The Pangos Best of Indy League tipped-off on Tuesday night August 11th at the Lawrence Armory (Lawrence IN) and I got a good view of several top prospects from Indiana as well as a few players from Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio and California. BallerTV live-streamed all games played and DeadStock Visuals was in the house shooting video highlights.
Full length video re-plays of all 3 Pangos Best of Indy League games on opening night are now available on replay from Baller TV: https://www.ballertv.com/events/pangos-best-of-indy-league All remaining league games will also be live-streamed by BallerTV.
Team rosters and league schedule can be accessed online at: https://www.fullctpress.net/20-best-of-indy-league.html/
Below is a look at several of the top players that stood out out on opening night:
* Jalen Hooks 6’7” 2023 Crispus Attucks (Indianapolis IN)
Hooks is a young beast! Athletic and very strong forward can both absorb contact and finish in the paint as well as take defenders off the dribble from the wing. Jalen has been working hard on his perimeter skills and as they become more refined he will be an even bigger offensive threat. Physical rebounder and defender too. Top 25 caliber 2023 prospect scored 24 points including a “3” in his league debut. Hooks has early offers from DePaul and IUPUI and is now attracting heavyweight interest from Michigan State, Kentucky, Florida, Florida State, UCLA, Purdue, Ohio State, Iowa, Maryland, Cincinnati and Xavier.
* Javon Small 6’2” 2021 Franklin Central (Indianapolis IN)
Small is quickly emerging as one of top senior lead guard sleepers in the nation. Athletic off the bounce with an accurate 3-point stroke, Javon had 26 points (four 3s) in an impressive effort on opening night. Interest in Small is heating up as he just added Virginia Tech to his previous offers from Akron, Ball State, Indiana State, IUPUI, Kent State and Miami OH with recent interest from Georgia, TCU, Cal, Tulane and Tulsa. Here is an example his major athleticism: https://twitter.com/DeadStockVisual/status/1293416732229537792
* Jaden Brewer 6’5” 2021 Ben Davis (Indianapolis IN)
Rangy lefty guard with length and explosiveness to the cup, Brewer (although streaky) has perimeter range to the 3-point arc. Showed his complete offensive arsenal on opening night, erupting for 35 points (three 3s). Intriguing prospect is also an underrated passer with current offers from Cleveland State, Evansville and Miami OH but expect that list to grow as he increases his strength and consistency in his jump shot.
* Leland Walker 6’1” 2022 North Central (Indianapolis IN)
Very crafty scorer is a tough lead guard that can get buckets at a high clip! Walker scored a league-high 36 points on opening night teaming up with Javon Small to form a lethal 1-2 punch. Leland possesses a Xavier offer to go along with others from Ball State, Winthrop, Arkansas-Little Rock, Middle Tennessee State and IUPUI.
* Brian Waddell 6’7” 2021 Carmel (IN)
Very skilled WF can score in multiple ways and possesses more than ample athleticism to finish at the rim. Good student (3.3 GPA) had a big game on opening night – erupting for 33 points. Looks to be one of the most underrated rising seniors in the Midwest.
* Gabe Sisk 6’5” 2023 Ballard (Louisville KY)
One of the most promising young WGs in the nation has excellent feel for the game with natural scoring skills. Legit young HM prospect had 13 points on the event’s opening night.
* Dayveon Turner 6’0” 2022 Arsenal Tech (Indianapolis IN)
I was really impressed with the quickness and play-making ability of Turner, a young PG with an accurate jump shot and nice burst of speed in the open floor. Anderson (IN) transfer has quick hands on the defensive end and scored 18 points including four 3s on opening night.
* Maker Bar 6’10” 2022 Ballard (Louisville KY)
Hardworking and athletic center is a formidable rim-protecter and rebounder. Good interior scorer with underrated 3-point range (hit a “3” en route to 9 points). Sudanese native has an early offer from Jacksonville State with interest from Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky.
* Vincent Brady 6’3” 2021 Cathedral (Indianapolis IN)
Confident WG with scoring process – poured in 29 points in his 1st league game.
* Peter Suder 6’4” 2022 Carmel (IN)
Love the savvy and shooting ability of this confident wing guard. Excellent student (3.7 GPA) and impressive slashing scorer had 13 points and has drawn the eye of Western Michigan assistant Kristof Kendrick (former Indianapolis area HS and AAU coach and son of former Purdue assistant coach and NBA draft pick Frank Kendrick).
* Charlie Williams 6’10” 2022 Carmel (IN)
Long and skilled center has nice face-up ability and is active on the glass. Fantastic student (3.75 GPA) has immense upside and helps form the core nucleus of a Carmel squad coached by Ryan Osborn that is a perennial Indiana state contender. Charlie has an early offer from Florida Atlantic with interest from Butler, Providence, San Diego and Evansville.
* Donovan Barnett 6’5” 2021 Crispus Attucks (Indianapolis IN)
Athletic slashing scoring swingman had 15 points on opening night and is a yet another quality member of a deep Crispus Attucks squad.
* Jaylen Carsen 6’6” 2021 Crispus Attucks (Indianapolis IN)
Assertive swingman is always in attack-mode. Carsen can also spot-up from deep as he connected on two 3s en route to 15 points.
* RaSheed Jones 6’5” 2022 Marion (IN)
Really like the upside of this big and athletic wing. Jones is a slashing scorer oozing with mid-to-high major potential. One to keep an eye on in Indiana’s rising junior class, Jones has early offers from New Orleans and Winthrop.
* Chandler Jackson 6’5” 2022 Warren Central (Indianapolis IN)
Strong wing with nice scoring touch plays with confidence and had 19 points on the league’s first night.
* Jesse Faires 6’6” 2023 Ben Davis (Indianapolis IN)
Versatile hybrid-forward is active baseline to baseline. Jesse scored 10 points in a variety of ways on opening night.
* QuShawn Ware 6’4” 2023 Crispus Attucks (Indianapolis IN)
Besides Jalen Hooks, Crispus Attucks has plenty of very good young talent including Ware. QuShawn runs floor well and has the build and tools to be an effective defender. Athletic wing needs to refine jump shot but has plenty of long-term upside worth monitoring. Scored 13 points.
* JJ Louden 6’5” 2022 Pike (Indianapolis IN)
Big multi-dimensional guard with good size is a rising junior name to track.
* Ayden Mudd 6’7” 2021 St. Xavier (Louisville KY)
Active and productive forward with range on jump shot that defenses must respect. Very good student (3.4 GPA) had 13 points.
* Jake Whitlock 5’11” 2021 Spencer County (Taylorsville KY)
Sharp-shooting PG had 17 points on opening night.
* Naylon Thompson 6’5” 2021 Luers (Ft. Wayne IN)
Skilled swingman averaged 16.0 points and 6.4 boards as a junior last season.
* Evan Altman 6’5” 2021 Brebeuf (Indianapolis IN)
Strong WF with nice scoring touch had 10 points.
* Kaleb Edwards 6’3” 2021 Guerin Catholic (Noblesville IN)
One of the sleepers at this year’s league is Edwards. Quick slashing scorer is a solid defender and student (3.1 GPA).
* Caleb Wise 5’10” 2024 Westfield (IN)
Wise is one of the youngest players in the league but has one of the sweetest perimeter strokes. Knocked down 3/4 3-point FGs opening night.
* Marly Gonzalez 6’7” 2022 Escondido Charter (CA)
PF with sturdy frame doesn’t mind banging inside. Gonzalez scored 8 points.
** first of a series of reports from the Pangos Best of Indy League. We will be highlighting additional players in future reports
