The 15th annual Pangos All Midwest Frosh/Soph Camp presented by Eastbay was held recently (October 19-20) at The Park District (La Grange IL/near Chicago). This event featured 200-plus top 2022 and 2023 players (along with a few talented 2024 players) from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky, Colorado, Texas and Tennessee.
Media/scouts on hand included Dinos Trigonis (Fullcourt Press, Pangos & Nothing But Net Magazine), Frank Burlison (BurlisonOnBasketball.com/McDonald’s All-American Game & NBPA Camp selection committees), Van Coleman (Nothing But Net Magazine National Recruiting Analyst, McDonald’s All-American Game voter & NBPA Camp Selection Committee), Clark Francis (Hoop Scoop/ McDonald’s All-American Game & NBPA Camp selection committee), Ronnie Flores (GrassrootsHoops.net, BallisLife.com, “Fab 50” National HS Team Rankings & Mr. Basketball USA Tracker), John Stovall (ESPN.com), Vince Baldwin (Nike Grassroots), Scott Burgess & Steve Parham (Prep Hoops Illinois), Scott Phillips (NBC Sports), Rodger Bohn (SLAM Magazine), Scott Comeau (BallisLife.com), Joe Henricksen (Chicago Sun-Times/City-Suburban Hoops Report), Larry Butler (Illinois Spotlight), Brian Rogers (Eye Catchers Scouting), Derek Ellison (Illinois Scouting Report), Eric Hines, Johnny Hines & Darrell Coleman (Courtside Films), Ryan Raddle (Ill Ballerz), Seth Pote (ChicagoLandPrepsHoops.com), Dan Gibbs (Midwest Hoops Spotlight), Mike Faletti (Michigan City Hoops), Kendall Herrion (Hoop Vibez), Timothy Coleman Sr. (Big Tim’s High School Basketball Revue), TJ Kelley (Inside Prep Hoops), Henry Ramirez (Rambo Vizualz), Eric Bearde (YBTV), Ed Sandoval (MOSHoops.com) and Richard Barron (Hoopsville). BallerTV.com live-streamed all games at the event (they are also now available for replay).
Van Coleman Recap: https://nbnmagazine.com/van-coleman-2019-pangos-all-midwest-frosh-soph-top-20-plus-prospects/
Frank Burlison Recap: http://www.burlisononbasketball.com/2019/10/omaha-biliew-with-a-dazzling-pangos-debut/
Ronnie Flores (Ball is Life/Grassroots Hoops) Top 60 Rankings: http://www.grassrootshoops.net/2019/10/pangos-all-midwest-frosh-soph-top-60-rankings/
The camp’s top 60 players were selected by the national media present and were showcased in the two “cream of the crop” games held at the conclusion of the event. Unfortunately, there was not enough room for all of the worthy kids deserving to be in the two all-star games so I have listed those not honored as Top 30 and Top 60 selections but nonetheless impressive, as camp “honorable mention” at the end of this report. While this is a recap of the camp, please keep in mind that this is a very early look at underclass prospects that have much room for future growth and are all “unfinished” products.
In the Top 30 Game, 6-7 2023 Omaha Biliew (Dowling Catholic/Des Moines IA) put the finishing touches on his camp MOP performance by scoring 23 points, grabbing 5 boards and blocking 10 blocked shots. However, his White team fell a tad short in “sudden death” OT 104-102 to the Black squad thanks to a game-clinching slashing lay-up by 6-2 2022 Jaylen Drane (Simeon/Chicago IL). Drane (14 points, all in 2nd half, and 6 assists) shared Top 30 Game co-MVP honors for the Black team with 6-7 2022 Jasen Green (Millard North/Omaha NE) who exploded for a game-high 27 points (five “3s”) and 6 rebounds. Earning Top 30 Game co-MVP accolades for the White crew was very promising 6-7 2023 Javontie “JJ” Taylor (Morgan Park/Chicago IL) who produced 11 points and 8 boards.
In the Top 60 “Cream of the Crop Game” it was another “sudden death” OT affair with the White squad edging the Black squad 105-103 on a 6-8 2022 Sulaiman Agiste (Clark/Chicago IL) free-throw. 6-0 2022 Damar’e Smith (Shawnee Mission Northwest/Shawnee KS) had 15 points and 5 assists for the victors and was named game co-MVP while his White squad teammate 6-4 2022 Zach Howell (Springfield Catholic/Springfield MO) also had 15 points. Game co-MVP 6-6 2023 Lidell Miller (Morgan Park/Chicago IL) had a double-double (11 points/10 boards) and 5-10 2023 Dalen Davis (Whitney Young/Chicago IL) added 15 points for the Black unit.
I highlight those players selected for the Top 30 Cream of the Crop Game below
Top 30 Cream of the Crop Game Selections
(in alphabetical order)
Xavier Amos 6’7″ 2022 Whitney Young (Chicago IL)
Athletic PF plays with energy at both ends and is agile in transition. Good student has solid perimeter touch, rebounds at a high clip and passes well from the high-post. Amos had 8 points/8 boards in Top 30 Game.
Dylan Arnett 6’8″ 2022 DePaul College Prep (Chicago IL)
Skilled forward with real face-up shooting ability and excellent passer from both the high-post or off the bounce. Arnett can finish through contact and gets after it on the boards.
Robbie Avila 6’8″ 2022 Oak Forest (IL)
Hard-working and productive PF seems to be engaged in every play and has real face-up ability as well. Assertive rebounder had 12 points (include one “3”) in Top 30 Game and can score with either hand. Off the charts “A” student plays with Nike-sponsored Mean Streets program.
Ruot Bijiek 6’9″ 2022 Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines IA)
Young Big has nice skill package and the frame to add strength to be a major problem in the paint. Still raw in many ways, Ruot moves well, has decent hands and is a solid defender. Face-up game is developing and is active rim-protector. Excellent student (3.8 GPA). Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Omaha Biliew 6’7″ 2023 Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines IA)
Outstanding young forward is arguably the top prospect out of Iowa since Harrison Barnes (North Carolina/NBA). Sleek, athletic and very skilled, Omaha was born in Omaha NE to Sudanese immigrants. Biliew is a terror in transition and attacks the basket like a swiss army knife. Very good ballhandler and perimeter shooter has nice footwork and body control on his drives to the cup. Tremendous defender had 23 points, 5 boards and 10 blocks in Top 30 Game which put the icing on the cake of his camp overall MOP performance. Top 5 national 2023 prospect attended USA Basketball Junior national camp in Colorado Springs CO in early October and has an early offer from Iowa which obviously is just the beginning of an avalanche of forthcoming high-major offers. Terrific student too (3.9 GPA). Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Matas Buzelis 6’5″ 2023 Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale IL)
Skilled WF can shoot from deep range and is solid student too (3.2 GPA). One to track in Midwestern frosh class.
Andre “AJ” Casey Jr. 6’8″ 2022 Tinley Park (IL)
Long and athletic hybrid-forward is oozing with long-term elite high-major potential. AJ runs the floor extremely well and finishes well in transition. Casey rebounds well outside his area (had 7 boards in Top 30 Game) and has the physical tools to develop into an elite defender at the next levels. AJ has nice range and rotation on his jump shot that extends to the 3-point arc, is active around the hoop and is an underrated outlet passer. Good student is currently ranked #13 nationally by Rivals.com. AJ has early offers from Illinois, Kansas and DePaul. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Taison Chatman 6’3″ 2023 Totino-Grace (Fridley MN)
Young smooth SG with nice 3-point touch (had 2 “threes” in Top 30 Game) can launch his jump shot effectively off the bounce as well as the “catch and shoot.” Very good student (3.6 GPA) moves well without the ball too. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Jaylen Drane 6’2″ 2022 Simeon (Chicago IL)
Confident point guard plays with an edge and competes with intensity. Crafty ballhandler can get to the cup quick off the slash and has legit pull-up jump shot ability. Drane pushes the rock fast in transition and can create for himself and teammates via a nifty hesitation dribble move. After a slow start in Top 30 Game, Drane rallied his Black squad to the win in Sudden Death OT with a game-clinching slashing lay-up. Jaylen ended up with 14 points (all in the 2nd half) and 6 assists in Top 30 Game and was named Top 30 Game co-MVP with Jasen Green and JJ Jackson. That game winning bucket wasn’t his only clutch shot of the camp as he nailed another game-winner as time expired in his 1st camp game on Saturday afternoon. Top 50-75 caliber national prospect. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Jasen Green 6’7″ 2022 Millard North (Omaha NE)
Strong and athletic forward can hurt defenses in so many ways. Green’s strength allows him to finish his drives through traffic and his soft and accurate shooting touch stretches defenses. Jasen is a nice ballhandler and excellent rebounder and defender. Green’s 27 points (including 5 “threes”) was tops in the Top 30 Game and earned him game co-MVP honors. Very good student (3.8 GPA) has an early offer from Nebraska and interest from Iowa State and Creighton. Top 50 national caliber prospect will be a must-get recruit for new Husker coach Fred Hoiberg. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Byron Hobbs Jr. 6’4″ 2022 Lindblom Math & Science (Chicago IL)
Strong swingman is a terrific student that finished his HS freshman year with a 4.3 GPA. Hobbs can finish in traffic and is effective in transition. As his perimeter shooting range continues to improve so will his college recruiting value.
Nigel Hylton 6’8″ 2022 Lake Forest Academy (Lake Forest IL)
Active and agile Canadian import was constantly in motion all camp long and capped it off with 11 points (3 “threes”) and 6 boards in Top 30 Game. Hylton shoots it well for size (has legit 3-point range), handles the ball nicely in the open court and is a formidable rim-protector. High-major upside. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Tevonta Jackson 6’1″ 2023 Lanphier (Springfield IL)
High-scoring combo-guard had 13 points (including a “3”) in Top 30 Game. Jackson is effective in transition, active on the defensive end and shoots it with range. Very good student too (3.5 GPA). Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Isaiah Jones 6’4″ 2022 Carman-Ainsworth (Flint MI)
Active wing guard with nice size can score off the bounce. Tough slashing scorer finishes well at the rim, passes well in transition and has perimeter range that extends to the 3-point arc. Jones’ impressed Ronnie Flores (Ball is Life) enough for Flores to peg him as his #9 ranked player at the event.
Sosthene Kamba 6’6″ 2023 Ballard (Louisviile KY)
Athletic and developing wing forward has very nice upside. Very good student (3.5 GPA) rebounds well and has respectable range on his jump shot.
Davius Loury 6’5″ 2023 Simeon (Chicago IL)
Skilled swingman with underrated perimeter shooting ability (had 2 “threes” in Top 30 Game). Davius has nice ability to score in traffic, passes well and a willing defender. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Gabe Madej 6’5″ 2022 Fenwick (Oak Park IL)
Smart WG with size and grades (3.6 GPA) has deep 3-point range both off the “catch and shoot” or off the bounce. Gabe can also score off the post-up and is a solid passer and defender.
Trey Pettigrew 6’2″ 2022 Fenwick (Oak Park IL)
Strong and confident lead guard can knock down contested shots. Excellent creator off the bounce with impressive court vision and basketball feel, Pettigrew had 12 points in Top 30 Game. Good student has early Penn State offer. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Marcus Pigram 6’0″ 2023 Whitney Young (Chicago IL)
Cat-quick PG with shifty ballhandling skills and ability to penetrate defenses reminds me of a Eric Bledsoe-type playmaker. Harassing defender looks to be a future Big 10 target and will be a key winning cog in Tyrone Slaughter’s WY program for next four seasons.
James Qualley 6’3″ 2022 Stevenson (Lincolnshire IL)
Terrific shooter (2 “threes” in Top 30 Game) is a dangerous threat behind the 3-point arc. Very good student (3.47 GPA) was considered by veteran national scout Frank Burlison as the best pure shooter at this camp.
Jacob “JD” Roberts 6’5″ 2022 Park Hill South (Riverside MO)
Excellent student (4.0 GPA) handles ball well and has legitimate slash and score ability. Top-notch threat from 3-point range too.
Jack Rose 6’4″ 2022 Central Westosha (Salem WI)
Skilled and strong WG with nice bounce and impressive basketball feel. Excellent student (3.5 GPA) also plays outside-hitter for HS volleyball team.
Ty Rodgers 6’6″ 2022 Grand Blanc (MI)
Strong and confident WF attacks the basket with authority and athleticism. Tough as nails competitor rebounds well in traffic, scores well off the pull-up jump shot and is a pesky defender. Ranked #39 by Rivals.com, Ty has early offers from Houston and Rhode Island with interest from Michigan State (unofficially visited), Louisville (unofficially visited) and Wisconsin. Good student too (3.2 GPA). Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Jevin Sullivan 6’3” 2022 Eisenhower (Decatur IL)
Outstanding student (3.9 GPA) is an athletic WG that can score in the lane.
Javonte “JJ” Taylor 6’7″ 2023 Morgan Park (Chicago IL)
Very talented forward with impressive perimeter skills is the next great Morgan Park player for coach Nick Irvin. Long and skilled, JJ has excellent offensive instincts and is potent inside/out scoring threat. Taylor’s 11 points (including a “3”) and 8 boards earned him a share of co-MVP honors in Top 30 Game. Top 25 national caliber 2023 prospect was Clark Francis’ (Hoop Scoop) #4 ranked player at the event.
Leland Walker 5’11” 2022 North Central (Indianapolis IN)
Sturdy PG can score in a variety of ways and has very nice ability to find teammates. Walker has unofficially visited Purdue and Miami OH. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
RJ Walker 6’2″ 2022 Eisenhower (Decatur IL)
RJ was impressive here, earning a spot in the Top 30 Game as well as the #15 player ranking by Ball is Life’s Ronnie Flores. Walker is a scoring combo-guard that the quickness necessary to cause defensive problems in the open floor. Good passer had 7 points in Top 30 Game.
Ashton Williamson 6’2″ 2023 Calumet New Tech (Gary IN)
Athletic combo-G sees floor well and can connect on mid-range jump shots. Tough defender and good rebounder for size. Consistency on long-range jumper is key for future success.
Jeremiah Williamson-Johnson 6’2″ 2023 Putnam City North (Oklahoma City OK)
Savvy lead guard with outstanding work-ethic plays with poise and has top-notch scoring skills. Good student with high character has high-major potential. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Daniel Wolf 6’7″ 2022 Lake Forest Academy (Lake Forest IL)
Skilled WF has very nice shooting ability with ability to utilize an effective shot fake to free himself for scoring opportunities. Terrific student (4.0 GPA) advances the ball quickly in transition and has pin-point passing ability. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Gus Yalden 6’8″ 2023 Xavier (Appleton WI)
Burly and productive PF has nice agility and excellent basketball instincts and work ethic. Gus has a nice jump shot, is an outstanding passer and is an underrated rim-protector. Excellent student (3.75 GPA) was recently offered by Utah and Cal State Northridge. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Donaven Younger 6’7″ 2023 Bolingbrook (IL)
Long wing-forward with real scoring ability has terrific long-term HM upside. Younger has legitimate perimeter shooting range as well as ability to attack and score off the dribble. Donaven (8 points in Top 30 Game) has early offers from Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Chicago State and Drake. Camp video highlights: VIDEO
Players that were selected to the Top 60 Game (in alphabetical order) include:
JayQuan Adams 6’4″ 2022 Simeon (Chicago IL)
Sulaiman Agiste 6’8″ 2022 Michele Clark (Chicago IL)
Darrin Ames 6’0″ 2023 Morgan Park (Chicago IL)
Ahmad Artis 6’1″ 2022 Bishop Noll Institute (Hammond IN)
Darrion Baker 6’6″ 2023 St. Rita (Chicago IL)
Kaden Baker 5’9″ 2023 Grand Blanc (MI)
Dajuan Bates 6’0″ 2022 De La Salle Institute (Chicago IL)
Kenneth Burkins 6’2″ 2024 International Academy of Flint (Flint MI)
Ethan Chartrand 6’2″ 2022 Webster Groves (MO)
Marcellius Cohen 6’9″ 2022 De LaSalle Institute (Chicago IL)
Tayshawn Comer 5’10” 2022 Cathedral (Indianapolis IN)
Dalen Davis 5’10” 2023 Whitney Young (Chicago IL)
Jayden Dean 6’0″ 2022 Nuequa Valley (Naperville IL)
Emondrek Ford 6’7″ 2022 Bloom Trail (South Village IL)
Jiovanny Garcia 5’8″ 2022 West Leyden (Northlake IL)
Jalen Griffith 5’9″ 2023 Simeon (Chicago IL)
Zach Howell 6’4″ 2022 Springfield Catholic (Springfield MO)
Aries Hull 6’7″ 2023 Home School (Flossmoor IL)
Tayven Jackson 6’4″ 2022 Central Grove (Greenwood IN)
Jackson Kotecki 6’6″ 2023 St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago IL)
Brayson Laube 5’10” 2023 Marion (IA)
Kyle McElroy 6’6″ 2022 Brooks (Chicago IL)
Lidell Miller 6’6″ 2023 Morgan Park (Chicago IL)
Avyion Morris 5’8″ 2022 Simeon (Chicago IL)
Solomon Mosley 6’5″ 2023 St. Rita (Chicago IL)
Malik Olafioye 6’1″ 2023 Ecorse (MI)
Lance Rodgers 6’6″ 2022 Simeon (Chicago IL)
Khalil Ross 6’5″ 2023 Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort IL)
Shadon Simpson 6’4″ 2022 Lake Forest Academy (Lake Forest IL)
Damar’e Smith 6’0″ 2022 Shawnee Mission Northwest (Shawnee KS)
Kanye Smith 6’5″ 2022 Whitney Young (Chicago IL)
Kaiden Space 5’11” 2023 St. Rita (Chicago IL)
Adam Stewart 6’11” 2022 Concordia Lutheran (Tomball TX)
Xavier Sulaiman 6’2″ 2023 Marist (Chicago IL)
RJ Taylor 5’10” 2023 Grand Blanc (MI)
Trevon Thomas 5’10” 2022 DePaul Prep (Chicago IL)
Mysean Vaughn 6’0″ 2022 Simeon (Chicago IL)
There were several other players that were talented enough to play in the all-star games but not selected due to space limitations. They also deserve recognition and are thus, denoted as “honorable mention” (in alphabetical order):
6-0 2023 Amonte Allen-Johnson (Grand Blanc/MI), 6-1 2022 Jackson Arnold (K12 International Academy/Franklin TN), 6-1 2022 Ahmad Artis (Bishop Noll Institute/Hammond IN), 5-8 2022 Cameron Baker (Western Reserve Academy/Hudson OH), 6-2 2022 Marshaun Banister (Hamady/Flint MI), 6-3 2023 Richard Barron III (St. Ignatius College Prep/Chicago IL), 6-3 2022 Charlie Bell (Beecher/Mt. Morris MI), 6-0 2023 Kade Benjamin (New London/IA), 6-0 2022 Miles Casey (St. Ignatius College Prep/Chicago IL), 6-1 2023 Ronald Chambers (North Lawndale/Chicago IL), 6-3 2023 Bryce Coleman (St. Joseph/Westchester IL), 6-0 2023 Leirre Collier (Marist/Chicago IL), 5-9 2023 DeAndre Craig Jr. (Mount Carmel/Chicago IL), 6-0 2022 Jayden Dean (Nuequa Valley/Naperville IL), 5-9 2023 David Douglas Jr. (Marian Catholic/Chicago Heights IL), 6-8 2022 Ian Duffey (Lewis Central/Council Bluffs IA), 6-4 2022 Gabriel Gillespie (Andrean/Merrillville IN), 6-3 2022 Malaun Grayer (Kenwood/Chicago IL), 6-1 2022 Alex Gutierrez (DePaul College Prep/Chicago IL), 6-4 2022 Javaughn Hannah (Mt. Clemens/MI), 6-0 2023 Weston Hurst (Kenwood/Chicago IL), 6-8 2022 Luke Jungers (Creighton Prep/Omaha NE), 5-11 2022 Jamal Keyes (St. Patrick/Chicago IL), 5-11 2023 Calvin (CJ) Lang (Webster Groves/MO), 6-0 2022 Joshua Lawson (De La Salle/Chicago IL), 5-8 2022 Trey Lewis (Johnston/IA), 6-1 2023 Jayden Maxwell (Homewood-Flossmoor/Flossmoor IL), 6-0 2023 Sean Murphy (Decorah Community/IA), 6-2 2022 Chikere Nwosu (Lincoln Park/Chicago IL), 6-0 2023 Joshua Oregabu (Kenwood/Chicago IL), 5-8 2022 Darrius Perryman (Michele Clark/Chicago IL), 5-9 2023 Tate Petersen (Monticello/IA), 6-5 2023 Kyle Pock (Bolivar/MO), 5-11 2022 Randy Rice (Rich Central/Olympia Fields IL), 5-10 2022 Darius Robinson (Rich South/Richton Park IL), 5-9 2022 TJ Stephenson (Rockford/IL), 6-4 2022 Jahni Summers (William Henry Harrison/West Lafayette IN), 6-3 2023 Braydn Szczepaniak (St. Ignatius/Cleveland OH), 6-0 2022 Antonio Sutton (Marshall/Chicago IL), 5-7 2023 Bryce Tillery (Hillcrest/Country Club Hills IL), 6-0 2022 Kabryen Tinson (F.J. Reitz/Evansville IN), 5-10 2022 Brady Titus (Tri-Unity Christian/Wyoming MI), 5-10 2022 Dayveon Turner (Anderson/IN), 6-4 2024 Braden Walters (Linton Stockton/Linton IN), 5-11 2022 Calvin Washington III (Neuqua Valley/Naperville IL), 5-11 2022 Damari Wheeler-Thomas (Larkin/Elgin IL), 6-0 2023 Sonwabile Williams (Notre Dame College Prep/Niles IL)
