The Fantastic 40 presented by Pangos and Spalding made its return to Miami FL earlier this month (April 12-14) and there was plenty of talent on-hand to fill Gibson Park’s 2 court gym in the Overtown area of downtown Miami. Besides Nothing But Net Magazine, other national/regional media and scouts on hand included Ronnie Flores (BallisLife.com & GrassrootsHoops.net), Rodger Bohn (BallisLife & SLAM Magazine), Jordan Parker (CBS Sports) and Esayas Gebrekidan (Pro Insight) and video-outlets Overtime, Viral Visualz, Quarter 4 Productions, SolitarioVisuals and r3d.pics.
Games were live-streamed by BallerTV.com: https://www.ballertv.com/events/fantastic-40-miami.
Ronnie Flores wrote his own Ball is Life recaps of the event:
Ball is Life: Fantastic 40 Top Performers: https://ballislife.com/fantastic-40-top-performers/
Ball is Life: Under The Radar Standouts: https://ballislife.com/fantastic-40-under-the-radar-standouts/
Below, I highlight several players that stood out to me at this event:
Meleek Thomas 6’4” 2025 Lincoln Park (Midland PA)
I’m running out of superlatives for this sensational junior playmaker! Top 5 junior prospect impacts the game in so many ways: scoring, passing, leadership, etc. I love Meleek’s confidence and presence on the court, his command of his team as a extension of the coach on the floor and his special ability to make big plays as well as the right decision. Many view him as an off-guard due to his length, athleticism and ability to shoot the rock with accuracy off the the catch and shoot. I don’t disagree with that but I love his on-ball playmaking and creativity and his excellent unselfishness that creates great team cohesion and continuity. Thomas has had all the big time programs in pursuit and released his Top 12 schools last September. Just recently, Meleek indicated that he plans visits to Kansas, Arkansas, Miami FL and UConn with a potential trip to Mississippi also looming.
Brandon McCoy 6’4” 2026 St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
Nation’s #1 in 2026 was on display here in Miami. Ultra-athletic and quick lead guard is extremely difficult to contain off bounce and can explode to rim. Tremendous on-ball perimeter defender has real fullcourt pressure ability. Perimeter shot is improving and his mid-range game is a legit. Good student (Stanford has offered) will have his choice of scholarships and NIL deals coast to coast.
Shon Abaev 6’7” 2025 Calvary Christian (Ft. Lauderdale FL)
Abaev is a big time lefty scorer with a dangerous long-distance stroke and the strength to get to the rack and score. 2023 Pangos All-American Camp invitee with numerous HM offers is also crafty and elusive off the bounce. Shon has the size and skill to be legitimate NBA wing prospect.
Kaiden Bailey 6’3” 2026 Calvary Chapel (Santa Ana CA)
Bailey came out of the gates on all cylinders and his early barrage of deep 3s helped Belmont Shore 17u (CA) outlast a physical and stubborn Miami Tropics 17 squad 77-76. Bailey was also impressive versus super junior guard Meleek Thomas and New Heights Lightning EYBL 17u (NY) – drilling 5 threes en route to 17 points. Bailey (currently ranked #78 by On3 in national 2026 class) played his first two years of high school at Crean Lutheran (Irvine CA) but will transfer to Calvary Chapel (Santa Ana CA) for his junior year to join his father James Bailey who was recently named the head coach there at CC.
Amari Evans 6’5” 2024 Overtime Elite (Atlanta GA)
Evans is a well-built wing with a very nice perimeter stroke. Pittsburgh PA native is also a very solid rebounder & defender. Played well for an undefeated (3-0) New Heights Lightning (NY) here which resulted in an invite to the 2024 Pangos All-American Camp (June 2-4 at Las Vegas NV).
Gustavo Guimaraes 6’11” 2025 Riviera Prep (Miami FL)
I really liked what I saw out of Guimaraes here. Brazilian native has excellent size, agility and scores well on the block. South FL sleeper is a good student too (3.2 GPA)
Dallas Washington 6’10” 2025 Santa Margarita (CA)
A 2025 name on the West Coast to keep a close eye on is Washington. Long and skilled forward with a legit 3-point shooting stroke to extend defenses and has the athleticism to finish inside. Intriguing prospect with real HM potential!
Christian Jeffrey 6’3” 2025 Mt. Zion Prep (NC)
Christian is a strong and powerful combo-guard that uses his strength well to fend off defenders as well as finish through contact at the rim. Potential to be an elite college defender. Christian has a recent offer from Villanova.
Cameron Holmes 6’6” 2026 Millenium (Goodyear AZ)
Younger brother of Dayton star forward Da’Ron Holmes is a rangy lefty wing with impressive knockdown 3-point ability. This young prospect’s talent has not gone unnoticed as he is currently is ranked #16 in 2026 by 247Sports.com and has early offers from the likes of Arizona, Kansas, Oregon and Dayton.
Kendyl Sanders 6’7” 2024 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Sanders is one of the West Coast’s top unsigned seniors. Versatile hybrid-forward can score with either hand on his sweeping drives to cup and is a very good defender and rebounder. Improved shooter and excellent student played well here and should get increased attention as a late HS signee as the transfer portal smoke clears. Dad (6-9 Yamen Sanders) played at USC for George Raveling.
Paul Osauryi 6’11” 2026 (Canyon International Academy/Phoenix AZ)
I really like the upside of this Toronto, Canada big man. Long, strong and physical interior player plays hard on both ends of floor. Must track 2026 center built out of the Andre Drummond mold.
Seven Bahati 6’5” 2024 Notre Dame (Riverside CA)
Another top West Coast unsigned senior playing well here was Bahati. Long and athletic WG with elevation at the rim and a smooth 3 point shot defenses must respect showed well vs New Heights Lightning EYBL 17 here. Seven’s long arms and foot quickness makes his potentially a lock-down defender at next level.
Darius Wabbington 6’10” 2027 Sunnyslope (Phoenix AZ)
Young big man with size, skill and impressive low-post footwork is a Copper State national star in the making.
Kade Bonam 6’7” 2025 St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
Bonam is back playing after shoulder injury sidelined him at end of this past HS season. Strong and crafty PF can score in a variety of ways and can finish through contact.
Caspian Jones 6’7” 2025 St. Mary’s (Phoenix AZ)
Caspian is a well-built big wing with a smooth long-distance shooting stroke and the strength and bounce necessary to finish at rim. Very good student too (3.8 GPA) is one of Belmont Shore 17u’s best scorers. .
Jalon Pitt 6’7” 2025 Canyon International Academy (Phoenix AZ)
Toronto, Canada native is a blue-collar PF with energy and physicality in the paint. Bruising rebounder with capability to scorer on the block.
Cayden Daughtry 6’0” 2027 Calvary Christian (Ft. Lauderdale FL)
Cayden Daughtry put on a scoring exhibition at the Pangos Fantastic 40. Savvy scoring guard has lots of offensive weapons in his bag. Top 25 national freshman had a signature 33 point, 4 rebound and 5 assist against The Jet Academy EYBL15u here.
Zion Sampaio 6’6” 2025 St. Andrews (Boca Raton FL)
Zion is a long, athletic and rangy wing that plays with energy and can score at the cup. Mom hails from Brazil and has a fantastic academic profile (4.4 GPA). Ivy/Patriot League alert!
Garaang Dheiu 6’10” 2025 Riviera Prep (Miami FL)
SOH Elite UAA big man is long and agile and formidable rim-protector. Nice long-term upside.
Jacob Bayla 6’5” 2024 Valley Christian (Cerritos CA)
Philippines junior national team member is a strong and athletic guard with the strength to finish at the cup and the capacity to score out to the 3-point line. Top notch student (4.0-plus GPA) has exceptional character and work-ethic.
Felipe Quinones 6’6” 2026 IMG (Bradenton FL)
Playing for Kenny Smith’s The Jet Academy EYBL 16u, this Puerto Rico native has a sturdy build and a potent 3-point shot as well as being a more than solid defender. One of the best in 2026 class.
Darius Washington III 6’4” 2025 Orlando Christian Prep (Orlando FL)
Son of former McDonald’s All-American, Memphis star and NBA guard Darius Washington Jr. is an impressive slashing scorer that is an integral part of the SOH Elite UAA 17u rotation this spring/summer.
Myles Fuentes 6’1” 2027 Riviera Prep (Miami FL)
Cerebral and super quick PG knows how to run his team and can direct teammates with poise under pressure. Excellent passer has international FIBA experience (plays on Puerto Rico 16u national team) and was a starter on Riviera Prep’s Florida 3A state championship team this past season. Plays for his dad (Joe Fuente) on a very good All Ball 17u AAU squad.
James Bass 6’8” 2025 Campbell Hall (North Hollywood CA)
A 2025 player with one of the highest ceilings here was Bass. Athletic rim-protector with underrated soft touch from the 3-point line is an emerging name and very improved player in the West Coast junior class.
Engel Gutierrez 6’3” 2024 ABF Academy (Hialeah FL)
Savvy ballhandler with crafty scoring skills. Dominican guard’s fine play did not go unnoticed here as Arizona Western JC quickly signed him after the conclusion of the event.
Romari Robinson 6’3” 2025 Miami Senior (Miami FL)
Athletic wing always in attack-mode. Romari can finish downhill at the rim and is a rangy defender.
Kaleb Myers 6’9” 2024 ABF Academy (Hialeah FL)
Nicaraguan native was active and productive around cup and in the paint all weekend long here. Like his Miami Tropics teammate Engel Gutierrez, his fine play here drew the attention of national JC Arizona Western and was signed shortly after the tourney.
Kalek House 6’3” 2026 Desert Mountain (Phoenix AZ)
Brother of fellow 2026 stud Kaden House (who did not play due to injury here) is a very good prospect in his own right. Skilled scorer with defensive intensity is son of former NBA vet Eddie House.
Noah George 6’4” 2026 Canyon International Academy (Phoenix AZ)
Smooth and very improved lead guard with plenty of promise is the son of NBA agent Mike George.
Roman Hughes 6’0” 2026 Everglades (Miramar FL)
I liked what I saw out of Hughes from the All Ball 16u/FL squad. Quick and crafty PG made plays on both ends and is like mom, Bacardi Jackson (a Stanford & Yale Law School grad), a fantastic student (4.6 GPA). Ivy League/Patriot League alert!
Malloy Smith 6’5” 2026 Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
A late-blooming 2026 prospect to keep an eye is Malloy. Long PG with high IQ and nice passing ability is son of current TNT NBA analyst and former NBA World Champion Kenny Smith. Malloy has the good character, attitude and genes to merit tracking long-term.
O’Neal Delancy 6’2” 2027 Gibbs (St. Petersburg FL)
Young guard with terrific mid-range scoring skills and ability to score effectively in traffic. Like Cayden Daughtry, another stud on loaded Florida Rebels EYBL 15u squad.
Myles Jones 6’2” 2025 Gateway Charter (Ft. Myers FL)
Athletic wing guard with improved perimeter shooting stroke played well for Team Knight NB 17u (FL) here.
Mason Fuentes 6’2” 2026 Riviera Prep (Miami FL)
Older brother of talented All Ball 17u PG Myles Fuentes is fast off the dribble with nice drive and kick ability.
Jeremy Jenkins Jr. 6’9” 2027 Riviera Prep (Miami FL)
Long and quick post player with quickness and tons of upside.
Nolan Nelson 6’9” 2027 Creekside (Fairburn GA)
Big man with mobility, soft hands and ability to score both inside on the block as well as being able to face-up from distance. One young Southern Big to most definitely track.
Quincy Douby 6’3” 2027 Southridge (Miami FL)
Son of former Temple star and NBA 1st round pick Quincy Douby Sr. can create off the bounce and has real ability to elude defensive in transition.
Tai Bell 6’2” 2027 Mater Lakes Academy (Hialeah FL)
Son of former NBA guard Raja Bell is a very talented young two-way guard that is a future Florida star in the making.
Cam McKinney 6’6” 2027 LA Premier Prep (Downey CA)
Bay Area native is a young forward oozing with long-term potential. Played on AZ Unity EYBL 16u here.
