Size matters: Four more of the best big men from the @PangosAACamp - Part II
There was a major theme at the 2021 Pangos All-American camp - the big men were outstanding. We have two rounds of top performers from the week in Las Vegas and these four were outstanding.
The big fella had some high points in this camp as a point producer and a presence on the defensive end of the floor as a shot-blocker. He’s hard to guard on the offensive end of the floor because he can stretch the floor with his shooting, put the ball on the hardwood and attack and thrive in low-post opportunities. He still has room to grow in his development and that’s the best part about his game. Can he continue to put it all together and thrive with a consistent motor? Regardless, there were times at the camp when he was the best big man on the floor. Hard to deny that.
If you need a stop at any position on the floor, I’d call on Mitchell. The long and versatile forward from the Sunshine State is one of the most valuable interchangeable players in the country. He’s so perfectly active and engaged on the defensive side of the ball. Mitchell is a hot prospect for a number of high-major schools. He just wrapped up his official visit to Auburn and his visits schedule with Ohio State and Tennessee later in the month. Where he plays in college - the three, the four, the whatever - is irrelevant. He’s going to be on the floor and that’s what matters. Mitchell is a top 75 national prospect (maybe higher, okay fine, probably higher) and he’s playing like that each time he’s out on the floor. He certainly did at the Pangos All-American camp.
The uptick continues for one of the stars of the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions. He’s on a terrific vertical scale and playing the part of one of the most interesting risers in the class of 2022. The big man showed out in Vegas and produced as a talented five man should around the cup. He pushed people around with his commanding size and strength and when he had open space in the floor, it was bucket time. There was a theme at the camp, and perhaps even this class nationally, that old school big men are rising up and creating a new standard of how the game is being played now - inside and physical. Udeh is right there at the top with that brand of basketball. I’d argue there isn’t a bigger rise nationally than him across all positions.
In my first viewing of the big man from Arkansas, Ware played like one of the true elite long term prospects in the country. You could have told me ware was Derek Lively and vice versa. Both guys were excellent in this setting. Ware projects as a guy that warranted long looks from the pro teams in attendance. His length is a problem on both sides of the ball. Loved him as a shot-changer, loved him as a lob-catcher and offensive rebounder. He’s being pursued by a number of the regional programs around Arkansas and it will be interested to see if the Razorbacks, a program that thrives on transfers, moves Ware to the top of the wish list for the class of 2022. That’s not to assume that he already is. Ware is worth it. What a prospect he is.
