Pangos Rocky Mountain Summit: 2021 Standouts (Pt. 1)
The Pangos Rocky Mountain Summit was held at the end of August in St. George, Utah and featured some of the west coast’s best players and programs. While I was not personally in attendance for this event, I watched most…
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Continue ReadingThe Pangos Rocky Mountain Summit was held at the end of August in St. George, Utah and featured some of the west coast’s best players and programs. While I was not personally in attendance for this event, I watched most of the contests via the BallerTV streaming service. Below are my first set of 2021 standouts from the event.
Paolo Banchero Paolo Banchero 6'10" | PF O'Dea | 2021 State #3 Nation WA , Seattle Rotary: Banchero was the most dominant inside force in this event as his combination of size, skill, physicality and athleticism overwhelmed his opponents. Banchero, a 6-foot-9 forward headed to Duke, is a high IQ and accurate passer who can score with his back to the basket or with a face-up, rip and finish from 17-feet and in. Banchero’s rebounding, ball skills and passing abilities allow him to lead transition opportunities and initiate offense.
Nolan Hickman Nolan Hickman 6'2" | PG Eastside Catholic | 2021 #29 Nation UT , Seattle Rotary: Hickman recently committed to Kentucky and you obviously don’t get that scholarship opportunity if you can’t hoop. The 6-foot-2 point guard is a smart and crafty playmaker who uses his explosiveness to get by defenders and into the paint where he can finish or set up a teammate for an open look. One thing that should help Hickman earn some early time at UK is his defensive capabilities. The Wasatch Academy senior is an active on-ball defender with quick hands and feet.
Alex Horiuk, College Prep Academy: Horiuk, who playes his high school ball at Jesuit with star point guard Isa Silva Isa Silva 6'2" | PG Prolific Prep/ Jesuit | 2021 State CA-N , had himself a nice weekend inside. The 6-foot-10 center is mobile when changing ends of the floor, has great footwork and smooth rolling feel in ball-screen action and possesses good hands when catching and finishing inside.
Sione Lose Sione Lose 6'4" | SF Capital Christian | 2021 State CA-N , College Prep Academy: Lose had a breakout junior season at Capital Christian and continues to prove that he is a Division I caliber combo guard. The wiry 6-foot-4 senior has a smooth shooting stroke from three-point range and is a reliable ball handler and decision-maker when playing on the ball. Lose rarely gets sped up under pressure and takes care of the basketball.
Wayne McKinney Wayne McKinney 5'10" | PG Coronado | 2021 State CA-S III, Coastal Elite Slayers 17: McKinney is one of the best guards in California and showed why that is. The 5-foot-10 senior has a combination of speed and compact strength that allows him to play much bigger than his size. McKinney, who is committed to the University of San Diego, uses those traits to put pressure on the rim and absorb and finish through contact. He’s also a capable enough jump shooter to hit mid-range and three point pull up jumpers.