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2007 Pangos All-American Camp: Report I
by Dinos Trigonis
(June 7, 2007)
The 5th annual Pangos All-American Camp was held June 1-3 @ USC's brand new three-court Galen Center Pavilion (Los Angeles CA). The amazing Dave Miller (New Orleans Hornets Assistant Coach for Player Development) was again on hand as the "Lead Camp Instructor" with additional skill development instruction/physical training coming from Dan Barto (Impact Basketball) and the Athletes Performance staff. As has been the case in past years, a large contingent of national/regional media and scouts attended including Brick Oettinger (Prep Stars), Clark Francis (Hoop Scoop), Frank Burlison (Long Beach Press Telegram, Jorge Calienes (C-Sports Online) and Scouthoops.com), Van Coleman (Hoopmasters.com) and CS-TV), Rob Harrington (Prep Stars & USA Today), Evan Daniels (Scouthoops.com), Joel Francisco (ESPN), Greg Hicks (Scouthoops.com), Josh Gershon (GOAZCats.com/Rivals), Dinos Trigonis (Fullcourt Press), Patrick Stanwood (Hoop Scoop), Ronnie Flores (Student Sports), Lee Hubbard (NorCal Preps/Rivals), Dave Keefer and Dave Rogahn (California Preps/Rivals), Etop Udo-Ema (Fullcourt Press & Hoopmasters), Fred Smith (HoopTV.net), Marc Maggard (Roundball Recruiting), Alan Utter & Bob Jacoby (Hoop Scoop), Brian Rothmuller (USCHoops.com), Dave Nahabedian (Networx), Antonio Curro (NY2LASports.com), Nick Koza (SportsAmp.com), Chris Sikorowski (Vootage.com) and Jamie Calsyn (ICON Sports Media).
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This year's "cream of the crop" games were filmed and are currently available online at HoopTV.net “Cream of the Crop” Player/Game stats are available online at CaliforniaPreps.com Additionally Pac-10 officials Bruce Hicks and Frank Harvey held their Hicks/Harvey Officials Clinic in conjunction with the camp which resulted in a first-class effort by the three-person crews that worked the games. The “overall talent pool was excellent” said ESPN’’s Joel Francisco and there was plenty enough West Coast talent present at this “all-american camp” buffet that the event would have not had a problem generating an influx of high-major college coaches had this camp been held during the July evaluation period. Virtually every player in the “Top 20” Cream of the Crop Game is a Top 100 prospect in their respective class (including 3-4 potential future McDonald’s All-Americans as well as arguably 12 Top 50 national prospects). In this report (Part I) we will highlight the players that were chosen to the Top 20 “Cream of the Crop” Game:
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Brandon Jennings 6’2” 2008 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson VA
Jennings was outstanding all weekend long – earning camp MVP honors. In the top “cream of the crop” game, Jennings showed his versatility by transforming himself from a top scorer (averaged a camp leading 25.8 ppg) to main distributor as his 12 points/10 assists (with just 2 turnovers) plainly demonstrate. Although Jennings has been ranked as the #1 2008 player for quite sometime by Hoop Scoop, other media sources are quickly raising the question of whether Jennings deserves to be considered for the top spot in a class with no rock-solid consensus choice for #1. As far as the very few existing critics that still refuse to concede that the Southern California native is not only the best PG in the West but in the entire nation, they need to take off their blue/gold colored glasses and confront the reality that the Arizona-bound Jennings has at the present time, no equal at the PG position.
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DeMar DeRozan 6’6” 2008
Compton (Compton CA)
While Jennings was the MVP of the entire camp, DeRozan stole the spotlight (as well as MOP honors) in the top cream of the crop game – scoring a game high 30 points (15/20 from the field). DeRozan (whose 24.4 ppg here was second only to Jennings) is quickly gaining the reputation of a Top 10 national prospect and very possible 2008 McDonald’s All-American Game selection. As national scouts who have seen him lately are quickly realizing, DeMar is much more than an ESPN Sports Center Top 10 highlight. DeRozan is a player with a dangerous perimeter jump shot, has a smooth feel for the game and is an underrated passer.
Jeffree Withey 7’0” 2008
Horizon (San Diego CA)
After having a less than noteworthy spring so far, its only fitting that the West’s best center prospect would begin his crusade to be selected as a 2008 McDonald’s All-American here at this camp since he was originally discovered as a baby-faced frosh at the 2004 Fullcourt Press All-Frosh/Soph Camp in Cypress CA. Withey showed his immense potential here as he has the ability to be a dominating influence, especially at the defensive end where he is a terrific shotblocker and rebounder (9 boards/3 blocks in Top 20 Game). Withey also possesses a soft touch within 15 feet and is very active in establishing post position. No longer committed to Louisville, look for Withey to be among the most coveted prospects to hit the trail this July. Besides Louisville, look for Arizona, UCLA and Washington to be in the mix for his November signature.
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Aleksander Olek Czyz 6’7” 2008 Reno (Reno NV)
Every year, somebody really “blows-up” at the Pangos Camp and this year it was Olek that seized that opportunity to impress the 20-plus national and regional scouts that were present. Strong and physical around the hoop with ability to finish well above the rim, Olek is quickly becoming an elite level recruit as well as perhaps surpassing Ohio State-bound Luke Babbitt as Reno’s #1 player. Based on his performance here (17.2 ppg), look for a herd of high-major college coaches to check him out closely in July.
Matt Simpkins 6’9” 2008 Berkeley (Berkeley CA)
Simpkins was outstanding at this camp last year and this time was no different as this long pogo stick seemed to flush it every time he had his hands on the ball in the paint.
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Simpkins (a very good rebounder) was the White squad’s leading scorer in the Top 20 game (23 points on 10/17 shooting) as well as the 3rd leading scorer in camp (20.3 ppg). Simpkins’ game high 33 points in camp play was the second highest total next to Jennings’ 36 points.
Renaldo Woolridge 6’8” 2008
Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA)
It is amazing how far Woolridge has come from just a year ago and every time you see this talented player with NBA lineage suit up, you see an improved player each time out. It is even scarier when you realize that his “growth plate” as a player is still wide-open. That being said, this “work-in-progress” was still a consensus selection to the Top 20 game here as he was 4th leading camp scorer (averaged 18.2 ppg). While it is true that Renaldo still needs to improve his shot selection, he does have dangerous offensive skills (including a above-average handle for size), a great physique and ample athleticism and is an improved rebounder (7 boards in Top 20 Game) and defender. While Woolridge is already receiving high-major interest, he may have as much long-term potential as any West Coast player in the 2008 class, thus making him among the most coveted rising seniors this summer.
Cashmere Wright 6’0” 2008
Urban Christian Academy (Savannah GA)
Ultra-quick playmaker is a nightmare to defend off the dribble and has real scoring capability. Wright’s handle is tight and the Clemson-bound point projects to be a very effective player in the ACC. Cashmere averaged 16.4 ppg here including an 18 point/3 assist performance in the Top 20 Game.
Malik Story 6’5” 2008
Artesia (Lakewood CA)
After a somewhat lack-luster spring, Story (USC verbal) showed that he deserves to be considered as a legitimate Top 100 national recruit as his jump shot arrived often with pin-point accuracy here. Story (who is reportedly headed to Oak Hill for his senior season this fall) was one of the camp’s top scorers (16.6 ppg) which included a 29 point outburst on Saturday.
Storm Warren 6’8” 2008 Richwood (Monroe LA)
Strong as an ox inside, Warren is a force on the boards at both ends. Warren has great college potential to be that physical post presence needed for teams desiring to make deep NCAA tourney runs. Warren impressed us in the the Top 20 Game with a 16 point/8 board/4 assist effort.
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Leonard Washington 6’6” 2008
Decatur Christian (Decatur IL)
Strong and athletic post is undersized, but is wide and deceptively athletic as well as productive. Washington (a Louisiana native) showed up in a big way in the Top 20 Game with 20 points/9 boards.
DJ Seeley 6’4” 2008
Modesto Christian (Modesto CA)
Quick wing has excellent athleticism with potential to be a terrific lead-guard when he arrives at Cal in the fall of 2008. DJ has nice ballhandling ability and the tools to be a lock-down defender. Currently checks in at the #39 spot in Rivals.com’s Class of 2008 rankings.
Teondre Williams 6’4” 2008
Meadowcreek (Norcross GA)
Sweet-shooting wing has a strong physique as well as deceptive athleticism. Williams averaged 13.2 ppg here which included a camp game high of 24 points.
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Dequan Jones 6’6” 2008 Wheeler (Marietta GA)
Other than DeRozan, Jones may have been the top athlete at this camp. “I would have paid to see a dunk contest between Jones and DeRozan at the end of camp” said USCHoops.com’s Brian Rothmuller. Jones has an exceptional first-step which makes his high-level athleticism even much more effective and is an underrated all-around scorer (14.1 ppg here) and passer (had 8 assists in the Top 20 Game). With continued hard-work, Jones looks like a Top 50 national prospect in the making.
Troy Gillenwater 6’8” 2008 Stoneridge School (Simi Valley CA)
Bothered somewhat by nagging injuries and the fact that he is not yet back in tip-top shape, Gillenwater (10 points/5 boards in the Top 20 Game) was solid but not spectacular here. The Oklahoma State-bound power forward did have his moments and there is no denying that there are not many players in the nation that are more crafty scoring in the paint than Troy.
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Anthony Jones 6’10” 2008 Yates (Houston TX)
Perhaps among the most intriguing players here, Jones may have underachieved during this weekend when you realize how tremendously talented he is. However, Jones did average 11.5 points per game here and his freaky length and substantial skill set make him a prospect that has real long-term pro potential.
Hollis Thompson 6’7” 2009 Loyola (Los Angeles CA)
Nobody in the Class of 2009 right now is enjoying such a rapid rise in reputation as Thompson. Thompson (a great student - 4.3 GPA) is a Rip Hamilton-type player that moves great without the ball as well as having a very accurate outside stroke. Thompson (who age-wise should be a HS freshman) averaged 10.8 ppg during the camp, but saved his best for last as he posted 14 points/5 boards in the Top 20 Game. UCLA, Georgetown, Arizona, USC and Duke are among the growing list of schools that have taken notice of this talented prospect.
Tony Mitchell 6’6” 2008 Swainsboro (Swainsboro GA)
Smooth and athletic wing is quickly shedding his tag as an underrated national prospect and is now a bonafide high-major player who should be mentioned whenever the topic of Top 100 status is debated. Mitchell runs the floor well, is bouncy in transition and has excellent potential to be a great defender.
Edgar Garibay 6’10” 2008 Compton (Compton CA)
Big post played well at this camp (9.6 points/9 boards per game) and exhibited a new and improved court attitude that included communicating with teammates effectively. Will be a center in demand this July as he has the combination of size, shooting skills and upside that will intrigue high-majors in dire need of post size.
Oscar Bellfield 6’2” 2008 Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
Bellfield is quickly gaining value as an athletic high-major lead guard that can run a team. While, Bellfield did not score as much as others here, he was very successful distributing as his 10 assists in the Top 20 Game attests.
Quinton “Q” Dailey 6’3” 2009 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
A surprise selection to the “cream of the crop” Top 20 game, Dailey (whose father bearing the same name was a former USF star and NBA player) has been quietly solidifying himself as a mid-major-plus prospect recently. Dailey averaged double figure points here and showed a consistent presence on the offensive end.
John Paul (JP) Olukemi 6’5” 2008 Stoneridge School (Simi Valley CA)
Athletic scorer had multiple 20 point games here and is a strong finisher when he attacks the basket. JP’s performance was even more impressive when you realize that his play at the camp was his first action since he severely injured his ankle at the Kingwood Classic in April.
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2007 Pangos All-American Camp
Leading Scorers (minimum 10ppg)
Brandon Jennings 25.8
DeMar DeRozan 24.4
Matt Simpkins 20.3
Renaldo Woolridge 18.2
Olek Czyz 17.2
Malik Story 16.6
Cashmere Wright 16.4
JP Olukemi 16.0
Jordan Cyphers 15.0
DJ Seeley 14.5
Dequan Jones 14.1
Leonard Washington 14.0
Manny Atkins 13.4
Teondre Williams 13.2
Jeff Withey 13.1
Troy Gillenwater 13.0
AJ Hawkins 13.0
Cameron Bell 13.0
Tony Mitchell 12.8
Eric Heslin 12.5
Terrence Shannon 12.4
Darrius Garrett 11.8
Taylor Rohde 11.8
Ebuka Anayora 11.7
Anthony Jones 11.5
Phil McDonald 11.4
Storm Warren 11.4
Jason Pruitt 11.3
Quinton Dailey 11.2
Chris Jones 11.0
Trae Golden 11.0
Quamaine Crymes 11.0
Hollis Thompson 10.8
Craig Payne 10.3
Tyree McCrary 10.2
Jerry Brown 10.0
Terrence Joyner 10.0
2007 Pangos All-American Camp
Top Single Game Scorers
(minimum 20 points)
Brandon Jennings 36
Matt Simpkins 33
DeMar DeRozan 30
Brandon Jennings 30
DeMar DeRozan 29 (twice)
Malik Story 29
Jason Pruitt 26
Renaldo Woolridge 25
Cashmere Wright 25
Brandon Jennings 25
DeQuan Jones 24
Teondre Williams 24
Eric Heslin 24
Olek Czyz 23
DeMar DeRozan 22
JP Olukemi 22
Cashmere Wright 21
Renaldo Woolridge 21 (twice)
Anthony Hill 21
Justin Hawkins 21
Tyree McCrary 21
Jordan Cyphers 21
Taylor Rohde 21
Olek Czyz 20
Cameron Bell 20
JP Olukemi 20
Terrence Shannon 20
Malik Story 20
Manny Atkins 20
Lorenzo Dobson 20
*** In the next report (Part II) we will highlight the players that were chosen to the Top 40 “Cream of the Crop” Game as well as other players that showed well at the event.
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