Pangos Best of SoCal: Top 40 Soph Emergences
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While we weren’t able to take in the annual Pangos Best of SoCal Spring Showcase live and in person, Baller.TV was in the building and we watched back each of the six games. In this piece we take a closer…
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Continue ReadingWhile we weren’t able to take in the annual Pangos Best of SoCal Spring Showcase live and in person, Baller.TV was in the building and we watched back each of the six games. In this piece we take a closer look at some players who emerged as prospects to keep an eye on in the Top 40 Sophomore Game.
Austin Unegbu, 2025, Long Beach Poly
Unegbu is a long, athletic lefty who used his speed to get into the lane at-will. When he got two feet in the paint the 6-foot-3 guard showed the ability to elevate and score over defenders and used his body control to score around rim protectors. Unegbu knocked down a couple of deep three-point shots when given time and space. With his size, length, instincts and athletic gifts, Unegbu has a chance to be a high level on-ball defender.
Chris Cain, 2025, Sierra Canyon
Cain was one of the more explosive athletes in the gym and his transition finishing abilities were on display throughout. The 6-foot-4 wing rebounded and pushed the break himself and also showed a willingness to run the floor without the ball in his hands which resulted in slashing layups and highlight-reel dunks.
Denis Woods Denis Woods 6'3" | PG Bishop Montgomery | 2025 State CA-S , 2025, Bishop Montgomery
Woods is a smooth and high IQ point guard who impacted the game on both ends of the floor – which is fairly rare for a showcase type of setting. The 6-foot-1 sophomore plays with elite pace, was never sped up and go to his spots whenever he wanted. Woods made it a point to close out to three-point shooters defensively and showed that he could contain and keep ball handlers in front of him. Transition offense was Woods’ biggest strength as he pushed the pace and showed great feel on how to use the glass to his advantage.
Jayden Harris, 2025, Windward #96
Harris had one of the more impressive combinations of size, strength and athletic ability to go along with plenty of skill. At 6-feet-6 and a strong 180 pounds, Harris used his ball skills and size to overwhelm smaller defenders on the perimeter and get to the rim but also knocked down a handful of pull-up jump shots. Harris had a knack for the ball on the glass and showed promise as an inside-out defensive difference-maker.
Rocco Gaffoglio Rocco Gaffoglio 6'0" | CG Foothill | 2025 State CA-S , 2025, Foothill #44
The 5-foot-10 point guard showed off his smart and crafty playmaking abilities for others while making sure to create shots for himself off the dribble as well. What Gaffoglio lacked in size he made up for with his basketball IQ and knock down pull-up jumper from mid-range and three-point range.