LONG BEACH, CA – The Pangos All-American Camp, which annually signals the start of the “summer camp/tournament circuit”, is a wrap.
And here are some observations on the 10th edition of the three-day event that was held at Cabrillo High, located on the west side of the LBC and just a three-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean.
*The 2012 version of the event didn’t pack the “star power” of previous camps which featured the likes of Andre Drummond and Shabazz Muhammad a year ago, as well as previous gatherings that included Harrison Barnes, John Wall and Brandon Jennings.
But there were a handful of strong candidates for the 2013 McDonald’s All-American team, including Conner Frankamp, Anton Gill, Isaac Hamilton, Zach LaVine and Jonhathan Williams.
*The camp had a strong contingent of power forward-types, including Cliff Alexander, Jarrell Martin, Mike Young and Johnathan Williams.
*There were some standout members of the 2015 class, including Isaiah Briscoe and Tyler Dorsey.
And the “surprise” of the camp was another 2015 member – via Melbourne, Australia – in6-foot-8 Ben Simmons.
*An impressive collection of long-range jump shooters was on hand, including Zach LaVine, Conner Frankamp, Christian Wood, Cullen Neal and Jordan Wilson.
*Among the speedier players in the camp were Jordan Wilson, Ikenna Iroegbu, Conner Frankamp, Kahron Ross and Solomon Poole.
*Here are the guys I thought got short-changed when they weren’t selected to the two all-star games (Top 30 and Top 60) Sunday.
I’ll keep the list to myself of those guys who were selected than I didn’t think worthy:
Elijah Brown (6-foot-3/class of 2013/Santa Ana, CA, Mater Dei); Casey Benson (6-2/2014/Tempe, AZ, Corona Del Sol); Conrad Chambers (6-0/2014/Wynnewood, PA, Friends Central); Kameron Chatman (6-6/2014/Long Beach, CA, Poly); Cullen Neal (6-4/2013/Albuquerque, NM, El Dorado); Tyrone Outlaw (6-5/2013/Roxboro, NC, Person County); London Perrantes (6-1/2013/Encino, CA, Crespi) and Ahmad Fields (6-5/2013/St. George, VA, Blue Ridge).
*And, finally, here are my “all-camp” teams, based on players’ performances when I watched them and not strictly on “potential”:
FIRST TEAM
Cliff Alexander (6-9/2014/Chicago, IL, Curie); Isaiah Briscoe (6-2/2015/Newark, NJ, St. Benedict’s); Conner Frankamp (6-1/2013/Wichita, KS, North); Anton Gill (6-2/2013/Raleigh, NC, Ravenscroft); Stanley Johnson (6-6/2014/Santa Ana, CA, Mater Dei); Zach LaVine (6-3+/2013/Bothell, WA, Bothell); Jarrell Martin (6-8/2013/Baton Rouge, LA, Madison Prep); Wayne Selden (6-5/2014/Tilton, NH, Tilton School); Johnathan Williams (6-8/2013/Memphis, TN, Southwind); Mike Young (6-8/2013/Newark, NJ, St. Benedict’s).
SECOND TEAM
Brandon Austin (6-6/2013/Philadelphia, PA, IMHOTEP); Junior Etou (6-7/2014/Arlington, VA, O’Connell); Kendal Harris (6-3/2013/Richardson, TX, Berkner); Julian Jacobs (6-3/2013/Las Vegas, NV, Desert Pines); Elliott Pitts (6-5/2013/Concord, CA, De La Salle); Solomon Poole (6-1/2013/Jacksonville, FL, Parker); Karviar Shepard (6-9/2013/Arlington, TX, Grace Prep); Ben Simmons (6-7/2015, Melbourne, Australia, Victoria); Geno Thorpe (6-3/2013/Pittsburgh, PA, Shaler); Namon Wright (6-4/2014/Los Angeles, CA, Pacific Hills).
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Frank Burlison is one of the most respected basketball writers and basketball talent evaluators in the anywhere. He’s an original (1978) member of the McDonald’s All-American Selection/Advisory Committee and was inducted into the United States Basketball Writers’ Association Hall of Fame during the 2005 Final Four in St. Louis. You can catch his writing, player evaluations and comments on the sport – on all levels – at www.BurlisonOnBasketball.com and via his Twitter account – FrankieBur. He can be contacted at frank.burlison@gmail.com
