2024 USA Basketball Junior Nationwide Crew April Minicamp Notes

From April 5 to 7, 65 United States highschool gamers from the category of 2025, 26, and 27 participated in a crew USA Basketball Junior Nationwide Crew minicamp in Phoenix, Arizona. This occasion allowed the gamers to get themselves some publicity to the crew USA program, really feel the expertise of the Remaining 4, and showcase themselves in entrance of nationwide media and NBA scouts. Listed below are various 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 vary this opinion, nonetheless he had a considerably quiet camp. He got here throughout very nicely in our interview with him and talked about that his level guard abilities 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 flattening clean pull up pictures, however there’s actually a whole lot 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. Total he was clearly as marketed essentially the most proficient prospect on the occasion, however he’s obtained 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 facet he can develop. A powerful particular person with a shiny future. At his age being too essential about his sport is nitpicking. The expertise and angle and make up are all there for him to turn into one thing particular. It can take onerous 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’ power 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 number of the youthful guards in camp. On a pair events, he caught a move on the baseline and with one step completed the play off with a one handed flush. Blessed with a clean leap 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 about up for a robust summer season circuit efficiency

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

Jason Crow is already thought-about one of many elite gamers within the nation and nothing that passed off on the camp modified that. Whereas nonetheless slim, Crowe has grown each in top and power since I final watched him final spring. The lefty displayed a clean jumper and a fast launch. He confirmed superior data on choose and roll reads and a very good mix of scoring for himself and creating for others. Not an elite vertical jumper however he confirmed a very good potential to get downhill by slithering previous defenders or splitting double crew actions in choose and roll.  He completed performs off on the rim by inflicting contact into the defender, thus creating house.  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 aspect 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 might problem him because of his size and bounce. He confirmed good kind together with his shot even making a couple of nook 3s. NBA Scouts within the stands have been intrigued by him because of his size and potential as a shooter however had some questions on his physique. Not the swiftest transferring laterally so it brings up the query of whether or not it may 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 potential to complete performs off on the quick break with sturdy two hand jams. On half courtroom units, he appeared to primarily keep past the three level line the place he was proficient and confirmed a pleasant repeatable stroke. Including power to his body is the important thing to taking his growth to a different degree.

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 fireplace 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 working the offense on half courtroom 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 clean leap shot which can have been greatest at camp. A fast launch and good comfortable contact was on full show on the Minicamp. He confirmed nice effectivity in his dribble use as some extent guard, weaving his manner 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 dimension in NBA phrases, he wants so as to add power as he missed some performs across the rim because of contact.

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

Jalen Montonati was a constant offensive menace all through the weekend and confirmed some actual potential as a 3 degree scorer. He completed performs off with dunks, and made his share of catch and shoot threes in half courtroom units. He has good dimension for a guard and confirmed a excessive degree of confidence and competitiveness. He wants so as to add power 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 power and the power to create house. He was good each in choose and pop conditions and as a spot up shooter. He confirmed some potential to place it on the ground pump faking it from lengthy distance and taking one dribble mid vary pictures or aspect step threes. Defensively was in a position to defend each guards and submit gamers at this occasion, displaying good lateral quickness along with his aforementioned power.

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

Devin Cleveland seemed each little bit of a 15 yr 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 holding 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 enormous dunks on day 2 together with one the place he the defender made a enterprise choice to slip away. He has wonderful power 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 kind 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 difficulty as he strikes up in ranges.

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

Certainly one of simply two 14 yr 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 regulate 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 power as he didn’t at all times end performs off when bumped. Together with his size has the power to shoot whereas opponents don’t have any potential to have an effect on his shot. Nevertheless his shot tends to return 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 pictures on the backboard or coming from the weak aspect and returning the pictures again to sender. Offensively he’s explosive ending performs with two handed energy dunks both on quick break or half courtroom units. Offensively is primarily a choose and dive offensive menace. As an undersized submit participant the lefty must proceed to work on his leap shot to extend his alternatives on the subsequent degree.

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 targeted on creating for others and taking pictures the occasional leap 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 holding opponents in entrance of him and getting some steals. His willingness to adapt his sport 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 sport may be very typical for a New York level guard. He showcased his sturdy handles and fast first step to get to the opening. He was in a position to rating round a lot taller defenders with an elite degree lay up bundle. Scored the buzzer beater of the weekend making a working financial institution 3 level shot to win a scrimmage by one level. At his top must proceed to work on his outdoors taking pictures for the subsequent degree. His level guard abilities 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, benefiting from downhill alternatives to complete performs off or hit the diver on the move. He additionally displayed a very good change of tempo dribble to get downhill on dribble drives. He typically completed performs off with a eurostep and appears to have nice steadiness as he decelerates.

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

Day-after-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 onerous for steals to get his quick break alternatives. On weak aspect alternatives he double pinned pictures with each fingers towards the backboard on a number of events. Sturdy as an ox, he’s in all probability essentially the most intimidating defensive participant on this summer season’s circuit. Nevertheless, he nonetheless didn’t reveal any enchancment in his taking pictures or the power to create for himself from the wing on half courtroom units which might be mandatory for the highest degree.

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

Melachi Moreno was one of many extra regular bigs in Phoenix. He has good comfortable fingers to catch balls off passes and rebounds and comfortable contact across the rim. Displayed some strong footwork within the submit however lacks explosiveness across the rim.

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

Terrion Burgess had a spotlight reel degree 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 courtroom units as he’s on the skinny aspect as a display setter and the lefty jumper remains 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 dimension. He was in a position to self create and get to the opening occasionally. As his physique matures ought to be capable of 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 middle 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 fingers 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 comfortable fingers. 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 speak amongst scouts within the stands on day 2. The lefty at 6-10 confirmed some potential to shoot and has potential as a stretch 4. He moved fairly nicely on the perimeter on half courtroom units and was not afraid to get bodily with opponents in the submit. Completed performs off with some dunks and total left an important 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.