Guards-galore continue to shine at Pangos AA Camp

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LAS VEGAS – The Class of 2027 backcourt continued its collective strong effort during Monday’s second day of the 23^rd Pangos boys basketball All-American Camp at Bishop Gorman High.

With most of the better prospects in their 2026 counterpart – notably, Jordan Smith (Fairfax, VA, Paul VI), Dylan Mingo (Long Island Lutheran) and Ikenna Alozie (Glendale, AZ, Dream City Christian); the latter two were standouts here a year ago – bypassing the camp, a lot of “juniors-to-be” (next season) dazzled Sunday and Monday in front of NBA scouting personnel and multiple McDonald’s All-American voters.

Noteworthy in that group are “point guard-types” Jason Gardner, Jr. (Fishers, IN), Reese Alston (Houston Second Baptist School) and Cayden Daughtry (Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian).

Gardner (pictured/courtesy Devin Ugland) and Alston are the offspring of high-profile guards from a generation ago, Gardner’s father starring for the late and great Lute Olson at the University of Arizona, Alston’s pop, Rafer, starring for another late Hall of Famer, Jerry Tarkanian, at Fresno State before an 11-year NBA career.

While Gardner and Alston have showcased their well-advanced ability to direct offenses – in transition or half court – near-flawlessly here with sound decisions, polished handling and on-target and on-time passes, Daughtry has one big edge over the duo – his sizzling jump shot.

The slender 6-foot, 16-year-old (as of April 10) has averaged 13.7 points (with seven 3s) and 5.7 assists and just 1.3 turnovers in three games here with “North Carolina”.

He’s likely to be pitted against Alston with North Carolina and Virginia close out the “ACC” portion of the camp schedule at 9:30 Tuesday morning.

Others in the Class of 2027 here who will be seen – and recruited – as “point guard-types” include, but are not limited to, Tyler Sutton (Philadelphia Roman Catholic), Mekhi Robertson (Burlington, NJ, Life Center), Micah Gordon (Plainfield, NJ) and Martay Barnes (Melbourne, FL, The Academy of Central Florida).

*Six-foot-nine senior-to-be Drew Anderson made his camp debut Monday afternoon, and his performance in his two games with “Oregon” offered more evidence as to why Santa Margarita will be considered a near-lock to return to the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs next February.

Anderson, who couldn’t get here for Sunday night’s action, hit the floor running, jumping and dunking (with considerable authority) Monday, averaging 19.5 points (17 of 26 from the field) and 9.0 rebounds.

His teammates and 2026 classmates for Coach Justin Bell’s Eagles (who shared the Trinity League title with St. John Bosco last season), 6-8 Brayden Kyman and 6-3 Kaiden Bailey, turned in two more strong efforts apiece Monday for “USC” and “Florida State”, respectively.

Bailey (18.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game) and 6-5 S.J. Madison of Redondo Union (16.0, 6.3 and 3.0) helped Florida State become the only unbeaten squad among the 12 camp teams after three games.

FSU plays Duke (led by Elias Obenyah of Salesian of Richmond) at 9:30 Monday morning on Court 3 (the back gym) at Bishop Gorman.

*The camp closes with a 12:15 camp title game (pitting the ACC and Big Ten winners), with the Top 60 and Top 30 all-star games following at 1:30 and 2:30, respectively.

All the camp action is live-streamed and archived by BallerTV.