The Pangos Unbelievable 40 is again. After a 3 12 months hiatus, director Dinos Trigonis introduced the occasion again to Miami for the primary time for the reason that spring of 2021. Held at Gibson Park within the coronary heart of Overtown, the 2024 Pangos Unbelievable 40 introduced packages from the Nike EYBL, adidas 3SSB, Underneath Armour Affiliation, and New Steadiness circuits together with many high impartial squads from everywhere in the nation. Mixing the attract of Miami with some excessive stage hoops, the Unbelievable 40 reminded everybody in attendance that impartial AAU tournaments nonetheless have a key spot in in the present day’s sneaker pushed grassroots ecosystem.
With groups starting from 15U via 17U, there have been standouts at each division, however listed below are six gamers who caught our eye as high performers on the occasion:
Meleek Thomas, 6’5, SG, New Heights Lightning 17U, 2025As far as the highest participant in The Unbelievable 40 was involved, the dialog begins and ends with Meleek Thomas. The Pittsburgh product was completely electrical, scoring the rock with out forcing the problem, displaying what he might do with restricted bounces en path to an undefeated weekend for the EYBL program. Meleek was an absurd shot creator off of a stay dribble, was artistic ending on the rack, and did his greatest KD/Dirk impression with numerous one legged fadeaway jumpers. Already signed to an NIL take care of Roc Nation, Thomas left little question in anybody’s thoughts that he’s a high 5 participant within the class of 2025 nationally.
Cayden Daughtry, 6’0, PG, Florida Rebels 15U, 2027In the 2027 class, there wasn’t a participant on the Pangos Unbelievable 40 who was a extra assured scorer than Cayden Daughtry. Having put up monstrous stats on the varsity stage relationship again to his center faculty years, Daughtry exudes supreme scoring capacity when enjoying his age group towards his friends. He’s an electrical 3-point shooter, is affected person weaving out and in of the lane, and isn’t afraid of contact regardless of his slender body. Daughtry holds a lot of D1 provides and brings that killer mentality each time he steps on the hardwood.
Jaion Pitt, 6’8, PF, Arizona Unity 17U, 2025Blending potential with an enormous quantity of manufacturing, Jaion Pitt was the best entrance court docket participant within the 17U division of the Unbelievable 40. The Canadian is a beast rebounding on each ends, is an impressive cutter, and confirmed shocking imaginative and prescient passing out of double groups or discovering teammates within the dunker. Pitt is extending his vary past the 3-point line and as he continues to achieve consistency stretching the protection, his rating ought to pattern upwards.
Felipe Quinones, 6’5, SG, Jet Academy 16U, 2026Next in line out of Puerto Rico, Felipe Quinones lived as much as his billing at The Unbelievable 40. Proudly owning a prototypical construct for a two guard, the sophomore confirmed off a dependable 3-point shot, impacted the sport defensively along with his size, and has an enormous quantity of confidence when he has the ball in his palms. Felipe confirmed everybody in attendance at Gibson Park that he has the makings of a excessive main guard and might be studying from an excellent one in Kenny Smith at Jet Academy.
Gustavo Guimaraes, 6’11, C, All Ball 17U, 2025One of the larger surprises of the occasion, each actually and figuratively, was close to 7-footer Gustavo Guimaraes of All Ball. The Riviera Prep (FL) huge is recent off a state title, is kind of agile working the ground, and appears to complete above the rim at each accessible alternative. There’s nonetheless loads of room for progress for Gustavo, however between his play with All Ball and with the Brazil 17U crew, anticipate to listen to loads extra from him sooner somewhat than later.
Darius Wabbington, 6’10, C, Arizona Unity 15U, 2027There wasn’t a single huge within the 15U bracket who might come near stopping Sunnyslope (AZ) product Darrius Wabbington on the block all through the Unbelievable 40. The Arizona huge appears for contact, confirmed off intriguing footwork on the block, and was extremely assured scoring the ball. Patterning his recreation after Nikola Jokic, Darius additionally stepped out to hit just a few threes on the weekend, leaving little question in anybody’s thoughts why he’s proper there on the high of a really particular Arizona 2027 class.
