I caught the Pangos All-Midwest Frosh/Soph Camp via BallerTV. Many of the top players in the 2023 and 2024 class were in attendance. Here are some of the 2023 players and a handful of 2024 players that stood out today.
2023
Darrin Ames (6-1 PG, Kenwood)
One of the new faces at Kenwood put the class on notice. The lefty guard uses his speed to get to the rim where he was having no problem finishing. His jump shot was on point, hitting multiple pull-up threes and looking nearly automatic from range. Ames has an offer from Illinois that he picked up as a freshman.
Darrion Baker (6-8 PF, St. Rita)
Baker showed off his upside and gifts on both ends today. Now around 6-foot-8, Baker can push the ball with ease in transition or whenever he wants to break down defenders. He had a really nice spin move off of a face up in the mid-post. His footwork is improving and his strength is developing to make him a difficult inside-out weapon. Baker was active defensively and showed solid lateral quickness hedging screens. He already holds Division 1 offers and should be in for a huge sophomore year.
Matas Buzelis (6-7 SF, Hinsdale Central)
Fresh off of receiving an offer from Illinois earlier in the week, Buzelis was tremendous on both ends today. As a shot blocker, his timing and quick leaping ability allow him to disrupt shot attempts. The 6-foot-7 wing flashed his playmaking ability with outlet passes and deliveries off the dribble. He knocked down a three and was active on the glass all day. Buzelis attacked the rim with a purpose, drawing fouls and finishing above the rim (including a poster). There is no question that his combination of length, skill, and competitiveness will make him one of the most coveted recruits in the state.
Noah Campbell (5-8 PG, Willowbrook)
Campbell came out aggressive getting into the paint. He had a number of nice finishes despite giving up some size in the paint. The Willowbrook guard is fearless and quick off the dribble. He should be a steady guard that can create against any level of competition.
Bryce Coleman (6-6 SG, St. Joseph)
Widely considered one of the best prospects in the state, Coleman showed a deep set of tools that will make him a high-major player. He was slashing to the rim well and scoring the ball at will in the paint. His jump shot is projectable off the catch and he can control games as a rebounder. Coleman holds a Nebraska offer already.
Dalen Davis (6-0 PG, Whitney Young)
Davis has the poise of a seasoned guard out there. At 6-foot, he is dynamic off the dribble with change-of-pace moves and high level acceleration to get by defenders. He was a blur in transition and shot the ball very well from the outside. Davis is only a sophomore, but already looks like one of the best guards in the city. Tremendous IQ and toughness are going to elevate Davis even further as he ages.
Owen Freeman (6-9 C, Bradley Bourbonnais)
Every time I see Freeman, he looks more like a bona fide Division 1 prospect. Freeman excelled in the paint today, going out of his area for rebounds, contesting shots at the rim, and finishing almost every opportunity he received. The 6-foot-9 big is so productive and skilled as an interior scorer, showing touch and intelligence. Freeman does everything you want from a post player and has next level mobility and defensive potential. Still remains as arguably the premier center in the 2023 class.
Yarell Greer (5-10 PG, Bogan)
Greer had a nice showing, contributing to one of the more impressive teams of the day. With a solid first step and a good understanding of angles, Greer worked his way through traffic on multiple occasions. He remained active defensively and had a nice pull-up as well. Greer is a tough point guard that can score.
Jalen Griffith (5-9 PG, Simeon)
The handle, vision, and defense were on full display from Griffith. He is shifty off the dribble and can whip passes on a dime. Griffith operates well as the lead guard but he ran the wing at times today. He knocked down a three and was a pest defensively as usual.
Jake Hamilton (6-3 SG, Sacred Heart Grififn)
He did a little bit of everything during the day. Hamilton scored from all three levels, including a confident bucket out of a post up. With his 6-foot-3 size and plus strength, Hamilton poses a problem for smaller guards. There was no hesitation on his three-point shots, hitting open looks. It was his physicality and toughness as a finisher that may have stood at the most. Hamilton is a wing that plays hard.
Brock Harding (6-0 PG, Moline)
Harding is a player. He looked advanced in pick-and-roll actions, creating angles and forcing the help to commit. I love his pace and confidence. Even after mistakes, he stayed aggressive. Harding has deep three-point range and the ability to pull it off the dribble if defenders back off. His speed and athleticism are solid, blowing by some defenders today before dropping off passes to bigs. It’s not too soon to start looking at Harding as a serious college prospect.
Ahmad Henderson (5-9 SG, Brother Rice)
Henderson was ready to go today. He brought intensity and looked for his shot early on, getting to the rim and scoring it well. A guard with scoring potential, Henderson wasn’t affected by bigger defenders. He was on a stacked team and still managed to stand out.
Daniel Johnson (6-5 SF, Whitney Young)
Johnson showed out on the defensive end with his length and agility on the ball and as a help defender. He has an ideal frame with elite lateral quickness to stay in front of the ball. Offensively, he showed some handling ability and promise as a slasher. As he adds weight, Johnson is going to be a one through five defensive stopgap.
Jackson Kotecki (6-7 PF, St. Ignatius)
Throughout the day, Kotecki made a mark with his consistent effort. He dominated on the glass, outworking other bigs for second chances and grabbing defensive rebounds. During the first game, he took a rebound coast to coast for a tough and-one finish. Kotecki connected on a three as well, a skill that differentiates him from other bigs. The fluid athleticism, shooting, and activity shined for Kotecki today.
Davius Loury (6-7 PF, Kenwood)
Loury has the look and skillset of a high-major player. Blessed with a physical frame, he was throwing down powerful finishes in transition and snatching rebounds. He has a perimeter game as well, capable of stretching the defense with his shooting. Loury can thrive on the interior or off the dribble with a full head of steam. Kenwood added another star in Loury.
Solomon Mosley (6-8 PF, St. Rita)
Just another young St. Rita player that is expected to take a big jump. Mosley has a projectable frame that is going to add weight well. He moves well, has length, and looked comfortable sealing on the interior. He had an easy dunk and blurred the vision of penetrators.
Ty Pence (6-5 SG, St. Joseph-Ogden)
Pence is one of the most versatile wings in the state and he proved it today. Known more as a scorer that can shoot the lights out, Pence was effective rebounding the ball and setting up his teammates. His athleticism is excellent, skying above size for rebounds and finishing well above the rim. Pence is a highly efficient scorer as well, even though he didn’t need to look for his shot today.
Khalil Ross (6-6 SF, Lincoln-Way East)
The 6-foot-6 combo forward has good pace and skills that he highlighted today. Ross is a smooth operator, assessing where to attack and being efficient when he sees his opening. He passed the ball well and looked promising as a multi-positional defender.
Miles Rubin (6-7 PF, Homewood Flossmoor)
Rubin is another high-upside big in this class. Long, mobile, and aggressive, Rubin controlled the paint today. He is a good roll man with soft hands and the ability to finish with power or finesse. Early on, he hit a long mid-range jumper and has shown that he should be able to expand his range going forward. Rubin is a only heading in the right direction with the tools he has accompanied by how hard he is willing to play.
Wes Rubin (6-8 PF, Homewood Flossmoor)
Wes Rubin was effective rebounding the ball and showing off his athleticism. There are not a lot of 6-foot-8 players that are as fast in the open floor as Rubin. He moves his feet well on the defensive end and elevates well around the rim to block shots. Rubin is going to create a dangerous duo for years to come with his brother at Homewood Flossmoor.
Kaiden Space (6-0 PG, St. Rita)
St. Rita’s returning guard made plays for his teammates all day. Space worked the two man game well with Freeman, finding him around the rim, and showed patience as a playmaker. We know he can light it up from three when left open, but his balance as a distributor and scorer is ideal.
Xavier Sulaiman (6-2 SG, Marist)
I’ve seen Sulaiman multiple times over the last few months and his athleticism is on another level. But he is more than just an athlete, proving to be one of the best guards in the class. Sulaiman didn’t shoot it well today, but was getting downhill frequently. He has the hang time to finish tough shots in traffic and fly in transition. Defensively, he plays bigger than his 6-foot-2 listing with his length and explosiveness. Sulaiman is going to be attracting college interest sooner rather than later.
JJ Taylor (6-7 SF, Kenwood)
Taylor was the star of the day. A highly-regarded national recruit with limitless potential, Taylor threw the whole bag out there today. His jump shot is smooth and repeatable, hitting threes with no problem. On his drives, he was dunking everything regardless of who was in the way. There was one rip through from the wing where he had one dribble and took off without hesitation. He has an ease with his ball-handling ability that is reminiscent of a number of current NBA stars. Taylor is an unselfish playmaker as well, dumping off passes today. On the defensive end, he can guard every position, jump passing lanes, and protect the rim like he showed today. There isn’t much else to say about the upside of Taylor.
Bryce Tillery (5-8 PG, Hillcrest)
Tillery brings competitiveness and leadership qualities to the point guard spot. He made some pinpoint passes today on the move and got after it defensively. While he didn’t get a ton of shots today, Tillery created open shots when he was on the floor. The strong, compact floor general can impact games without having to fill up the scoring column.
Donaven Younger (6-8 PF, Bolingbrook)
Younger’s team struggled against Taylor and the Kenwood sophomores, but he was a bright spot with his energy and presence on the inside. Whether it is blocking shots or creating second and third chances, Younger is active. He sent back a number of shots today with his springs around the basket. Younger is going to develop into a terrific face-up player as well with his athleticism and perimeter skills. Another young frontcourt player that is near the top of the class.
2024
James Brown (6-8 PF, St. Rita)
There are many reasons why Division 1 schools have offered Brown before he plays a high school game. He showed versatility right away, grabbing rebounds and advancing the ball off the dribble or with accurate passes. The footwork and power that he has make him a load on the block. Brown was able to create good looks with his low post game but also took open jumpers with confidence. Defensively, he has discipline, length, and tenacity, affecting shots outside of his area today. Brown has the ability to be a McDonald’s All-American by the time his high school career is over. He is that talented.
Carlos Harris (5-11 SG, Curie)
Harris is a well-built guard that plays through contact. He was finishing strong when given the opportunity, brushing off tight defense. Harris also connected on a three with a shot that is going to continue to progress. Just a freshman, Harris showed the strength and scoring ability that should lead to a very promising future at Curie.
Payton Kamin (6-3 SG, DePaul College Prep)
Kamin is an effortless shooter with a quick release and range past the college line. He knocked down multiple shots but also had a complete offensive performance as a passer. There were a couple of nice looks he created off the dribble, showing promising vision. At 6-foot-3 with his length, it’s safe to expect Kamin to keep growing. A shooter with this much skill already is going to be a problem.
Josh Pickett (6-3 SG, St. Rita)
St. Rita’s freshman has the makings of a scoring dynamo. He has a very athletic frame and drives to the basket with force. Few players will be able to stay in front of him as his handle develops. Pickett is also a stout defender that can defend any spot on the perimeter. The big guard has already been offered by Northern Illinois and is going to be one of the top players in the class going forward.
Jeezy White (5-9 PG, Zion Benton)
White had some of the flashiest handles today, shaking defenders to get to his spots. Even though he didn’t hit a ton of shots, his ability to create space didn’t go unnoticed. He knocked down a three and drew secondary help well. What he lacks in weight right now he makes up for with skill and quickness. White is a very dynamic point guard to keep an eye on.