A show-stopping efficiency closed out the 2023 Pangos All-East Frosh/Soph Camp at West Chester College (West Chester, Pa.) and when the mud settled it was clear this camp belonged to the large males. Two seven-footers have been named camp co-MOPs out of over 220 plus campers.
Because the Pangos All-East Frosh/Soph Camp proves almost yearly, there may be nonetheless loads of room for the normal massive man. The professional sport is vast open affair and the nook 3-pointer has turn out to be the shot of alternative for a lot of and the flavour of the month amongst die-hard, pro-analytics evaluators and scouts. Satirically, it was a nook 3-pointer on the buzzer of the Creme of the Crop High 30 sport by 6-foot-7 sophomore (2026) wing Dylan Perry of Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) that closed out the camp in grand model. Perry’s 3-pointer on the left wing off a reasonably cross-court dish from 6-foot-3 2026 level guard Jermel Thomas of Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.) gave the black-jersey sporting membership a dramatic 92-89 victory over the white-jersey sporting membership within the High 30 all-star contest pitting the camp’s finest total performers.
In a big camp with over 240 plus attendees from 14 states (plus the District of Columbia and Canada) it was about the one memorable deep vary shot, because the story of the camp was the stand out massive males in attendance. This camp was all in regards to the brute pressure scoring, inside jostling, energy finishes and elite rim safety offered by a minimum of a half dozen campers. Main the way in which was 14 toes of wonderful timber that matriculated to the East Area from completely different nations to study the finer factors of the sport and put themselves on the radar of nationwide highschool scouts in America. That 14 toes was offered by two facilities named camp co-Most Excellent Gamers: South Sudan native Akol Nyok, a 7-foot-1 freshman (2027) from Glen Elg Nation Faculty (Glen Elg, Md.) and Columbia native Keiner Asprilla, a 7-foot-1 sophomore from Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.).
Each Nyok and Asprilla performed within the very first spherical of camp video games on completely different courts and it was evident inside the first few stanzas that it was going to be tough to search out higher prospects in attendance than that sizable duo. Nyok is an elite shot blocker with impeccable timing, the power to get to the try from all angles, gentle defensive arms (does not chop at gamers or swat down), persistence on offense and good inside passing. Add that each one up and you’ll be onerous pressed to search out too many higher prospects within the nationwide 2027 class with higher upside than Nyok.
Asprilla is a bundle of power who challenges all the things on the rim on each ends of the ground. Whereas Nyok was turning heads together with his nimble capacity and rim operating, Asprilla might be heard from different courts. He likes to get downhill and end with authority ala a younger Darryl Dawkins or younger Amar’e Stoudemire. Asprilla can also rating across the rim with good half hooks, primary drop steps and assaults the offensive glass with fervor. He may also step away from the rim with a strong face-up sport and solely wants to wash up a little bit of the additional dribbling to be an absolute pressure in the highschool sport. That certainly will not be an issue for Asprilla enjoying alongside All-American guard Dylan Harper and a bunch of different proficient perimeter gamers at Don Bosco Prep.
After the primary set of video games was over, the stage was set for the 2 proficient massive males hailing from two completely different continents to match up within the high All-Star Recreation on the camp’s conclusion. The matchup of tender timber did not disappoint, despite the fact that Asprilla proved to be a bit stronger and capable of dictate the place he needed to get to within the painted space simpler this his seven-foot counterpart. Nyok positively had his moments, however was a bit pissed off offensively when he felt Asprilla’s chest-to-chest energy.
Asprilla completed with 11 factors, seven rebounds and three blocks photographs for the white membership. Nyok tallied two factors, six rebounds, two blocks and a nifty help for the successful black membership. On the camp’s conclusion, Asprilla shared Most Excellent Participant honors together with his fellow massive man, as Nyok graciously and humbly stepped ahead to be honored. Nyok is a bit quiet however the fireplace burns inside him to enhance. Nyok has all of the instruments to someday make a good-looking penny with the roundball in his arms.
The High 30 affair was a superb sport and a handful of gamers have been worthy of Recreation MVP honors. Perry and Thomas have been joined by teammate Collins Onyejiaka, a 6-foot-10 2026 no non-sense heart from Newman Faculty (Boston, Mass.), as MVPs together with the white membership’s Josiah Jervis, a 6-foot-5 wing from Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.).
Thomas was taking pictures and play-making at a excessive clip and was a worthy MVP choice after the title of camp’s high guard was in full deliberation heading into the all-star video games. Thomas ended the dialogue together with his efficiency, which included seven factors and an unofficial Pangos Frosh/Soph Cream of the Crop particular person report 13 assists, together with the game-winner. Thomas’ New Heights Lightning EYBL associate Perry completed with a game-high 16 factors, together with three 3-pointers. Additionally scoring 16 factors for the victors was 6-foot-7 2027 ahead Andrew Kretkowski of Rutgers Prep (Somerset, N.J.).
The Black membership constructed a nine-point halftime lead, however after the White Membership stormed again within the second half and truly took the lead, it was the inside-outside mixture of Thomas and Onyejiaka that acquired issues rolling and made the sport fairly entertaining. Thomas discovered the New England-bred massive man on a bunch of pick-in-rolls and drop offs to the tune of 14 factors. Onyejiaka solely missed one shot from the sphere. Jervis led the way in which for the White membership with 15 factors.
Whereas Thomas and Perry are journey ball buddies, Perry and Jervis are literally highschool teammates and New York Metropolis Catholic Excessive Faculty Athletic Affiliation (CHSAA) rivals of Thomas.
“I am a move first guard and it is only a pure a part of my sport to make others glad and get them the ball,” Thomas mentioned. “I used to be blessed to be named to The High 30 sport. So far as battling Stepinac, we misplaced alot so I do know I’m going to have to actually rebound and get my teammates concerned.”
“I knew he was going to hit me within the nook,” Perry mentioned.
The distinction in expertise degree was stark between the primary all-star sport and second Cream of the Crop High 70 sport reserved for the camp’s subsequent 40 finest gamers. Occasion director Dinos Trigonis often does not go so deep together with his second sport choices, however there simply might have been 20 extra gamers worthy of some type of recognition for the second all-star sport. There have been that many proficient gamers proper beneath the primary group. Trigons additionally felt the shot-blocking capacity was maybe one of the best he is ever seen at any of his regional frosh/soph camps over the previous 10 years.
Along with Perry and Jervis, yet one more Archbishop Stepinac participant made the High 30 sport with two extra Crusaders chosen for the High 70 sport. Darius Ratliff, a 6-foot-8 2026 ahead and the son of former three-time NBA block block champ Theo Ratliff, scored 5 factors for the White membership. He had some terrific moments throughout camp video games going through up and making photographs and blocking some on the within at a excessive degree.
His twin brother Adonis Ratliff, a shade shorter at round 6-foot-7, had three factors and a blocked shot for the Black membership within the Cream of the Crop High 70 sport, whereas highschool teammate Hassan Koureissi, a 6-foot-4 2026 guard, proved to be one of many higher gamers within the High 70 sport. He scored 11 factors for the Black membership.
With 5 gamers rated amongst the Top 50 camp performers, Stepinac coach Patrick Massaroni has loads of good, younger depth to construct round star guard and up to date Kentucky commit Boogie Fland. It is no marvel the Crusaders are anticipated to be one of many high East Area groups when the preseason 2023-24 FAB 50 Nationwide Crew Rankings drop on October 29.
The White membership rolled to a simple 104-77 victory within the High 70 sport. Chosen MVP for the wining membership was 6-foot-9 2026 ahead Shane Pendergrass of Mt Zion Prep (Lanham, Md.) with 6-foot-1 2026 guard Jordan Dill nabbing honors representing the Black membership. Pendergrass was simply the highest performer within the High 70 contest and the one participant who legitimately had a declare for a High 30 slot. He competed properly and his motor did not cease till he collected 22 factors and 9 rebounds.
The left-handed Dill completed with 15 factors.
Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He may be reached at [email protected]. Remember to comply with him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
Need extra on this text?
Ask a query or begin a dialog within the BALLISLIFE Discussion board!
