Up-and-comers jump out at Pangos
Each October, the Pangos All-Midwest Frosh/Soph Camp in La Grange provides a glimpse into the future. For the basketball junkie, it’s a sneak peak at some of the best boys players in Illinois, many of whom will play important roles for their varsity teams in the winter.
Here’s a rundown from the Pangos camp last weekend:
State’s best young prospect
That distinction belongs to Tinley Park’s AJ Casey now that DJ Steward (Young), Adam Miller (Morgan Park), Max Christie (Rolling Meadows) and Bryce Hopkins (Fenwick) have established themselves as top100 talents and high-major prospects in the senior and junior classes. Casey, a versatile 6-8 sophomore, transferred from Simeon, where he played a role for the Wolverines last year. He was the best in-state prospect at Pangos, showcasing mobility, a shooting touch and all the physical attributes you covet in a prospect.
Casey recently picked up an offer from Kansas in addition to earlier offers from DePaul, Illinois and others.
Promising Class of 2023
It’s been a few years since there were so many freshman names to keep an eye on. But this group is worth talking about, even before they play their first high school games.
Currently, the best prospect with the highest ceiling is Morgan Park’s Javonte Taylor. The 6-7 wing has tantalizing potential with his length and skill.
The Public League point guard trio of Jalen Griffith (Simeon), Darrin Ames (Morgan Park) and Dalen Davis (Young) also will be fixtures on the high school scene sooner rather than later. All three shined at times this past summer and did so again at Pangos, where they were selected to play in the Cream of the Crop Game last Sunday.
Another player to watch is 5-11 combo guard Damarion Wyatt of North Lawndale, who showcased electric scoring ability at Pangos. Wyatt and fellow North Lawndale freshman Ronald Chambers will form one of the top young backcourts in the city.
Other freshmen who opened eyes at Pangos include Mekhi Cooper (Bolingbrook), Sonny Williams (Notre Dame), Xavier Suliaman (Marist), Jackson Kotecki (St. Ignatius), Khalil Ross (Lincoln-Way East), Donoven Younger (Bolingbrook) and Tevonta Jackson (Springfield Lanphier).
Breakout performer
Lake Forest Academy sophomore Nigel Hylton, a Toronto native, is an ultra-intriguing prospect because of his 6-7 size and ability to stretch the floor with his shooting. Expect him to skyrocket up the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s Class of 2022 player rankings after his performance at Pangos.
Best overall prospects
While Casey was the best in-state prospect, there was no question the two best in the building were out-of-staters. Ty Rodgers of Michigan is a gifted 6-5 wing who’s among the top 40 in the sophomore class, and freshman Omaha Biliew of Iowa was named Pangos’ most outstanding player.