We evaluated all the sessions of the Pangos Frosh/Soph Camp at Cerritos (Calif.) College over the weekend, plus the Cream of the Crop All-Star Games, and the following 10 players put themselves of the map as ones to watch among the West Coast’s top young talent in the 2016 and 2017 classes.
Related: Pangos Frosh/Soph Camp Top 50 player rankings
The Pangos Frosh/Soph Camp was highly anticipated as the West Coast had a strong contingent of players in its sophomore (2016) class in attendance. Two of its top players — forward T.J. Leaf of Foothills Christian (El Cajon, Calif.) and point guard Lonzo Ball of Chino Hills (Chino Hills, Calif.) — performed up to expectations and solidified their status as two of the top 25 players nationally in the class.
Below are ten others who didn’t have big regional names coming in but caught the attention of StudentSportsBasketball.com with their overall play. Expect the majority to help their high school teams this winter and expect to hear more from the group on the recruiting front in the not too distant future.
Top 10 Breakout Performers (listed alphabetically):
LaMelo Ball (Townsend MS, Chino Hills, Calif.) 5-3 2019 SG
The camp was sprinkled with some players still in the middle school ranks, and Ball showed his belonged despite the fact he’s in seventh grade. Offensively he’s ahead of the curve with his ability to knock down the open 3-pointer, pump fake and drive around his defender and make a basketball play. The younger brother of 2016 elite prospect Lonzo Ball (they also have another brother LiAngelo Ball who’s a 2017 entering Chino Hills High School), LaMelo can’t yet guard at a high level because of his frame, but he has good defensive instincts and knows what his strengths are. He also keeps his head up looking to push the ball and can whip cross court passes with either hand similar to Lonzo. If LaMelo fills out and grows, he’ll develop into a D1 recruit.
Keith Fisher (Rancho Dominguez Prep, Long Beach, Calif.) 6-7 2016 SF
His high school head coach Jonathan “Spoon” Chaney was pleasantly surprised to see his budding forward prospect selected to the Cream of the Crop Top 25 game. This bouncy forward was blocking shots and showing an offensive package that will make him a valuable asset to college recruiters in a couple of years. Fisher needs work on his face up game, but his length and athleticism presently make him a candidate for a breakout sophomore campaign.
Byron Frohnen (Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, Nev.) 6-4 2016 SG
There was a strong contingent of players from Bishop Gorman, which will start off the season in the top 20 of the Student Sports FAB 50 national rankings. While some of Gorman’s young prospects came in with bigger reputations, Frohnen made a name for himself with steady play throughout. His game just grows on you; he’s not flashy or terribly athletic, but does the little things that coaches love — flashing to the basket, boxing his man out and grabbing 50/50 balls. His instincts without the ball are off the charts and it perfectly compliments Frohnen’s solid outside shooting. Bishop Gorman coach Grant Rice describes Frohnen as a “winner.”
Tim Harrison (Francis Parker, San Diego, Calif.) 6-7 2016 PF
Once Harrison tightens up his handle, he’ll be a big-time recruit because the skills are definitely there. Some of the talent evaluators in attendance were in disagreement if he could eventually develop into a high major, but the consensus was Harrison was one of the real gems among forwards at the camp. He’s a long defender and displayed in the Cream of the Crop Top 25 game that he does posses developing post moves along the baseline. His athleticism will make his development intriguing to follow in the next year.
Brandon Lawrence (Moreau Catholic, Hayward, Calif.) 6-1 2016 PG
One of the many talented young prospects on a Moreau Catholic team that should be one Northern California’s best this season. Lawrence is deceptively athletic and smooth with the ball. In fact, he’s a bit too lackadaisical with the ball at times and it would serve him better if he played with consistent fire. Lawrence covers ground on his crossover and has an excellent pull up jumper that he can execute at full speed. He also is a good passer in the half court or when pushing it up court. Moreau’s top 2016 prospect (SF Oscar Frayer) was not in attendance.
Vittorio Reynoso-Avila (La Mirada, Calif.) 6-4 2016 SF
His game continues to grow as does his frame and with that, Reynoso-Avila is one to watch as a potential D1 recruit. He is skilled with the ball in his hands and is an excellent passer for a young wing player. What also stands out is his instincts for the game, plus his improvement running the floor and finishing the play. If Reynoso-Avila continues to grow physically, his upside will be off the charts. Even if he doesn’t, he’ll be an impact high school player with the ability to play college basketball.
Ethan Thompson (Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif.) 6-0 2017 SG
We have seen Thompson on many occasions and he’s rapidly improving and showing the ability to help Bishop Montgomery’s varsity this winter. Some respected scouts feel his long-term potential is even greater than his older brother’s (2015 SG Stephen Thompson Jr. of Bishop Montgomery). Ethan has a similar spot up game on the wing and can knock down the 3-pointer at a high percentage. Where the improvement lies in is his ability to finish plays around the rim against stronger high school players. Previously, Ethan was a spot up shooter. He’s rapidly developing into a complete scoring threat against high school varsity level competition. He was rewarded for his play with a spot in the Cream of the Crop Top 25 game.
Alize Travis (Silverado Victorville, Calif.) 5-11 2016 PG
One of the top players in the camp on both ends of the floor, nobody could stay in front of Travis when he had the ball in his hands. Exceptionally quick, Travis made a ton of positive plays penetrating around the basket. He didn’t take many jumpers, but does shoot well enough to keep defenders honest. On defense, he gets low and really gets after it. He expects to have a big season for Silverado and thinks his team will make an impact with its up-tempo style of play.
Bryson Williams (Roosevelt, Fresno, Calif.) 6-6 2016 PF
Roosevelt doesn’t get much attention in Central Valley boys hoops, but make no mistake Williams is a player to be reckoned with. He does need some work offensively, but he’s a wide-bodied forward who can get up and down the court and finish plays. He also knows how to use his frame and is a factor on the offensive glass. One he develops a bit more offensive consistency, he’s game will explode. He was selected to the Cream of the Crop Top 50 game.
DeShawn Wilson (Clark, Las Vegas, Nev.) 6-5 2017 SF
Earned a spot in the Cream of the Crop Top 50 game because of his arsenal of offensive skills. A talented scorer with good athleticism, Wilson is also a good passer for a young player with his size and potential. We rated him one of the top five performers in the Cream of the Crop Top 50 game along with Bruce Edwards 6-2 2016 (La Jolla Country Day), Julian Payton 5-7 2016 (Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas), Devin Newton 6-0 2017 (View Park Prep, Los Angeles), and Darian Scott 6-8 2017 (Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas).
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