In the latest edition of ‘P.I. Pulse’, Pro Insight’s Conrad Chow recaps the Pangos All-American Festival by highlighting the top 2022 standouts in attendance after spending the weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada:
Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the annual Pangos All-American Camp to be cancelled due to the overcapacity of having 100+ campers in one building. However, the silver lining was the creation of the Pangos All-American Festival, a top-40 showcase, which focused on honoring rising seniors and celebrating their accomplishments to date. Split into four regional teams (East, West, Midwest and South), the Festival consisted of a final four format with two semi-finals and then a consolation and championship game the next day. The 2020 inaugural edition featured a plethora of now big name college freshmen including Paolo Banchero (Event MVP), Nolan Hickman, Jabari Smith, TyTy Washington, and Chet Holmgren among others. While some class of 2022 invitees were unable to attend due to injury and other commitments this year, there was no shortage of talent at the Amplus Academy - Durango Campus. For those not in the building or able to catch the live streams on BallerTV, here’s our breakdown of the 2021 Pangos All-American Festival:
Class of 2022 Standouts
Jaxon Kohler
Southern California Academy (CA) | 6’9 Big
Going for 53 points and 23 rebounds in the championship game, Kohler took home MVP honors and put on an offensive clinic. Standing at 6’9 and weighing in at 230 pounds, the Utah native is a skilled big man with impeccable footwork, soft touch, and craftiness in the post. While not overly bouncy, he uses his size well to get inside the paint and score with high efficiency down low. Kohler can hit face-up jumpers as well with the capability of stretching out to the perimeter. There are not too many high school bigs in this era who have a developed post repertoire that includes such a varied series of shot and ball fakes. The next step in his development track would be to hone skills as a facilitator out of the post, similar to Marc Gasol and Nikola Jokic.
Fabio Basili
Oakridge HS (FL) | 6’3 Guard
Hands-down one of the most entertaining players at the event, Basili showed savviness and flair running the point for his team. Posting a triple-double of 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in the semi-final game, the combo guard formed a natural connection with his Florida peers Ven-Allen Lubin and Ernest Udeh on the court, guys he mentioned he has known for awhile. Throughout the weekend, Basili displayed a healthy balance of finding his teammates and looking for his own shot. Showcasing his tight handle and court vision, Basili executed a difficult behind-the-back bounce pass off the dribble to a cutting teammate, in what ended up being one of the most memorable plays of the day. He averaged nine assists over two games. Additionally, he was confident from behind the arc and did a nice job keeping his dribble alive, finding gaps to drive to the hoop whenever possible. Look for Basili to draw more national attention this upcoming high school season as he’s certainly made a case as a sleeper in his class.
Collin Chandler
Farmington HS (UT) | 6’4 Guard
Chandler has routinely been a force at events and showcases he has partaken in this summer. A bouncy, fluid combo guard who shoots, dribbles, and passes at an elite level, he is arguably the best prospect to come out of Utah in recent years. Chandler plays with pace and is decisive with the ball. With an advanced feel for the game, Chandler is a seamless plug-and-play type of player for any college program. He will look to take remaining visits from his top six and make a decision during the fall.
Ven-Allen Lubin
Orlando Christian HS (FL) | 6’7 Forward
With positional size and physical tools, Lubin checks the box as a versatile modern day forward. He has boosted his stock throughout the spring and summer, yet still seems to be underrated on the national scale. The 6’7 forward plays hard and affects the game in a variety of ways whether it’s scoring, setting screens, crashing the glass or locking down on defense. As he continues to consistently knock down the three and extend his range, Lubin will look to bring the complete package to his next destination. He recently released his top seven: Alabama, Florida, Auburn, Notre Dame, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech.
Mark Mitchell
Sunrise Christian Academy (KS) | 6’8 Forward
Coming off a right elbow injury, the 6’8 Mitchell has a strong physical profile and is not afraid of driving the lane amidst traffic or pursuing offensive rebounds. His size and strength in the paint present problems for the opposition and he’s able to get to the foul line with consistency. As a double-double threat, he’s at his best in transition and brings positional versatility with the ability to switch on D. It was very intriguing to see Mitchell comfortably operate as a point forward for stretches in Vegas. Looking ahead, expect the five-star prospect to elevate his game as he continues to polish his perimeter skills. The top-four programs remaining in his recruitment: Duke, Missouri, Kansas, and UCLA.
Trey Pettigrew
Kenwood Academy (IL) | 6’3 Guard
A hard-nosed and athletic guard, Pettigrew filled the score sheet and ended up averaging 26.0 points per game over the weekend, which was second overall behind Jaxon Kohler. He’s a capable scorer from just about anywhere, especially displaying a knack for getting to the basket and spotting up from deep. He has functional ball handling skills, mixing up changes of speed and direction to find seams in the defense. Still underrated nationally, Pettigrew is easily a top-150 player and should rise in the ranks this fall.
Aidan Shaw
Blue Valley HS (KS) | 6’9 Forward
Invited to his second Pangos All-American Festival, Shaw proved this year he not only belonged, but also stood out by showcasing his inside-outside presence and versatile upside. Shaw was the top performer of the consolation game (11/15 FG and 3 threes) and took no plays off, using his length to block shots and finishing with force in the paint. It was impressive to see a lanky forward with a functional handle, rim protection ability, and an ever-improving shooting stroke. The potential as a pick-and-pop guy is clearly there as Shaw confidently knocked down spot-ups and even dribbled out into a smooth three-pointer, or two. Shaw has narrowed his list down to six: Kansas, Missouri, Maryland, Arkansas, Iowa, and Oklahoma State.
Jaylen Thompson
Southern California Academy (CA) | 6’7 Forward
A highly-capable shooter with a plus wingspan, Thompson has improved sizably this year and might be SoCal Academy’s best long term prospect. He’s shown the ability to create for himself off the dribble and his extension allows him to finish well around the rim. Defensively, his active hands and length create deflections in the passing lanes. As he continues to get stronger and fill out his frame, Thompson should certainly contribute to winning at the high major level.
Ernest Udeh
Dr. Phillips HS (FL) | 6’10 Big
Udeh has a motor that’s constantly running and a developing translatable skill set. The 6’10 rim-running big is a serious lob threat and a walking double-double. Throughout the weekend, Udeh showed nice form and coordination with his shooting mechanics, displaying an effective turnaround jumper out of the mid-post. Polishing his shooting skills and continuing to add to his offensive arsenal could lead to a McDonald’s All-American selection, next year. A high academic athlete, Udeh recently cut his list to 10: Overtime Elite, Miami, Michigan, Florida, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Tennessee, Alabama, UCLA, and Baylor.
Jordan Walsh
Link Academy (MO) | 6’7 Forward
Walsh used the Pangos All-American Festival as an opportunity to exhibit his improving skills as a primary ball handler and playmaker. The 6’7 forward with a 7’2 wingspan utilized dribble penetration to successfully find open shooters and cutters. He covers a lot of ground efficiently as a handler and is comfortable pushing the ball in transition and finishing coast-to-coast. Defensively, he has the potential to be a lockdown defender, given his premier athletic tools and length. In one game, he registered nine steals, many of which were direct results from his activity in the passing lanes. An uber-talented wing who is working on extending his range, Walsh is a prospect who will have a variety of post-grad options.
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