The 2nd annual Pangos All-American Festival was held recently (August 28-29, 2021) at Amplus Academy in Las Vegas NV. The West squad beat the East in the Final 133-112, led by event MVP Jaxon Kohler who had 53 points in title game.
BallerTV.com live-streamed all 4 games at the event (now available for replay):
https://www.ballertv.com/events/pangos-all-american-festival-4 The title game was also broadcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rExeqmzG_VI
Team rosters for all teams and game box scores can be accessed here: https://www.fullctpress.net/21-pangos-aa-festival.html
This article is part II of a IV part series recapping players at the event. Part I can be found here:
https://nbnmagazine.com/2021-pangos-all-american-festival-recap-west-runs-away-with-title/
Below, we will highlight players that were members of the runners-up East squad coached by Greg Lockridge. Zion Cruz, Roddy Gayle, Chance Westry, and Isaiah Miranda were originally scheduled to attend and play on the East squad but could not ultimately be present due to injury or illness.
2021 Pangos All-American Festival East Team
(in alphabetical order)
Fabio Basili 6’3” 2022 Oakridge (Orlando FL)
One of the biggest sleepers at the PG position in national 2022 class is Fabio who plays for Coach Steve Reece on both his Oakridge HS and E1T1 Nike EYBL squads. Basili followed up a standout performance at the Fantastic 40 in Las Vegas in early August with a terrific effort here. All-tourney selection had a triple-trouble (18 points, 10 rebounds & 10 assists) including a deep 3 point bomb that forced OT in a 131-128 semi-final win over a talented Midwest squad and had a team-high 27 points and 8 assists in the title game. Fabio plays with confidence, does not back down to any challenge and has excellent playmaking skills. Marquette, Cincinnati, Maryland are among the increasing number of schools showing interest. I expect that list to grow longer before it gets shorter. Video-highlights: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms_/status/1432747380533776388
Taylor Bol Bowen 6’9” 2023 Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro NH)
Very promising hybrid-forward with both the length to be a problem inside and the shooting touch to extend defenses. Taylor had 17 points (7/9 FG; 3/4 3FG) and 6 rebounds in the East’s semi-final win and followed that up with 12 points (5/10 FG; 2/4 3FG) to go along with 5 boards and 5 assists in the Final. High character kid with winning personality is currently ranked #20 nationally by the 247Sports composite and #23 by ESPN.com and has offers from the likes of UConn, Marquette, Iowa, Arkansas, Rutgers and Providence. Video-highlights: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms_/status/1433081877137707009
Gavin Griffiths 6’7” 2023 Kingwood Oxford (West Hartford CT)
This was my first look at Griffiths and I was more than impressed. Rangy and athletic wing with length, bounce and sharp-shooting ability from deep. Gavin had 17 points including 3 “threes” in the East’s semi-final OT win to go along with 8 rebounds. Good student reminds me a little of Kevin Huerter (Maryland/Atlanta Hawks). Gavin (ranked #35 in junior class by Rivals.com) has early offers from Iowa, Syracuse, Rutgers, Kansas State, Dayton, Maryland and UMass. Video-highlights: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms_/status/1432426181740019713
Varick Lewis 6’4” 2023 SoCal Academy (Los Angeles CA)
Sacramento CA native was a late addition to the event and like he did at last June’s Pangos All-American Camp (where he was selected to Top 60 Game) he played at a high level. Strong and crafty lead guard with natural scoring skills and the confidence necessary to be a consistent scorer at the next level. Lewis had 13 points in the East’s 131-128 OT semi-final win over the Midwest. Varick is emerging as a national West Coast sleeper in 2022 and has early offers from TCU, New Mexico and UC-Santa Barbara. Ranked as a Top 100 junior by Van Coleman/Nothing But Net Magazine.
Ven-Allen Lubin 6’7” 2022 Orlando Christian (Orlando FL)
Outstanding scorer has terrific slashing ability and can make defenses pay from deep. Lubin started off hot here, going for 23 points (9/15 FG) to go along with 8 rebounds in East’s semi-final win and added 18 points/7 boards in the Final. Ven-Allen is currently ranked #63 by Rivals.com and #76 by ESPN.com with an impressive offer list that includes Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Georgia, South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Miami FL, Pitt, St. John’s, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and West Virginia. Lubin’s fine play earned him an all-tourney selection here. Video-highlights: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms_/status/1433094383272972288
Aaron Price 6’7” 2022 Liberty (Henderson NV)
Hardworking and athletic forward plays with constant energy. Tremendous student (4.0+ GPA) is physical inside and displayed an improved 3-point touch and underrated passing ability here. Aaron was, like Varick Lewis, a late addition to the event and had 16 points (8/10 FG) with 3 assists in his squad’s semi-final win. Schools involved include Princeton, Harvard, Yale and Howard with interest from Stanford and Cal.
Elijah Price 6’8” 2022 St. Anthony (Long Beach CA)
One of the fastest rising seniors in the West, Price was also a late edition to this event after tearing up the recent Pangos Best of SoCal League and more than held his own. Rangy and athletic hybrid forward with solid ball skills and versatile scoring ability. Active on the glass and on defensive end as well. Elijah’s displayed his vast potential by having a double-double in championship game: 12 points (5/9: 2/4 3FG) and 11 boards. Has received recent offers from Pacific and Cal Poly and recent interest from Arizona State. Expect a herd of college coaches to head to Long Beach to get a good look this Fall.
Ernest Udeh 6’10” 2022 Dr. Phillips (Orlando FL)
Big and dominant center prospect averaged 22.5 points on 80% FG. Udeh started things off with 19 points (9/11 FG) in the semi-finals and turned it up with a 26 point (11/14 FG: 1/1 3FG) effort in the title game. Ernest is a dangerous rim-runner that finishes above the rim and with authority and is a premier rim-protector and defender. Udeh was very effective in pick-and-roll situations and his excellent hands makes him a potent post scoring threat. All-tourney pick currently ranked #19 by 247Sports.com and #29 by Rivals.com, Ernest is getting lots of recruiting attention with offers from Kansas, Florida, Baylor, Alabama, Georgia Tech, UCLA, Tennessee, Stanford, Michigan, Memphis, UCF, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Creighton and Miami FL. Video-highlights: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms_/status/1431977850656096259
