NORWALK, Calif. – If it’s the first weekend in June, rest assured schoolboy basketball universe is gathered for the Pangos All-American Camp. For 17 years, camp director Dino Trigonis gathers the best available talent for three days of intense balling and top-notch instruction.

What’s so special about Pangos? Players are selected regardless of their club team’s shoe affiliation. With the month of July a few weeks away and the NCAA live viewing period on the horizon, this was a last showcase (May 31 through June 2) impress the scouts (yes, there were at least 20 NBA teams in the building) and national analysts from several publications.

Here are some observations from Cerritos College’s Spartan Gymnasium.

Once again the Pangos Camp occurred just days after the USA Basketball U16 Men’s National Team was selected at a training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The young Americans are headed this week to Brazil for the 2019 FIBA Americas championships. Perhaps a few players that made the USA squad may have shown up at Pangos but the quality of players was not drastically altered.

This year’s Pangos Camp was heavy on the bigs and a dearth of true quality point guards. It was evident that bigs wanted alley-oop passes at the rim and the guards were willing to toss it up for grabs. That cut down the halfcourt play and defense for most part was not existence for most games.

Several national analysts and observers feel Pangos needs a fresh look like maybe tournament style play. Lose and you don’t win the event. One overall champion was another suggestion while the addition of 3-on-3 competition would be a welcome addition.

One of the more entertaining players at camp is headed to Florida State in the fall of 2020 for football. At 6 feet, 5 inches, 180 pounds, rising senior Malachi Wideman is the definition of an athlete. He’s already verballed to the Seminoles and is expected to also play basketball for FSU coach Leonard Hamilton. Wideman of Riverview (Sarasota, Fla.) could pull a Charlie Ward (Heisman Trophy winner and guard with the Knicks) and excel in two sports before making a choice. Wideman is considered an elite wide receiver (or four stars) on the gridiron and a athletic wing—especially in transition—on the hardwood. He can definitely rock the rim with anyone at camp and is a Top 100 recruit for hoops according to some services.

Aminu Mohammed emerged as on of the nation’s top players from the Class of 2021. Mohammad is a 6-6 bundle of energy, who is originally from Lagos, Nigeria, and plays at Greenwood Laboratory in Springfield, Mo. As a freshman, he attended Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.) and was one of the top players in the talent-laden Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. Last year, he moved along with his guardian to Missouri and was a sensation, averaging a double-double, 34.0 points and 17.0 rebounds, for Greenwood, which won Missouri’s Class 2 state title. Mohammed was a Top 30 player and played in the Pangos Elite All-Star Game this weekend.

Keep a look out for Mikey Williams from the San Diego area. He’s a rising 6-1 freshman 1-guard who will enroll this fall at San Ysidro High School. He’s mature for his age and so is his game. Did not make the Cream of the Crop All-Star Game but was close. It’s rare when an eighth grader makes noise at camp. Four years ago, Cassius Stanley (a Duke signee) did the same before an illustrious career at nationally ranked and two time California state champions Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth).

Top 30 Players

The Pangos’ standout players are listed by height, high school, city, state and year in school.

Paolo Banchero, 6-10, O’Dea, Seattle, 2021: Finishes with either hand and a very good rebounder. He goes after the ball with a keen sense of anticipation. His game needs polish but so does everyone at camp.

Scottie Barnes, 6-7, University School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 2020: One of the most talented player in his class and a future McDonald’s All-American. Scottie is hard working at both ends; high basketball IQ; makes split-second decisions and is a proven double-double player for a nationally ranked program.

Tyler Beard, 6-2, Whitney Young, Chicago, 2020: Beard is considered one of the top athletic guards in Chicago. He has a high basketball IQ; gets teammates involved and can score from the perimeter and off the bounce. Good defender but is known for passing and as an elite point guard.

Josh Christopher, 6-4, Mayfair, Lakewood, Calif., 2020: Jumps like a pogo stick and shoots all over the court.

Moussa Cisse, 6-9, Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y., 2021: He’s a rising junior and anchored CTK’s defense last winter, helping his team to the New York State Catholic Class AAA state title. Moussa is a defensive tyrant and rim protector and improving his skill set each time on the floor. Power-5 player.

Jaylen Clark, 6-5, Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 2020: Super athletic and quick. Blew by several defenders at camp and showed proficiency rebounding. He’s an offensive minded shooter and can score in bunches.

Cade Cunningham, 6-7, Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 2020: The Texan is a future McDonald’s All-American and plays at one of the nation’s most prolific high school programs. He played the 1 in high school and is a future NBA player. Shows flashes of consistent 3-point shooting. Top 3 player at camp.

RJ Davis, 6-0, Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y., 2020: To watch RJ play is to appreciate all the little things he does and the intangible he brings to a team. Very offensive minded but plays in a structured system at Stepinac. He can freelance on offensive and man-up on defense. Another top backcourt player from the famed New York Catholic League.

Moussa Diabate, 6-10, DME Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla., 2021: One of the young, talented bigs that runs the floor well, plugs the lane and crashes the boards at both ends. Raw and still developing but a Power-5 player.

Tari Eason, 6-8, Federal Way, Wash., 2020: He may have played in the shadow of Jaden McDaniel the last two years in high school, but Tari is a scoring machine and on the verge of a bust out year. He defends at least three positions and does not give an inch on the perimeter. Just a hunch but the Washington Huskies could be his college choice.

Jaden Hardy, 6-5, Coronado, Las Vegas, 2021: Quick first step and slasher. He hit big shots for his team at camp and is a proven go-to scorer. Plays with a burst of energy.

Zion Harmon, 5-10, Marshall County, Benton, Ky., 2021: Possesses all the qualities of a true 1 and his game will only get better. Displayed feistiness on the defensive end with quick hands and dogged determination to make life tough for his man. Speedy with ball and a sneaky good scorer. Will be a serious candidate one day for Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball.

AJ Hoggard, 6-4, Huntington (W.Va.) Prep, 2020: Hoggard is a combo guard with great ball-handling and passing abilities. He can score at will and has scored more than a 1,000 points career points. Several schools have offered the Philadelphia area prospect.

Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, 6-10, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla., 2022: A young big man with a power game. Active hands on defensive and a very good rebounder at both ends.

 Jonathan Kuminga, 6-9, Our Savior New American School, Centereach, N.Y., 2021: Considered one of the top-5 players in his class, the African big man is destined for a Power-5 school but must continue on an upward trajectory in skill development. Lots of potential and raw power.

Ian Martinez, 6-3, JSerra, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., 2020: The Utah-bound combo guard unleashed his offensive arsenal this weekend. Powerful leaper and one of the top athletes and players at camp.

Evan Mobley, 7-0, Rancho Christian, Temecula, Calif., 2020: He might have been the most talented player at the camp. His post skills are exceptional and he’s ultimate rim protector. Evan is likely signing with USC, where his dad is an assistant coach. He’s a lottery pick in 2021 after his one-year for the Trojans. Book it: A slam dunk McDonald’s All-American in 2020.

Aminu Mohammed, 6-6, Greenwood Laboratory, Springfield, Mo., 2021: The Nigerian rising junior is a raw bundle of explosive energy. He attacks the rims with lust and is a handful at the defensive end.

Moses Moody, 6-6, Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 2020: He’s slippery quick with a explosive first step. Moses is a 2 or 3 wing with quick hands and solid work ethic.

Daishen Nix, 6-4, Trinity, Las Vegas, 2020: Another offensive-minded big guard who is comfortable draining the 3-pointer. Excellent perimeter game.

Micah Peavy, 6-6, Duncanville, Texas, 2020: The Texan is a 2 or 3 and is fearless driving to the cup but compliments his game with a solid showing on the perimeter.

Chanse Robinson, 6-1, Lincoln Prep, Grambling, La., 2020: A shifty pass-first point guard and facilitator, who takes his teammates involved. Can be dangerous when he nails a step back three that keeps the defense honest.

Isa Silva, 6-3, Jesuit, Carmichael, Calif., 2021: High basketball IQ; makes solid decisions and is a combo guard that is getting attention from the PAC 12, WCC and Mountain West.

Day’Ron Sharpe, 6-11, South Central, Winterville, N.C., 2020: He’s already verballed to North Carolina and a likely one-and-done post for the Tar Heels. Future McDonald’s All-American, who helped his team win a state title in March.

Maddy Sissoko, 6-10, Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah, 2020: He’s from Mali (West Africa) and a powerful player in the post, who is capable of a scoring-rebounding double-double. Has a 7-4 wingspan and obviously doesn’t allow too many shots to get past him. Better think twice about attacking the iron with Maddy in the middle.

Daylen Terry, 6-7, Hillcrest Prep, Phoenix, 2020: Has a solid mid-range game and slashes through the lane for points.

JT Thor, 6-9, Huntington (W.Va.) Prep, 2021: In one game this weekend, JT had a bit of a mean streak; he didn’t back down and more than adequately held his own against top bigs at camp. The lefty looked comfortable shooting threes.

Isaiah Todd, 6-10, Trinity, Raleigh, N.C., 2020: He runs the floor well and will finish after drawing contact. Todd is a confident defender and shot blocker. Long and lean he’s a tough assignment to guard in the post.

Kyree Walker, 6-5, Hillcrest Prep, Phoenix, 2020: Wing player who thrives in up-tempo and transition offense. Pulls the trigger from anywhere on the floor.

Lance Ware, 6-9, Camden, N.J., 2020:The latest blue-chip, skilled prodigy from a once powerhouse program and has schools from the Big East, Atlantic 10, Big Ten and ACC intrigued. Ware is a battle tested 4 with a soft jumper and can fire the outlet pass to trigger the fastbreak. He can defend multiple positions and is an above-average rebounder.