The 2023 Pangos Best of SoCal League presented by Wyndham Destinations tipped-off earlier this month (March 4th at McBride HS (Long Beach CA) and ran through last Monday March 13th – giving us a very good view of several top prospects from Southern California (and beyond). Besides myself, Frank Burlison, Ronnie Flores (Ball is Life) and Paul Hernandez (661 Hoops & Nothing But Net Magazine) stopped by to evaluate players. BallerTV live-streamed all games played and Beach City Hoops, Hustle 2k, Nate Buss and They Can Hoop were in the house shooting video highlights.
The league was loaded with very good young talent this year including several high-major prospects. The future of SoCal HS basketball is bright.
Full length video re-plays of all past Pangos Best of SoCal League games are now available on replay from Baller TV: https://www.ballertv.com/events/pangos-best-of-socal-league-2023-long-beach-ca-5cfcf3920108e863924715b7fc81701e
Team rosters (including league all-star game rosters) can be accessed online at: https://www.fullctpress.net/23-best-of-socal-league.html
Below is a look at several league players that stood out at the league.
* Brayden Burries 6’5” 2025 Roosevelt (Eastvale CA)
Smooth operating young WG ranked #18 in 2025 by 247Sports.com is a Poly/Riverside CA transfer that had to sit out this past season due to transfer rules. Natural talent with ability to use his great command of the dribble to separate himself from defenders and the strength to fend them off at the rim. Burries has more than ample athleticism to make plays at both ends and is shaping up as a very likely priority HM national recruit, especially by Pac-12 schools. Burries was dominate at times here (high game of 37 points/5 threes) and his impressive play earned him league overall co-MVP honors (along with Kaiden Bailey) as well as a punched ticket to the 2023 Pangos All-American Camp in June. TCU, Vanderbilt, San Diego State, Washington State, Cal Baptist and Cal Poly among his offers so far. With continued hard work and focus has potential to be a special player.
* Kaiden Bailey 6’2” 2026 Crean Lutheran (Irvine CA)
Sporting a new hair style, Kaiden was the same KB with the Fro we saw have an outstanding freshman season at Crean Lutheran. Natural pure scorer with a smooth as silk perimeter stroke had a single game league-high of 40 points. Tremendous court instincts and very consistent shot-making ability for a young player. Bailey’s outstanding play here from start to finish earned him overall league co-MVP honors (along with Brayden Burries). Excellent student (3.8 GPA) has an early offer from UC-San Diego. Look for that list of offers to grown exponentially over the next few years. One of the West’s and nation’s top 2026 lead guards.
* Seven Bahati 6’5” 2024 Heritage Christian (Northridge CA)
Athletic and quick-footed WG with a smooth perimeter stroke, Seven is also a terrific passer that can really push the rock in transition. Bahati’s length allows him to be a disruptive defender too. Bahati is one of the West’s most underrated national prospects that is poised for big spring and summer. 2022 Pangos All-American Camp Top 60 Game pick played very well here and had a high game of 30 points as well as a 21 point half at the league which made him an easy choice as a Cream of Crop Game selection.
* Brannon Martinsen 6’8″ 2026 Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
Brannon is a very skilled and savvy hybrid-F that can beat you facing up from distance or with nifty footwork in the paint. Martinsen is a dangerous dual inside-out offensive threat that runs the floor well and can push the rock from coast to coast. Can also hurt you with his pin-point passing and court vision. Terrific feel for game projects future success at the next level. Excellent student made his 1st league appearance last Sunday and quickly showed why he is one of the most versatile, all-around 2026 hybrid-Fs in nation by scoring 26 points in 1st game! Brannon was named to the league’s all-star game where his 12 1st half points sparked his Black (jersey wearing) squad to a big early lead and eventual Win – earning game co-MVP honors in the process.
* Kendyl Sanders 6’6” 2024 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Sanders is an emerging prospect in SoCal’s 2024 class. Son of former USC F Yamen Sanders is built Ford-tough, can finish through contact and is a very underrated perimeter shooter. Kendyl showed substantial game by game improvement here – capping off the league with a double-double (13 point/11 board) winning performance in the league’s all-star game, earning Game co-MVP honors. Will be a core, featured player for a St. Bernard squad next season which figures to be a serious CIF-SS Open contender.
* Tajh Ariza 6’6” 2026 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Oozing with elite long-term potential, Tajh is a big guard with innate skills including a nice ability to split defenders with the bounce. Tajh was fabulous at times here – capping off regular camp games on Monday March 13th with the night’s top scoring high game of 32 points. Ariza (son of former long-term NBA forward Trevor Ariza) has been invited to the USA Basketball April mini-camp at the NCAA Final 4 in Houston TX. Has early offers from UCLA, Kansas, Oregon and Washington. Cream of Crop Game selection. (17 points).
* Brandon McCoy 6’4″ 2026 St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
Brandon got a late start to his HS frosh season (became eligible in early January) but wasted little time breaking into the SJB lineup and being a spark to the Braves’ run to the CIF-SS Open title game. Fantastic athlete that is active on both ends of the floor, McCoy has established himself as the best defender in SoCal’s freshman class in addition to being a top-notch scorer. McCoy had 31 points in his 1st league game here. Like Ariza, he has been invited to the USA Basketball April mini-camp at the NCAA Final 4 in Houston TX. Cream of Crop Game selection (10 points).
* Cyprian Hyde 6’11” 2023 Vista (CA)
Already signed with University of Portland, Hyde got some additional work in at the league as he prepares to head to the WCC next Fall. Cyprian has grown and added muscle to go along with his stretch forward skill set. Very active on the boards and as a rim-protector. I expect him to be a factor for Pilots coach Shantay Legans as soon as he steps foot on campus there at Portland.
* Trent MacLean 6’9” 2025 Thousand Oaks (CA)
My 1st look at Trent was here at this league and it was an impressive one! Son of former UCLA great and NBA forward Don MacLean is a skilled forward with size/length and (like dad) an excellent shooting stroke. Trent is more than just a stretch shooter. Has nice footwork on the block and splendid ability to attack the basket from the perimeter. Very good student too (3.8 GPA).
* Jeremiah Hampton 6’4” 2025 Windward (Los Angeles CA)
Hampton is an emerging lefty soph guard with impressive scoring ability and is a tough matchup for perimeter defenders. Good athlete can create his own shot and has long-term potential as a facilitator. Scored 36 points in a game in the league’s opening weekend. Outstanding player here earned him a berth in the league’s Cream of Crop Game (17 points).
* Korbin Dixon 6’5” 2024 Wilbraham & Monson Academy (MA)
Canadian native made the trek to CA to show us what he is working with and he made a loud statement. Very good student is a rangy wing that can finish in transition as well as spot up from deep. Solid defender was a Cream of Crop Game selection (16 points).
* Deshawn Gory 6’7″ 2024 SoCal Academy (Los Angeles CA)
Gory is a long, athletic slashing scorer with legit range on his Jumper. DeShawn was on fire from deep (hit his 1st 3 threes) in his 1st league game en route to 26 points. Reminds me a lot of a young Eddie Jones-type (Temple/Los Angeles Lakers). Injury curtailed his stint at the league as he would have been a sure-fire league all-star game selection. Potential to be a huge stock-riser this Spring and Summer
* Maximo Adams 6’6” 2026 Narbonne (Harbor City CA)
Maximo is another young and talented prospect showcasing his skills at this year’s league. Younger brother of heralded 2023 Marcus Adams (just committed to Kansas) is long, athletic and skilled and shaping up as an elite 2026 recruit. Cream of Crop Game selection has off-the-charts potential.
* Tae Simmons 6’7” 2025 Heritage Christian (Northridge CA)
Simmons is a dependable blue-collar PF with explosiveness at the cup. Consistent scorer on the block and force on the glass had a game-high 22 points in the league’s opening weekend. Cream of Crop Game selection had a very good soph season for Paul Tait at Heritage Christian.
* Kade Bonam 6’7″ 2025 St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
Strong and physical forward with an underrated perimeter shooting stroke and consistent ability to finish through contact. Key member of a Bosco squad that took Corona Centennial to the wire in the CIF-SS Open Division title game at the Honda Center in Anaheim CA. Very good rebounder was a Cream of Crop Game choice.
* Brayden Kyman 6’7” 2026 Santa Margarita (CA)
Fresh off a nice freshman season, Kyman is poised for a break-out soph year in 23-24. Strong and skilled hybrid-forward has natural scoring instincts including accurate 3-point touch. Brayden had single-game personal high of 32 points (5 threes). Cream of Crop Game selection.
* Zak Abdalla 6’2” 2025 Foothill (Henderson NV)
Las Vegas native made an appearance at the league and really impressed us. Crafty floor general is wired to score and does so in a variety of ways. Grandson of legendary NBA assistant Tim Grgurich can hurt you from deep as well as in transition. Named to the league’s all-star game, Zak had multiple 20+ point games in the league. Had a very good soph season at Foothill/Henderson (including a 32 point game vs Bishop Gorman).
* Isaac Williamson 6’1″ 2025 Roosevelt (Eastvale CA)
Williamson is a sharpshooting lead guard built out of the Anderson Hunt (UNLV) mold. Riverside Poly transfer (sat out this year due to transfer rules) also has nice ability to finish at hoop. Cream of Crop Game selection (12 points) is a very good student (3.6 GPA).
* Deacon Toliver 6’6” 2023 Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga CA)
One of SoCal’s top super senior (2023) sleepers, Toliver is a hardworking, active and athletic forward that competes on every play, is a rangy defender and is rapidly improving his offensive skill set. Shaping up to be a valuable LM-MM caliber recruit. Cream of Crop Game pick.
* Dallas Washington 6’9” 2025 Santa Margarita (CA)
Skilled forward with size and very good shooting ability from deep has tremendous long-term potential. Son of Nelson Washington (former director of Bay Area Ballers AAU program) had 26 points (4 threes) in his high camp scoring game. Cream of Crop Game selection.
* Sean Oliver 6’6” 2023 Wilson (Long Beach CA)
Oliver had a very strong 22-23 HS season leading the Bruins to CIF-SS Div 4AA semi-finals and berth in state tourney. Athletic and high scoring swingman intends to spend a post-grad year at a school TBD.
* Dillan Shaw 6’6″ 2025 Heritage Christian (Northridge CA)
Shaw is a young wing with size and plenty of scoring ability. Uncle is Houston Rockets assistant Mike Batiste (Arizona State/former NBA F & long-time overseas pro). Cream of Crop Game selection.
* Jackson Cryst 6’9” 2025 Millikan (Long Beach CA)
Cryst is a soph sleeper prospect with immense upside. Outstanding volleyball player has the length, motor and agility to be a major factor in the paint long-term. Face-up jump shot is also improving. One to track in this SoCal class was a Cream of Crop Game pick.
* Shamar Jones 6’5” 2025 Mountain House (CA)
Jones is a high-octane scoring WG with a chiseled physique that has been a household name for a while now. Shamar has nice explosiveness at the rim and has an impressive pull-up jump shot. Cream of Crop Game selection.
* Tong Mawien 6’7” 2025 St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs CA)
Strong and physical PF has a great motor and can finish in traffic as well as get active on the boards. Moves well in transition too. One to track was a Cream of Crop Game selection.
* Promise Madubugwu 6’10” 2024 Gardena (CA)
Promise is a rapidly developing big man with a strong frame and a surprisingly soft touch around cup. Long-term prospect worth monitoring this Spring and Summer was a Cream of Crop Game selection.
* Myles Walker 5’9″ 2025 JW North (Riverside CA)
Myles is a small PG that makes Big plays. Crafty playmaker can dial from deep as well as create for teammates off the dribble. Plays hard and with heart. Cream of Crop Game pick.
* Josh Garland 6’4″ 2025 Leuzinger (Lawndale CA)
Burly and strong wing with confident scoring skills always comes ready to play. Underrated 3-point shooter and passer was named to Cream of Crop Game.
* Steven Evans-Glynn 6’4” 2025 San Ysidro (CA)
Bouncy wing guard is quick in transition and can score with regularity at the rim. Terrific long-term upside.
* Noah Cotton 6’4″ 2024 Newbury Park (CA)
Noah is a late-blooming WG with a smooth jump shot and plenty of promise. Cousin of James and Schea Cotton is an excellent student (3.7 GPA).
* Alex Dupre 6’5 2024 Birmingham (Lake Balboa CA)
SoCal sleeper is a rangy wing with nice size and scoring ability. Alex’s HS coach Nick Halic (Birmingham) has a track record of player development – former players include Christian Koloko (Arizona/Toronto Raptors). Cream of Crop Game selection.
* Kenneth Bailey 6’0” 2023 Crean Lutheran (Irvine CA)
Older brother of Kaiden Bailey is a strong combo-guard with a sweet 3-point stroke.
* Kajuan Thomas 6’7” 2023 Eisenhower (Colton CA)
Blue-collar, physical post-forward can score around the cup and is a regular visitor on the glass.
* Ashton McCullough 6’3” 2025 Oak Hills (CA)
Athletic young guard can slash and score and is a good defender. Nice upside.
* Izaiah Fiallos 6’0” 2026 Centennial (Corona CA)
Izaiah played JV this year only because the Corona Centennial varsity was so loaded and the CIF-SS Open champion. Strong guard with excellent scoring instincts had one of the top scoring efforts in the league (33 points). Tough competitor plays with confidence and is an excellent student (3.7 GPA).
* Josh Palmer 6’3” 2025 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Josh is starting to hit his stride this year. Well-known as an accurate 3 point shooter, son of UCLA assistant Rod Palmer (UCLA/UC-Irvine guard) is starting blossom into an athlete that can finish above the rim as well. Very good student too (3.6 GPA).
* Ekene Anyiam-Osigwe 6’7” 2025 Santa Margarita (CA)
Young forward needs to get tougher and more consistent but the skills are there to warrant keeping an eye on. Runs floor well and has nice face-up shooting ability.
* Malachi Knight 6’2″ 2025 Leuzinger (Lawndale CA)
Malachi is rapidly evolving into a knock-down 3-point shooter with improving athleticism. Son of Eric Knight (Los Angeles Westchester HS/University of Portland) impressed here with his consistent scoring efforts including a 20 point (4 threes) effort on the league’s opening day. Good student too (3.3 GPA).
* Jacob Bayla 6’5” 2024 Valley Christian (Cerritos CA)
Bayla is a strong wing with a deep 3-point stroke! Terrific student and member of the Phillipines U16 national team had a league single game high of 28 points (6 threes). High academic prospect’s new HS head coach is Dijon Thompson (UCLA/Phoenix Suns draft pick).
* Christian Collins 6’7” 2026 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Promising young forward is really improved since the beginning of the HS season and has a nice blend of athleticism and scoring skills. Father DeAngelo Collins (Inglewood HS) was a top prospect as well as a McDonalds’ All-American in his HS days.
* Maurice Wright 6’2” 2023 St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs CA)
Cat-quick lead guard is a pesky defender and has athletic bounce at the rim.
* Steven Keene 6’3” 2023 Capitol Christian (Sacramento CA)
Active wing is quick in transition and can score off the bounce in the half-court.
* Jamal Kendrick 6’2” 2025 Olympian (Chula Vista CA)
San Diego soph sleeper with a nice mid-range game is an impressive defender. Good athlete.
Other players worth noting for their fine play (in alphabetical order):
* Aaron Banks 6’0″ 2026 West Ranch (Santa Clarita CA)
* Kenneth Bailey 6’0” 2023 Crean Lutheran (Irvine CA)
* Baron Bellamy 6’5” 2024 Campbell Hall (North Hollywood CA)
* Zachary Buley 6’3” 2024 Palm Springs (CA)
* Preston Curtis 6’2” 2023 Katella (Anaheim CA)
* Braeden Davidson 6’1” 2026 Crean Lutheran (Irvine CA)
* Myles Harvey 6’1” 2024 Valley Christian (Cerritos CA)
* Darian Henry 6’0” 2024 Leuzinger (Lawndale CA)
* Zehren Hilton 6’0” 2024 West Ranch (Santa Clarita CA)
* JasonJoyce 6’7″ 2025 St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
* Justyce Lucero 6’1” 2024 Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley CA)
* Jacob Majok 6’6” 2026 Crean Lutheran (Irvine CA)
* Malual Monydeng 6’8” 2026 Crean Lutheran (Irvine CA)
* Matthew Searles 6’0” 2026 St. Anthony (Long Beach CA)
* Devin Ringer 6’4” 2024 Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
* McKel Shedrick 6’6” 2025 Hillcrest (Riverside CA)
* JermiyahSmith 6’5″ 2023 Rancho Cucamonga (CA)
* Malloy Smith 6’4” 2026 Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
* ChristianTaylor 6’5″ 2025 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
* MarkeeWhite 6’6″ 2026 Centennial (Corona CA)
* Moses Wright 6’4” 2025 St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs CA)
