Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Pangos All-American Camp Day 2: 2017 guards emerge, Rawle Alkins, Taurean Thompson give updates

image

Ethan Thompson (Scott Phillips/NBCSports.com)

CARSON, CA. -- The Pangos All-American Camp continued on Saturday as gameplay heated up and some more top performers emerged. Class of 2017 guards Ethan Thompson and Isaiah Washington both performed at a high level while New York native and guard Rawle Alkins showed why he’s one of the best players in the Class of 2016. In the nightcap, 2016 big man Taurean Thompson showed why many at Pangos have been praising his game throughout the weekend.

Ethan Thompson and Isaiah Washington play inspired ball

The Class of 2017 had some high-level guard play during the early session of Saturday as California native Ethan Thompson and New York native Isaiah Washington both put together complete efforts.

The 6-foot-2 Thompson, the son of Oregon State assistant coach Stephen Thompson, shot the ball very well and scored the ball from all three levels, including a feathery touch from the 3-point line. For Thompson, his jump shot is effortless and you get the feeling that the ball is going in every time he releases it.

Although his dad is an assistant coach and his brother, Class of 2015 guard Stephen Thompson Jr., are both apart of the Oregon State basketball program, Ethan is not necessarily a lock to join them in the future. The Beavers have offered Ethan a scholarship, but he plans on keeping his options open. Thompson told NBCSports.com that Cal State Fullerton has offered while Cal, Stanford and Clemson are showing interest.

“I’m still trying to stay open and look for other schools to go to,” Thompson said. “Just because my dad and my brother are going there, they’re not forcing me to go there. I’m still staying open.”

On the opposing side, the 6-foot-0 Washington impressed as a floor leader and he made savvy passes, tough shots from multiple levels and also had some good hesitation dribble moves. The product of St. Raymond’s has a tremendous feel for the game and he’s tough to defend in the open floor, using good footwork and spin moves to get to the basket even though he’s a bit undersized.

Minnesota and Providence have offered Washington scholarships in the early going and high-major programs looking for a feisty floor leader in July should definitely take a look.

Rawle Alkins remains a high-major priority in the 2016 class

Class of 2016 guard Rawle Alkins is already regarded as a four-star prospect and the New York native played in attack mode on Saturday in an ugly, camp-style game. The game he was involved in was an up-and-down transition contest with minimal defense, but Alkins also scored in the halfcourt during the rare chances the game slowed down, using a deceptive first step to score going left or right.

Kentucky, Miami and Texas recently offered Alkins after the April live evaluation period and he’s going to be one of the most sought-after guards in the country this summer.

Alkins has a perimeter jumper that is still a work-in-progress and if he can improve that enough to be a consistent option, he’s going to be nearly impossible to contain off-the-bounce because his ability to finish around the hoop is very good.

Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville, N.C. State and Villanova have all kept in touch with Alkins as well and all have offered, he told NBCSports.com. The 6-foot-4 Alkins is the No. 26 overall prospect in the Class of 2016 and he’ll travel to Italy next week as part of the United States group that will play in the adidas Eurocamp.

Taurean Thompson continues a strong camp

One of the most consistent threats during the Pangos All-American Camp has been Class of 2016 big man Taurean Thompson. The 6-foot-10 Thompson was solid during the Nike EYBL this spring with the New Jersey Playaz and he’s had a really good camp as a rebounder, shot blocker and post scorer.

Thompson has scored the ball in a variety of ways, including face-ups and moves around the basket and he’s made a lot of energy plays and come up with rebounds in traffic. The big man told NBCSports.com that Arizona, Xavier, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. Joseph’s, Old Dominion, Richmond and Rice have offered scholarships and he’s focused on playing this summer before taking any future visits.

If Thompson continues playing with this type of effort on both ends of the floor, he’s going to have a lot of college coaches following his play in July.