Pangos: Illinois 2021 Evals Pt 1
Over the weekend PrepHoopsIllinois took in the Pangos All-Midwest Frosh/Soph Camp. The event featured many of the top prospects from Illinois and surrounding states. Here we breakdown the players in attendance! This is Illinois 2021 Evaluations Part 1!
PG Kimahri Wilson (Carmel)
Wilson is among the top lead guards in the 2021 class in Illinois. The sophomore is lightning quick with the basketball with his hands. Pushes it in transition with a ton of speed. A lot of that comes off how he defends on the perimeter creating fast break opportunities getting steals and deflections at the point of attack. Most of his scores were in transition, but also mixed in a couple jumpers including a nice pull up. Being consistent from there is the next step in his evolution.
SG Brandon Weston (Lake Forest Academy)
Weston is already the #2 prospect in the state’s sophomore class, but he even exceeded my expectations on Saturday. The Lake Forest Academy two guard is an explosive 6’6” wing that is wired to score! Big time burst especially on his first step. Lives in the paint! Opponents had no answer for him off the bounce. Consistently got to the rim where he threw down some powerful jams including dunking on guys twice. More than just an athlete or transition player, Weston has proven to be adequate as a shooter connecting from three on pull ups. Crisp passer as well. Plays with a motor!
F Ola Ajiboye (Von Steuben)
This 6’4” combo forward emerged on our radar at the event. Long and angular frame which is an indication that he might not be done growing. He was so active all day long. Early on he had some trouble finishing, but as the day went on he started to get offensive rebounds and put backs on a regular basis. Flashed some potential perimeter skill including hitting a wing three. Defensively he can guard multiple positions and displayed timing swatting shots.
PG Kendall Martin (Hinsdale South)
Martin stands at only 5’5”, but this sophomore can go! High basketball IQ and makes everyone around him better. Crisp passer making sound decisions with the rock and will also slip them through tight spaces. Plays with a lot of swagger. Decent pull up mid-range game.
SG Ahamad Bynum (Simeon)
Bynum struggled early in the day on Saturday, but got progressively better as the camp went along. The 6’2” Simeon guard saved his best for last as he took home MVP honors of the Top 30 Game scoring 30 points. Jumper was about as on point as I have seen it out of him during his career. He definitely is a volume scorer that will take a lot of shots. Needs to be more efficient, but when he is on Bynum can carry a team and that is exactly what he did. Split defenders and finished difficult layups at the hoop. His jumper was very good especially off the dribble creating space pulling up on a dime. Several were from super deep!
SG Jalen Butler (Niles North)
With Butler he has a physically mature body at a young age. Struggled offensively when we watched him, but his defense stands out. Active on the defensive end and has a chance to be an above average defender down the line. With the graduation of a lot of seniors from last season it’s Butler’s time to step up especially on the offensive end.
G Jaehshon Thomas (Aurora Christian)
This was a prospect that snuck up on us and made a name at Pangos. The 6’1” combination guard is a crisp passer that has athleticism. Made some open three point shots especially from the corners. Caught a couple passes in transition on the fly looking like a wide receiver.
PF Phillip Holmes (Simeon)
This 6’7” big man from Simeon moved into our rankings after a strong summer with Young & Reckless. Continued to show flashes at Pangos. The sophomore has a good frame with legit size. Flashed offensive potential on the block with a couple nice moves with sound footwork. Soft touch. Not the greatest athlete, but good enough. Area rebounder.
SF Reggie Ward (St. Rita)
Ward was one of the breakout players from the state of Illinois. The St. Rita wing has solid size at 6’4”. He shot it great throughout the game we saw him play. Made shots from quite a few different spots on the floor from that 15-foot range out to three. Mixed in some slashes including a nice up and under.
PG Rasheed Bello (DePaul Prep)
Bello is a 2021 lead guard that stands at 5’9”. The sophomore is a lefty that is more of a scorer at this stage. Loves the pull up game from both mid-range and three. Smooth looking shot.
PF Henry Krzyzewski (Metea Valley)
Liked what we saw out of this 6’8” four man. Big man that has some mobility being able to run the floor. Decent skill set around the hoop and is active in the paint on the glass.
C Brian Mathews (DePaul Prep)
Mathews is the state’s #2 center in the 2021 class. Like his size and strength inside. Snatches rebounds with his strong hands. High points them in traffic. Right now his ability to board is his strength. Every now and then will score with his back to the basket. Good at catching bullet passes thrown at him in contested areas.
SG Brandon White (Bolingbrook)
White stands at 6’2” from Bolingbrook. Yes……another guard in waiting. Does Robert Brost have a program that produces these guards year after year? This one has a super explosive first step as he was definitely better as a driver than shooter when we saw him.
SG Fred Poole (Simeon)
Poole was the star of the CPS sophomore championship game last year. Was looking for big things out of him at the camp. Didn’t produce much in the games that we saw beyond a runner in the lane. Like his frame and athleticism to project on down the line.
SG Jaylin Gibson (Evanston)
Gibson is a guard that has athleticism, speed, and skill. Quick first step allows him to get in the lane on a regular basis. Crisp ball handler. Couple explosive drives that he finished well at the rim. Capable three point shooter. Also impressed as a passer showing a good feel for the game. He is primed for a big year at Evanston.
PF Shaun Riley (O’Fallon)
Riley made the trip up to Chicago from the metro east. The 6’4” power forward is a strong player that passes it well in the paint throwing several sweet high/low dimes. Runs the floor in transition and overall plays with a high activity level.
PF Jaylen Bryson (Champaign Centennial)
Bryson was one of the more intriguing new prospects that emerged at the camp. He stands at 6’8” with long arms and thin legs. Hit a top of the key three, ran the floor with fluidity, and flew in for a couple tip ins. Length plays well on the defensive end. You can tell he is still learning the game and overall is raw, but like the upside here.
SG Trenton Howland (Joliet West)
Howland is a 6’3” wing that is a powerful scorer at the two guard spot. Best getting downhill. Crashes the glass and is a solid shooter stretching it out to three on occasion. Will be part of Joliet West’s star studded sophomore class.
PG Tai Walters (Homewood Flossmoor)
HF prospects had quite a weekend at the two camps we attended. Add Walters to the list. The 5’10” lead guard pushes in the open floor being able to go coast to coast. Nice passer.
PG LaShaun Glover (Harlan)
Glover is a 5’9” tiny point guard that has slick handles. The lefty keeps the defense off balance with his ball handling including a sick cross.