For the past 20 years, the Pangos All-American Camp has brought the nation’s finest players together under one roof, regardless of shoe affiliation. Players from Nike’s EYBL, Adidas’ 3SSB Circuit, the Under Armour Association, and Overtime Elite all competed against one and other, giving fans and scouts alike the necessary matchups in order to getting a better national pecking order of the nation's elite players. Pangos founder Dinos Trigonis ignored all of the party lines and brought the best together under one roof at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.
The 2023 Pangos All American Camp was filled with a “who’s who” of the grassroots basketball industry, but more importantly, offered the campers more exposure than any event in the nation. Scouts and executives from 27 NBA franchises were in the building developing profiles on players for upcoming NBA Drafts. 157 members of the media were credentialed, flooding every possible platform with content from the elite event. While college coaches were not allowed in the building due to NCAA rules, there was no shortage watching via the BallerTv broadcast. Given all those factors, there were a number of players who saw their stock rise at the conclusion of the event.
While there’s not much room for growth, 6-foot-9 big man Flory Bidunga made his case for the top spot nationally in the class of 2024. The Kokomo, IN product was simply punishing in the paint, combining his insane physician profile with a rapidly developing skill set. The Co-MVP of the camp averaged 13.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, but his impact went far beyond the box score. Bidunga totally controlled the interior as a defender and also showed considerable growth containing guards on the perimeter. Furthermore, the Congolese center shot an unimaginable 84 percent from the field, evidence of both his dominance in the paint and remarkable shot selection.
While Bidunga was the MVP of the bigs, 6-foot-5 Cam Scott played the best basketball of his life at the Pangos All-American Camp. Having played varsity since he was in middle school for Lexington HS (SC), he has been a household name in the Palmetto State, but is locking up his spot as a McDonald’s All American with his play this spring/summer. Scott was a walking bucket at Pangos, posting 25 points per game for the event on 65 percent shooting from the field and 56 percent from 3-point. The three level scorer runs with Team United in the EYBL and after narrowing his list, decided to hear from new suitors looking to jump in the mix.
Another backcourt player who turned heads at the Pangos All American Camp was 6-foot-4 Larry Johnson of SoCal Academy. The powerful combo guard is a big-time shot creator who is a truly special finisher with either hand at the rack and offers the ability to defend all three perimeter spots. He scored 25 points per game at Pangos and had there not been set substitution patterns, easily would have dropped 30-plus points per game. Johnson runs with Team Thad in the EYBL and is certainly trending towards at top-25 national ranking for the class of 2024.
Always known for his insane dunks, 6-foot-6 swingman Rakease Passmore of Combine Academy (NC) showed that he’s far more than a leaper. The rising senior has made considerable growth in his game over the past 12 months, specifically with his jumpshot (both from 3-point range and off the bounce). The combination of freakish athleticism, defensive versatility, and continually improving perimeter skills netted the Garner Road AAU product numerous new high major offers immediately after the camp.
A late invitee to the camp, 6-foot-3 Casmir “Cash” Chavis was the only Minnesota player at Pangos and held it down for the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The super athletic lead guard excelled in pick and roll play, was a super creative finisher at the rack, and shot an absurd 70 percent from a backcourt position. Chavis has been the leading scorer back to back years for J-Sizzle 17U on the adidas 3SSB Circuit and won a state title as a sophomore for Minnesota power Park Center.
There was a smaller sample size to choose from in the class of 2025 (it was a senior laden event), but one player who showed that he could hold his own with anyone was 6-foot-6 Hudson Greer. The rising junior from Lake Travis HS (TX) showed that he is far more than just a shooter, blending his above the rim finishes with a number of quick straight line takes to the rack. Lineage is certainly on his side was well, as his father (Josh) was a player at St. Mary’s during his time.
Representing the west coast, Tounde Yessoufou used his chiseled 210 pound frame to punish guys on both ends of the court. The St. Joseph’s (CA) junior was automatic with his pullup, finished at the rim through contact, and used his 6-foot-11 wingspan to wreak havoc on the defensive end. Tounde certainly lived up to the hype throughout the weekend, pushing towards top ten status in the class of 2025.
Staying with the wing position, Southern Durham (NC) rising junior Jackson Keith showed off his scoring arsenal at Pangos, especially on the final day. Keith had 22 points (8-9 FG, 4-4 3PT) via a flurry of deep jumpshots and athletic drives to the rack. The package of size, shooting, and ability to create off the bounce have made Jackson one of the top 2025 players in the Southeast.
Shon Abaev is another one of the swingmen who helped themselves in the latter part of the Pangos All-American Camp. The lefty from South Florida is an elite shot creator, can score with limited bounces, and is a threat to dunk on you when he gets it in transition. The Israeli forward has been putting up huge numbers for SOH Elite in the UAA for quite some time now, and will be doing the same for Calvary Christian (FL) as a junior.
Another Sunshine state perimeter player that stood out was 6-foot-0 point guard Jalen Reece. Running the show for Orlando powerhouse Oak Ridge, he has a basketball acumen that is far beyond his years and the IQ that he shows as a coach’s son is evident. Reece showed outstanding pace in pick and roll play, consistently had his head on a swivel to find rollers/shooters, and shot 48 percent from beyond the arc. Fresh off of an appearance at USA Basketball, college attention has followed, as Jalen has picked up three high major offers in the past month.
While there weren’t many freshmen in attendance at the Pangos All American Camp, 6 '8 Brannon Martinsen of Mater Dei HS (CA) certainly showed the potential to be next in line out of the California power. The new age forward played both inside and out while also showing off the ability to stretch the defense. Martinsen’s versatile play earned him a selection in the Top-60 game.
