The 2024 Pangos Best of SoCal League tipped-off last weekend (March 2nd) at McBride HS/Long Beach CA) and runs through March 11th – giving us a good view of several top prospects from Southern California and beyond. Other media, scouts and video-outlets on hand scouting, photographing and video-taping include Frank Burlison (BurlisonOnBasketball.com), Ronnie Flores (Ball is Life), Greg Stein (Prep Hoops), Alex Carmon (Beach City Hoops) and Nick Koza (SportsAmp).
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-2024-long-beach-ca-850a63ff01b96b3f6cc0ffbb64c33774
Team rosters and league schedule can be accessed online at: https://www.fullctpress.net/24-best-of-socal-league.html
Below I feature several (30-plus) top players from the league’s first weekend as well as a few more worth noting.
Tajh Ariza 6’8” 2026 St. Bernard (Playa Del Rey CA)
Tajh continues to blossom as a young elite player. Ariza’s combination of size for a wing guard, ultra-athleticism, ball skills and shooting ability from both mid-range and deep make him a very coveted long-term prospect with potential to play at the highest level. Ariza posted Sunday’s top scoring output at the league (33 points) in a memorable duel with 2025 DeMarco Johnson but it was not only his scoring that was impressive – Tajh also posted 10 rebounds and 5 assists. On3.com just slated Tajh as their #7 best 2026 prospect and I cannot quarrel with that one bit. Ariza’s early offers include UCLA, Kansas, USC and Washington.
Kaden Bailey 6’3” 2026 Crean Lutheran (Irvine CA)
Making a huge statement right out of the March gates was Bailey. One of the best pure long-distance shooters in the national 2026 class, Kaiden averaged 28.8 ppg this past weekend including a 37 point (9 threes) barrage on Saturday! KB ranked #1 in both categories (PPG and top scoring game) as well as total threes made (18 in four games). Top 100 caliber player in national 2026 class was a 2023 Pangos All-American Camp invitee. On3.com’s #77 in 2026 has early offers from Washington State, Mississippi State, West Virginia, UC-Santa Barbara and Loyola Marymount with interest from the likes of UCLA, USC and Oregon.
DeMarco Johnson 6’4” 2025 Santa Margarita (Santa Margarita CA)
One of the top standouts during opening weekend of the league was the quick and athletic Johnson who displayed energy and intensity on both sides of the ball and impressive prowess on and off the ball DeMarco averaged 24 ppg last weekend which included impressive scoring outings of 31 and 27 points on Sunday. Cal, Illinois, Mississippi State, Arizona State and St. John’s are among the schools that have offered DeMarco (currently #90 in 247Sports.com’s 2025 national rankings).
Christian Collins 6’8″ 2026 St. Bernard (Playa Del Rey CA)
Collins is a very confident 3-level scorer with the length, ball skills and bounce to be a desired high-major recruit. Very good three-point shooter (made 5 threes en route to a weekend high of 26 points on Sunday) is also a dependable rebounder. Reminds me of a young DeAndre Daniels (starter on 2014 UConn national champion squad/Toronto Raptors draft pick). Christian is quickly emerging as a national name in the sophomore class and I believe that he has the potential to be a Top 50-75 prospect in 2026.
Mazi Mosley 6’6” 2025 St. Francis (La Canada CA)
Mosley is a very talented guard with nice scoring and ball skills. Wiry frame and quick twitch allow him to slash and explode at the rim and he has the speed to create his own shot. 247Sports.com’s #44 in 2025, Mazi has terrific long-term upside! Averaged 22.5 ppg on Sunday. Mosley’s offers to date include UCLA, Oklahoma, Cal, Arizona State, Washington, Xavier and San Diego State.
Kendyl Sanders 6’7″ 2024 St. Bernard (Playa Del Rey CA)
Sanders is a versatile 2-way forward that is one of the top unsigned West Coast seniors. Very good student can score with either hand, rebounds actively and has the defensive instincts to guard on the perimeter and inside. Sanders had a good scoring day on Sunday – averaging 22 ppg over his 2 games that day. Oregon State is among the schools showing recent interest. Skills would translate well in Mountain West Conference. Darrion Williams-style forward (Nevada/Texas Tech).
Brayden Kyman 6’7” 2025 Santa Margarita (CA)
Skilled hybrid-forward has impressive shooting touch and the elevation necessary to finish above the rim. Younger brother of Jake Kyman (UCLA/Wyoming/Eastern Washington).
Seven Bahati 6’5” 2024 Notre Dame (Riverside CA)
Seven had planned to spend his senior season at Coronado/Henderson NV (after being at Heritage Christian/Northridge CA as a junior) but was ruled ineligible by the NIAA and never played in Vegas. Bahati recently returned to SoCal to finish his HS career at Middlebrooks Academy and Riverside Notre Dame. This past weekend he reminded us of his talents – posting top scoring games of 28 and 24 points, passing ability (had 7 assists in one game on Sunday) and his defensive stopper ability.
Jacob Bayla 6’5” 2024 Valley Christian (Cerritos CA)
One of the biggest D1 caliber unsigned seniors in California, Jacob has great basketball IQ and leadership/character qualities, is equipped with legit scoring skills and is top shelf in the classroom too (4.7 GPA). A very underrated athlete, Bayla had a top game of 20 points/5 rebounds on Saturday. Intangibles are off the charts!
Dallas Washington 6’9” 2025 Santa Margarita (CA)
Washington is a very long and skilled forward oozing with high-major upside! Son of Bay Area Ballers founder Nelson Washington had a weekend high game of 24 points on Saturday.
Trent Minter 6’6” 2025 Los Alamitos (CA)
Minter is quickly gaining a reputation as Mr. Versatility. Skilled and savvy forward had 16 points/12 rebounds/7 assists on the league’s Day 1. Shaping up as a Big West/WCC target this Spring.
Shamar Jones 6’5″ 2025 Mountain House (CA)
Jones is an athletic guard that pushes the ball quickly in transition and can score via a nifty step back jump shot as well. Very underrated and scrappy defender, Jones put together impressive back to back scoring games on Sunday (24 and 23 points).
Kellen Hampton 6’7″ 2025 Southern Cal Academy (CA)
NorCal native is a WF with a sturdy frame and a scorer’s mentality (averaged 22.5 ppg this weekend). Very good rebounder too (posted double figure boards multiple times).
Austin Maziasz 6’5″ 2025 Westlake (Westlake Village CA)
Maziasz is a certified long-distance flame thrower! All-Ventura County WG averaged 24.5 ppg here this past weekend. Terrific student (4.7 GPA/35 ACT) has great IQ and is a bona-fide SoCal super sleeper in class.
Josh Irving 6’10” 2026 Pasadena (CA)
Long forward runs the floor like a gazelle and explodes above the rim like a pogo-stick. While Josh still needs to add weight and strength, he does have nice scoring skills including an impressive soft touch on his face-up jumper. Showed well here, especially on Day 1 where had back to back efforts of 21 points/6 rebs and 14 points/13 rebounds.
Israel Nansha 6’9” 2024 Bellflower (CA)
Nansha is a Dallas TX native (played at Hillcrest HS in DFW) that transferred very late in his HS senior season to SoCal (playing in only 4 games at Bellflower). Strong and rugged PF can score consistently in the paint and is a big factor on boards.
Preston Ezewiro 6’8” 2026 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach CA)
Strong PF is physical in the paint and is also evolving into a real scoring threat as well (scored 29 points on Sunday). Younger brother of 6-9 Bradley Ezewiro (LSU/Georgetown/St. Louis).
James Bass 6’8” 2025 Campbell Hall (North Hollywood CA)
I really liked what I saw out of Bass last weekend. Active and bouncy PF was finishing well above the rim and served as a formidable rim protector as well.
Rashod Cotton 6’2″ 2026 Dougherty Valley (CA)
Cerebral lead guard can score at a high-clip (had back to back 23 and 22 point games on Sunday). Modesto Christian/CA transfer is a good table setter too.
Bryce Bedgood 6’10” 2024 Valencia (Santa Clarita CA)
Skilled forward can stretch defenses with his 3-point range and is very active on the boards and as a rim-protector. Signature game this weekend was a 15 points/9 rebounds effort. Very good student is an unsigned senior exploring a 5th year post-grad possibility.
Dominic Bolton 6’3″ 2025 JSerra (San Juan Capistrano CA)
After missing his entire junior season due to transferring from Laguna Hills/CA to JSerra/San Juan Capistrano CA, Bolton is ready to make his mark in the tough Trinity League. Well-built WG really shoots it with accuracy from distance
Denis Woods 6’3 2025 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Woods is a quick and crafty scoring combo-guard with an excellent academic resume. Late-blooming SoCal sleeper is already deceptively bouncy and as he adds strength he will develop into even a bigger offensive threat. Very good student capped Sunday play with a 27 point performance after having 20 points/5 rebs/5 assists on Saturday.
EJ Vernon 6’6” 2025 Crossroads (Santa Monica CA)
Strong and versatile forward finishes well through contact at the rim and can spread the floor with his face-up shooting ability.
Austin Unegbu 6’5” 2025 Poly (Long Beach CA)
Strong lefty WG has nice range on his jump shot and can finish through contact at the rim. Excellent student has potential to be a break-out prospect this Spring and Summer.
Collin Haugh 5’11” 2025 Dana Hills (Dana Point CA)
Sharpshooting lead guard with a silky and accurate stroke from deep can put up big numbers as his 32 point and 31 point explosions on Saturday demonstrate.
Baron Bellamy 6’6″ 2024 Campbell Hall (North Hollywood CA)
Bellamy is a late-blooming athletic unsigned senior wing with plenty of promise. Very good student can slash and score as well as explode to the rim.
Jeremiah Lark 6’4” 2026 Oak Hills (CA)
Lark is a strong and bouncy young WG that has a nice perimeter stroke. SoCal 2026 sleeper had a 20 point game this past weekend. HS coach at Oak Hills (located in the Victorville area) is former USC assistant Robert Alexander.
Mason Hodges 6’7” 2025 San Juan Hills (San Juan Capistrano CA)
Hardworking PF is a very versatile scoring threat – using his strength and bulk to score inside as well as his shooting touch to score from deep.
Promise Madubugwu 6’11” 2024 Gardena (CA)
Very improved center has made great strides since a year ago. Promise is now catching the ball well in traffic and finishing with power at the rim consistently. Shaping up as an intriguing JC prospect that has potential to develop into a 4-year college player with continuing improvement over the next 2 years.
Rodney Westmoreland 6’0″ 2026 Santa Margarita (CA)
Quick and elusive PG has very nice ability to get into the paint and knock down mid-range pull-ups (had a high game of 25 points last weekend). One of top passers in the league (recorded a 10 assist game here this past weekend).
Rocco Gaffoglio 5’10” 2025 Foothill (Santa Ana CA)
Small PG is a dangerous 3-point threat.
Christian Howlin 6’3” 2025 La Habra (CA)
Strong wing player is a threat from deep – had 23 points (three 3s) in one game last Saturday. Howlin’s La Habra squad was the CIF-SS 3AA Division champion this season.
Other players worth noting for their fine play (in alphabetical order):
Logan Ball 6’5″ 2025 Loyola (Los Angeles CA)
Blake Bastani 6’5″ 2027 New Hampton Prep (NH)
Da’Vian Brooks 6’3″ 2025 Knight (Palmdale CA)
Ade Daramola 6’6″ 2024 Oak Park (CA)
Braeden Davidson 6’1” 2026 Crean Lutheran (Irvine CA)
Dante Deshautelle 6’2″ 2024 Westlake (Westlake Village CA)
Izaiah Fiallos 6’0” 2026 Rancho Cucamonga (CA)
Kheaden Grady-Asher 6’3″ 2026 Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
Aeneas Grullon 6’1” 2025 Viewpoint School (Calabasas CA)
JT Harreld 6’6” 2026 Palma School (Salinas CA)
Nikolas Koudsi 6’1″ 2026 Viewpoint (Calabasas CA)
Malachi Knight 6’4” 2025 Leuzinger (Lawndale CA)
Osama Mirghani 6’6″ 2024 Kimball (Tracy CA)
Riley Murphy 6’1″ 2026 Providence (Burbank CA)
Carter Parker 6’3″ 2028 Palmdale CA
Marcos Ramirez 5’10” 2025 Oxnard (CA)
Joaquin Rigdon 6’3″ 2026 Servite (Anaheim CA)
Abdelrahman Shamseldin 6’3” 2025 LA Premier Prep (CA)
Lorenzo Turner 6’3” 2025 Foothill (Santa Ana CA)
Dylan Williams 6’3″ 2026 Oakwood Academy (North Hollywood CA)
