Summer grassroots basketball is officially here. While countless states are still conducting their playoffs, with the CIF concluding its 2025-26 season this weekend in Sacramento, legendary independent event operator Dinos Trigonis brought some of the West Coast’s top underclassmen together at McBride High School in Long Beach for the Pangos Best of SoCal Spring League.
The invite only event brought players from all of the west coast and while comprised mostly of underclassmen, the Best of SoCal Spring League offered players that you will eventually be seeing at the high major level at some point in time. Sponsors Spalding and Roundballin brought no shortage of signage and gear for the players, and GameBook Stats offered totally accurate stats all throughout the weekend. All games were streamed on Baller TV and smaller college coaches were present on the baseline culminating with an outstanding event that gave you a glimpse of the future.
The sophomore class stole the show in terms of depth and while there were far more names than this who caught our eye (and will be profiled later), here are the top 2028 prospects from the Pangos Best of SoCal Spring League:
Shalen Sheppard, 6’8, PF, Crossroads HS (Cal.), 2028
The highest ranked player in the event, Shalen Sheppard showed the inside/out talent that has made him a consensus five star recruit at Best of SoCal Spring League. The stretch big was near automatic with his jumper off the bounce, utilized his size to go to work from the mid-post, and showed more explosion above the rim. ESPN’s top ranked power forward in the sophomore class did everything in his power to live up to his reputation throughout the weekend in Long Beach.
Kyle Sanders, 6’11, C, Campbell Hall HS (Cal.), 2028
The longest player that the event had to offer, Kyle Sanders has shown considerable improvement since I last saw him on the AAU circuit playing with Belmont Shore, despite being forced to sit out a good chunk of this season as a transfer at Campbell Hall. The game changing defender protects the rim like no other, moves like a player of much smaller stature, and really utilizes his agility to get out and contain on the perimeter. The younger brother of Utah Utes forward Kendyl Sanders is still a work in progress offensively, but it certainly doesn’t change the fact that “The Big Ticket” is a high major prospect in his own right.
Photo: Dinos Trigonis/Nothing But Net Magazine
Owen Eteuati-Edwards, 6’8, PF, Arcadia HS (Cal.), 2028
One of those guys who it’s hard to believe is just in tenth grade, Owen Etuati-Edwards brought the physical inside/out game that you hope to see for out of a new-age forward. The physical athlete thrived playing through contact with both hands, is a really nice passer, and is tough to stop as a slasher when he gets going downhill at full speed. Doubling as an elite baseball prospect, Owen will have no shortage of high major colleges vying for his services in either sport.
Jacobi Oware, 6’7, SF, Long Beach Poly (Cal.), 2028
A player that I wasn’t familiar with leading into the event, Jacobi Oware showed all of the tools that you look for out of a lanky swingman in today’s game. The long armed wing showed off a super high release on his jumper, was near automatic from mid-range, and got to his spots with limited dribbles. His ability to shoot it and potential on the defensive end will definitely make him one to watch playing with CPSA in the Puma Pro 16 League.
Andrew McMorran II, 6’4, SG, Dessert Pines HS (Nev.), 2028
A lights out shooter from Vegas, Andrew McMorran made the weekend trip to Long Beach and left with a Top 20 selection. The lefty has an absolutely feathery shot, does a great job relocating without the ball, and utilizes his size as a finisher at the rim. He already holds a pair of D-1 offers and will be running in the EYBL this summer with the Utah Prospects.
2026 @FCPPangos Best of SoCal League Notes: getting off on right foot was 6-2+ 2028 Noah Zeola (Orange Lutheran/CA). Known as top notch shooter, averaged 16.5 ppg (45.4% 3FG) in his 2 games but it was his passing that stood out: 7.5 apg/high of 9 dimes; good for top mark on Day 1 pic.twitter.com/uKRL1gVuV3
— Dinos Trigonis (@trigonis30) March 2, 2026
Noah Zeola, 6’2, SG, Orange Lutheran (Cal.), 2028
One of the more electric shooters in the event, and on the entire west coast apparently for the 2028 class, Noah Zeola showed a lot of what you look for out of a young D-1 shooting prospect. He is great coming off the move either way, is able to get his shot off in a hurry, and is comfortable putting it on the deck a few times if you overplay him, evidenced by his 26-point outing in the final game. Zeola holds a handful of early D-1 offers and should gain more running with All In Elite in the UAA.
RJ Ball, 6’3, PG/SG, Beverly Hills HS (Cal.), 2028
A player who kept getting better throughout the weekend, RJ Ball definitely put himself as a name to remember in Cali’s sophomore class. The combo guard was able to change the game with his length on both ends, got into the paint at will, and was a natural shot maker. Still a bit under the radar, Ball should receive considerable attention on the Puma Pro 16 circuit with CPSA.
Editor’s Pick
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