Pangos Premier 80: Top Forwards/Centers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LONG BEACH — The first live viewing period of July kicked off across the country last week and Thursday at McBride high school marked the opening event in Southern California with the Pangos Premier 80 Showcase. The event featured 80-plus prospects from various states – and even internationally from Greece – with many of the players being of the “under-the-radar” variety. Below we break down the standout forwards and centers we watched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2131807' first='Abdoul' last='Bare'] | 2026 | St. Joseph | Pictured*</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bare was one of the more effective two-way centers in this event as his combination of size, athleticism and soft hands and touch allowed him to finish with authority or finesse around the basket. The 6-foot-8 rising senior changed and blocked shots, cleaned the defensive glass, quickly started breaks with outlet passes and ran the floor in transition for easy baskets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2879183' first='Camden' last='McKinney'] | 2027 | Oakland Tech</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKinney won't be a sleeper for much longer as the 6-foot-7 forward brings a skilled approach and scoring package to the offensive end of the floor. The rising junior impacted the game with his impressive feel and decision-making in face-up situations. McKinney showed the ability to knock down perimeter jumpers off the catch from distance and in the mid-range are of the floor. The Northern California-based prospect also attacked the rim and used his strong frame to absorb and finish through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Elias Gish | 2026 | Clovis North</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gish is a jack of all trades type of prospect who has proven to be a player who impacts winning. The 6-foot-6 lefty is best when stretching the floor to the three-point line off the catch but has continued to show confidence when putting the ball on the deck to attack close-outs and score at the rim. Gish stood out in this event as one of the more versatile players with his rebound, push and decision-making abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Juma Bior Chol | 2027 | International (AUS)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chol was one of the better rim protectors in this event. The long, wiry and agile 7-footer flashed natural instincts when contesting and changing shots around the basket, pursued rebounds in and out of his area and showed impressive lateral speed and agility. Offensively, the class of 2027 prospect was effective as a transition rim runner and finisher who out-worked opposing bigs on the offensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Markee White | 2026 | Santa Margarita</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White's combination of size, skill and physicality translated well to the style of play of this event. The 6-foot-6 forward is a strong-framed rising senior who understands how to use his body on the offensive end by bullying through contact and scoring on efficient looks at the rim. White showed his ability to rebound the defensive glass, push the break and make a smart decision with the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2622319' first='Nikita' last='Kochnev'] | 2026 | Campbell Hall</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kochnev continued to boost his recruiting stock during this event by showing off his versatile and polished offensive skill-set. The 6-foot-7 forward scored from every spot on the floor and was most effective as a floor stretcher from three-point range off the catch and as an interior finisher with his back to the basket or on an offensive rebound put-back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Stetson Rowley | 2026 | Premier Prep (AZ)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rowley has a well-packaged offensive skill-set that starts with his ability to knock down shots from behind the arc from multiple spots, ranges and in a variety of situations. the 6-foot-7 rising senior stepped into smooth pulls when trailing the play, operated in pick-and-pop action and stretched the floor from the corners in catch-and-shoot situations. Rowley also surprised some onlookers with a quick pop of athleticism off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->