, there’s more cushion to absorb the blows.
Marcus Garrett, 6-6, Skyline, Dallas: Garrett is a big point guard with great vision and a sense of where he needs to deliver the ball. He guards multiple positions and excels in transition but really is the playmaker that elevates the rest of the team. He’s improved greatly since last summer.
Quade Green, 6-0, Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia: He’s wide open on college but hopes to have his five visits lined up before September. Green is a special point guard and adds his name to the litany of talented players at his position from Philadelphia.
Ira Lee, 6-8, Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif.: He brings it at both ends of the floor. He takes defense seriously, blocking shots with great anticipation and altering shots with his long arms. He’s always around the carom and reads the angles. He attacks the rim and plays with the ferocity and explosiveness that a power forward is called upon to do.
Brandon McCoy, 6-11, Cathedral Prep, San Diego: He has a great face-up game and is physically better than nearly all the bigs his age. Great footwork and quickness in the post gives McCoy a tremendous edge. This weekend however, he was injured and did not play after the first day.
David Singleton, 6-4, Jr., Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif.: He’s a tremendous player with great academics (3.9 GPA). Though not very flashy, Singleton is productive with mid-range shots, setting up his teammates and guarding multiple positions. Those high-end academic majors such as Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Rice and Stanford should take note.
Ethan Thompson, 6-5, Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif.: He’s from a great basketball family and already a polished wing guard. His offensive game allows him to score at any level and spot the open man. His basketball IQ will take him far.
P.J. Washington, 6-7, Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev.: The athletic power forward is quick to rim and has power moves in the post. He loves to run and score in transition and defends well against taller players. He’s a candidate for the USA U18 team.
Emmitt Williams, 6-8, Jr., IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.: He’s still developing but uses size and speed. He plays above the rim and runs the floor well. Expect this power forward to explode this summer.
Keith Williams, 6-5, Bishop Loughlin, Brooklyn, N.Y.: Williams, a wing guard, is improving each week and it shows. His shot is dropping with more consistency and attacking the rim comes with more authority. He’ll need to get stronger and continue to improve perimeter skills and defense.
Red Squad
Galen Alexander, 6-6, Lafayette (La.) Christian: The wing was on fire on Saturday, making shots from all over. His range seems endless whether he goes hard with authority to the rim or draining 3s. He also plays with a tremendous amount of energy.
Victor Bailey, 6-4, McNeil, Austin, Texas: He might be a streaky shooter but the Texan is exciting to watch. He’s hybrid 2 or 3 wing with an array a high-flying moves that results in points. An up-tempo offense suits him best. Possesses a solid handle.
Charles Bassey, 6-10, So. St. Anthony Catholic, San Antonio, Texas: His game is always evolving but for some reason he did not show much this weekend. There’s too much upside for the nation’s top freshman and the word out of San Antonio is that St. Anthony’s hired a big-time head coach to take Bassey and his teammates to the next level.
Jay Jay Chandler, 6-4, Cinco Ranch, Katy, Texas: He’s one of the more improved players at camp. He consistently found his touch from 3-point range and excelled in transition. He plays at the rim for his size and is a top 5 point guard in his class.
Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, 6-8, Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia: Cosby-Roundtree is a skilled, active power forward who earlier this spring verballed to national champion Villanova. He’s one of the nation’s quickest risers with a blue-collar work ethic.
RaiQuan Gray, 6-8, Dillard, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: He’s a physical player who can play either inside or outside. Nice touch from the foul line extended. Mostly mid-majors are on him but a few ACC schools are sniffing. Needs a big summer to move into another stratosphere.
Jaylen Hands, 6-3, Balboa Prep, San Diego: The UCLA commit is a skilled passer, showing he can thread the needle and unleash a tremendous court vision of an exceptional floor leader. He’s willing to sacrifice in the lane to finish taking on the bigs without hesitation.
Brandon Huffman, 6-9, Word of God Academy, Raleigh, N.C.: Plays big in the post with solid moves and stays active on the offensive glass. He’d make a wonderful catch and make more of an impact at a school from the Atlantic 10, Colonial, Sun Belt or Conference USA.
Charles O’Bannon Jr., 6-6, Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas: If his name sounds familiar it should. Just like his father, who played in the NBA and UCLA, he has a smooth stroke and can fill it up from well beyond the arc.
Michael Porter, 6-9, Father Tolton Catholic, Columbia, Mo.: He was one of the top players here. Enough has been said about his high skill set but he’s maturing physically from a year ago and now can take the hits and dish them out. The big news, through, is where he plays this season. He’ll be moving with his family to Seattle and the likely will enroll at Garfield or Rainier Beach high schools or Seattle Prep. He’s a surefire NBA lottery pick.
Billy Preston, 6-9, Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va.: He recently transferred to Oak Hill to concentrate on books and basketball. Preston possesses the rare all-around skill set for a big; he can score from multiple spots on the floor, find the open man and defend the post. He’s a shoo-in for the McDonald’s All-American Game in 2017 and will make Oak Hill that much more difficult to beat.
D’Shawn Schwartz, 6-6, Sand Creek, Colorado Springs, Colo.: The left-handed wing forward showed he can finish in transition and consistently knock down jumpers from long range. He averaged a double-double in high school and has several high-major offers, mostly from the Pac-12 and Mountain West leading the charge.
Javonte Smart, 6-4, Jr., Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La.: There’s reason why Scotlandville will be ready to reclaim a Louisiana Class 5A state title and it starts with the elite combo guard. Like his name indicates, he has a basketball IQ and will score in many ways, including long-range 3s. This week his dribble drive skills sliced defenses.
Gary Trent, 6-5, Apple Valley, Minn.: Another of the bluest of blue chipper here. He’s offensive minded and unleashes an array of moves and shots from all angles. The wing guard had a better shot selection and shot a higher percentage. His father played in the NBA, and so will he.
Jarred Vanderbilt, 6-8, Victory Prep Academy, Houston: He plays the 4 and does it in an athletic way. He usually finds the open man when double-teamed and will dominate the boards and step out for a quick jumper. Rates as one of the top players at his position in senior class.
Isaiah Washington, 6-1, St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y.: The true 1 has the ability to consistently hit the mid-range and 3-ball. He’s deceptively a good passer and leads to the transition game, advancing the ball quickly and error-free. The Big East and Big Ten schools are pressing hard for his verbal.
Trae Young, 6-2, Norman, Okla.: He was one of the most talked about players last weekend and lived up to the pre-camp chatter. He’s crafty with the ball and will drive and kick at will. He has a quick, smooth release especially with a defender draping him. He’s not big enough to be a wing guard but can stretch the defense from 3-point range. Top-20 player who will play in the McDonald’s All American Game.
One More Thing …
Arguably the nation’s top player from the Class of 2018, 6-10 Marvin Bagley Jr., has whittled down his college choice to a six schools: Kentucky, Duke, Arizona, Arizona State, UCLA and Oregon. Bagley, who attend attended in Arizona as a freshman and transferred to Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.) last winter (and sat out his sophomore season under California transfer policies).
Bagley or any of his Sierra Canyon teammates did not attend the Pangos All-American Camp. With Bagley in the lineup, Sierra Canyon is a serious contender for the Blue Star Media Elite 25 national championship.
Senior Writer and national analyst for Blue Media and compiles the Blue Star Elite 25 national boys and girls high school basketball and football rankings during the season. Lawlor, an award-winning writer, is a voting committee member and advisor for several national high school events, including the McDonald’s All-American Games. He previously wrote for USA TODAY and ESPN.com, where he was the national preps writer, while compiling the national rankings in four sports.