Pangos Best of SoCal: 2025 Standouts (Pt. 1)
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Saturday’s Pangos Best of SoCal Showcase featured eight games with some of the top SoCal prospects across various graduating classes participating. In this series we’ll take a look at the top performers in each of the…
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Continue ReadingLONG BEACH, Calif. — Saturday’s Pangos Best of SoCal Showcase featured eight games with some of the top SoCal prospects across various graduating classes participating. In this series we’ll take a look at the top performers in each of the class games and in this piece we’ll break down the current freshmen who participated.
Solo Bailey, 2025, Crossroads – Bailey was one of the more impressive athletes in the entire event – not just the ninth grade game. The 6-foot-2 guard is an explosive leaper both in transition and in traffic when probing the lane in the half-court setting. Bailey thrives in the open court where he uses his speed and physicality to get to the basket and finish over and through contact. Bailey is well-known for his dunking exhibitions and should be given credit for his high motor and competitiveness.
Tariq Bridges, 2025, Crespi – Bridges has a pretty polished all-around offensive skill-set. He can stroke the three-ball with consistency from multiple spots of the floor and, at 6-feet-4, has the ball skills and feel to create for himself and others off the bounce. Bridges can drive to either hand and finishes well around the basket with both his left and right hands.
Gavin Hightower, 2025, Windward – Hightower was another impressive prospect with his productivity on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-1 guard is an explosive athlete with a strong frame, but still has a smoothness and fluidity to his game that allows him to play the lead guard position. Hightower is a tough cover on straight-line drives due to his speed and power, but he also shoots a nice ball from three-point range and can stop and pop on a dime at the mid-range level.
Shamar Jones, 2025, Southern California Academy – Jones is one of the more naturally gifted players in this 2025 class. The 6-foot-4 wing is an explosive downhill driver and finisher in the half-court and open court settings. His strong frame and willingness to seek out and play through contact in the painted area. Jones can stretch the floor to the three-point line both off the catch and off the bounce.
Jaison Joyce, 2025, St. John Bosco – Joyce might not be the most heralded of the loaded St. John Bosco freshman class which includes Elzie Harrington and Kade Bonam, but Joyce will be a highly recruitable player in his own right. The rangy 6-foot-7 forward has great hands and touch around the rim, is an active rim-runner in transition, and did a nice job on the offensive and defensive boards.