The 2026 Pangos Best of SoCal League tipped-off last weekend (Sunday March 1st) at McBride HS/Long Beach CA) and is running through Monday night March 9th – giving us a good view of several top prospects from Southern California.
League alumni include DeMar DeRozan (Sacramento Kings), Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee Bucks) and Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics). Recent players participating in the league include top prospects like 2023 league MVP Brandon Burries (2025 McDonald’s All-American/Arizona), Kendyl Sanders (Utah), Tae Simmons (San Diego State), Mazi Mosley (LSU), Dillan Shaw (St. Mary’s), Isaac Williamson (UNLV) & nationally ranked 2026s like Brandon McCoy (2026 McDonald’s All-American), Tajh Ariza (Oregon signee), Christian Collins (2026 McDonald’s All-American), Maximo Adams (North Carolina signee/2026 McDonald’s All-American), Kaiden Bailey (Georgia Tech signee and 2025 Pangos All-American Camp co-MVP), Isaiah Rogers (Stanford signee), Josh Irving (Texas A&M signee), Brannon Martinsen (MVP of 2026 CIF-SS Open Division championship) and Brayden Kyman (Washington State signee).
Full length video re-plays of all past Pangos Best of SoCal League games are now available on replay from Baller TV: https://www.ballertv.com/events/pangos-best-of-socal-league-2026-long-beach-ca-482eb3a12b439acb8cda5b9f93cb0b8e
Team rosters and league schedule can be accessed online at: https://www.fullctpress.net/26-best-of-socal-league.html
Below I feature several top players from the league’s first weekend that stood out.
Maxwell Scott 6’2” 2027 Corona del Mar (Newport Beach CA)
Fresh off a terrific junior season at Corona del Mar, Max was on fire on Sunday: 31 points/15 rebounds. Strong and athletic combo-guard can score at all 3 levels. Tough competitor, confident shot-maker and top-notch student. Scott led his CDM squad to a 27-4 this past season, a Sunset League championship and school’s first berth in CIF-SS’ Open Division. Became the school’s all-time leading scorer despite having one more HS season to play. Best player at CDM since sharpshooter Jeff Fryer (who played with Bo Kimble and Hank Gathers at Loyola Marymount in late 80s).
Shalen Shepard 6’8” 2028 Crossroads (Santa Monica CA)
Coming off a league co-MVP performance last year, Shepard is back for more this March. Shalen wasted little time getting to work on Day One: posting back to back games of 28 points/12 rebounds and 21 points/5 boards. 5-star national prospect is very skilled with an impressive basketball IQ. Member of USA Basketball U16 Gold Medal squad last summer.
Owen Eteuati-Edwards 6’8” 2028 Arcadia (CA)
Impressive effort by Owen on Sunday. Active and agile PF had 17 points/9 rebounds vs elite 2028 Forward Shalen Shepard. Terrific baseball prospect is the son of Frankie Edwards who played for Seth Greenberg at Long Beach State and the very well respected former Azusa Pacific coach Bill O’Dell during Frankie’s HS days at Long Beach Millikan HS.
Noah Zeola 6’2” 2028 Orange Lutheran (CA)
Getting off on the right foot here was Zeola. Well-known as top notch shooter (Pangos King of the Arc champion at the Lute Olson Legacy Classic in January), Noah averaged 16.5 ppg (45.4% 3FG) in his 2 games but it was his passing that stood out on Sunday 7.5 apg with a high of 9 dimes (good for top mark on Day 1). Early offers include UC-Santa Barbara, High-point and Pepperdine. Models game after Payton Pritchard (Oregon/Boston Celtics).
Gary Ferguson 6’3” 2027 St, Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Crafty scoring combo-guard with confident on-court presence was one of the top scorers on Day One: 27 points. Poised for a big Spring/Summer.
Kyle Sanders 6’11” 2028 Campbell Hall (Studio City CA)
Kyle is still a work in progress on the offensive end but it’s his rim-protection and presence in the paint that has a chance to be special. Sanders moves well, has good hands that allow him to catch and finish and is active on the boards. Contributed 8 rebounds and 4 blocks plus several altered shots in 1st game on Sunday. Older brother 6-8 Kendyl Sanders is having a very good freshman season for the Utah Utes in Big 12. Reminds me of a young Elden Campbell (Clemson/NBA).
Brooklyn Ross 6’7” 2027 Aquinas (San Bernardino CA)
One of the early bright spots here as well as an emerging SoCal 2027 sleeper is Ross. Sleek WF with nice scoring skills averaged 23 ppg in his 2 games on Sunday – shooting 65% FG. Brooklyn is quick in transition and has effective ability using his ample athleticism to score off the bounce. Potential stock raiser this Spring.
Jakobi Oware 6’7” 2028 Poly (Long Beach CA)
One of the most promising prospects here is Jakobi. Long, athletic and still physically developing, the younger brother of Yale-bound Jonas Oware also has a skill package that makes him a young high-major prospect worth tracking long-term. Like brother Jonas, he is also a fantastic student.
JoJo Wicker 6’4” 2026 Millikan (Long Beach CA)
Strong and well-built WG packs plenty of scoring punch. Part of Millikan’s Big 3 (with Quali Giran and Jeremiah Hunt) that won 2026 Moore League title.
Aaron McMorran II 6’4” 2028 Desert Pines (Las Vegas NV)
Heady wing with legit NBA range on jump shot and crafty court instincts. One of the best shooters in West regardless of class is also a good passer (team-high 5 assists in his game).
Isaac Hagens 6’7” 2027 Poly (Long Beach CA)
Very underrated SoCal junior had a productive Day One: 22 points (9/15 FG) and 7 rebounds.
Ismail Abdul-Rahman 6’7” 2026 Mayfair (Lakewood CA)
Unsigned senior combo-forward with versatility is a factor on the glass and can finish through contact.
Lucas Gaspar 6’6” 2027 Santa Margarita (CA)
Skilled wing had to sit out this year after transferring from Mater Dei/Santa Ana. Gaspar looked good on the league’s opening day – scoring 17 points and grabbing 9 boards.
Abdelrahman Shamseldin 6’2” 2025 Elev8 Academy Prep (CA)
Max effort guy (ala Pete Rose) has improved scoring skills. Very coachable and good teammate.
Shane Gloger 6’4” 2028 Marina (Huntington Beach CA)
Very good shooter with nice range had 26 points (4 threes) last Sunday.
Gavin Kroll 6’6” 2026 Cypress (CA)
Versatile hybrid-forward is a very improved player that is a real SoCal sleeper. Very good stat line in his 1st game: 21 points (9/12 FG; 3/4 3FG) and 8 rebounds.
Nikolas Koudsi 6’2” 2027 Malibu (CA)
Tough lead guard with deep downtown stroke is also a very good student.
RJ Ball 6’3” 2028 Beverly Hills (CA)
Thin wing with rapidly improving skill package is one to track in SoCal soph class.
