I was at the Pangos All-Midwest Frosh/Soph Camp at Park District of LaGrange,Illinois for two days. This was for the best in the midwest for Class of 2022 and Class of 2023. There was a lot of talent on display and names we will hear in the future. Here's the best players I saw all weekend.
Top player: Nigel Hylton, Lake Forest Academy(Lake Forest,IL)- 6'8" forward Class of 2022: This young man was consistent all weekend doing any and everything on the court. Saturday, he worked more on dominating in the paint by crashing the glass, rim protecting, and rebounding. Sunday, he worked his outside game by splashing three pointers from all over the court, and bringing the ball up the court. The Canadian was just ridicuous and consistent with his talent and presence all weekend.
Top prospect: Omaha Billew, Dowling Catholic(West Des Moines, IA)- 6'7" wing Class of 2023: He is rated by some scouting services as the #2 player in America in his class. There are a lot of folks that will say he was the best player all weekend. I only watched him once on Saturday and was impressed. He dominated the Top 30 All-Star Game by being all over the place on both ends of the court. He scored on all three levels, rebounded the ball, and had two game saving blocks to keep his team in the All-Star Game. His matchup with Class of 2022 AJ Casey in the All-Star Game was worth the price of admission.
Next best Top prospect: Javonte "JJ" Taylor, Morgan Park(Chicago)-6'7" wing Class of 2023: This young man has a chance to be the best player out of this camp when it's all said and done. He showed flashes of brilliance in scoring from three, off the bounce, hitting the glass, and rim protecting with chase down blocks. He's a very explosive athlete off the floor. To live up to his potential he has to be engaged all the time. There were times on Saturday you did not know he was on the court. He was more engaged in the Top 30 All-Star Game and showed he can be a dominant force when engaged. He will help off the bench for a highly rated Morgan Park squad.
Player that has you on the edge of your seat: Ty Rodgers, Grand Blanc(MI)-6'6" Wing Class of 2022 is such an explosive athlete you wait to see who he's going to dunk on next(WATCH YOUR HEAD). He's listed on some Michigan sites as an undersized power forward, but I saw him bring the ball down the court multiple times today. This was his only day at the camp, and Michigan players are not allowed to play in off season All-Star games, hence he did not play in the Top 30 game. He matched up well with Class of 2022 AJ Casey which brought a lot of eyes to their court. I talked to a man from Michigan who coached him last year, and told me he played point guard for him. We will hear more from this young man over the next few years.
Player who maintained: AJ Casey, Tinley Park(IL)-6'8" wing Class of 2022: He was at the camp for one day as he was on an unofficial visit to Illinois on Saturday. He matched up with a couple of players on this list and held his own. It was great to see him pushed a bit, and he responded with his usual all around game. He scored from three, on the interior, rebounded, rim protected with some block shots, brought the ball down the floor and initiated the offense. He stuck his head in there and was a presence in the Top 30 All-Star Game.He had the dunk of the weekend by posterizing Donoven Younger of Bolingbrook on Sunday morning. He has a load of potential and has a great chance to live up to it for his new school Tinley Park. He transferred from Chicago Powerhouse Simeon in the off season.
Most consistent: Jasen Green, Millard North(Omaha, NE)- 6'7" wing Class of 2022: He was consistently brilliant over the two days of basketball. He showed it all, running the offense, hitting threes, attacking the basket and dunking on players multiple times this weekend. He hustled on defense by blocking some shots, and playing defense on the perimeter. This young man was engaged both days of the camp and played like he wanted to prove something here. You don't hear much about Nebraska High School Basketball around the country, but Nebraska better be on this kid and yesterday.
Bouncing back from adversity: Donoven Younger, Bolingbrook, IL-6'7" Wing Class of 2023: Getting posterized was not really a lot of adversity, it will happen on the high levels you play on. He also fits on most consistent as he balled out the whole weekend. He showed a good handle, three point shot, pull up mid range game, and finishing at the rim. He got after it on the defensive end and was not afraid of challenging the dunk AJ Casey put on him. A lot of kids would have just let him go and not attempted to be a rim protector. He gets credit for that type of hustling, and not giving up anything on the court. He has a great skill level and will help Bolingbrook on the Varsity as they will need his rebounding prowess. He will be one of the top freshman in the Chicago Area and one of the most needed for his Varsity team.
Best homeschooled player: Aries Hull, Home School(Flossmoor,IL)-6'7" forward Class of 2023: Well he was the only home schooled player at the camp, but he was a monster on the boards. He attacked them on both ends of the court and finished shots in the paint. He will have to work on his overall skill level, but he has time to do that. I would hope he would be able to play for Homewood Flossmoor this season, or wherever he chooses to play.
I want to thank Dinos Trigonis for putting on a great event with a lot of top talent in the building. I will have a Top sleeper list upcoming, along with Top Class of 2023 players I saw at this event.
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