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2008 Pangos All-American Camp: Report I
by Dinos Trigonis
(June 16, 2008)
The 6th annual Pangos All-American Camp was held May 30 - June 1 @ USC's Galen Center Pavilion (Los Angeles CA). The dynamic Dave Miller (former New Orleans Hornets Assistant Coach) was again on hand as the "Lead Camp Instructor".
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As has been the case in past years, a large contingent of national/regional media and scouts attended including Brick Oettinger (Prep Stars and ACC Journal), Clark Francis (Hoop Scoop), Frank Burlison (Long Beach Press Telegram and Scouthoops.com), Van Coleman (Hoopmasters.com and CS-TV), Justin Young (Rivals.com and Yahoo Sports), Evan Daniels (Scout.com), Rob Harrington (Prep Stars & USA Today), Joel Francisco (ESPN.com), Greg Hicks (Scout.com), Josh Gershon (GOAZCats.com/Rivals), Dinos Trigonis (Fullcourt Press and Hoop Scoop), Ronnie Flores (Student Sports), Ben Bolch (Los Angeles Times), Dave Keefer, Brandon Tatera and Dave Rogahn (California Preps/Rivals), Etop Udo-Ema (Fullcourt Press & Hoopmasters), Alan Utter & Bob Jacoby (Hoop Scoop), Brian Rothmuller (USCHoops.com), Tracy Pierson (BruinReportOnline.com), Dave Nahabedian (Networx), Chris Karpman (ASU Devils.com), Matt Rodriguez (BallisLife.com), Jonathan Durden (HoopMixTape.com), Jim Hlavac (DraftExpress.com), Jack Pollon (Los Angeles Daily News), Dan Woike (Troyhoops.com), Gary Randazzo (Wildcat Sports Report), Sean Ceglinsky (Los Angeles Times), Victoria Sun (Los Angeles Times), Nick Koza (SportsAmp.com), Scott Kurtz (Kurtz Photo) and Jamie Calsyn (ICON Sports Media). This year's "cream of the crop" games were filmed by BallisLife.com (with Pat Pratt doing the “play-by-play” and Van Coleman doing the “color”) and will be made available in the near future. “Cream of the Crop” Player/Game stats are available online at CaliforniaPreps.com Additionally Pac-10 officials Bruce Hicks and Frank Harvey held their Hicks/Harvey Officials Clinic in conjunction with the camp which resulted in a first-class effort by the three-person crews that worked the games. Last year’s camp standouts and 2008 McDonald’s All-Americans Brandon Jennings (Arizona signee) and DeMar DeRozan (USC signee) were present to hand-out camp awards at the conclusion of the event.
In this report (Part I) we will highlight the players that were chosen to the Top 25 “Cream of the Crop” Game:
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John Wall 6’3” 2009
Word of God (Raleigh NC)
When Rivals recently tabbed Wall as the current #1 2009 prospect, it obviously increased the expectation level for this elite lead guard every time he stepped on the hardwood. And while Wall didn’t have it in 5th gear all-weekend long here, he did show enough of his immense PG package of skills to take home camp MOP honors. Wall is a very athletic and sleek point that is nearly unstoppable off the dribble and has NBA-level ability to finish around the basket. While John is not a great shooter yet, Wall shoots the rock well enough to keep defenses honest and has big-time ability to create for teammates as his 14 point (6/9 shooting)/10 assist performance in the Top 25 game shown.
Speed kills at the PG spot and Wall has more than plenty of that commodity!
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Michael Snaer 6’5” 2009
Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley CA)
Snaer has emerged as a dark-horse 2009 McDonald’s All-American candidate and if he keeps performing at the high-level that he did here, he may very well be slashing to the hoop come next March in Miami FL. Snaer (an excellent student) is a relentless attacker of the glass in transition as well as skilled enough to extend defenses courtesy of his new and improved jump shot. Mike’s athleticism also enables him to be a top-notch defender and his motor and will to win is impressive! Snaer snared MVP honors in the Top 25 game by virtue of his 24 points (11 of 17 shooting) and 9 board performance.
Expect his current list of schools (which includes UCLA, USC, Stanford, Arizona, Missouri, Kansas, Washington, Cal and Marquette) to get longer this summer.
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Jeremy Tyler 6’10” 2010 San Diego (San Diego CA)
While a prom on Saturday night cut his Pangos Camp appearance short, Tyler took advantage of the Pangos Camp stage to re-establish himself as the player to beat for the #1 spot in 2010! Tyler was dominant on both ends of the floor – finishing with authority around the cup as well as blocking shots and rebounding with passion. When he stays focused (and keeps his attitude in check), Tyler is extremely difficult to contain.
Hollis Thompson 6’7” 2009 Loyola (Los Angeles CA)
Thompson was fantastic at this event in 2007 and this year was no different as the smooth swingman knocked down shots with regularity and was quick flashing to the basket for easy scores. As talented as the Georgetown-bound forward is in the scoring department, Hollis is remarkably unselfish and the ultimate team player. Thompson (a great student and even better kid) reminds me of a young Josh Childress. With a few more impressive performances like this, Thompson will be positioned well to get a coveted invite to next year’s McDonald’s Game.
Roger Franklin 6’5” 2009 Duncanville (Duncanville TX)
Strong and vocal forward is a bona-fide “Winner”! Great intangibles like leadership, attitude, communication skills, competitiveness and passion to go along with his much improved ball and scoring ability make him a fast rising 2009 prospect. Great body allows him to be a physical defender and his refined jump shot bodes well for his potential to play the wing at the high-major level. Franklin came to this camp last year as a young hustling soph trying to find a national identity……….returned a year later as a top-flight national recruit!
Victor Rudd 6’8” 2009 Van Nuys (Van Nuys CA)
Deceptively skilled and very athletic combo-forward may have helped his stock as much as anybody here! Nobody in the West in the 2009 class finishes better in transition than Rudd who also can score in a variety of ways in the half-court set! Rudd has the long and sleek physique (ala Trevor Ariza and Davon Jefferson) that elite programs crave in a forward.
Guy Landry 6’5” 2008 Van Nuys (Van Nuys CA)
Pure athlete used this occasion to make a high-major statement! Landry’s 21 points (on 10/13 shooting) in the Top 25 game earned him game co-MVP honors and increased national scouting respect. Landry could be a late summer signee or headed to prep school this fall.
Darius Morris 6’3” 2009 Windward (Los Angeles CA)
Savvy and crafty point guard has real ability to score and is a pin-point passer. Great size and length for a lead guard allow him the versatility to play both guard spots. Needs to become more of a primary distributor to quiet the few critics that he has in the scouting community. Michigan, Stanford, Washington State, Arizona, Washington, Marquette and Harvard are in the hunt for this excellent student.
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Solomon Hill 6’6” 2009
Fairfax (Los Angeles CA)
Very versatile “jack-of-all trades” is a multiple position player that can create match-up problems for opposing defenses. Hill can play virtually 4 positions on the floor and his consistent production in almost every important offensive category brings great value to a team’s winning effort. Solomon is a very underrated shooter and athlete that is in high demand by national elite programs. As Clark Francis loves to say: If Solomon Hill were a stock….now would be a good time to buy.
Clarence Trent 6’7” 2009
Findlay Prep (Las Vegas NV)
Great athlete has crazy “bounce” and is an underrated perimeter scorer! Trent’s wide-body, strength and ample athleticism make him a dangerous offensive rebounder. Scored 14 points (on 7/11 shooting) in Top 25 game.
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Roberto Nelson 6’3” 2009 Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara CA)
Terrific shooter has been incredible from long distance this spring but decided to show here that he could be an effective distributor as well. Strong body to go along with natural scoring instincts make Nelson as a Deron Williams-type lead guard at the next levels.
Roberto’s perimeter range has had few equals this spring.
Joe Burton 6’8” 2009 West Valley (Hemet CA)
Burly but agile power-forward uses his big body very well in the paint and is really skilled! Burton’s terrific passing ability was on display in the Top 25 game – team high 9 assists to go along with a respectable 9 points and 7 boards. “Big Joe” is quickly emerging as a Class of 2009 high-major post priority!
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Leonard Washington 6’6” 2008 Marshall (Compton CA)
While some may question and criticize Leonard as the most distinguished veteran of all-american camps and national events like this one as well as perhaps its most elder statesman, it hard to argue with his passion for playing and dominating every game he suits up for. Washington is simply a beast on the hardwood and his play here (22 points/8 rebounds in the Top 25 Game) should be a sight for the sore eyes of Tim Floyd at USC next season who desperately needs another post option to go along with Taj Gibson (providing the NCAA Clearinghouse approves Leonard’s eligibility).
Carlos Lopez 6’10” 2009 Findlay Prep (Las Vegas NV)
UNLV-bound agile and active center competes with intensity and makes plays at both ends. Puerto Rico native has plenty of room to add additional weight and strength which will make him an even more productive future force for the Rebels in the Mountain West.
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Anthony Brown 6’5” 2010 Ocean View (Huntington Beach CA)
Brown is one of the nation’s fastest rising 2010 prospects! Smooth handle with an accurate perimeter shot make him a big wing that can also take over some ballhandling duties when needed. A year young for his grade, Brown’s lack of strength vis-à-vis older players can be a disadvantage at times, but his long-term potential is hard to ignore.
Excellent student (4.2 GPA) has heavyweights like Stanford, Georgetown and UCLA taking notice.
Corey Jefferson 6’8” 2009 Killeen (Killeen TX)
Extremely long forward is oozing with potential! Jefferson is very raw in many ways but is a very active defender, rebounder and shotblocker that gets a lot done each time out. Baylor commit is an improved offensive performer around the basket and has as much upside as anybody in the camp.
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Reger Dowell 6’1” 2009 Duncanville (Duncanville TX)
Crafty point with a sizzling handle can really beat defenders off the dribble. Alabama-bound lead guard is also a terrific defender! Reger’s wicked cross-over dribble was on display in the Top 25 game (12 points/4 assists).
Dwight Powell 6’9” 2010 IMG (Bradenton FL)
Long and smooth post-forward runs floor well and is a legitimate shotblocker. Toronto Canada native is a 2010 prospect with a polished half-court game and much upside!
Thurman Woods 6’5” 2009 Dominguez (Compton CA)
Emerging long-armed lefty swingman has an accurate three-point stroke to go with a potent mid-range game. Excellent athlete is an underrated rebounder and defender. Very good student too (3.5-plus GPA).
Gary Franklin 6’2” 2010 Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
Dangerous 3-point marksman plays with great heart. Scoring combo-guard is a very underrated passer and defender. Cali’s top 2010 lead guard prospect.
Kendall Williams 6’1” 2010 Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga CA)
Cerebral point with a vibrant personality, Kendall is an excellent leader on the floor with scoring confidence as well. Williams (an excellent student) committed to UCLA early during his soph year – picking the Bruins over Florida, Arizona and Duke. I love his intangibles!
JT Terrel 6’3” 2010 Cummings (Burlington NC)
Tremendous three-point shooting threat and very underrated athlete can also defend! Terrell (an emerging name to track in the national class of 2010) showed his worth in the Top 25 game – 17 points.
Tony Freeland 6’5” 2009 Fremont (Los Angeles CA)
Swift slashing scorer has ability to finish above the rim as well as being an annoying defender. Started camp very strong on Friday night but slowed as the camp went along. Freeland is a consistent perimeter jump shot away from being a legitimate high-major recruit this July.
Tyler Lamb 6’5” 2010 Colony (Ontario CA)
Sweet stroking wing has really improved his physique over the last few months which has helped with his overall quickness and nose for the ball. Lamb is a high-octane scorer with an underrated handle and emerging athleticism. Tyler has been on the high-major radar since his freshman year and I expect him to make a major move to elite status this summer.
Bak Bak 6’10” 2009 Village Christian (Sun Valley CA)
Very improved foreign “big” made some noise here including a 30 point/13 board effort in a early round camp game. Known as a solid rebounder and defender, Bak showed some flashes of a emerging offensive skill set which bodes well for his future development. One of the top West Coast sleeper posts in the 2009 class.
*** In the next report (Part II) we will highlight the players that were chosen to the Top 50 “Cream of the Crop” Game as well as other players that showed well at the event.
***Photos of Anthony Brown, Clarence Trent, Darius Morris/Michael Snaer, Carlos Lopez, Solomon Hill and Guy Landry/John Wall/Michael Snaer by Scott Kurtz
***Photos of John Wall and entire Top 25 Game participants by Nick Koza
Cream of the Crop Top 25 Game Performers
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