2024 USA Basketball Junior National Team April Minicamp Notes

From April 5 to 7, 65 United States highschool gamers from the category of 2025, 26, and 27 participated in a workforce USA Basketball Junior Nationwide Crew minicamp in Phoenix, Arizona. This occasion allowed the gamers to get themselves some publicity to the workforce USA program, really feel the expertise of the Remaining 4, and showcase themselves in entrance of nationwide media and NBA scouts. Listed here are numerous the highest performers. To listen to from a number of of the gamers about their expertise on the minicamp interviews are right here: Hyperlink

Brandon McCoy PG 6’4 St. John Bosco HS, St. John Bosco CA Class of 2026

Got here into the occasion as the best rated participant because the close to consensus high prospect within the class of 2026. McCoy did nothing to alter this opinion, nevertheless he had a considerably quiet camp. He got here throughout very nicely in our interview with him and talked about that his level guard expertise are at the moment his space of focus. A tenacious defender and really slick ball handler, he had some wow performs whether or not or not it’s getting dunks on the break and pulling down easy pull up photographs, however there’s actually a variety of work left for him to say the highest participant in his class mantle outright. He’s within the 6-3 to 6-4 vary and nonetheless considerably of a combo guard and he additionally might want to proceed to fill out. General he was clearly as marketed essentially the most proficient prospect on the occasion, however he’s bought loads of room to enhance. He didn’t present a lot of the killer intuition that one expects from the highest participant within the class. Growing a swap to have totally different persona on and off the ground is one additional side he can develop. A formidable particular person with a vibrant future. At his age being too essential about his recreation is nitpicking. The expertise and perspective and make up are all there for him to turn into one thing particular. It’s going to take laborious work and never permitting the hype and distractions to derail him.

Meleek Thomas PG 6’3 Lincoln Park HS, Pittsburgh, PA Class of 2025

Meleek Thomas’ energy and athleticism stood out towards the remainder of the guards on the minicamp. He completed off performs with excessive flying dunks on a number of events and at occasions simply overpowered a few of the youthful guards in camp. On a pair events, he caught a go on the baseline and with one step completed the play off with a one handed flush. Blessed with a easy soar shot with vary made him a really tough cowl to defend and provides him choice as a scorer. The consensus high 10 participant at school didn’t disappoint and as he mentioned in his interview  with us (hyperlink right here) is ready up for a robust summer time circuit efficiency

Jason Crowe PG 6’2 Lynwood HS, Lynwood CA Class of 2026

Jason Crow is already thought of one of many elite gamers within the nation and nothing that befell on the camp modified that. Whereas nonetheless slim, Crowe has grown each in peak and energy since I final watched him final spring. The lefty displayed a easy jumper and a fast launch. He confirmed superior data on choose and roll reads and a superb mix of scoring for himself and creating for others. Not an elite vertical jumper however he confirmed a superb skill to get downhill by slithering previous defenders or splitting double workforce actions in choose and roll.  He completed performs off on the rim by inflicting contact into the defender, thus creating area.  Is an efficient finisher and driver with both hand.

Xavion Staton 6’11 C Sierra Vista HS, Las Vegas, NV Class of 2025

Xavier Staton was a defensive pressure on the Minicamp. He constantly protected the rim together with his lengthy wingspan, notably nicely as a weak facet assist defender, and was in a position to swallow defensive rebounds as they fell off the rim. Offensively he was in a position to end sturdy with put backs and two handed jams the place few gamers right here may problem him as a consequence of his size and bounce. He confirmed good type together with his shot even making a number of nook 3s. NBA Scouts within the stands have been intrigued by him as a consequence of his size and potential as a shooter however had some questions on his physique. Not the swiftest shifting laterally so it brings up the query of whether or not it could actually it enhance as his physique matures?

Hudson Greer 6’6 Wing Lake Travis HS, Austin, TX Class of 2025

Greer is a excessive flying wing who confirmed on a number of events his skill to complete performs off on the quick break with sturdy two hand jams. On half court docket units, he appeared to primarily keep past the three level line the place he was proficient and confirmed a pleasant repeatable stroke. Including energy to his body is the important thing to taking his improvement to a different stage.

Cam Holmes 6’5 Wing Millennium HS, Goodyear, AZ, Class of 2026

No person performed higher than Cam Holmes on day 1 of the mini camp. The lefty was merely on hearth from past the arc making rainmakers. Blessed with lengthy arms and good athleticism, Holmes was in a position to get deflections and transition it into quick break flushes. He enjoys operating the offense on half court docket units and creating for others. Ought to he select to proceed to take action. Holmes wants some refinement in choose and roll conditions as he can pound the ball a bit and/or take poor angles in  choose and roll reads.

Mikel Brown Jr PG 6’2 OTE, Wichita KS, Class of 2025

Mikel Brown Jr showcased his easy soar shot which can have been greatest at camp. A fast launch and good delicate contact was on full show on the Minicamp. He confirmed nice effectivity in his dribble use as a degree guard, weaving his approach and discovering angles in choose and roll conditions to get downhill. Additionally showcasing his Euro step to discover a lane to the rim. Has good imaginative and prescient creating for himself and others together with his handles in Phoenix. Common in measurement in NBA phrases, he wants so as to add energy as he missed some performs across the rim as a consequence of contact.

Jalen Montonati SG 6’6 Owasso HS, Owasso OK Class of 2026

Jalen Montonati was a constant offensive risk all through the weekend and confirmed some actual potential as a 3 stage scorer. He completed performs off with dunks, and made his share of catch and shoot threes in half court docket units. He has good measurement for a guard and confirmed a excessive stage of confidence and competitiveness. He wants so as to add energy whereas sustaining his quickness.

Alex Constanza 6’7 Ahead Westminster Academy, Weston, FL Class of 2026

Alex Constanza performed as a hybrid ahead in camp. He has good energy and the flexibility to create area. He was good each in choose and pop conditions and as a spot up shooter. He confirmed some skill to place it on the ground pump faking it from lengthy distance and taking one dribble mid vary photographs or facet step threes. Defensively was in a position to defend each guards and publish gamers at this occasion, exhibiting good lateral quickness along with his aforementioned energy.

Devin Cleveland PG 6’1 Kenwood Academy HS, Chicago IL, Class of 2027

Devin Cleveland regarded each little bit of a 15 12 months previous taking part in towards some full grown our bodies however what he lacked in physique maturation he made up for in competitiveness and in taking pictures. Blessed with a fast launch and a pleasant taking pictures stroke he was one of many gamers who shined on day 3 right here in Phoenix. He had some difficulties getting downhill and protecting the larger guards from scoring, however each of this stuff ought to get labored out as his physique matures.

Jayden Hodge Wing 6’6 St Rose HS Belmar, NJ Class of 2026

Jayden Hodge had a few large dunks on day 2 together with one the place he the defender made a enterprise choice to slip away. He has glorious energy for a participant his age. and bullied his opponents on day 3 when the category of 2025 have been separated out from the group. He has good type on his shot however wants some work on his arrange time as his launch was not notably fast right here in Phoenix and should turn into a problem as he strikes up in ranges.

Jordan Web page CG 6’6 Broughton Magnet HS Raleigh NC, Class of 2027

One in all simply two 14 12 months olds on the camp Jordan Web page confirmed very promising athleticism, wingspan, and really sturdy handles. The USA mini camp coaches took explicit consideration to Jordan and coached him on nuances each on offense and protection. Completed performs off with dunks and confirmed nice footwork on his Eurostep. He strikes nicely laterally and is a really fluid athlete. It’s too early to pronounce a lot with him, however actually a child to keep watch over going ahead

Tajh Ariza Wing 6’8 St Bernard HS, Playa Del Rey, Class of 2026

Tajh Ariza showcased an enormous wingspan and fluid physique motion. He has sturdy handles and is a good slasher. He wants so as to add energy as he didn’t all the time end performs off when bumped. Together with his size has the flexibility to shoot whereas opponents don’t have any skill to have an effect on his shot. Nevertheless his shot tends to come back off flat. His mixture of handles, size, and athleticism is uncommon, giving him an actual alternative as a prospect.

Davion Adkins C 6’8 Oak Cliff Religion Household Academy, Dallas, TX Class of 2026

Davion Adkins was a ball of vitality trailing offensive gamers on the quick break and pinning their photographs on the backboard or coming from the weak facet and returning the photographs again to sender. Offensively he’s explosive ending performs with two handed energy dunks both on quick break or half court docket units. Offensively is primarily a choose and dive offensive risk. As an undersized publish participant the lefty must proceed to work on his soar shot to extend his alternatives on the subsequent stage.

Kaden Home PG 6’3 Desert Mountain, Scottsdale AZ Class of 2026

Kaden Home sometimes is a ball dominant scorer, right here on the mini camp he centered on creating for others and taking pictures the occasional soar shot. A little bit of a push shot, Kaden had marginal success together with his jumper right here however he did maintain his personal on the defensive finish protecting opponents in entrance of him and getting some steals. His willingness to adapt his recreation to the scenario and give attention to being a distributor and protection, two issues that have been much less an emphasis for him after I watched him each at EYBL and in his highschool season demonstrated his sturdy focus to win and succeed.

Deron Rippey Jr PG 6’1 Blair Academy, Brooklyn NY Class of 2026

Deron Rippey’s recreation may be very typical for a New York level guard. He showcased his sturdy handles and fast first step to get to the outlet. He was in a position to rating round a lot taller defenders with an elite stage lay up bundle. Scored the buzzer beater of the weekend making a operating financial institution 3 level shot to win a scrimmage by one level. At his peak must proceed to work on his exterior taking pictures for the subsequent stage. His level guard expertise nonetheless  wants some refinement however the athleticism and  expertise was spectacular.

Elijah Williams F 6’6 Brother Rice HS, Phoenix, AZ Class of 2026

Elijah Williams showcased good handles, a robust motor and a capability to complete performs across the rim. He displayed some good understanding because the ball handler in choose and roll conditions, profiting from downhill alternatives to complete performs off or hit the diver on the go. He additionally displayed a superb change of tempo dribble to get downhill on dribble drives. He typically completed performs off with a eurostep and appears to have nice stability as he decelerates.

Koa Peat PF 6’8 Perry HS, Chandler, AZ, Class of 2025

Every single day of the occasion Koa Peat was in a position to end performs off with quick break dunks or put again dunks. His excessive motor and vitality is unquestioned. Defensively he works laborious for steals to get his quick break alternatives. On weak facet alternatives he double pinned photographs with each palms towards the backboard on a number of events. Robust as an ox, he’s in all probability essentially the most intimidating defensive participant on this summer time’s circuit. Nevertheless, he nonetheless didn’t exhibit any enchancment in his taking pictures or the flexibility to create for himself from the wing on half court docket units which might be obligatory for the highest stage.

Malachi Moreno C 6’11Great Crossing HS, Georgetown KY, Class of 2025

Malachi Moreno was one of many extra regular bigs in Phoenix. He has good delicate palms to catch balls off passes and rebounds and delicate contact across the rim. Displayed some stable footwork within the publish however lacks explosiveness across the rim.

Terrion Burgess F 6’8 Benton HS, Marion, AR Class of 2025

Terrion Burgess had a spotlight reel stage dunk on day 1 of the minicamp. Along with his prolonged wingspan, he displayed elite athleticism and a excessive motor. He’s restricted on half court docket units as he’s on the skinny facet as a display setter and the lefty jumper continues to be very a lot a piece in progress.

Babatunde Oladotun Wing 6’7 Blake HS, Silver Spring, MD Class of 2027

One of many youthful gamers on the occasion confirmed elite handles for a participant his measurement. He was in a position to self create and get to the outlet occasionally. As his physique matures ought to be capable to end performs off with energy. Has to proceed to work on extending his vary however was one of many higher long run prospects in Phoenix.

Darius Wabbington PF/C 6’9 Sunnyslope HS, Phoenix, AZ, Class of 2027

Darius Wabbington was the most effective younger heart on the minicamp. He has all of the making of being a robust choose and pop choice and already makes good choices as passer with the ball in his palms on the high of the important thing or the excessive man in a excessive low. Can take in contact and end across the rim together with his delicate palms. Has room to work on his physique.

Nikola Bundalo PF 6-10 Western Reserve Academy Uniontown Ohio Class of 2025

Nikola Bundalo was getting some constructive discuss amongst scouts within the stands on day 2. The lefty at 6-10 confirmed some skill to shoot and has potential as a stretch 4. He moved fairly nicely on the perimeter on half court docket units and was not afraid to get bodily with opponents in the publish. Completed performs off with some dunks and general left an awesome impression for all that watched him.

Sadiq White PF 6’8 Myers Park , Charlotte NC, Class of 2025

Sadiq White was greatest at this occasion on the quick break ending off performs together with his elite athleticism. Made a number of consideration grabbing dunks together with a two handed put again in one of many scrimmages.