Through the Last 4 week in Phoenix, Arizona the USA Junior Nationwide Staff held a Minicamp with 65 of the most effective class of 2025, 2026, and 2027 highschool taking part. Article coming quickly)with some perception on how a number of the individuals performed however beneath is brief interviews with a number of the individuals on how they felt they performed on this minicamp and what are a few of their summer time play plans.
Record of Interviews so as:
Day 1 & 2
Xavion Staton 6’11 C Sierra Vista HS, Las Vegas, NV Class of 2025
Alex Constanza 6’7 Ahead Westminster Academy, Weston, FL Class of 2026
Hudson Greer 6’6 Wing Lake Travis HS, Austin, TX Class of 2025
Cam Holmes 6’5 Wing Millennium HS, Goodyear, AZ, Class of 2026
Meleek Thomas PG 6’3 Lincoln Park HS, Pittsburgh, PA Class of 2025
Mikel Brown Jr PG 6’2 OTE, Wichita KS, Class of 2025
Day 3:
Jalen Montonati Wing 6’6 Owasso HS, Owasso OK Class of 2026
Devin Cleveland PG 6’1 Kenwood Academy HS, Chicago IL, Class of 2027
Jayden Hodge Wing 6’6 St Rose HS Belmar, NJ Class of 2026
Davion Adkins C 6’8 Oak Cliff Religion Household Academy, Dallas, TX Class of 2026
Jordan Web page CG 6’6 Broughton Magnet HS Raleigh NC, Class of 2027
Tajh Ariza Wing 6’8 St Bernard HS, Playa Del Rey, Class of 2026
USA MiniCamp Interview Snapshots Day 1 & Day 2:
Xavion Staton Interview
EG: How’s the camp gone to date?
Xavion Staton: I’m actually having fun with it to be sincere, you realize. I’m attending to play towards this excessive competitors. You understand, it’s making me higher each single day.I’m having fun with the teaching, you realize, I got here right here in October, however it’s utterly totally different, you realize, with a distinct group of men, who’ve totally different ability units. I’ve grown as a participant, so it’s been enjoyable.
EG: Who’re you enjoying for this summer time?
Xavion Staton: BTI Hoops
EG: What are you trying to accomplish within the subsequent few months / over the summer time?
Xavion Staton: I believe I’ll say this lots, however simply develop, develop as a participant to be sincere. You understand, I proceed to develop my sport, simply staying on the bottom, actually like, you realize, doing issues outdoors that I usually do (on the courtroom), being a giant.
EG: Is there a selected ability set that you just work on greater than the rest proper now?
Xavion Staton: Positively getting comfy with submit pictures, submit, submit something like that, but additionally simply guarding on the perimeter, you realize, that’s one thing I might undoubtedly get higher at.
EG: Superior. Thanks.
Alex Constanza interview:
EG: How has the USA Minicamp been to date for you?
Alex Constanza: Camp’s nice, you realize, that is my third time right here, so it’s been loads of expertise, and I’m right here to compete.
EG:You performed on the BWB World All Star weekend. How was that have for you and what did you’re taking away from it?
Alex Constanza: It was nice, you realize, it was an awesome expertise,enjoying with totally different gamers from across the nation and you realize, the most effective of the most effective, from totally different international locations, it was a very good expertise.
EG: What do you need to work on essentially the most within the subsequent six months?
Alex Constanza: I’ve been weightlifting. Getting just a little bit stronger. I’ve been getting stronger, quicker, stuff like that. You understand, simply working and getting higher at on a regular basis.
EG: Do you’ve a prediction for the ultimate 4 and the ultimate on Monday? Who’s your winner tonight?
Alex Constanza: UConn and NC State.
EG:Who wins the championship on Monday?
Alex Constanza: UConn.
EG: Thanks
Hudson Greer Interview:
EG: Hudson, what have you ever gotten from this USA Minicamp and expertise to date?
Hudson Greer: I imply, simply enjoying with some excessive stage guys, simply going up and down the ground, all the pieces’s quick, which that’s the best way I like to play. The best way they’re sharing the ball has simply been an awesome expertise. (Interviewer notice: transient interruption with ragging from teammates) Okay, however I imply, simply the best way we’re enjoying. Taking part in actually quick and my staff is sharing the ball and getting some wins. Hopefully we get to the championship, however we’re enjoying very well proper now.
EG: Do you see your self as a two guard?
Hudson Greer: Yeah.
EG:To get to the following stage? What do you suppose it’s essential work on essentially the most?
Hudson: I believe, not, I gained’t say dealing with strain, however with the ability to deal with strain after I’m dribbling the ball for positive. Having the ability to get to my spots and likewise arrange my teammates I believe is the following a part of my sport. Form of creating that combo guard type of ability whereas additionally having the ability
EG: Who’re you going to be enjoying with this summer time?
Hudson: JL3
EG: Lastly, who do you’ve tonight for the video games?
Hudson: UConn Purdue with UConn successful Championship
Cam Holmes Interview:
EG: I’m with Cam Holmes. We’re on the USA Junior Nationwide Staff MiniCamp. First query, what have you ever gotten so removed from this expertise?
Cam Holmes: You understand enjoying with my stage of gamers, this stage kind of gamers. Taking part in with nice gamers, you realize. Once I play in highschool, I play with folks which might be below me and I can get to the rim simply. However at USA, everyone is similar kind of expertise. So it’s not going to be straightforward. In order that’s what I gained from this and from the coaches offering me with their experiences. What they need to say and I discovered all the pieces from them.
EG: You almost gained a state title this yr. Uh, I’m positive that’s going to drive you for the summer time. What are a number of the stuff you’re going to work on this summer time?
Cam Holmes: I’m going to work on being a greater chief for my staff. I really feel like I let my staff down. And additionally I really feel like I should be extra assured when being guarded by larger guys. Um, when Koa (Koa Peat) was guarding me, I imply, that’s, that’s like my finest buddy since we had been children. And when he was guarding me, I couldn’t actually get to the rim due to his top and his wingspan and so forth. I’ve to work on attending to the rim extra, attending to my spot.
EG: what place do you see your self on the subsequent stage?
Cam Holmes: I see myself as like a two or three, however I might undoubtedly play a number of positions. I perform a little little bit of the one, however my most important, my most important place is a two.
EG: Who’re you gonna be enjoying this summer time? Uh.
Cam Holmes: AZ Unity
EG: Who do you’ve tonight for the video games?
Cam Holmes: Okay, so I bought, I bought UConn for UConn Alabama, after which, uh, the opposite staff, I bought NC State.
EG And who’s gonna win all of it?
Cam Holmes: I’ve UConn.
Meleek Thomas Interview:
EG: How has this expertise been to date with you as a basketball participant right here on the USAJNT Minicamp?
Meleek Thomas: I imply, each, each, each U. S. A. B expertise is simply nice to me. The extent of competitors, the extent of professionalism, simply how they run each sport. They need you to be crisp, they need you to suppose the move, or suppose the display, or they need you to take it to a brand new stage. Like, that, whenever you go away right here, they need you to take one thing from right here with you. I take loads of issues with me each single time I go away. So it’s only a nice expertise.
EG: What do you suppose you’re going to work on within the subsequent 4 months or what do you need to add as a part of your sport?
Meleek Thomas: Simply my power, persevering with to get my teammates concerned, these issues makes all the pieces simpler for me. And I really feel like I’m doing a heck of lots higher job on my passing types and getting the passes there. Simply choosing my spots and getting there each single time I would like.I’d say that’s the largest one.
EG: Do you’ve any specific summer time objectives?
Meleek Thomas: I used to be going to say, sinceI’m going to some camps, I used to be going to attempt to incorporate them, however in my thoughts proper now, it’s only a Peach Jam championship.
EG: Okay, okay. Who do you’ve successful tonight?
Meleek: Oh, man. I don’t know. I don’t suppose NC, I don’t suppose NC State might get Purdue. So I’m going to go together with Purdue. And … I’m going to go together with UConn.
EG: And who wins all of it, Monday?
Meleek: UConn.
Mikel Brown Jr Interview:
EG: how has this expertise been to date for you?
Mikel Brown: The expertise has been nice. You understand for me that is my third time coming to this camp. It’s all the time an awesome camp. You understand, we have now excessive stage athletes, excessive stage gamers out right here. Very expert gamers, athletic gamers, you realize, throughout gamers I’d in all probability say.And it’s simply, undoubtedly the competitors is excessive stage and it helps me convey my A sport.
EG: How’s the expertise been at OTE to date, after one yr?
Mikel Brown:The expertise has been nice. It’s been a studying course of for me. You understand, going there it’s been a professional like, faculty like system… we keep in dorms. We have now to wake ourselves up, we get the day by day schedule. Having that schedule out undoubtedly helps and it impacts me.
EG: What are you going to work on this summer time?
Mikel Brown: I believe it’s simply going to be all elements of my sport, to be sincere with you. I’m actually not pinpointing one factor. I need to maintain all the pieces stage. I need to be an throughout participant, so I’m simply going to work on all elements.
EG: Who’re you going to be going with this summer time?
Mikel Brown: within the circuit, within the AAU circuit? Staff Loaded North Carolina.
EG: Last 4 video games who do you’ve?
Mikel Brown: Alabama. I’m taking Alabama over UConn. And I’m taking, Purdue over NC State.
EG:who do you’ve successful it?
Mikel Brown: I don’t know.
USA MiniCamp Interview Snapshots Day 3:
Jalen Montonati Interview
EG: What sort of expertise did you’ve right here on the USA Basketball Junior Mini Camp?
Jalen Montonati: It’s an awesome expertise each time I come right here. You understand, the most effective of the most effective within the nation all come right here to compete. You understand, to earn a spot, on top-of-the-line, finest teams within the nation. Yeah, it’s simply good folks,good competitors, it’s an awesome weekend to get higher and see what I want to enhance on and, simply making an attempt to attempt to slot in right here and see what I must work on to return residence and simply enhance my sport there.
EG: What are you excited about engaged on essentially the most over the summer time?
Jalen Montonati: In all probability power and ball dealing with.I in all probability need to get to, like, round 195 by the top of the summer time, simply to attempt to flip right into a extra, like, stocky wing. I can guard a one by means of 4, so yeah.
EG: And what do you weigh now?
Jalen Montonati: I weigh 180. So yeah, making an attempt to placed on 15-20 kilos by the top of the summer time.
EG: A whole lot of protein shakes, it seems like?
Jalen Montonati: Sure, sir. Sure, sir.
EG: For somebody that hasn’t ever seen you play, how would you describe your sport?
Jalen Montonati: A 3 stage scorer. I wish to name myself top-of-the-line shooters within the nation, no matter class. You understand, I really feel like, in previous EYBL periods, I’ve shot 55 % from the three. Um, so, yeah, only a actually good shooter. I’m a frontrunner. Each staff that I’ve been on, you realize, I’ve led and I’m only a winner. I’ve been on successful applications like MoKan Elite and my highschool lately gained a state championship. So in every single place I’m going, I win.
EG: Is that who you will play with once more this summer time?
Jalen Montonati: Sure, sir.
Devin Cleveland Interview
EG: How has the expertise been to date?
Devin Cleveland: It’s been nice. You understand, loads of power within the USA camp. That is my first time coming. It lived as much as the expectations that, um, I anticipated. As a result of, you realize, there’s loads of nice expertise out right here. However, yeah, you gotta separate your self by doing the little issues out right here.And that’s actually what it’s. Protection, small issues. You don’t, all the pieces doesn’t need to be like getting a bucket or a two or three level shot. As a degree guard you simply need to get your staff concerned. That’s what I’m. I’m a degree guard, so I attempt to get my staff concerned first earlier than me as a result of I do know I’m gonna have the ball and whatever the factors that I win for the staff.EG: What’s one thing you need to work on this summer time? Um,
Devin Cleveland: I need to work on getting stronger. My proper hand. I’m type of like a lefty just a little bit, however I really feel like I might get stronger with my proper hand and my protection, defensive abilities.
EG: What staff are you going to run with this summer time?
Devin Cleveland: Mac Irvin Hearth, EYBL U15.
EG: Who do you’ve successful tomorrow night time?
Devin Cleveland: For males’s? Oh, I’m taking UConn once more, again to again.
Jayden Hodge Interview
EG: How’s the USA Mini Camp been to date for you?
Jayden Hodge: It’s been superb, you realize, simply my first time. I believe it was an awesome expertise simply with the ability to compete with the most effective. It was simply superb.
EG: What are some stuff you’re going to work on this summer time?
Jayden Hodge: I’m undoubtedly going to work on consistency in my shot. Simply additionally outdoors of basketball, my athleticism, my velocity., and undoubtedly my physique as nicely.
EG: I do know you’re a twin citizen, and that you just additionally performed on the Belgian nationwide staff youth groups. Are you going to be enjoying with them this summer time?
Jayden Hodge: All of it relies upon. I’m undecided. if USA takes me, then, uh, it will likely be, like, I’ll resolve then. I’m not frightened.
EG: How has the expertise of enjoying each FIBA and US helped you?
Jayden Hodge: Oh, it’s been superb. It’s a excessive, it’s a excessive stage competitors and it simply makes you higher, you realize? And also you simply gotta come out and do your factor.
EG: Who’re you enjoying for in AAU this summer time?
Jayden Hodge: Yeah, for PSA Cardinals.
Davion Adkins Interview:
EG: How was your expertise at USABJNT?
Davion Adkins: It’s been nice. I really like how everyone competed. The trouble was by means of the roof. The power was superb.
EG: What are some issues that you just’re engaged on this summer time?
Davion Adkins: Positively, my shot, house creator, all the pieces, IQ, passing, loads of issues.
EG: What staff are you going with this summer time?
Davion Adkins: SOH Elite.
Jordan Web page Interview
EG: How would you assess this minicamp for you? How do you are feeling you probably did and what did you get from it?
Jordan Web page: I felt it was an awesome expertise. It exhibits me what stage I’m on. Competing towards nice expertise.
EG: What staff are you going with this summer time?
Jordan Web page: I’m enjoying for Garner Highway .
EG: What do you see your self engaged on essentially the most and getting higher at this summer time?
Jordan Web page: Get higher? I need to transition extra to some extent guard. Getting different gamers concerned within the sport. In addition to creating for myself and persevering with to hit pictures.
Tajh Ariza Interview
EG: How has the expertise been to date within the courtroom, been for you on the U. S. A. Minicamp?
Tajh Ariza: It’s been nice. You understand, it’s like a household. All of the coaches, they’re cool, they simply need the most effective for you. They attempt to push you and develop you as finest as doable.
EG: What are you considering of engaged on essentially the most this summer time?
Tajh Ariza: In all probability enjoying off the ball as a result of this season I performed on the ball lots, so I must work on my sport, enjoying off the ball as nicely. Affecting the sport, simply not by having the ball in my hand and scoring, you realize. Doing the little issues, like enjoying protection, getting steals, rebounds, you realize.
EG: Who’re you enjoying with this summer time?
Tajh Ariza: Staff Why Not.
EG: Thanks
