Day 2 from the Pangos Camp

Second Day at Pangos camp kicked off Saturday morning

Day two of the Pangos camp in Cypress (Calif.) tipped off Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. with station work and continued throughout the day with games at 11:00 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The morning session saw several prospects missing in action due to their prior engagement with the SAT. While most returned by mid-afternoon, one of the tournaments top expected guests, Brandon Rush from Kansas City (Mo.) was a no-show. However, highly recruited shooting guard Bryan Harvey arrived in time for the afternoon session.

Top Utah prospect narrows list to four schools, names favorite

One of the West Coasts top shooting prospects Joe Darger from Riverton (Utah) has narrowed his list to four schools with one school standing out among the rest.

“I’m pretty much down to UNLV, Utah State, Arizona State and UCLA,” Darger said. “All have offered except UCLA and they have been showing a lot of interest.

“UNLV is my overall favorite but I like the other schools as well.”

Darger, 6-foot-7, 210-pounds, indicated that there are several reason the Running Rebels had moved to the top of his list.

“I have a lot of respect for Coach (Lon) Kruger and I feel like he gives me a great opportunity to improve my overall knowledge of the game,” Kruger said. “He has coached in the NBA so he knows what he’s doing. I just feel really comfortable with with him.

“They are losing three players at my position and I will be able to step in and contribute as a freshman.”

Player observations from Saturday at the Pangos

One of the top surprises of Saturday was late arrival Jeffrey Pendergraph from Etiwanda (Calif.) High School. Pendergraph, 6-foot-9, 225-pounds, is an athletic big man who runs the floor well and can finish on the break. The 2005 prospect is still a little raw offensively but he is solid in the post and dangerous on offensive rebounds. With long arms and good timing he is a good shot-blocker and rebounder. He will need to add weight and get stronger but he has a big upside.

Small forward Jamal Boykin enjoyed a strong showing with his improved outside jumper from mid-range in addition to his hustle, hard work and strong build. Boykin, 6-foot-7, 210-pounds, has been consistent throughout the camp by making jumpers from 17-feet while also using his bulk and strength inside on the low block. The list for Boykin is down to five with Boston College, Duke, Georgia Tech, Illinois and Louisville making up his list of favorites.

Power forward Taj Gibson from Stoneridge Prep in Encino (Calif.) has proven to be one of the top athletic big men. Gibson, 6-foot-8, is a lean player who will need to add more weight but defensively he blocks a lot of shots and his long frame allows him to be a force on the glass. His offensive game isn’t defined yet but he has good footwork and nice size.

It has been a while since Draelon Burns from Laurinburg Prep in North Carolina has made a splash on the summer scene but the former Milwaukee (Wis.) standout showed a hot shooting hand from deep range. Burns, 6-foot-5, has added a 15-foot jump shot to his arsenal to make his especially effective.

Lutheran High School power forward Vernon Goodridge has improved his stock as much as anyone at the camp. The Philadelphia (Pa.) native is fast up on the floor and quick off his feet when getting out in transition. Goodridge, 6-foot-9, has a great frame that will easily carry more weight as he matures. In addition to his low-post game he also can face the basket and shoot the jumper from 10-feet and in. Georgetown, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Seton Hall, St. John's, Syracuse and UConn make up his early list.

Texas small forward Calvin Miles looked much better Saturday showing a wide offensive arsenal that includes a mid-range jumper, posting up from the free-throw line and getting to the basket and using his 6-foot-6 frame to score. Miles is still looking for consistency from outside the arc and to bulk up a little but he has a big upside.

2006 center Xavier Crawford from Richfield (Minn.) used good timing and a long reach to be a force in the paint. Crawford, 6-foot-10, is a thin athlete who has to improve his footwork on offense on the post but ran the floor well and finished with force. In addition he likes to step out on the perimeter and shoot but he is a better player near the basket.

Danny Williams from Freemont High School in Los Angeles (Calif.) continues to attack the basket with reckless abandon. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard has a solid shot from the outside and enough handle to get to the basket but on the break is where he is best. His left hand could use some work but he has good size and athleticism.

Lynwood (Calif.) High School small forward Davon Jefferson is an impressive athlete who can score when leading the break or in the half-court set by posting up smaller, less athletic players or shooting his jumper. Jefferson, 6-foot-7, is good fundamentally on the boards and is an intimidator in the paint on defense.

2006 Arizona commitment Nic Wise is looking more comfortable at the point and despite the fact that balls seldom come out once they enter the paint the Texas native has done a fine job of running his team. Wise, 5-foot-9, has a good head for the game and nice anticipation for finding his teammates.

2007 point guard Jesse Woodard from Centennial High School in Compton (Calif.) is one of the top floor generals in his class. The 5-foot-11 lefty has solid ball handling skills and a long range jumper that he doesn’t hesitate to shoot with a defender in his face but its his ability to run an offensive at this early stage that impresses the most.