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  • Devin Ugland

17th Pangos All-American Camp defined by depth, versatility

NORWALK — Evan Mobley and Cade Cunningham are two of the very best players in the 2020 class and perhaps the two most anticipated players heading into the 2019 Pangos All-American Camp which featured more than 100 of the best players across the country.

Neither disappointed with their performances over the course of the three-day camp at Cerritos College, earning the camps co-Most Outstanding Player honors.

Mobley, the consensus No. 1-ranked prospect in his class out of Rancho Christian high school, displayed his uncanny skill set and versatility at nearly 7-feet tall. He was having his normal impact on the defensive end: blocking shots while keeping possession and changing shots while corralling the ensuing defensive rebound.

Offensively, there’s little Mobley can’t do. He can push the break himself and find open teammates like a guard, run the floor in transition and finish with power or finesse and he stepped out and knocked down the open 3-point shot. Unfortunately for all in attendance who like to see how real basketball is played, Mobley was unable to participate in the Top 30 game Sunday due to injury.

Montverde Academy guard Cade Cunningham stuffed the stat sheet en route to co-MOP honors at the 2019 Pangos All-American Camp. (Photo: Matt Moreno, GOAZCATS.com)

What I like most about Cunningham is how he approaches the game. The 6-foot-7 guard out of Montverde Academy (FL) by way of Arlington (TX) prefers to make the smart play instead of the flashy one, he can score in a variety of ways, whether it’s a deep jump shot or a strong drive to the basket, and he certainly looks to get his teammates involved with the pass. Cunningham can be described simply as a high IQ stat sheet stuffer.

Let’s break down some of the other guys I liked in positional format.

Point Guards

Zion Harmon, 2021 Marshall County (KY) - Harmon dazzled all weekend long. His impressive feel for the game was evident from the opening tip of his first game as he carved up opposing defenses with the dribble or the pass. The 5-foot-10 rising junior controlled the pace of every camp game he played in and his teammates knew that, if they moved without the ball, Harmon would find them. Harmon torched the nets with floaters and tough step-back perimeter jumpers on Saturday.

Isael “Isa” Silva, 2021, Jesuit - If you enjoy watching a kid who has an innate understanding of how the game is supposed to be played, Silva is your guy. The 6-foot-3 junior-to-be dictates pace in every setting: Transition, half-court and ball screens action. He can make every pass in the book and the flashy ones thrown by other campers that might make you cringe are par for the course for Silva. He’s one of the more crafty finishers you’ll find and has shown some improvements with his catch-and-shoot 3-point shot, but he still has work to do in that area.

Jesuit point guard Isa Silva made a name for himself at the national level at the Pangos All-American Camp. (Photo: Matt Moreno, GOAZCATS.com)

Daishen Nix, 2020, Trinity International (NV) - Nix carries himself in an unassuming way that may make some underestimate his impact, but if you watch closely you’ll see he recognizes the nuances of the game. I’ve already typed plenty about pace in this piece, but it’s so important for the position that it bears repeating: Nix never gets sped up. The timing and placement on his passes are impeccable and his unselfishness permeated through the rest of his team.

Dalen Terry, 2020, Hillcrest Prep (AZ) - Terry stands out not only for his lanky 6-foot-7 frame at the point guard spot, but also because of his versatility on both sides of the ball. The rising senior has dynamic playmaking ability in transition and is getting better at breaking down defenders in isolation to get to the cup. One of the best aspects of Terry’s game this weekend was his dedication to the defensive side of the ball and locking down most of his one-on-one match-ups.

Rahsool Diggins, 2021, Archbishop Wood (PA) - Diggins made up for a lack of touches during the camp games with a strong performance in the Top 60 game. The 6-foot-1 rising junior scored a game-high 20 points and did so with ease, draining three 3-pointers while peppering in a couple of floaters.

Deivon Smith, 2020, Grayson (GA) - If you were on the lookout for an explosive guard, Smith was your guy. The senior-to-be was a burner in transition, blowing by any and all defenders and into the paint where he finished at or above the rim. Smith also showed burst with his first step and a balanced stop-and-pop jumper.

Chanse Robinson, 2020, Lincoln Prep (LA) - Even though the camp setting didn’t call for defense, Robinson brought his straps with him. The 6-foot-1 rising senior took every defensive assignment personally and snatched a handful of steals with his quick hands and anticipation of passing lanes. Robinson didn’t force the issue offensively, moved the ball ahead in transition and took his offensive looks when they were there.

Shooting Guards/Wings

Moses Moody, 2020, Montverde Academy (FL) - The Arkansas-native was one of the more efficient scorers at the event. At 6-6 with a strong frame, Moody overwhelmed smaller guards trying to keep him out of the paint and took advantage of bigs who switched on to him in ball-screen action. Moody showed his rebounding chops, as well, pulling down 10 boards in the Top 30 game.

Aminu Mohammed, 2021, Greenwood Laboratory (MO) - Mohammed was one of the bigger breakout players of the event as he scorched the nets through the first two days of camp games. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard showed a nice combination of strength and explosiveness in transition, resulting in powerful finishes through contact. Mohammed also looked plenty comfortable shooting the ball off the bounce or off the catch from deep.

Terrence Clarke, 2021, Brewster Academy (NH) - There’s no questioning Clarke’s immense upside as he has the complete package of size for the wing position, wiggle with the ball in his hands, and his ability to create shots for himself and others. There were times early in the weekend where he over-handled and tried to make too many plays, but he settled down and put forth an impressive Top 30 game performance with 16 points and six assists.

Micah Peavy, 2020, Duncanville (TX) - Peavy is of the “slasher” mold of prospect and he played to his strengths quite well this weekend. The 6-foot-6 rising senior moved well without the ball and used his sure hands to catch and finish in traffic. Peavy has a whole lot of pop in his legs and used it to his advantage when elevating above shot contesting bigs to finish at the basket, contest shots defensively and snatch offensive and defensive rebounds at their peak.

Duncanville wing Micah Peavy showed his two-way prowess as a versatile defender and scorer. (Photo: Matt Moreno, GOAZCATS.com)

Arthur Kaluma, 2021, Universal Academy (TX) - I thought Kaluma should have been in the Top 30 game based on his performance throughout, but I wasn’t invited into the All-Star voting thing tank. Oh well. The 6-foot-7 wing has good size and length, but isn’t your prototypical freakish athlete. Instead, Kaluma relies on his strong shoulders and upper body to create space on the perimeter or finish through contact in the paint.

Jahmai Mashack, 2021, Etiwanda (CA) - Mashack was a late invitee and he didn’t disappoint Camp Director Dinos Trigonis with the effort he put forth. The 6-foot-3 wing, simply put, is a guy you want on your team. He asks to guard the best player on the opposing team, he’s a willing passer, communicates on defense, and knocks down the open catch-and-shoot triple or two-dribble pull-up jumper.

Ian Martinez, 2020, JSerra (CA) - Local scouts and media types are plenty aware of how good Martinez is and he made sure to drive that point home in front of a national audience. The 6-foot-3 wing is so athletic it’s like he’s gliding when he runs or rises up for a transition finish. Martinez gets great lift on his jump shot and is becoming more consistent with it both from a standstill and off of the bounce.

MarJon Beauchamp, 2020, Garfield (WA) - Beauchamp has ideal “measureables” for the wing position at 6-feet-7 with length and fluid athleticism. The senior-to-be started slowly but picked up his game when it mattered most, dropping 19 points in a variety of ways in the Top 60 game. When Beauchamp is comfortable and asserting himself, he’s a handful to deal with.

Jaylen Clark, 2020, Etiwanda (CA) - It looked like Clark made it a point to show his scoring chops and he accomplished that goal. The setting was perfect for the 6-foot-5, 200-plus pound wing as he got downhill in transition early and often and powered through retreating defenders for paint buckets.

Forwards/Centers

Scottie Barnes, 2020, NSU University School (FL) - The common theme among this year’s campers was versatility and Barnes was the picture of it. At 6-feet-7, Barnes played a point-forward type of role as he’s done much of his high school career because of his ability to clean the defensive glass and lead transition opportunities with his eyes up and open. What stood out most about Barnes from the moment his first game started was the energy he brought to the floor.

NSU University School forward Scottie Barnes was the picture of versatility at the 2019 Pangos All-American Camp. (Photo: Matt Moreno, GOAZCATS.com)

Paolo Banchero, 2021, O’Dea (WA) - I can’t think of a more skilled big man I’ve seen than Banchero. The 6-foot-10 rising junior see’s the floor and passes like a guard, can score with a pick-and-pop 3-pointer or with his back to the basket and he has some ball skills to round out his all-around game.

Lance Ware, 2020, Big Picture Learning Academy (NJ) - Ware showed a nice combination of skill and power. The 6-foot-9 lefty stepped out knocked down mid and deep range shots, but also used his physically to power through contact for paint buckets. Ware was one of the guys who was always playing with effort and energy when my eyes were on him.

Tari Eason, 2020, Federal Way (WA) - Eason always had his motor turned up high and it showed in his rebounding and blocked shot/shot change numbers. The 6-foot-8 power forward ran the floor with purpose, finishing off transition opportunities and cleaned up his teammates’ garbage on the offensive glass. Eason recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the Top 30 game.

Day’Ron Sharpe, 2020, South Central (NC) - Sharpe is your prototypical throwback mid-90’s center who feeds off of contact and is willing to dish out punishment in the paint. The North Carolina-commit is great at timing and catching lobs when diving to the basket out of a high ball-screen or when rim-running in transition.

Maddy Sissoko, 2020, Wasatch Academy (UT) - If there’s one thing Sissoko does consistently, it’s that he plays harder than everyone else on the floor. The 6-foot-9 power forward is quick off the floor for shot blocks and shot contests and is a relentless pursuer of the basketball both on the offensive and defensive glass.

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