The prestigious Pangos All-American Camp, an invite-only event featuring the top high school prospects in the nation, returned this summer after it was cancelled due to the pandemic last year. Pro Insight was on hand to evaluate the event and caught up with Tayshawn Bridges of Milwaukee Academy of Science (WI) and Kevon Looney Power 5 (WI). One of the younger players invited to the elite camp, Bridges is a 6’2 guard with a tight handle, and is someone who routinely gets into the lane and finishes with craft.
As part of the Pro Insight Q&A series, Bridges discussed his mindset while being highly ranked, spending time with his dog and family, his early recruitment, and more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2024 prospect Tayshawn Bridges, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
Pro Insight: What’s been your impression of Pangos All-American Camp?
Tayshawn Bridges: I like it. It’s a really good camp, good competition, and competitors.
PI: You’re one of a few players invited from the 2024 class, how did it feel to go up against some of the older guys in 2022?
TB: Man, I felt good, that’s a good thing and I was just proud of myself for getting an invite.
PI: Who have you enjoyed playing with on your Pangos team?
TB: I enjoy playing with the whole team. They’re all great players.
PI: Talk a bit about your background. How did you get into basketball?
TB: At first, I was a football player. I started playing on my school team and the AAU coach was there and he wanted me to play basketball. Then I started playing…well I tried it and then my brother was already playing basketball and he was good and he wanted me to play, too. And then I started and I was good out of the gate, so I just stuck to basketball.
PI: Any other athletes in the family besides your brother?
TB: My cousin, my dad. I got a couple of them. Mostly everybody that played sports in my family played basketball.
PI: For those who aren’t familiar with your game, describe your strengths and play style.
TB: I can dribble. I can shoot it. I can rebound. I really can do it all, but I still need to work on a couple of things.
PI: What position do you view yourself as?
TB: I’m a one and a two, but I mostly play the one.
PI: What are you looking to show college coaches this year?
TB: I’m looking to show that I’m one of the top players.
PI: Being viewed as one of the top players, does that carry a lot of expectations or weight when you see rankings?
TB: I really just do me. It really doesn't matter, but I still work hard. It’s good being top-five or number-one and stuff, but I just keep working hard. But I really don’t pay attention to it.
PI: What are your biggest interests outside of basketball?
TB: I have a dog so I’ll be with my dog a lot. I just spend time with my family because I’ll be out of town a lot. So I just spend time with them when I’m at home.
PI: Who’s after you the most, recruitment-wise?
TB: Louisville, Florida State, Auburn, Maryland, Iowa, New Mexico State, Grambling State. There’s a couple more.
PI: What will ultimately factor into a school of your choice?
TB: Whatever is best for me when that time comes, I really don’t know, yet. Again I’m only a freshman so I really don’t know, yet.
PI: At the end of the day, what do you hope to be remembered for?
TB: Me being a good person. I don’t want people to just say “oh, he was just a good basketball player.” I want them to know that I’m a good person, too.