The 2025 Pangos Best of SoCal League tipped-off last weekend (March 1-2 at McBride HS/Long Beach CA) and is running through Monday night March 10th – giving us a good view of several top prospects from Southern California. I expect several more top players to join the league once they are officially finished with the CIF State playoffs.
BallerTV is live-streaming all league games and full length video re-plays of all past league games are now also available for replay from Baller TV: https://www.ballertv.com/events/pangos-best-of-socal-league-2025-long-beach-ca
Team rosters and the league schedule can be accessed online at: https://www.fullctpress.net/25-best-of-socal-league.html
Below I feature a few players from the league that stood out on opening weekend.
Shalen Shepard 6’8” 2028 Brentwood (Los Angeles CA)
Shepard was a freshman sensation this past season – leading Moose Bailey’s Brentwood squad to a 25-5 record and the Gold Coast championship (7-1 league record). Strong, skilled and very versatile forward is arguably SoCal’s #1 2028 player at the moment. Shepard plays with a pace and poise of players much older, doesn’t force things and always seems intent on making the right play whether its scoring or facilitating. Shalen is a triple-double-type player (as his 12 points/12 boards/7 assists on Sunday demonstrates) with a great blend of interior/perimeter scoring skills as well as being a terrific passer. Shepard averaged 18.0 ppg over his 4 games last weekend. Shalen has early offers from Utah and Pepperdine but that list will obviously exponentially get longer before it gets smaller. Time to buy stock is now for this potentially Top 20 national caliber 2028 prospect.
David Conerly 6’6” 2027 Inglewood (CA)
One of the emerging sophomore national sleepers out West is the highly skilled Conerly. Shaun Livingston-type facilitator with the scoring craftiness of a Jamal Crawford-type lead guard is lean and long with terrific mid-range shooting stroke and has the top-shelf ball skills to keep defenders at bay and create his own shot. David averaged 19.3 points and 5.5 assists per game here last weekend. Plays somewhat in the shadow of elite 2026 PG Jason Crowe Jr. at Inglewood but make no mistake about it, Conerly has the potential to be a special PG in his own right.
Jonas Oware 6’9” 2026 Poly (Long Beach CA)
I really liked what I saw out of Oware this past weekend. Active PF and rim-protector was finishing with efficiency in the paint and displayed soft touch around the cup. Jonas scored 34 points in 1st game last Saturday and finished his 4 games last weekend with a 22.8 ppg average. Terrific 4-0-plus student.
Marco Varani 6’7” 2026 Elite Future Prep (Seattle WA)
Making a weekend appearance from the Pacific NW was Varani. Long WF with accurate and soft shooting touch beyond the 3-point line (averaged 16.8 ppg/3.3 threes made per game). Very good student too (3.47 GPA).
Mason Hodges 6’8” 2025 San Juan Hills (San Juan Capistrano CA)
Hodges made his league debut last Sunday and quickly left a great impression. Rugged PF produced back-to-back 35 and 33 point games for Harry Wilson’s CABC squad here. A fabulous student (4.5 GPA), this unsigned senior can score through contact as well as dial from deep beyond the 3-point arc (connected for 8 threes in his 2 games played on Sunday).
Acen Jimenez 6’1” 2026 La Habra (CA)
One of the most impressive PGs here, Acen is a quick, athletic and crafty playmaker that can impact the game both as a scorer as well as a facilitator. Signature game this past Sunday: 23 points (9/16 FG), 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
Eli Garner 6’5” 2026 Damien (La Verne CA)
Garner is an assertive and rangy WG with nice size that can put points on the board. Averaging 20 ppg in the league so far with a high game of 27 points.
Malachi Knight 6’4″ 2025 Leuzinger (Lawndale CA)
One of SoCal’s top unsigned seniors Malachi has evolved into a top-notch scoring WG with blossoming athleticism. Knight averaged 25.5 ppg here on Day 1.
Jaison Joyce 6’8″ 2025 Gahr (Cerritos CA)
Joyce is a strong and bouncy PF that is active in paint with the ability to extend defenses with an accurate 3-ball shot. Jaison averaged 23 ppg on opening day here.
Jeremiah Lark 6’4” 2026 Oak Hills (CA)
Lark is a strong and physical 2-way WG that is an excellent defender and rebounder. Jeremiah was a key player for a 25-5 Oak Hills squad this season. As Lark’s jump shot continues to be refined, his D-I value should rise substantially.
Jeremiah Hunt 6’3” 2026 Millikan (Long Beach CA)
Long Beach area sleeper with impressive scoring skills erupted for 32 points (9 threes) on Sunday. SoCal junior to really track.
Prince Okonkwo 6’9” 2025 West Ranch (Santa Clarita CA)
Strong and physical PF is a factor on the glass and can score with regularity in the paint. Prince had a weekend high of 29 points on Sunday.
Kyle Sanders 6’10” 2028 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Kyle is one of the most intriguing long-term prospects here – younger brother of Kendyl Sanders who played his HS ball at St. Bernard/Playa del Rey CA before spending this year as a post-grad at IMG/Bradenton FL. Very long and rapidly improving young big man had a double/double (14 points/10 rebounds) last weekend. Great upside as a shot-blocker/rim-protector as well as interior scorer.
Izaiah Fiallos 6’0” 2026 Rancho Cucamonga (CA)
Assertive scoring guard plays with confidence and has deep range on his jump shot. Fiallos had a weekend high of 27 points last Saturday.
Chace Patterson 6’1” 2028 St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
Patterson was forced to play JV this year due to the deep depth of the SJB Varsity but is a future star for Matt Dunn’s Braves. Son of former UCLA/Tennessee F Andre Patterson is a smooth scoring guard that had 30 points on opening day and that followed that effort up with 21 points on Sunday. Really nice basketball instincts.
Krawford Bailey 6’4” 2029 Irvine CA
8th grader and younger brother of Santa Margarita/CA 2026 guard Kaiden Bailey is more than holding his own here playing with HS age players. Tough shot-maker with nice wing size had a 34 point game last weekend. Will join brother Kaiden at Santa Margarita next Fall.
** This is the 1st report of multiple recaps of the league and other players will be featured in future reports.
