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 massive 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 recreation is vast open affair and the nook 3-pointer has change into 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 recreation by 6-foot-7 sophomore (2026) wing Dylan Perry of Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) that closed out the camp in grand fashion. 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 greatest general 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 supplied by no less than a half dozen campers. Main the best way was 14 ft of advantageous timber that matriculated to the East Area from completely different international locations to study the finer factors of the sport and put themselves on the radar of nationwide highschool scouts in America. That 14 ft was supplied 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 throughout the first few stanzas that it was going to be troublesome to seek out higher prospects in attendance than that sizable duo. Nyok is an elite shot blocker with impeccable timing, the flexibility to get to the try from all angles, gentle defensive arms (does not chop at gamers or swat down), endurance on offense and good inside passing. Add that each one up and you may be laborious pressed to seek out too many higher prospects within the nationwide 2027 class with higher upside than Nyok.

Asprilla is a bundle of vitality who challenges every thing on the rim on each ends of the ground. Whereas Nyok was turning heads together with his nimble capacity and rim working, 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 recreation and solely wants to scrub up a little bit of the additional dribbling to be an absolute pressure in the highschool recreation. That certainly will not be an issue for Asprilla taking part in alongside All-American guard Dylan Harper and a bunch of different gifted perimeter gamers at Don Bosco Prep.

After the primary set of video games was over, the stage was set for the 2 gifted massive males hailing from two completely different continents to match up within the prime All-Star Recreation on the camp’s conclusion. The matchup of tender timber did not disappoint, although 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 annoyed 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 profitable 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 at some point make a good-looking penny with the roundball in his arms.

The High 30 affair was a superb recreation 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 capturing and play-making at a excessive clip and was a worthy MVP choice after the title of camp’s prime 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 companion 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 really took the lead, it was the inside-outside mixture of Thomas and Onyejiaka that obtained 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 sector. Jervis led the best way 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 recreation to make others glad and get them the ball,” Thomas mentioned. “I used to be blessed to be named to The High 30 recreation. 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 recreation and second Cream of the Crop High 70 recreation reserved for the camp’s subsequent 40 greatest gamers. Occasion director Dinos Trigonis normally does not go so deep together with his second recreation picks, however there simply might have been 20 further gamers worthy of some type of recognition for the second all-star recreation. There have been that many gifted gamers proper beneath the primary group. Trigons additionally felt the shot-blocking capacity was maybe the most effective he is ever seen at any of his regional frosh/soph camps over the previous 10 years.

Along with Perry and Jervis, yet another Archbishop Stepinac participant made the High 30 recreation with two further Crusaders chosen for the High 70 recreation. 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 dealing with 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 recreation, whereas highschool teammate Hassan Koureissi, a 6-foot-4 2026 guard, proved to be one of many higher gamers within the High 70 recreation. He scored 11 factors for the Black membership.

With 5 gamers rated amongst the High 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 prime East Area groups when the preseason 2023-24 FAB 50 Nationwide Workforce Rankings drop on October 29.

The White membership rolled to a simple 104-77 victory within the High 70 recreation. 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 effectively 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 will be reached at [email protected]. Do not forget to observe him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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