It was a big weekend for Arizona prospects on Saturday at McBride High School in Long Beach, California. A handful of Arizona prospects traveled to California over the weekend to take part in the Pangos All-American Camp Preview, organized by Event Organizer and top-rated national scout Dinos Trigonis and his Pangos Staff. This annual camp now is held as a preview to the prestigious Pangos All-American Camp, which is held in Las Vegas in June, and features (80) of the nation's elite prospects annually. The Pangos All-American Camp is attended annual by a large number of national scouts, media and NBA scouts. This weekend was a terrific weekend for St. Mary's High School's talented 6-foot-7 junior Caspian Jones, as Jones had an excellent showing this weekend for himself, and earned Co-MVP honors for the camp, as a result of his performance.
Jones exploded in this year's camp, and it was clearly evident and clear from the beginning just how focused he was for this year's event. Jones excelled in both camp games that he performed in on the day, and immediately went to work - handling the basketball and making plays for himself off the dribble and finishing strong at the rim. He also made shots with consistency from longer ranges and attacked off the dribble, not settling for perimeter shots. Jones played the role as a facilitator throughout the camp, as he was a primary ball handler for his team, each time he stepped on the floor - something we are not accustomed to seeing from Jones on his St. Mary's team, since he is bigger and stronger than most of his opposition in the AIA. Against much taller and athletic opposition this weekend, the opportunity for Jones to play much more as a guard and wing presented itself, and he excelled as a result. Jones who is often referred to as a position player, was just a player this weekend and competed in a position-less style. Something that benefited his play and production immensely, as he was able to create the play and not wait for the play.
Jones had a strong junior season for the Knights, as joined forces with star point guard Styles Phipps (GCU signee) and 6-foot-9 sophomore wing Cam Williams to make for one of the state's elite trios. St. Mary's would have a strong season, actually winning (14) games in a row before entering the Open Division State Playoffs, and then reaching the Elite 8 of the AIA's Open Division State Playoffs, and finished with an overall record of 23-7 on the season.
Jones received his first Division-I offer from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) last summer, while playing for his Belmont Shore (CA) club program. Jones will play for Belmont Shore (CA) and also a new club program in the valley known as Pangos Arizona this spring and summer. He is worthy of many more offers for himself, and this recent performance should definitely begin to benefit his overall exposure, which should allow him to garner much more recruiting attention for himself, as a result.
I will continue to follow Jones' recruitment closely, and bring you any updates as they continue to develop this spring and summer.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Jones is a nice overall talent that is just beginning to reach his potential as a player, coming into his own as a player and prospect. He is a versatile combo-forward prospect that is capable of playing inside and out, and will look to mature into a wing prospect with the ability to consistently make plays for himself and others off the dribble. He enjoys having the ball in his hands and creating off the dribble, while being able to make shots from the perimeter. He has really improved the consistency on his jump shot from longer ranges. He has a very good handle of the basketball that he has developed through hard work, and is much more effective as a playmaker, which he has proven that he can be. He is an active rebounder and finisher around the basket, and also runs the floor very well and looks to get easy buckets in transition. He is a very good and willing passer that sees the floor, and competes hard. He has excellent toughness, and should blossom nicely over time with continued work ethic and hard work on his craft.
