The 2020 Pangos Best of SoCal Summer Showcase was held recently (Saturday June 27th) at Long Beach CA and featured 140-plus top prospects from Southern California, Nevada, Arizona and Oregon. Media and scouts (other than myself) on hand included Frank Burlison (BurlisononBasketball.com/McDonald’s All-American Game voter/NBPA Camp Selection Committee), Joel Francisco (PrepHoopsSoCal), Paul Hernandez (661 Hoops), David Mendez-Yapkowitz (PrepHoopsSoCal), video outlets present included Ball Dawgs, Clutch Hoops and Hustle2k and Nick Koza (SportsAmp.com) was there taking action photos.
BallerTV.com live-streamed all the games (with play-by-play by Patrick Pratt) and those games are archived and currently still available online: https://www.ballertv.com/events/pangos-best-of-so-cal-showcase-2020
This is Part I of a two-part report highlighting top players at the showcase. Listed below are several of the event’s 2023, 2024 and 2025 standouts. I will discuss top 2021 and 2022 performers later in the upcoming Part II of this report.
2023
Xavier Edmonds 6’8” 2023 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Rugged and confident PF has made substantial improvement since I saw him last. Edmonds was very impressive in the Top 2020 2023 Game – driving strong through contact to the rim for multiple scores, displaying accurate shooting touch that extends to the 3-point arc and being a formidable rebounder and rim-protector. “X” scored a game-high 19 points (one “3”) in Top 20 2023 Game. Top 50 national potential prospect looks like he’s grown 1-2 inches since last season and is the type of strong and tough PF that Tom Izzo loves. Although not having an “official” offer yet, Xavier is a solid student (3.0 GPA) and is starting to get interest from the likes of Arizona, USC and others.
Jazz Gardner 6’11” 2023 Los Altos (Hacienda Heights CA)
Long and agile young post continues to grow and get better. Jazz is very skilled for his age and as his strength continues to increase so will his impact on the court. Gardner has very good ballhandling and shooting skills and is an active shot-blocker. Early offers include USC, LSU, Washington State, Pepperdine and UC-Santa Barbara with interest from UCLA, Arizona, Memphis and Stanford. Gardner (a very good student) scored 14 points in the Top 20 2023 Game and is currently ranked #40 nationally in 2023 by Van Coleman/Nothing But Net Magazine.
Darius Carr 6’2” 2023 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Very promising and talented scoring combo is oozing with HM potential. Quick off the bounce to the cup, Carr also has nice ball skills to create “stop & pop” scoring opportunities. If Carr was a stock, now is a terrific time to buy!
Jimmy Oladokun 6’7” 2023 Damien (La Verne CA)
Long and intriguing hybrid-forward has excellent upside. Jimmy runs floor very well, can finish in transition and has nice face-up game. Oladokun had 9 points including a “three” in Top 20 2023 Game. SoCal sleeper and off the charts student (4.32 GPA) to keep an eye on! Career goal is to be a doctor.
Zachary Davidson 6’7” 2023 Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
Skilled forward has nice shooting touch. Older brother and Mater Dei teammate is DI prospect 6-9 2021 Nick Davidson. Outstanding student (4.0 GPA).
Tyler Rolison 6’0” 2023 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Smooth floor-general has excellent basketball IQ and is a terrific facilitator. Together with talented St. Bernard teammate Darius Carr, will form one of the West’s best HS backcourts for Coach Mitch Runco for next 3 years.
Giovanni Goree 5’9” 2023 Viewpoint (Calabasas CA)
Small but confident PG can really penetrate to score as well as connect from 3-point range – had three “3s” en route to 13 points in Top 20 2023 Game.
Maurice Wright 6’2” 2023 Paraclete (Lancaster CA)
Quick WG has excellent “slash and score” ability and is a pesky defender.
David Manea 6’5” 2023 Beckman (Irvine CA)
Hard-working WF is active on the defensive end and has nice all-around scoring skills.
Jontue Cooper 6’0” 2023 Mayfair (Lakewood CA)
Very improved lead guard is starting to fill into his thin frame. Starting to shoot rock with nice accuracy and is competing at a high level.
Other rising soph players worth noting include (in alphabetical order):
Robert Cooks 5’11” 2023 Washington Prep (Los Angeles CA)
AJ Economou 6’3” 2023 Santa Monica (CA)
Sam Lininger 5’10” 2023 Santa Monica (CA)
Kollen Murphy 6’2” 2023 Colony (Ontario CA)
Jai Robinson 5’7” 2023 Roosevelt (Eastvale CA)
Jasyre Robinson 6’7” 2023 Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley CA)
Tyler Small 6’0” 2023 Servite (Anaheim CA)
Jacob Topete 5’9” 2023 Downey (CA)
Tyron Tyler 6’5” 2023 Independence (Bakersfield CA)
2024
Isaiah Elohim 6’4” 2024 Heritage Christian (Northridge CA)
Very talented young guard with crafty scoring ability and explosion to the rim. Isaiah scored a game-high 23 points in Top 20 2024 Game. Looks to be the next great SoCal guard that will command high-major attention coast to coast.
Seven Bahati 6’4” 2024 Ribet Academy (Los Angeles CA)
Athletic slashing scorer has the size, length, motor and skill level to rapidly develop into a HM prospect. Seven produced 10 points and numerous boards in the Top 20 2024 Game and was bumped up to play in the Top 2023 Game as well where he was even more impressive (18 points).
Darryl Morris 5’9” 2024 Renaissance Academy (Altadena CA)
Quick and very savvy PG is already a tremendous playmaker that affects the game on both ends. Very good shooter with quick release had 18 points (two “3s) in the Top 20 2024 Game. Older brother Jeffrey McClendon played at Loyola Marymount.
James Evans 6’5” 2024 West Ranch (Santa Clarita CA)
Strong and athletic forward is built like a DE but can really score and is active baseline to baseline. Evans scored 15 points in Top 20 2024 Game.
Jamari Phillips 6’1” 2024 Modesto Christian (Modesto CA)
Assertive guard with knack for scoring had 15 points (two “3s”) in Top 20 2024 Game.
Kory Dodson 6’3” 2024 Poly (Riverside CA)
Son of Riverside Poly coach Yancy Dodson plays smart as you would expect a coach’s son and has nice range on his jump shot.
Jaden DePina 6’0” 2024 West Ranch (Santa Clarita CA)
Assertive WG is hard to stop off the dribble.
Zoe Edosomwan 6’5” 2024 Northridge CA
Younger brother of former Harvard Westlake (North Hollywood CA) and Harvard PF Zena Edosomwan has nice size and agility for an incoming freshman. Looks like he is headed to Village Christian/Sun Valley CA to start his HS career.
Other rising frosh players worth keeping an eye include (in alphabetical order):
Robert Bush 6’3” 2024 Los Altos (Hacienda Heights CA)
Davon Griffin 6’1” 2024 SCA (Reseda CA)
Justyce Lucero 6’3” 2024 Poly (Riverside CA)
King Kyni Peterson 5’10” 2024 Crenshaw (Los Angeles CA)
David Valenzuela 6’1” 2024 Salem Lutheran (Orange CA)
There was also a Top 20 2025 Game held and players that showed well included 2025 Dylan Gomez, 2025 DeMarco Johnson, 2025 Moses Wright, 2025 JaiYon Gardner, 2025 Amarion Orange, 2025 Jaison Joyce and 2025 Kameron Dodson.
*** Action photo courtesy of Nick Koza (Sports Amp)
