Best of SoCal Fall Showcase: 2021 Top 20 Standouts (Part I)
Long Beach, Ca. — The Pangos Best of SoCall Fall Showcase brought out some of the top prospects the area has to offer, but also provided a look at some under-the-radar players within our coverage area. Below are six standouts…
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Continue ReadingLong Beach, Ca. — The Pangos Best of SoCall Fall Showcase brought out some of the top prospects the area has to offer, but also provided a look at some under-the-radar players within our coverage area. Below are six standouts from the Top 20 junior game.
Class of 2021 Top 20 Standouts (Part I)
Brenton Knapper, Colony
Knapper is one of the more explosive athletes in all of SoCal high school hoops. He has impressive speed in the open floor, but also possesses the burst to go by defenders with his first step. The 5-foot-11 guard is an elite finisher around the basket and high level on-ball and anticipatory defender. The next step for him is to continue to work on the consistency of his perimeter jumper.
Christian Bento, Great Oak
Bento continues to improve his game each time he takes the floor. He stands at a legitimate 6-feet-11 and has become more mobile and coordinated over the last couple of years. Bento is a good defensive and offensive rebounder, plays with a high motor and runs the floor with purpose, but needs to polish up his back to the basket game to become a true low post scoring option.
Colony High wing Denim Dawson had his elite athleticism on display at the Pangos Best of SoCal Fall Showcase.Denim Dawson, Colony
Dawson, like his teammate mentioned above, is a freakish athlete in the open floor. At 6-feet-5, he’s an explosive leaper off of one foot and looks to dunk every opportunity he gets around the basket. Dawson showed more confidence in his perimeter jumper during this event, but still has some tightening up to do when it comes to his shooting mechanics.
Houston Mallette, Pacifica Christian
I personally like the way Mallette carries himself on the floor. He’s a confident playmaker who plays with good pace and see’s the floor in transition. The 6-foot-4 guard is potent on the break because of his willingness to get off the ball and find a streaking teammate or slash his way to the rim for a finish. Mallette hit a couple of catch-and-shoot 3-pointers and his consistency from that range will likely define his collegiate success.
KJ Simpson, Chaminade
Simpson is one of the more powerful downhill drivers and athletes we have in SoCal. The 6-foot-2 guard is like a bull in a china shop, but not quite as destructive. He has the footwork and balance to side-step defenders for smooth finishes, but can power through contact and score when needed. Simpson is more of the scoring guard mold rather than a playmaker and needs to continue to improve on his 3-point shot to better spread the floor and keep defenses honest.
Nick Davidson, Mater Dei
Davidson is a true inside-out scoring threat with good size and length at 6-feet-8. He can finish with either hand around the basket and is a capable shooter from 3-point range when trailing in transition or out of pick and pop action. Davidson isn’t an explosive vertical athlete, but he combats that with his skill and basketball IQ.