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Pangos All-South Frosh/Soph Camp

By: Nathan McCauley

Norcross, GA-The HoopsReport.com staff spent the weekend in Georgia, where close to 150 of the best young players in the South descended on Norcross High School for the second annual Pangos All-South Frosh/Soph Camp.

The event provided the perfect opportunity to get a head start scouting the best underclassmen in this part of the country.  After all, the top player in the camp a year ago was Derrick Favors who has gone on to become the no. 2 player nationally in the class of 2009. 

The big name player this time was Trae Golden.  The 6’2 power guard lived up to the hype and simply dominated the camp with one spectacular play after another.

These events are also great for finding under-the-radar talent and this camp was loaded players that fit that bill. 

One particular player that had his coming out party was Jordan McRae, a 6’5 wing, who is one-part Hollis Thompson (the 17th ranked player in the ‘09 class and a smooth shooter from the midrange), one-part Elliot Williams (the 11th ranked player in the class of ‘08 and a ridiculously explosive athlete), and one-part Josh Howard (the long and skilled wing that plays for the Dallas Mavericks). 

If he turns out to be as good as any of those three, every college in the South will have him on their wish list.

The camp had close to 150 participants, all of whom have college potential.  Here are 15 players that stood out above the rest:

1.  Trae Golden 6’1 CG Powder Springs (GA) McEachern 2010
Lived up to the hype by dominating every game.  Strong and explosive.  Has a tremendous will to score.  His shot has an unorthodox release but it’s still hard to knock.  Overpowers opposing guards on the way to the rim and finishes at a high clip.  Shows flashes of tremendous court vision and passing skills.  Kentucky and Ohio State are among those recruiting him the hardest.  A top 10 player in the class of 2010... at least.

2.  Jordan McRae 6’5 W Midway (GA) Liberty County 2010
Skinny and long wing with top notch athleticism that can fill it up from midrange.  Handles the ball well for his size.  Probably led the camp in dunks.  High major prospect that has to be considered one of the elite wing prospects in the class of 2010. 

3.  Phil Taylor 5’9 PG Marrieta (GA) Wheeler 2010
Solid point guard handles the ball well with both hands and gets into the heart of the defense and makes plays.  Shot the ball well all weekend and had a very high assist-to-turnover ratio.  Receiving early interest from NC State, Georgia, Cincy, Florida and Wake Forest.  A top 50 prospect nationally… and rising.

4.  Ian Miller 6’1 CG Charlotte (NC) South Mecklenburg 2010
Explosive guard proved to be one of the camp’s best prospects.  Showed off a solid handle and capable outside shot in addition to an excellent burst in transition.  Athletic finisher.  High major prospect.

5.  Tevin Jones 6’8 C Raleigh (NC) Enloe 2010
The most intriguing prospect in the camp physically is still a little raw, but dominated at times with dunks and short-range jumpers.  His combination of size, athleticism and improving skill make him an excellent high major big man prospect.

6.  Mychal Parker 6'6 SF Pantego (NC) Terra Ceia 2010
At 6’6, strong and athletic he already has all the physical tools to be an elite wing.  Tough on the boards, blocked shots, handled the ball, hit outside shots, and slashed to the hoop and finished with dunks.  High major wing prospect. 

7.  Stevie Taylor 5’7 PG Gahanna (OH) Lincoln 2011
Slick ball handler was the fastest player in the camp and possibly the nation.  Made plays and shoots the ball well.  Developing a nice floater.  A terror in transition where he’s a jet with the ball.  Critics point out his size (he’s a miniature Jai Lucas) but Akron has already offered and others are sure to follow.

8.  Justin Anderson 6’5 W Fredericksburg, VA 2012
Only an 8th grader but was still one of the top players in the camp.  Has a great body and a lot of skill for his age.  Tough slashing to the hoop and tries to dunk everything.  Excellent athlete.  Has the potential to be a special player in his class.

9.  Marcus Thornton 6’7 PF Atlanta (GA) Westlake 2010
Athletic big man is a triple-double threat with points, rebounds and blocks.  Gets up the court in a hurry and finishes above the rim.  Capable offensively but there’s plenty of room for improvement.  High major forward prospect.

10. Emmanuel Dias 6’6 PF Charlotte (NC) Hardin University 2010
High energy big man dominates the glass and blocks shots.  Excellent athlete with a long wingspan.  Out-hustles his opponents.  Solid post game, but less effective away from the basket.  High major forward prospect.

11. Jalon Kendricks 6’5 SF Atlanta (GA) SW Atlanta Christian 2010
Well-rounded and athletic wing that dunked the ball, hit shots from the outside and blocked shots.  Had an excellent performance in the Top-25 All-Star Game.  High major wing prospect.

12. Jaquez Motley 5’11 PG Hinesville (GA) Urban Christian 2011
One of the top freshman guard prospects in the camp.  Made passes on-the-go to teammates in scoring position.  Quick with the ball and a good finisher at the basket.  One of the top point guards his age in the South.

13. Michael Gbinije 6’5 G Chester (VA) Evangel Christian 2011
Tall and talented guard can play multiple positions.  Creates tough mismatches because of his size and skill both offensively and defensively.  Good ball handler showed he can also nail the jumper.  Has the potential to be an elite player in his class.

14. DeVonta White 5’11 PG Lawrenceville (GA) Central Gwinnet 2010
Managed 12 points, 4 assists and 2 steals in the Top-50 All-Star Game.  Crafty with the ball and plays with swagger.  Hit big shots.  Possible high major prospect. 

15. Ryon Wiggins 6’8 C Raleigh (NC) Enloe 2010
Long and skinny big man is athletic and active.  Gets up and down the court with ease.  Good shot blocker.  Not many post moves at this stage but still manages to get points near the basket.  High major prospect with tremendous upside.

Send questions or comments to Nathan@HoopsReport.com