The 2025 Pangos Best of SoCal League tipped off on March 1st at McBride HS/Long Beach CA) and concluded this past Monday March 10th. As always, the league provided us with a good look at several top players from Southern California. Among the top national/regional media that came through to take a peek include scouting vets Frank Burlison and Ronnie Flores. The league sponsors include Athlete Ai, Spalding and PRIME hydration drink.
Full length video re-plays of all past Pangos Best of SoCal League games (including the league all-star game) are now available on Baller TV: https://www.ballertv.com/events/pangos-best-of-socal-league-2025-long-beach-ca
Team rosters, all-star game rosters and league schedule can be accessed online at: https://www.fullctpress.net/25-best-of-socal-league.html
In the league’s all-star game, USC (in the black jerseys) turned back several UCLA (in the white jerseys) runs to outlast their opponents 154-128. 6-4 2025 Malachi Knight (Leuzinger/Lawndale CA) scored a game high 31 points (4/6 3FGs) and 6-3 2026 Kaiden Bailey (Santa Margarita/CA) added 26 more (as well as 5 assists) to lead the winners. 6-8+ 2028 Shalen Shepard (Brentwood/Los Angeles CA) paced UCLA with a team-high 18 points (9/10 FG). Knight, Bailey and Shepard were named game co-MVPs. Other notable all-star game stat lines include 6-6 2027 David Conerly (14 pts/6 assists/1 turnover), 6-9 2026 Jonas Oware (16 points/10 boards), 6-5 2026 Eli Garner (16 points/6 boards/5 assists), 6-9 2025 Prince Okonkwo (13 points/6 rebounds) and 6-2 2026 Jeremiah Hunt (15 points).
Several players in the all-star game like Shepard, Knight, Conerly, Oware, Okonkwo and Acen Jimenez, Mason Hodges, Izaiah Fiallos (and others) were highlighted in a previous league report: https://nbnmagazine.com/2025-pangos-best-of-socal-league-report-i/
Below I feature several more players from the league that made their mark this year.
Kaiden Bailey 6’3” 2026 Santa Margarita (CA)
Bailey made his 2025 league debut last Sunday and wasted no time getting to work – exploding for league-high 45 points (18/25 FG; 6/10 3FG, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals & 0 turnovers). Not a bad stat line!! Recently named as the Trinity League co-MVP (along with St. John Bosco’s Elzie Harrington) after leading Santa Margarita to a share of the league crown with SJB. One of the nation’s most underrated guards has natural scoring instincts (including NBA range on jump shot) but it’s his improvement as a facilitator that has been most impressive this season. Kaiden is now also blossoming as an athlete which allows him to finish more plays at the rim. KB connected for 26 points and dished out 5 assists for the winning “USC” squad in league all-star game – earning share of Game co-MVP honors. USC, Purdue, San Diego State, Minnesota, Boise State and UNLV are among the schools in the mix for this Top 75-100 national caliber prospect.
Tyler Lopez 6’5” 2026 Los Alamitos (CA)
Fresh off winning a CIF-SS Division I championship (had 13 points, three assists and four steals in the title game), Lopez is a SoCal super-sleeper junior WG with a very quick-release and deep range on jump shot. Lopez is deceptively athletic and a very underrated defender. Tyler erupted for 40 points (16/26 FG: 8/12 3FG) at the league on Monday night. Good student (3.5 GPA) had an efficient 10 points (4/6 FG; 2/3 3FG) to go along with 7 boards and 4 assists in the league all-star game. Reminds me a little of Los Al alum Landry Fields who played at Stanford and in NBA and now is the GM of the Atlanta Hawks.
Jayden Harris 6’7” 2025 Windward (Los Angeles CA)
Harris is one of the best available unsigned seniors in SoCal. Assertive down-hill slashing scorer with underrated perimeter touch has the physical tools to be a premier perimeter defender.
EJ Spillman 6’3” 2025 Pacifica Christian (Newport Beach CA)
Burly and physical lead guard knows how to use his strength and bulk to ward off defenders. EJ is a tough defender and has ability to set the table for teammates. Spillman had 16 points (5/7 FG; 2/3 3FG; 4/4 FT) and 4 assists in the league all-star game.
Preston Ezewiro 6’8” 2025 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Bouncy PF has nifty footwork in the paint and is physical on the boards. Preston (younger brother of UAB PF Bradley Ezewiro) had 10 points and 6 rebounds in the all-star game.
Denis Woods 6’2” 2025 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Quick and crafty combo-guard has very good touch from deep and sneaky athleticism that allows him to finish plays at the rim. Woods had a league-high 23 points on Monday night and followed that up with 12 points (6’10 FG; 2/3 3FG) and 4 assists in the all-star game.
Da’Vian Brooks 6’3″ 2025 Knight (Palmdale CA)
Scrappy unsigned senior combo-guard has legit scoring touch and pesky defensive tendencies. Brooks was a key part of a Knight squad (HS alma mater of Paul George) that won the 2025 CIF-SS Division 3AA title. Brooks had 23 points (5/10 3FG) to go along with 8 rebounds and 3 assists in his 1st game on Monday night and followed that with a more than a respectable 16 points (6/11 FG; 4/7 3FG) and 3 assists in the all-star game.
Jamil House 6’2” 2027 Huntington Beach (CA)
One of the league major revelations this year was the young and talented House. Jamil is very quick off the dribble, can create his own shot and competes on every possession. It seems like Huntington Beach HS hasn’t been relevant since Hall of Fame NFL TE Tony Gonzalez was a hoops/grid iron stud there in the 1990s (Tony also played football and hoops at Cal). Jamil’s top personal league performance: 29 points (12/19 FG; 3/6 3FG) and 6 assists.
Steven Evans-Glynn 6’5” 2025 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego CA)
Steven is a high-flying WG that can score in transition and has the length to be a disruptor on defense. SEG has very nice long-term upside.
Christian Fernandez 6’4” 2025 San Clemente (CA)
Long-distance flame-thrower was impressive in the all-star game – connecting for 17 points (6/8 FG; 4/6 3FG). Strong build allows him to ward off pesky defenders. Christian averaged 36.5 ppg in 2 games for CABC/The Drew on the league’s opening day on March 1st.
Davaughn Hueitt 6’9” 2025 Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista CA)
Long and agile rim-runner is active on the boards and can finish high above the rim. Texas import is oozing with upside.
Shamar Jones 6’5” 2025 Mountain House (CA)
Athletic WG with shot-making ability is one of Northern California’s top unsigned seniors (had a 21 point game last Sunday).
Semaj Carter 6’3” 2026 Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley CA)
Talented under the radar WG has skills worth tracking. Averaged 20.5 ppg in his 2 games last Sunday.
Jacob Majok 6’7” 2026 Crean Lutheran (Irvine CA)
Athletic and active PF is very agile in transition and is a factor on glass.
Josh Garland 6’4″ 2025 Leuzinger (Lawndale CA)
Big, physical but undersized forward is productive on both ends.
Uchenna Okoli 6’6” 2025 Gahr (Cerritos CA)
One of the surprises of the league has been this unsigned senior. Strong, rugged and bouncy PF was active on both ends all league long. Okoli had impressive twin efforts last Monday night: 18 points/10 rebounds and 14 points (7/8 FG).
Nikolas Koudsi 6’2” 2027 Brewster Academy (NH)
Excellent long-distance shooter had a league-high 22 points (4/8 3FG) this past Sunday. Palisades CA native is an outstanding student (4.0 GPA).
Josahn Webster 6’4″ 2026 King-Drew (Los Angeles CA)
Strong and assertive WG plays for his dad Lloyd Webster at King-Drew. Josahn’s personal league-high game was 27 points (twice) on the league’s opening day. Good student too (3.1 GPA).
Braeden Davidson 6’2” 2026 Foothill (Santa Ana CA)
Athletic wing plays with confidence and is a very good slashing scorer.
Aman Haynes 6’6” 2025 St. Anthony (Long Beach CA)
Very productive forward plays winning basketball. Solid rebounder and defender had a personal scoring league-high of 34 points on the league’s opening weekend.
Javier Nash 6’4” 2027 La Habra (CA)
Athletic wing is effective attacking the cup off the bounce and is a rangy defender.
Rudy Blue 6’2” 2027 Bishop Garcia Diego (Santa Barbara CA)
Impressive quick guard had no trouble putting points on the board here as his personal league-high 26 points demonstrates.
Kahlil Martinez 6’2” 2028 Marina (Huntington Beach CA)
Another one of the good young players here this year was Martinez. Smooth WG with nice perimeter stroke has a chance to be a fine player. One to track long-term.
Cayden Brown 6’3” 2027 Millikan (Long Beach CA)
Rangy lefty wing has nice “slash and score” ability.
Vladimir Prokopiv 6’5” 2025 Valley Christian (Cerritos CA)
Sturdy wing has accurate 3-point shot.
Ryan Gov 5’11” 2026 Cypress (CA)
Cerebral PG has excellent floor vision and pin-point passing ability. Very good student also has ability to knock down perimeter shots.
Jayden Ellis 6’0” 2027 Calabasas (CA)
Promising young combo-guard with nice scoring instincts.
Zander Ovies 6’1” 2026 Torrey Pines (San Diego CA)
Savvy scoring combo-guard with excellent court awareness.
Ethan Hill 6’6” 2028 Brentwood (Los Angeles CA)
Burly PF is a rugged rebounder and can finish through contact on the block.
Abdelrahman Shamseldin 6’2” 2025 LA Premier Prep (Downey CA)
Hard-working guard defends with intensity and can score in traffic.
Toby Ojo 6’0” 2028 West (Torrance CA)
Very improved young combo-guard can defend at a high level and can really score off the bounce.
Khadir Muhammad 6’’5” 2026 Lawndale (CA)
Very solid rebounder and rim-protector for size.
Zion Leonard 6’1” 2027 Rancho Dominguez (Long Beach CA)
Younger half-brother of Clipper Kawhi Leonard is an assertive scorer that scored 23 points in one of his league games on Monday night.
Troy Arthon 6’7” 2028 Chaminade (West Hills CA)
Young forward with nice length and face-up shooting ability.
Noah Zeola 6’1” 2028 Marina (Huntington Beach CA)
Hard-working guard with impressive 3-point shooting ability had an efficient 18 points (7/9 FG: 4/5 3FG) last Sunday. Very good passer too (had a 10 assist game during the league).
Phillip Reed Jr. 6’1” 2029 Los Angeles CA
One of the top 8th great lead guards in the nation, Reed followed up a recent Pangos All-American Camp co-MVP performance with impressive efforts here – scoring in double figures multiple times. Strong and bouncy lead guard with a bright future.
Quali Giran 6’0” 2029 Carson (CA)
Like Reed, Giran is a very talented and smooth lead guard with a polished mid-range game and the poise of a seasoned vet. 2025 Pangos All-American Camp Top 30 Game co-MVP will be a national HM PG recruit.
** This is the second of two recaps of the league.
