The Pangos Best of Dallas League tipped-off on last Monday and Tuesday nights August 17th and 18th at the Duncanville Fieldhouse (Duncanville TX). Several of the DFW’s top players in grades 9-12 showed up and showed out. Besides myself, other media/scouts in the house included Mitch Malone (TX Blue Chip Report), Ani Umana (Texas Boys Basketball), Brandon Jenkins (247Sports), Paul Miranda (DaRealTalkNation.com) and 5StateHoopReport.com while Brad Hensley from Ball is Life, Theo Visuals and Craig Smith were present shooting video highlights. Empirical Sports Solutions is providing league stats.
Full length video re-plays of all Pangos Best of Dallas League games from the two opening nights are now available on replay from Baller TV: https://www.ballertv.com/events/pangos-best-of-dallas-league All future league games will also be live-streamed by BallerTV.
Team rosters, league schedule and game stats can be accessed online at: https://www.fullctpress.net/20-best-of-dallas-league.html
Below is a recap at several of the best prospects in attendance:
Jordan Walsh 6’7” 2022 Faith Family (Dallas TX)
I’ve known Walsh for a few years now and really love his versatile skill set and excellent 2-way playing ability. Polished swingman can play multiple positions and he impacts the game in so many ways. Jordan has a smooth jump shot with deep perimeter range and the length, craftiness and explosiveness to finish with authority at the rim. Excellent ability to create off the dribble and also loves to compete on defensive end. Walsh is tied (with Noah Shelby) for the #5 spot in league scoring (17.0 ppg), shooting 56% from field and 50% from the 3-point line and is also averaging 8.0 boards per game. Nationally ranked #42 by ESPN.com, #42 by Rivals.com, #46 by Van Coleman/Nothing But Net Magazine and #52 by 247Sports composite. Very good student (3.5 GPA) has offers from the likes of Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma State, TCU, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi State, Purdue, Cal, and Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Here is a quick video of his fine 2-way play: https://twitter.com/BallerTV/status/1296168039306743808
Shakiru Odunewu 6’10 2021 Universal Academy (Dallas TX)
Very physical work-horse Big Man plays hard and gets things done. Shakiru wasted little time making a huge impact at this league – connecting on 23/29 FG attempts the first 2 nights (79%) and is the leading PPG scorer in the league so far (25.5) while averaging 9.0 rebounds per game. Odunewu operates with strong post moves in the paint and can explode through contact at the rim. Impressed with a 25 point/8 effort versus 2022 5-star PF Lee Dort on Tuesday night. TCU and New Mexico (both have offered) are among the growing number of schools recognizing his college value.
Lee Dort 6’10” 2022 Greenhill School (Addison TX)
One of the premier Bigs in the rising junior (2022) class, Dort is strong as a bull inside with soft hands and consistent finishing ability. Bouncy scorer in the paint is also an excellent rim-protector. Nationally ranked #12 by Van Coleman/Nothing But Net Magazine, #15 by Rivals.com and #16 by the 247Sports/com composite, Dort has offers from Kansas, Texas, Arizona, Baylor, Georgetown, Texas Tech, Auburn, Memphis, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Minnesota and Vanderbilt.
Anthony Black 6’5” 2022 Coppell (TX)
One of the fast emerging names in the 2022 class right now is Black, a talented guard prospect with national significance. There is plenty to like about this skilled and very athletic guard with length and high basketball IQ. Anthony can play multiple perimeter positions, score at a high clip and can play on the ball as his 6 assists on Tuesday night shows. Black is ranked #96 nationally by Rivals.com and I expect him to rise soon with other outlets. Basketball offers are starting to roll in with Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Auburn, Baylor, Oklahoma State and TCU among those seeking Black’s signature on a future NLI. One of America’s top HS 2-sport stars and very good student (3.4 GPA) also has HM offers in football too (Arkansas, Baylor, Georgia Tech, Houston, Kansas and Utah).
Ryan Agarwal 6’6” 2022 Coppell (TX)
One of the better sharpshooters and students (4.0 GPA) in the national 2022 class. Dangerous 3-point shooter with rangy athleticism is on the radar of top academic schools like Stanford and Rice and also has offers from Oklahoma State, SMU, Creighton, Denver and Texas-Arlington. Nationally ranked #54 by Van Coleman/Nothing But Net Magazine and #101 by the 247Sports.com composite, Ryan is averaging 11.5 ppg in the league so far. Reminds me of a young Landry Fields (Stanford/NBA).
Ja’Kobe Walter 6’5” 2023 McKinney (TX)
Love the HM talent of this impressive young WG that can hurt defenses with his quickness and athleticism to the cup as well as his ability to spot up from deep. Walter is averaging 17.5 ppg so far (good for #4 in league). Next great wing out of the Lone Star State is an excellent student (3.75 GPA) that has early offers from Baylor, SMU, TCU, Memphis, Alabama and Oklahoma with Texas Tech, Kansas, Auburn and Kansas State turning up the heat recently.
Noah Shelby 6’3” 2022 Greenhill School (Addison TX)
Strong and savvy lead guard played extremely well during the league’s first two nights (best I’ve ever seen him play). Shelby was stellar on Monday night (had game-high 15 points including 3/6 3-point FG), leading his Lakers to a come from behind 58-56 win over the Thunder, including the go-ahead and game-winning buckets. Shelby (a very good student – 3.4 GPA) followed that up with a 19 point effort on Tuesday night. Tied with Laker teammate Jordan Walsh for #5 spot in league scoring (17.0 ppg – shooting 52% FG and 46% 3FG). Currently ranked #67 by 247Sports.com composite, Noah has recent offers from Memphis, Arkansas, Auburn, Arizona State, Minnesota and Mississippi State with previous ones from Georgetown, TCU, Texas and Vanderbilt. Reminds me a little of a young Isaiah Briscoe.
Will Shepard 6’9” 2021 Universal Academy (Dallas TX)
Blue-collar post brings his lunch pail with him every game. Will has been very productive and efficient here, shooting 60% from the field so far and averaging 18.5 ppg (good for the #3 spot in league so far). Terrific student (4.0 GPA) has a recent offer from Oakland University.
Jason Thirdkill 6’7” 2022 TACA Storm (TX)
I really like the athleticism and upside of this silky swingman. Home schooler has the length and skill to be a sought-after Lone Star D1 prospect. Came out of the gates strong on Monday night: 15 points, 8 rebs and 4 assists. Jason has initial offers from TCU and Texas-Arlington.
Ryland Griffen 6’6” 2022 Richardson (TX)
Slithering swingman with plenty of promise is part of Texas’ talented and emerging rising junior class. Excellent slashing scorer with nice perimeter stroke is an underrated passer. Griifen is in the Top 10 in league scoring so far (13.5 ppg). Good student (3.2 GPA) with offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Creighton, DePaul, Kansas, Kansas State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, SMU, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Southern and Texas Tech.
Trae Clayton 6’4″ 2022 Faith Family Academy (Dallas TX)
Strong and assertive wing started the league off with a scoring tear – averaging 20.5 ppg (good for the #2 spot in the league at the moment). Nationally ranked #102 by 247Sports.com, Clayton has offers from the likes of Texas, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Nebraska, SMU, New Mexico and Tulsa.
Damon Nicholas 6’5” 2021 Duncanville (TX)
I got my 1st look at Nicholas on the first 2 nights of the league and left very impressed. Athletic and assertive wing attacks the basket with authority and can score from a variety of points on the floor. Damon is reportedly getting interest from the likes of Arizona State, Arkansas, Stephen F. Austin, Texas Southern, Ole Miss, and Georgia State.
Dylan Glover 6’3” 2022 Bryan (TX)
I love the toughness and accurate 3-point shooting ability of Glover (connected on 57% of his 3-pointers in his 2 league games to date – 8/14 3FG). Good student (3.3 GPA) is averaging 15 ppg (good for #7 in league so far) and is also an excellent passer with a very high basketball IQ.
Robert Jones Jr. 6’3″ 2023 Ray Braswell (Aubrey TX)
Quick and shifty combo-guard with smooth mid-range stroke and range beyond the 3-point line. Jones had 15 points on Tuesday night (7/12 FG; 2/3 3FG). Currently ranked #12 nationally in 2023 by Van Coleman/Nothing But Net Magazine.
Drew Steffe 6’4″ 2023 Memorial (Frisco TX)
Young and very skilled scoring guard is capable of putting up big numbers. Terrific student (4.0 GPA) has already racked up 11 early offers (including SMU, Auburn, TCU and Georgia Tech) and is an underrated passer (had 3 assists on Tuesday night).
Mitchell Holmes 6’8” 2023 The Oakridge School (Arlington TX)
Active and springy PF had 10 points (4/4 FG) & 5 rebs on Monday night. Resembles Tyrese Maxey a lot in face and is bouncy like Shawn Marion. One to track in 2023!
Alec Zambie 6’6” 2021 Ft. Worth Christian (N. Richland Hills TX)
One of the most underrated Southwest seniors (2021) is Zambie. Great student (4.0 GPA) and member of the Lebanese Junior National Team had 13 points/9 boards on Monday night.
Kai Jordan 6’2” 2022 Universal Academy (Dallas TX)
Quick and athletic point guard was tops in league assists on Tuesday night (9 assists) to go along with 10 points.
Ron Holland 6’7″ 2023 Duncanville (TX)
Slender slashing scoring swingman can defend multiple positions. Excellent long-term upside with early offers from Texas A&M and Memphis, Holland is ranked #12 nationally in 2023 by ESPN.com.
Finley Bizjack 6’3″ 2023 Byron Nelson (Trophy Club TX)
Skilled and savvy young lead guard is a fabulous student (4.1 GPA) with early offers from TCU, DePaul and Texas-Arlington and serious interest from Stanford.
Justin McBride 6’8” 2023 South Garland (Garland TX)
Promising young PF is active on the glass and can finish at the rim. Scored 11 points on 5/7 FG on opening night.
Elijah Wilson 6’5” 2021 Carolina Basketball Academy (NC)
Assertive wing is one of the top scorers in the league so far (16.5 ppg). Wilson had an efficient outing of 20 points on 58% FG shooting on opening night.
Brandon Walker 6’5” 2022 Faith Family (Dallas TX)
Strong and athletic WF had a game winning bucket to give his Pelican squad the 62-60 win at the buzzer versus Clippers on Tuesday night (had 12 points/7 boards in that game).
Dallas Hobbs 6’0″ 2022 Faith Family (Dallas TX)
Crafty but thin point guard with excellent academic marks (3.8 GPA) went coast to coast (ala Tyus Edney) in game’s final seconds for game-winning assist to teammate Brandon Walker to lift the Pelicans over the Clippers.
Alex Bossinakis 6’2″ 2022 Ft. Worth Christian (N. Richland Hills TX)
Hustling guard is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league (had league-high 6 steals on Tuesday night). Good scorer and excellent student (3.8 GPA) is averaging 10.5 ppg so far.
Liam McNeeley 6’7” 2024 Pearce (Richardson TX)
Very promising and skilled young WF brimming with elite HM potential. Remember the name!
CJ Luster 6’3” 2022 Leadership Prep (Frisco TX)
Energetic WG got busy right from the start on opening night with a 15 point, 6 rebound and 4 steal performance. Averaging 12.0 ppg so far.
TJ Caldwell 6’5” 2022 Faith Family (Dallas TX)
Athletic wing can score off the bounce and has the lateral quickness to be a solid defender.
Effective slashing scorer with nice upside had 11 points/6 boards on opening night. Hearing from Virginia Tech, Howard and Texas Southern recently.
Noah McDavid 6’6” 2021 Lake Highlands (Dallas TX)
Rangy WG has nice scoring skills (averaging 14.0 ppg in league so far – #9 in league).
Dorian Goodman 6’0” 2022 Duncanville (TX)
Active guard had 11 points/6 boards on Tuesday night – shooting the ball well from the 3-point line (3/5 3FG).
Kaden Shelburne 6’0” 2022 Rockwall (TX)
Sharp-shooting combo-guard was hot from the 3-point arc on opening night – connecting on 5/6 from the “3” en route to 19 points.
Zane Hicke 6’5″ 2022 Marcus (Flower Mound TX)
Strong and hard-working combo-forward defends well and can score in traffic. Terrific student (4.0 GPA).
Walker Timme 6’8” 2021 JJ Pearce (Richardson TX)
Younger brother of Gonzaga stud PF Drew Timme doesn’t mind mixing it up in the paint and can score with his back to the basket. Very good student (3.5 GPA) scored 11 points on opening night.
T’ Johnn Brown 5’9” 2023 South Garland (Garland TX)
Quick point guard is a harassing defender that is averaging 10 ppg in league so far.
Cole Reid 6’9” 2021 Midway (Waco TX)
Strong PF is a solid rebounder.
Mekhi Collins 6’9” 2021 Faith Family Academy (TX)
PF is a good interior scorer that is active on the glass. Had 9 points/6 boards on Tuesday night.
Luke Oxford 6’7” 2022 Rockwall (TX)
Rangy wing with good skill set and good grades (3.3 GPA).
Kebaya “PJ” Tshibangu 6’7” 2021 Northwest (Justin TX)
Thin and athletic forward runs floor well and can score (averaging 9.5 ppg on 67% FG).
RJ Johnson III 6’3” 2024 Lake Highlands (Dallas TX)
Good looking young wing has plenty of promise.
** first of a series of reports from the Pangos Best of Dallas League. We will be highlighting additional players in future reports
