The Pangos Best of SoCal Showcase took place last month (Saturday September 11th) at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church gym (Long Beach CA) and once again gave us a good glimpse of several top prospects from Southern California. Besides myself, Frank Burlison (BurlisonOnBasketball.com), Ronnie Flores (Ball is Life), Devin Ugland (Hoops by Ugland) and Aaron Burgin (PrepHoopsSoCal) attended to evaluate players. BallerTV live-streamed all games played and Beach City Hoops, Clutch Hoops and They Can Hoop were in the house shooting video highlights.
Full length video re-plays of all 2021 Pangos Best of SoCal Showcase games are now available on replay from Baller TV:
https://www.ballertv.com/events/pangos-best-of-socal-showcase-2021
Team rosters for each game can be accessed online at:
https://www.fullctpress.net/f/Pangos.BestofSoCal.Showcase21.rosters.Fall.revised.pdf
Below is a look at several of the event’s 2023 players that impressed:
2023 Prospects
Tyler Rolison 6’0” 2023 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Fast-rising lead guard is coming on strong after an impressive Nike Peach Jam this past July where he was a core part of the Team Why Not guard trifecta (along with Kylan Boswell and Jared McCain) that won that event’s 16u division title. Armed with a quick 1st step, legit scoring ability and great alpha-male confidence, Tyler has served notice that he deserves to be mentioned with the nation’s top PGs in his class. Rolison has received recent offers from USC, Washington, San Diego State, Nebraska and George Washington. Scored 16 points (4 threes) in Top 20 Game.
Darius Carr 6’3” 2023 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Carr is one of the top junior guards on West Coast with high octane scoring ability (currently ranked #57 nationally by 247Sports.com). Darius had 12 points in Top 20 Game and has offers from Washington, Cal, San Diego State, Washington State, New Mexico and Loyola Marymount.
Jimmy Oladokun 6’8” 2023 Damien (La Verde CA)
Rapidly improving and underrated forward with knack for scoring and off the charts grades (4.5 GPA). Led all scorers with 19 points in Top 20 Game. Jimmy is on the radar of Stanford and a bevy of programs from the Ivy League.
Xavier Edmonds 6’8” 2023 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Rugged and physical PF has good footwork in paint as well as ability to step away from basket and face-up. New Mexico and Portland State are among his offers.
Drew Fielder 6’9” 2023 Southern Cal Academy (CA)
Idaho native and skilled Big is attracting D1 attention – has reported offers from the likes of Maryland, Arizona State, Creighton, Washington State, Nebraska, UC-Irvine, Pepperdine, Montana State and Southern Utah.
AJ Johnson 6’4” 2023 Taft (Woodland Hills CA)
Thin but talented lead guard is quick off bounce and weight/strength away from being a problem for opposing defenses. Growing national reputation (#71 in 247 Sports composite) has resulted in offers from Washington State, Fresno State, New Mexico, UTEP and Eastern Washington.
Will Smith 6’3” 2023 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Athletic and well-built WG with excellent academics is drawing attention from the likes of Stanford and several Ivy League members. Tenacious defender has refined his outside shot.
Keyon Kensie 6’7” 2023 Taft (Woodland Hills CA)
Quick and bouncy swingman is a terror in transition and has rapidly improving half-court offensive skills. New Mexico and Washington State are among his growing list of offers with interest from San Diego State, Pepperdine and San Francisco.
Zachary Davidson 6’7” 2023 Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
Sweet-shooting stretch “4” has recent offers from UC-San Diego and Cleveland State. Agile in the open floor, Davidson also is a factor on the boards and defends well. Older brother Nick Davidson is a freshman at Nevada.
Christian Jones 6’3” 2023 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Ultimate athletic “glue guy” guard with versatile scoring skills and max effort present on both ends at all times. Excellent student too.
Maurice Wright 6’3” 2023 Santa Clarita Christian (CA)
Active and assertive combo-guard can finish above rim. Very good good outside shooter too – had 13 points (three 3s) in Top 20 Game.
Kelcy Phipps 6’2” 2023 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Very improved combo-guard is quick to the cup off the bounce and can nail long-distance 3s.
Jaden Matingou 6’2” 2023 St. Augustine (San Diego CA)
Under the radar guard with nice all-around skills will be a key part of St. Augustine’s rotation this upcoming season.
Cyprian Hyde 6’9” 2023 Vista (CA)
One of the surprises of the event, Hyde is a skilled forward with length, good ball skills and more than adequate bounce. Terrific student’s impressive effort in Top 40 Game (15 points) earned him a berth in Top 20 contest. UC-Irvine, UC-Santa Barbara, San Diego and Portland have expressed recent interest.
Jaden Henley 6’5” 2023 Colony (Ontario CA)
Very underrated wing with size and strength is a very capable scorer.
Will Brenner 6’8” 2023 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance)
Brenner is shaping up to be a real SoCal sleeper in junior class. Santa Monica HS/CA transfer is well-built and physical inside and has a new and approved outside shooting touch.
Juslin Bodo 6’10” 2023 Southern Cal Academy (Los Angeles CA)
Center with excellent size and motor is a prospect worth tracking in SoCal’s junior class.
