Best of SoCal League: Devin’s Notes (Pt. 2)
LONG BEACH, Calif. — The 2021 Pangos Best of SoCal League held its last day of competition last week with regular league games followed by the Cream of the Crop game, showcasing many of the event’s top players. We were…
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Continue ReadingLONG BEACH, Calif. — The 2021 Pangos Best of SoCal League held its last day of competition last week with regular league games followed by the Cream of the Crop game, showcasing many of the event’s top players. We were in attendance for each contest and below are prospect notes from those games.
Jazz Gardner Jazz Gardner 7'0" | C Los Altos | 2023 State #85 Nation CA-S , 2023, Los Altos – Gardner is one of the top forward prospects not only in the state, but also the country, and there are plenty of reasons why. The 7-footer is in the mold of the modern style of big man we’re seeing in today’s game due to his ability to dribble, pass and shoot at his size. Gardner has the ball skills needed to initiate offense, can hit shots consistently out to the three-point line and has really nice passing IQ and court vision for a player of his size.
Justice Griffith, 2026, Corona (CA) – Griffith still has another year before he enters high school – many expect him to attend Corona Centennial – but despite being in the eighth grade, his high motor and confidence allowed him to hold his own against older competition. The 5-foot-10 guard has elite open court speed and half-court burst out of the triple threat, and combined with his strong frame and willingness to play through physicality, Griffith gets into the paint at will where he can finish in traffic or find an open teammate. Griffith is a ball-hawking on ball defender with quick hands and feet and is one to track once he hits the high school scene.
Jaden Hubbard, 2024, Fairfax – Hubbard is a rangy 6-foot-3 guard who is wired to score. The Fairfax sophomore proved he could catch fire in a hurry from the perimeter and filled up the scoring column with catch-and-shoot three’s in addition to his balanced one and two-dribble pull-up jumpers. Hubbard’s long, thin frame and innate scoring feel make him an intriguing Los Angeles City Section prospect to track.
Christian Jones, 2023, Bishop Montgomery – Jones is a pogo-stick type of athlete who likes to get out in transition where he can slash his way to the basket for finishes at the rim. The 6-foot-3 wing has a long, wiry frame to go along with his explosive leaping ability off of two feet, both of which make him a great finisher in space and in traffic. Jones flashed some nice defensive instincts both on the ball and in help situations.
David Mack, 2024, Fairfax – Mack has that floor general feel to his game which allows him to control pace and tempo as he pleases. The 5-foot-7 point guard has great open court speed and burst but rarely gets out of control with the ball in his hands. The sophomore has good passing feel and court vision and is willing to throw the hit-ahead pass and really looks to set up teammates in spaces where they can be successful.