Pangos Premier 80: Best Big Men
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LONG BEACH — Pangos event operator Dinos Trigonis hosted his annual July live viewing period kick-off event, the Premier 80 Showcase, Thursday afternoon at McBride high school. The 80 prospects in attendance were a mix of 2024, 2025 and 2026…
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Continue ReadingLONG BEACH — Pangos event operator Dinos Trigonis hosted his annual July live viewing period kick-off event, the Premier 80 Showcase, Thursday afternoon at McBride high school. The 80 prospects in attendance were a mix of 2024, 2025 and 2026 class members and were afforded the opportunity to play in front of a strong contingent of college coaches. There were a handful of talented forwards and centers in attendance and we break them down below.
Aiden Bolden, 2026, PCA Academy (TN)
Bolden showed his all-around versatility on the offensive end at the Premier 80 Showcase. The 6-foot-7 forward is both strong and agile, possesses great footwork in face-up and drive situations as well as on the low block. One thing that separated Bolden from some other prospects of similar size was his motor. The rising sophomore played with great energy and effort, ran the floor and attacked the basket with aggressiveness and confidence.
Brady Wooley, 2025, Orono (MN)
Wooley opened up the eyes of media and college coaches with his impressive rim-running and finishing abilities. The athletic 6-foot-9 four/five man used his speed and mobility in the open court to beat defenders down the floor and gave his guards ample time and space to throw the hit ahead pass to him. On those “receptions,” Wooley finished with a pop of athleticism that allowed him to score above the rim and over rim protectors.
Christian Collins, 2026, St. Bernard
Collins continued to show why he’s one of the more promising young big men out west. At 6-feet-7 (and growing) the rising sophomore is a fluid athlete whose ability to run the floor, protect the rim, defend in ball screens and operate both inside and out in the offensive end makes us believe he will be a highly-recruited player over the next couple of years.
Derelle Desire, 2024, Juan Diego (UT)
Desire was, in my estimation, the best rim protector in the entire event. The 6-foot-10 center used his great timing and instincts along with his length and vertical athleticism to alter and deter shots around the basket and even had a couple of highlight blocks on dunk attempts. The rising senior out of Utah is a mobile five-man who has some emerging dribble, pass, shoot ability and is a prospect that west coast schools should keep a close eye on.
Kenyon DeMuynck, 2024, San Leandro
DeMuynck is an intriguing long-term prospect who is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. At 6-feet-9 with fluid athleticism, ball skills, great rim protecting instincts and a smooth jumper when given time and space, the rising senior is still a bit of a sleeper on the recruiting scene. DeMuynck has some tools that you can’t teach young big men and just needs continued time to mold them.
Ray Adams, 2024, North Thurston (WA)
Adams was perhaps the most athletic finisher among all the big men in attendance. The long and bouncy 6-foot-7 four-man was all over the rim in his two games. Whether he got a rewarded by a teammate for running the floor, grabbed a big offensive rebound for a put-back or finished off a lob pass, the rising senior out of the PNW was difficult to keep from impacting inside.
Ring Nyeri Ring Nyeri 6'8" | PF Liberty | 2024 State #256 Nation AZ , 2024, Liberty (AZ)
Nyeri is a smooth athlete whose mobility in transition and ability to put it on the floor when needed made him a valuable player in this event setting. The 6-foot-8 forward out of Arizona has the ball skills rebound and jump start a fast break while his soft hands and long strides make him a deadly finisher on those same open court situations. Nyeri showed great activity on the offensive glass and soft touch around the basket on those second chance opportunities.
Zane Gaul Zane Gaul 6'10" | C Prescott | 2025 State AZ , 2025, Prescott (AZ)
At first look, one would expect Gaul to be a major inside force on both ends of the floor because of his sheer size and strength at 6-feet-10. And while he was a physical positional defender who rebounded the defensive glass, and finished through contact in the painted area, Gaul also stepped out onto the perimeter and knocked down face-up threes. The rising junior is among the top big men in Arizona and rightfully so.