CHICAGO,ILLINOIS: Pangos Midwest Frosh/Soph Camp had another venue change this year. It was held at DeLaSalle Institute on the South Side of Chicago. I'd like to thank Dinos Trigonis and his staff for putting on another great event. I was a bigger part of the selection process of picking the Top 25 and Top 60 Cream of The Top game. I was able to see it first hand and I'll say it was eye opening. Not easy to pare down to 60 and some were from Michigan, a state who can't compete in any type of all start game no matter what it's named. Lots of big men from out of state that stole the show. Here we go:
CAMP MVP's:
ISAIAH HILL, 7'0" Class of 2027 forward, Pike (Indianapolis, IN): Young man just turned 15 in August so he could easily be Class of 2028. Not the slow, lack of movment big man you usually see from young men at this age. Very fluid, can ger a rebound, take it up the court for a coast to coast finish. Can also set up the offense with nice passes, dribble moves, and nice catch and shoot three point shot. Big time rim protector to add to his prodigious skill set. Plays like a wing, changes ends of the floor with a quickness. Had game on Sunday morning with 11 dunks (in 13 dunk attempts), catches them off lob passes, dribble drives to finish, and rebound put backs. Made Top 25 game. I would not be surprised if he ends up a McDonald's All-American in a couple of years.
DYLAN BETTS, 7'0" Class of 2028 center, Cherry Creek (Centennial, CO): I know the program lists him at 6'11" but he stood beside Hill and looked taller or at least the same height. This young man is still raw, but showed he can finish dunks at the rim on rebound put backs. Lefty has a nice touch on a 15 foot jump shot, rim protector, and grabs a lot of defensive rebounds. He came here after being at Team USA Camp in Colorado Springs, CO last weekend. Comes from a basketball family. His older sisters Lauren Betts (6'7" junior center at UCLA) who was a McDonald's All-American, and Sienna Betts (6'4" senior center at Grandview (CO)) is #2 ranked player in Class of 2025 by ESPN Hoop Gurlz. She's committed to UCLA. This is another young man I believe is a future McDonald's All-American.
TYRAN FRAZIER, 6'10" Class of 2027 wing, East (Hazelwood,MO): This young is a jumbo wing with a long wing span. Plays on the perimteter shooting threes off the dribble and off the catch. He can get a rebound and bring ball up to set up offense, slash to the basket and finish with nasty dunks. Passes well out of the post and off the bounce. Can dribble into the mid range and rise over smaller defenders to score. Rim protector on or off the ball. Hits the offensive and defensive glass. Dominated all games I saw him play this weekend. Another one with a bright future.
TOP 25 CREAM OF THE CROP MVP's:
ZANE RUS, 6'6" Class of 2027 wing, North Scott (Eldridge, IA): He was knocking down shots all weekend from all three levels of the court. The cream of the crop game however he was hittting them like they were layups. He hit five of them in the game, and he had the bench standing up when he launched one. They thought each one he shot was going in the basket. He was hitting them off the bounce, and off the catch. Teammates were looking for him in open spots behind the arc.
JORDAN JACKSON, 6'7" Class of 2028 wing, Holy Cross, (Louisville, KY): KING OF BOUNCE. KING OF BOUNCE. I'll repeat it again KING OF BOUNCE!!!!!! He was blocking EVERYTHING this weekend. Any unsuspecting player driving to the rim was getting pinned on the glass, or getting it knocked out of there. I always call a block shot WIPED!!!!! He was wiping them out of there. He would get a defensive rebound and go coast to coast and finish with nasty two hand dunks. He's very good going off the bounce from the wing, splitting the defense, and finishing with a nasty jam. He's also a very good passer, whether off the bounce, full cout passes, or hitting players off penetration. Could have easily been a Camp MVP.
OUT OF STATE PLAYERS DOMINATE:
Besides sweeping camp MVP and Top 25 cream of the crop MVP's, you had players from a number of places who balled out.
MICHGAN KIDS:
Two made the Top 25 Cream of the Crop game but couldn't play because of their state rules.
KYLE HUNTER, 6'2" Class of 2028 combo guard, Voyageur College Prep (Detroit): Scorer extraordinaire from all spots on the floor. Was able to get anywhere he wanted off the dribble, and hit threes off the bounce. Finished at the rim in a variety of ways along with setting up teammates for baskets.
CHRISTIAN CAST, 6'3" Class of 2027 combo guard, Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills): Big time athletic guard comes from a school that produced Hall of Famer Chris Webber, and long time NBA pro Shane Battier. Cast was getting to the rim and finishing with nasty dunks. Combines that with a nice pull-up jumper from mid range in addition to hitting threes.
This young man made Top 60 game:
ELIJAH POPOOLA, 6'5" Class of 2027 combo guard, Voyageur College Prep (Detroit): Scored at all three levels having the ball in his hands. Made som slick passes off the bounce and moving it up the court without a dribble.
KENTUCKY YOUNG MEN:
I'm a proud Kentuckian and the other two kids that made Top 25 Cream Of The Crop game are absolute studs. Both play for the same high school Kentucky powerhouse Male (Louisville,KY). Jordan Jackson has already been mentioned. The bluegrass state has produced some great talent in the last 5 years. Reed Sheppard for one and some others that will do damage on the college level.
JORDAN MITCHELL, 6'3" Class of 2028 combo guard, Male (Louisville, KY): Explosive guard who can get to the basket and use hanging acrobatic finsihes along with dunks. He can hit the three mostly of the dribble, and showed a nice mid range floater this weekend.
TREY HILLERICH, 6'9" Class of 2028 wing, Male (Louisville, KY): Played a lot in the dunk spot this weekend receiving passes from guards and finishing. He was able to show some off the dribble moves and step back threes. Has ability to slash off the dribble from the wing, and hit catch and shoot threes. Did well on the defensive glass.
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA YOUNG MEN:
They dominated with 5 spots in the Top 25 Cream Of The Crop Game, 2 in the Top 60 game. The rest of the state had 6 other players in Top 60 game.
SKYLAR RODGERS, 6'2" Class of 2027 point guard, Cathedral (Indianapolis, IN): Do it all floor general who can score from every level of the court as well as set up teammates.
BLES'SED THOMAS, 5'11" Class of 2027 point guard, Pike (Indianapolis, IN): Two way monster just gets into opposing guards. Gets deflections, steals with quick hands on the ball. Hits the offensive glass with position and quickness. Can score on drives to the rim, threes, as well as set up teammates.
BEN MCKINNEY, 6'11" Class of 2027 center, Brebeuf Jesuit (Indianapolis, IN): Changes ends well, rim protector, hits the glass on both ends, had more than a few put backs on offensive rebounds. Catches lobs from that position on the court. Nice touch around the rim on the offensive end.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST CASH DANIELS CASHING IN:
CASH DANIELS, 5'10" Class of 2027 point guard, Cathedral (Indianapolis,IN): Cash money from three whether off the bounce of off the catch. Put a player on the ground off the dribble, then drilled the three for good measure. His quickness stands out pushing the ball up the floor for layups, kick outs to shooters, and putting pressure on the defense. He defends very well on the ball. Hit a couple of floaters in the lane.
OTHER INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA STANDOUTS:
KAIDEN JACKSON, 6'2" Class of 2027 combo guard, Pike (Indianapolis, IN)
JASIR ROGERS, 6'0" Class of 2028 point guard, Ben Davis (Indianapolis, IN): Son of Chicago media legend Eugene McIntosh of "The Bigs". Made Top 60 game.
ILLINOIS KIDS SHINED TOO:
Yes out of state dominated but there were some local and in state kids that showed well:
ETHAN VAHL, 6'2" Class of 2028 combo guard, Oswego: Young man has been highly hyped since middle school. He was playing so well that teams sent double teams at him at a camp!!!!! He showed his long range three point shooting whether off the catch or off the bounce. Made some nice passes to set up teammates, can get where he wants off the dribble. To me the best Illinois player at the event. Made Top 25 game.
DARRIUS HAWKINS JR, 5'10" Class of 2028 point guard, Homewood Flossmoor: Made Top 25 game though he couldn't hit the broad side of the barn from deep all weekend. Reason was the other things he did well. He had a ton of assists setting up teammates for layups, lob dunks, and three point shots. Did it on the break and in the halfcourt. A dog on defense getting up in and under opposing guards.
JOHN BROWN IV, 6'6" Class of 2028 wing, Homewood Flossmoor: Made Top 25 game. Lot of untapped potential here. Showed wing skills handling the ball, shooting the ball, rising for a few dunks. Didn't get a lot of looks in the all-star game, but made his way with his skill in the regular games.
ROOSEVELT THOMAS, 6'3"Class of 2028 combo guard, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago): Made Top 25 game. Another one that did not shoot well for the weekend but showed his versatility. He can post up opposing guards and score with his strength at the rim. Good passer, hits the defensive glass, and set up teammates mostly off the break.
SALKAUSKAS BROTHERS SHINED BUT WILL NOT BE PLAYING HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL:
Lithuanain talents I've been told both will play in a local men's league in their community.
KEVIN SALKAUSKAS, 6'8" Class of 2027 forward, Amos Alonzo Stagg (Palos Hills): More the inside brother who does damage in the paint. Can score in the low post, hits the glass on both ends. Nice passer out of the post. Made Top 25 game.
DANIELIUS SALKAUSKAS, 6'6" Class of 2028 wing, Amos Alonzo Stagg (Palos Hills): He's the outside do it all wing. He can attack o0ff the dribble to score at the rim, or make nice passes to teammates. Good long range shooter from three. Made Top 60 game.
ZAIRE GREEN, 6'2" Class of 2027 wing, Whitney Young (Chicago): Versatile wing who showed he could explode off the dribble and dunk on you. He also can hit threes either off the dribble or off the catch. Defends multiple perimeter positions. Made Top 25 game.
AMARI WILLIAMS, 6'8" Class of 2028 forward, Alan B Shepard (Palos Heights): This youngsters was very good at rebounding and rim protecting. Changes ends well and showed he can catch lobs and dunk. Posts up on the block and hits turnaround jumpers.
LADON CARTER, 6'3" Class of 2027 combo guard, Manual (Peoria): Made Top 25 game. Versatile guard who can do a little bit of everything. Scores at all three levels, and defends all perimeter positions.
DEMARCO KING JR, 6'3" Class of 2027 point guard, Thornton Fractional North (Calumet City): Late addition to the Top 60 game but showed his quick hands soon as he got in the game. Had 4 steals, multiple deflections, and showed he can play pick and roll making great decisions off it. Hit some mid range jumpers and nice passes.
REGGIE STEVENS JR, 6'3" Class of 2027 combo guard, St Laurence (Burbank): He was hitting threes at a high rate, pushing the ball up the court and setting himself up for finishes. Also shared the ball with teammates. Made Top 60 game.
MARKESE PEOPLES, 6'1" Class of 2027 point guard, St Laurence (Burbank): Power point guard who sets up others well usually off dribble penetration or post ups. Physical defender who uses it with opposing guards.
AJ ENYIA, 6'6" Class of 2027 wing, Oak Park River Forest
JACOB FULLER, 6'8" Class of 2027 forward, Glenbrook South (Glenview)
CHRISTOPHER PULLIAMS, 6'4" Class of 2027 wing, Noble College Prep (Chicago)
OTHER CLASS OF 2028 players in Illinois:
KAI HARVEY, 6'0" point guard, Homewood Flossmoor: FLOOR GENERAL!!!!
JOSEPH CHRISTIAN, 6'0" combo guard, Christian (Yorkville): KING OF BOUNCE!!!!!!
ALIJAH JOHNSON, 6'6" forward, Oak Park River Forest: BIG INSIDE FORCE!!!!!
JOSIAH HALL, 6'0" combo guard, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago): BIG TIME THREE POINT SHOOTER!!!! LAYUP!!!!!!
CJ PITTMAN, 5'11" point guard, Walter Payton College Prep (Chicago): CAN SCORE AND BE A FLOOR GENERAL!!!!
DJ "DERRICK" CALDWELL, 6'2" point guard, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago): MADE SOME SLICK PASSES!!!! LEFTY FLOOR GENERAL!!!!!
ALVIN ROBINSON III, 6'3" combo guard, Lincoln Park (Chicago): MADE SOME NICE PASSES OVER THE WEEKEND!!!!
JEREMIAH TONEY, 6'0" combo guard, St Laurence (Burbank): LEFTY HAS A NICE STROKE AND CAN GET DOWNHILL OFF THE DRIBBLE!!!!!!
GRANT SMITH, 6'5" wing, Lyons Township (LaGrange): VERSATILE WING SCORER!!!! TALENTED ENOUGH TO PLAY VARSITY!!!!!
DAVUAN BATES, 5'10" point guard, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago): FLOOR GENERAL!!!!
ANFERNEE MOORE, 6'3" combo guard, Richwoods (Peoria): VERSATILE INSIDE OUT COMBO GUARD!!!!!!
NOAH CORRO, 6'0" point guard, St Laurence (Burbank): PUT ON A THREE POINT SHOOTING SHOW ON SUNDAY!!!! Made Top 60 game.
CLASS OF 2029 SHINED:
DA'KYLEN HEARD, 6'3" combo guard, Beasley MS (Chicago,IL): Young man was feerless attacking the basket and finsihing at the rim. Has enough ball handling to get to his spot and attack downhill. Made Top 60 game.
RONALD JOHNSON, 6'2" point guard, Amelia Earhart MS (Chicago, IL): Floor general who can hit threes and get to the basket and create for himself and others. Made Top 60 game.
ISAAC SMITH IV, 6'5" combo guard, O.W. Huth MS (Matteson,IL): Versatile guard who can create off the dribble from the perimeter. Did it for himself and others. Hit a few threes in the event. Made Top 60 game.
ELIJAH MCKINNIE, 5'8" point guard, Ariel Academy (Chicago): Was described by more than a few people that he reminds them of Tyler Ulis. Floor general who can hit threes and set up teammates off penetration and kick game.
OTHERS THAT SHINED:
VARSHCON CLARK, 6'3" Class of 2028 combo guard, Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, IN):Made Top 60 game
TRAVIS BROWN, 5'10" Class of 2027 point guard, West Aurora (IL): Made some nice passes. Made Top 60 game.
KATEAUX MILLER, 6'4" Class of 2027 combo guard, Porter Grad, (Charleston, SC): Exposive scorer had a 35 point game. Made Top 25 game.
BRYSON JATTA, 6'1"Class of 2028 point guard, Hillgrove (Atlanta,GA): Made Top 60 game.
EDISON KAN, 6'3" Class of 2027 combo guard, Glacier Park (Snohomish,WA): Made Top 60 game.
TREF RADEMAKER, 6'9" Class of 2027 forward, West (Depere,WI): Made Top 25 game.
DEUCE MCDUFFIE, 6'6" Class of 2027 wing, Rufus King (Milwaukee, WI): Made Top 25 game.
BRANDON WRIGHT, 6'3" Class of 2027 combo guard, Central (Little Rock, AR): Made Top 60 game. KING OF BOUNCE WHO CAN STROKE THE THREE!!!!
MYSHAWN DAWSON, 6'5" Class of 2028 combo guard, Portage (IN): Made Top 60 game.Son of former Michigan State star and former NBA player Branden Dawson.
KAYLEB YOUNG, 6'8" Class of 2027 forward, 21st Century Charter (Gary,IN): Made Top 60 game.
ALEX ROBBINS, 6'5" Class of 2027 combo guard, Iola-Scandinavia (Iola,WI): Made Top 60 game.
Comments