I was at the Pangos Midwest Frosh/Soph Camp event this past weekend in LaGrange, Illinois. There was a lot of young talent on hand from the Class of 2023, Class of 2024, and one Class of 2025 player(who played very well I might add). Here's what I saw:
Best player of the camp: This was very close for me but I'm going to go with Class of 2023 wing Javonte "JJ" Taylor of Kenwood Academy(Chicago). The 6'8" wing showed the total package all weekend and was engaged in every game I saw. He showed he can shoot the three at a high level, get to the basket at ease, and finish at the rim with either hand, and can defend from the point guard to the center position on the high school level. He also was the top prospect at the camp. He was Top 30 Cream Of The Crop All-Star Game Most Valuable Player. He has matured over the past year not taking plays off and wanting to dominate at all times on the court. Look for him to make a huge jump this year during the high school season.
Best out of state player of the camp: Baye Fall, 6'11" power forward of Lutheran(Parker,Colorado). Some had him the best player in the camp but I think Taylor played better overall. This young man finishes at the rim, blocks shots, has a nice jump hook with either hand, knows how to post up on the block, runs the floor exceptionally well. He CAUGHT a shot with both hands. I will say I think he's more 6'9" than his 6'11" listed height. He has a nice shooting touch from 15 feet and in with a lot of upside as a player. He is at most one of the top shot blockers in the Class of 2023.
Best match up: Fall vs Taylor. Fall got the best of Taylor posting up in the paint, forcing Taylor to foul him a few times, but Taylor was better on the perimeter and scored a couple of times at the rim. I call the individual match up even, but it was fun to watch. They were on opposite teams in the Top 30 All-Star Game but rarely guarded each other.
St Rita(Chicago) is loaded with young talent and they all showed well in the event. The top prospect is 6'8" Class of 2024 Big Man James Brown who I'll talk about later. They also have Class of 2024 Monez Johnson Jr(6'6" wing), Class of 2023 Darrion Baker(6'8" wing), Class of 2023 Solomon Mosley(6'7" power forward), Class of 2023 Kaiden Space(6'0" guard). This team should be ridiculous for the future. Which gets me to......
Kenwood Academy(Chicago) is just as loaded, maybe more so. They have Taylor along with Class of 2023 Darrin "Dae Dae" Ames Jr.(6'1" point guard), Class of 2023 Davius Loury(6'7" wing), Class of 2024 Christopher Riddle(6'4" guard). New Coach Mike Irvin starts his high school coaching career with a ton of talent. Look for a Chicago Public League title or two from this group if they stay together.
Class of 2024 Top prospect: James Brown, St Rita(Chicago)- 6'8"power forward has a bright future. He has shown he can post up and finish at the rim with either hand, has a good mid range jump shot out to 15 feet, is a shot blocker and rebounder. He hustles and runs the floor well which is a great start for him. He is a raw talent but easy to work with what he already has in his arsenal. He was named to the Top 30 Cream of the Crop All Star Game.
Class of 2023 Top prospect: Javonte "JJ" Taylor, Kenwood Academy(Chicago)- 6'8" wing. Enough said. Next.
Class of 2023 Sleeper prospect: DeAndre Craig Jr, Mount Carmel(Chicago)- 5'9" point guard did everything all weekend. He hit threes, scored on drives to the basket, was unselfish passing to open players, and defended his man getting multiple steals with his on the ball defense. He competed with whomever he went up against, and was recognized by being named to the Next 40 Cream of the Crop All Star Game.
Others who impressed on the Illinois side:
Class of 2023:
6'6" Bryce Coleman, St Joseph(Westchester)
6'1" Darrin "Dae Dae" Ames, Kenwood Academy(Chicago)
6'8" Davius Loury, Kenwood Academy(Chicago)
6'0" Dalen Davis, Whitney Young(Chicago)
6'8" Darrion Baker, St Rita(Chicago)
6'9" Owen Freeman, Bourbonnais(Bradley)
6'2" Tevonta Jackson, Lanpher(Springfield)
5'10" Yarell Greer, Bogan(Chicago)
6'5" Sam Lewis, Oak Park River Forest
6'7" Matas Buzelis, Central(Hinsdale)
Out of State Players:
6'4" Johnathan Blackwell, Brother Rice(Bloomfield Hills, MI)
5'8" Zander Baker, Epic Charter(Oklahoma City, OK)
6'2" George Washington III, Christian Academy(Louisville, KY)
6'4" Tommy Humphries Jr, Tortino Grace(Findley,MN)
6'3" Jeremiah Johnson, Putnam City North(Oklahoma City,OK)
6'10" Assane Diop, Belleview Christian(Westminster,CO)
6'11" Cy Malonga, Evangel Christian School(Louisville,KY)
6'6" Kaleb Glenn, Male(Louisville,KY)
6'7" Jalen Hooks, Crispus Attucks,(Indianapolis,IN)
Other Illinois Class of 2024 players:
6'5" Christopher Riddle, Kenwood Academy(Chicago)
6'3" Payton Kamin, DePaul College Prep(Chicago)
6'2" Christian Brockett, Leo(Chicago)
6'5" Taevion Collier, Curie(Chicago)
6'6" Monez Johnson Jr, St Rita(Chicago)
5'9" Joseph White, Zion Benton(Zion)
5'10" Andre Blakeley Jr. Marmion Academy(Aurora)
Special mention: Class of 2025 6'0" point guard King Keary, Goodpasture(Nashville, Tennessee) showed he could ball against guys two sometimes three years older than he is. He showed he could hit the three, get to the basket and finish, make good pocket passes to shooters, and defend other point guards in the event.
Once again thanks to Dino Trigonis and his staff for running a first class event and did very good with the social distancing guidelines in this pandemic.
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