The 4th annual Kenny Smith/Pangos Lead Guard Workout presented by Puma and Wyndham Destinations (a free invitation-only skills workout) was held Saturday August 27, 2022 at McBride HS (Long Beach CA). This skills workout consisted of participation of approximately 30 of California’s and the country’s top high school lead guards and players. Former North Carolina point guard, two-time NBA World Champion (Houston Rockets) and current TNT NBA and NCAA tourney analyst Kenny “The Jet” Smith directed the skills portion of the workout from start to finish. This event this year was held in conjunction with the Pangos All-American Festival which ensured a talented group of nation-wide players being on hand and ready to learn.
When it comes to teaching the “lead guard” position, I’ve not seen a better teacher than Kenny Smith (whose coaches include Dean Smith/North Carolina and Rudy Tomjanovich/Houston Rockets). His fusion of the skill development with the mental IQ and philosophy needed to be successful at this position is top shelf.
Below are my Top 12 Lead Guards present at the event as well as a listing of all players participating.
Trigonis’ Top 12 Lead Guards
Jeremy Fears 6’2” 2023 Joliet West (Joliet IL)
Fearless floor-general is a maestro at creating and maintaining team tempo. Tough as nails competitor is an excellent decision-maker and is always playing to win. Long time national scout and Basketball Writers Hall of Famer Frank Burlison gives the Michigan State-bound Fears his nod as the best 2023 PG in nation.
Dylan Harper 6’5” 2024 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey NJ)
Son of former NBA great Ron Harper is a lefty with plenty of savvy, size and scoring ability. Recently minted 5-star by 247Sports has offers from the likes of Duke, UCLA, Auburn, Georgetown, Indiana, Michigan, Texas Tech and Rutgers.
Wesley Yates 6’4″ 2023 Beaumont United (Beaumont TX)
Strong and physical guard can really score both from beyond 3-point line as well as driving through contact to the rim. Very good student has an impressive list of school offers that include Texas, Stanford, Gonzaga, Ohio State, Baylor, Auburn, LSU and Houston.
Brooklyn Hicks 6’3” 2023 Timberline (Lacey WA)
One of the most undervalued 2023 guards in the nation, Hicks is a terrific 2-way playmaker that can create for teammates and explode at the rim on the offensive end and is a very tenacious defender as well. Seattle Rotary standout in this year’s Nike EYBL has current offers from Washington State, Cincinnati, Oregon State, Nevada, UNLV and Rice.
Jalil Bethea 6’3” 2024 Archbishop Wood (Philadelphia PA)
Baby face assassin is a dangerous threat from deep beyond the 3-point arc and has nice floor vision in the open court. Recent offers include UCLA (unofficially visited the Bruins last Monday while he was in SoCal), Villanova and Rutgers.
Styles Phipps 6’2” 2024 St. Mary’s (Phoenix AZ)
Crafty and shifty ballhandler is creative off the bounce and a tough shot maker. Quick penetrator can find teammates for scores and is an opportunistic defender. Phipps’s current offers include Auburn, Missouri, TCU, Washington State, Washington, UC-Santa Barbara and San Diego.
Gehrig Normand 6’6” 2023 Birdville (North Richland Hills TX)
Michigan State-bound player is know as a high-flyer and deep three-point shooter but he also has long-term value as a creator off the bounce and facilitator as well.
Robert Hinton 6’5” 2024 Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA)
Fast-rising 2024 guard is athletic off the dribble and can stroke it from deep. Hard-working and great kid is a fantastic student which makes him a coveted high-academic recruit by Ivy League programs and schools like Stanford.
Seven Bahati 6’5” 2024 Heritage Christian (Northridge CA)
Very underrated rising junior guard has nice wing length and smooth shooting touch but many don’t realize yet how much of a threat he is off the bounce in transition and how good and willing a passer he is. Early offers include UC-Santa Barbara, Loyola Marymount and New Mexico State.
Trent Perry 6’4” 2024 Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA)
Sharpshooting guard with deep and accurate range on jump shot played up in the Nike EYBL 17u division this past summer and was impressive. Underrated on-ball decisionmaker has recent offers from the likes of Stanford, Oklahoma, Loyola Marymount, Long Beach State and Rice.
Elzie Harrington 6’6” 2025 St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
Big lead guard with strength and skill is just getting back into the swing of things after just being cleared for action this past summer after being out several months due to a foot injury. Considered by most major scouting outlets as a Top 10 prospect in 2025 at the moment, Elzie is already on the radar of elite high major programs like UCLA.
Benjamin Roseborough 6’4” 2024 Monterrey Trails (Elk Grove CA)
Big and strong guard can push the rock quickly in transition and is a very good shooter and rebounder. Early offers include San Francisco.
Other lead guards/players participating in workout included (in alphabetical order):
Luke Bamgboye 6’10” 2024 Bella Vista (Scottsdale AZ)
Tyler Betsey 6’7” 2024 St. Thomas More (Oakdale CT)
RJ Chastang 6’3” 2025 Crean Lutheran (Irvine CA)
Shane Douma-Sanchez 6’1” 2023 Albuquerque NM
Izaiah Fiallos 5’11” 2026 Centennial (Corona CA)
Anthony Gilkes 6’6” 2024 New York NY
Tristan Gross 6’4” 2023 St. Petersburg (FL)
Jayden Hastings 6’9” 2023 IMG Academy (Bradenton FL)
Darryl Morris Jr. 5’9” 2024 West Ranch (Santa Clarita CA)
Zander Ovies 6’0” 2026 Torrey Pines (San Diego CA)
Kelcy Phipps 6’1” 2023 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Devin Royal 6’6” 2023 Pickerington Central (OH) Ohio State commit
Dillan Shaw 6’5” 2025 Heritage Christian (Northridge CA)
Will Smith 6’4” 2023 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Jack Turner 6’4” 2024 St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
Sam Walters 6’8” 2023 Village Schools (The Villages FL) Alabama commit
Dallas Washington 6’8” 2025 Santa Margarita (CA)
