Pangos Sweet 16: 17U Invitational All-Utah Team
The most elite division in the Pangos Sweet 16 is the 17U Invitational. Three Utah teams earned invitations into this bracket with the Utah Mountain Stars 17 and 16 teams participating in addition to the Salt Lake Rebels.
The Utah Mountain Stars 17U team won the Pangos Sweet 16 on the back of Bernardo De Silva, who was a monster all weekend. Below are the Utah prospects who stood out the most from this past weekend in this division.
Pangos Sweer 16: 17U Invitational All-Utah MVP
Bernardo De Silva 6’9 PF 2019 Wasatch Academy (Utah Mountain Stars 17)
De Silva looked like a man among boys throughout the weekend. In the championship game, it felt like he was either getting a rebound or a bucket on every possession. His ability to score from an array of spots on the court makes him extremely special. He is capable of getting buckets on the block and elbows. Further, he has no issue with putting the ball on the floor as he demonstrated a nice spin counter move for multiple “And-1s”. Moreover, his motor never stops as he always seems to get his hands on every loose ball. De Silva was without a doubt the change agent for the Utah Mountain Stars in their run to winning the Pangos Sweet 16 Invitational 17U championship.
Pangos Sweet 16: 17U Invitational All-Utah 1st Team
Casey Brown 6’3 SG 2019 Pleasant Grove (Utah Mountain Stars)
Brown is one of the most efficient scorers on the team. He rarely forces things and uses his jab steps well. Further, when his teammates draw defenders and kick to him, it is a forgone conclusion that 3 points will be added to the board. Brown is also a skilled passer to the post. He aids greatly in getting De Silva the touches he needs to impact the game.
Hayden Welling 6’8 C 2019 Corner Canyon (Utah Mountain Stars 17)
Welling doesn’t do anything flashy. With that said, for his size, he is a solid on ball defender. In the championship game against Factory, he got stuck on Emmanuel Taban and other guards on multiple occasions and he was able to keep the ball in front. Further, if he did get beat, he does a good job of walling and protecting the rim. Offensively, he finishes well around the rim and gets on the glass.
Nate Hansen 6’3 PG/SG 2019 Timpview (Utah Mountain Stars 17)
Hansen dictated the tempo for the Utah Mountain Stars the whole weekend. He makes good decisions with the basketball and makes sure the offense runs through De Silva. While this might not stand out to the common fan, coaches want guards who understand how to put the basketball in the top playmakers in hands in spots where they can make plays. Hansen does this and more as he shot the basketball well from 3 and mid-range.
Mady Sissoko Mady Sissoko 6'9" | C Wasatch Academy | 2020 State #39 Nation UT 6’9 C 2020 Wasatch Academy (Utah Mountain Stars 16)
Bottom line: Sissoko is special. He is strong and athletic. Offensively, he moves bodies and finishes around the rim with no concern as to who is guarding him. Defensively, he has a tremendous motor and contests shots at a high level. He makes ever bucket around the rim a challenge and does so without fouling. Sissoko is without a doubt a high major prospect and for good reason.
Matt Norman 6’3 SG 2019 Timpanogoes (Salt Lake Rebels)
While the Rebels had an up and down weekend at times, Norman was a constant positive. He is one of the top players in the class of 2019 due to his ability to score the basketball from all 3 levels in an array of ways. He shot it well off of screens, catch and shoots, and the dribble. Norman is the go to playmaker for this Rebels team, and he definitely did his job for the group this past weekend.