It’s been over a week since the 20th Annual Pangos All American Camp has completed and it took some time for me to reflect back and see what I wanted to talk about. I’m intrigued by the naked eye eval compared to what the stats say, so I decided I want to do a “By The Numbers” article on the Southwest Regional players that participated.
When looking at the stats provided by Xccelerated Sports Metrics, it was a slight mix bag of…
- Numbers backing up my initial thoughts
- Numbers made me look differently on overall performance of the player
Some notes prior to reading
(T. _) = Means the players per game averaged stat was tied with others at the camp
Exp. (T.24th) means that player’s per game stat was tied 24th at the camp.
KJ Lewis, 6’4 SG – Chapin (El Paso TX)
2023 Arizona commit KJ Lewis is having himself a bounce-back type of spring/summer. Started out slow but is showing why he’s one of the premier guards in the country. At Pangos AA Camp he averaged 18ppg (T. 7th), 4.8rpg (T. 20th), and was tied for first in steals with 1.8spg. KJ played primarily on the ball and he got to show his improved decision making with the live dribble. He looked to rebound defensively which allowed him to push the pace and showcase his athleticism in the open court. His overall shooting percentages could have been better but KJ showed in Vegas his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Was a no-brainer Top-30 Game Selection in my opinion.
Chris Johnson, 6’4 PG – Montverde Academy (FL)
Originally from Texas
I’ve said this about Chris Johnson for years and I believe the most underrated part of Chris’ game is his passing. A more than willing passer that’s shifty off the bounce and provides a scoring punch as well. At the camp he averaged 11.4ppg (T.41st) and was fourth in assists per game, compiling an average of 3.8. The shooting numbers, like KJ could have been better but, side-note: Chris told us he was performing with a dislocated finger which could have impacted the scoring efficiency. Nevertheless, Johnson is one of the most talented guards in the country and when he’s locked in and consistent with his play, there are few backcourt guys I’m taking over him nationally. Was selected to the Top 60 game.
RJ Jones Jr, 6’3 SG – Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant UT)
Originally from Texas
I’ll be honest, it wasn’t the showing I expected from RJ at Pangos. Especially compared to last year where he was a scoring machine at the Tark Center. This year, he just couldn’t seem to get in a rhythm we’re accustomed to. But, in saying all that, I did feel like he made an effort to contribute in other ways. Showed good anticipation and intercepted on passes and the stats backed that up as he was ranked 9th in steals per game. Moved the ball well, and was showing a willingness to get others involved as he compiled close to 2 asts per game. Voted into the Top 30 All Star Game. Regardless, even if he didn’t show it to the magnitude we are accustomed to at Pangos, RJ has a knack for scoring the ball and can do it in a multitude of ways when he gets going.
Kaden Cooper, 6’5 SG – TSF (Atlanta GA)
Originally from Oklahoma
One of the biggest stock risers in 2023, Kaden has vastly improved from last year. In my opinion while he was the best vertical athlete at the camp, Cooper showed more than that though. Can create off the dribble and score (10.ppg on 46% shooting), he rebounds very well for his position (5.5rpg which is tied for 10th at the camp) which allowed him to push the pace and show-off his athleticism in the open court. There is upside as an athletic two-way player that can generate his own shot. Very high ceiling for him and can envision him being an impact player in college.
Robert Miller 2024 PF – Pasadena Memorial (Pasadena TX)
A 2024 forward prospect that is being recruited by high major programs. This was a good evaluation camp for me in regards to seeing how Miller matches up vs like-size, like-talent and some older guys.
Definitely could tell it was his first camp of this magnitude which was ok. Needed to take some time to get accustomed to the speed and physicality but I felt he was fine when he calmed down. The numbers don’t pop out to you (5.3 ppg 2.75 rpg 0.5 bpg) but he showed his ability to be an efficient inside/out scoring threat that can be a mismatch problem in the frontcourt. Got to really see that when his team played against Team Arizona and constructed an 8 point, 4 rebound performance on 75% shooting. Another stat to note was his 65% shooting percentage from the field which ranks in the top 15 at the whole camp. Was voted into the Top 60 Game.
Zayden High, 6’9 PF – Arizona Compass (Chandler AZ)
Originally from Texas
Zayden’s recruitment blew up in March and the early April Live Period with his consistent big-time performances. His production has slowed down some since but can definitely see why High Majors are still heavily recruiting the San Antonio native. His play was fairly up and down and he finished with averages of 6 ppg 4 rpg 0.5 bpg & 1.3 apg. The swinging skill for Zayden is his ability to play through contact and just motor on a play by play basis. Once that part of his game clicks he will take his game to another level. A stretch forward that has one of the highest passer feels from any front court player at the camp and his 1.3 apg doesn’t show the hockey assist that he gets from his ball movement. His best game where he showed his vast array of skills was vs Virginia where he collected 14 points 6 rebounds, 3assists, 1 block on 47% shooting.
Wesley Yates, 6’4 SG – Beaumont United (Beaumont TX)
Wesley orchestrated a strong Pangos Camp and sealed a productive week by winning the Top 60 All Star Game MVP with 24pts on 60% shooting from the field and three point line. Yates overall stats were 15 ppg (T.21st) 2.25 rpg, 2apg (T.22). Also was 50% from three (T.13th) and made the second most threes per game, connecting an average of 3 each outing. Whew! Wesley was productive and after a slower start in the spring, Yates in the past 30 days has arguably been the best player in the state of Texas. Although he wasn’t voted in the Top 30 Game, Wesley used it as motivation and made a statement. A strongly built guard that’s a natural scorer, Yates is able to use his size to create separation off the bounce and can finish inside with his mix of strength and vertical pop.
Keanu Dawes, 6’8 PF – Stratford (TX)
Another prospect that has been productive in the last 30 days. Dawes was impressive in Vegas as he got to show his shooting prowess and overall skill-set. He averaged 12 ppg (36th), 5.5 rpg (T.10th) 1.3asts and 36% shooting from deep. Dawes showed the ability to grab a rebound, start the break and make the right decision as well as connect from deep off the catch. His best game was vs Team Colorado when he scored 20 pts, 6rebs, 2blks, 1ast on 8 for 11 shooting. He wasn’t just aggressive looking for his shot, but I thought he put energy on the offensive glass to create second chance opportunities for his team. His motor has been the aspect of his game in question but I felt you couldn’t question it in Vegas and it resulted in a strong showing.
Chris Lockett, 6’5 CG – Isidore Newman (New Orleans LA)
Chris Lockett has been a player highly touted since he was in middle school and I’ve been impressed that he continues to show why he is one of the better players in the country. At the All American Camp, Lockett averaged 12 ppg (T.36th), 3.75 rpg & 2.5apg (T.16th) on 36% shooting from deep. A burly, strong guard that knows how to mix scoring and facilitating. I did like Lockett’s activity on the glass and his intent as a guard to rebound, using his strength to create position to nab the ball in traffic. He got paint touches as he looked to be aggressive to get to the rim and found the open man from the dunker spot or three. His shooting has improved from over the years and seems to be a more confident shooter.
Amier Ali, 6’8 Wing – Montverde Academy (FL)
Originally from Ohio, homebase and previous school team is in Dallas
One of the premier prospects in 2024, Amier Ali showcased his combination of size mixed with perimeter skills, scoring and playmaking. Here are his averages:
14.3 ppg (T.26th), 4 rpg, 3 asts (T.8th), 51% shooting, 33% from three & 4th in assist/turnover ratio.
His Top 30 Game selection was definitely deserved as Ali was aggressive from the jump. Showing improved strength, which allowed him to handle pressure and make plays from the wing. His most notable game was vs. Team Arizona where he assembled a 30 pt, 9 reb, 6 asts outing on 7-10 shooting from deep. He was hot early and made shots from three, either that was off the catch, with step-backs and when the defense paid too much attention to him, he dotted his teammates for a clean look.
Notables
Justin McBride, 6’8 PF/SF – Plano Senior (Plano TX)
Justin makes our “notables” category because he played only one game at the camp and that was on Friday. Due to an injury, he couldn’t play in the other games. He was productive on the offensive end on Friday night though. Stringing together 11 points on 55% shooting. A burly, strong forward that is a mismatch problem due to his inside/out shot creation.
