Colorado Springs, CO, home of Team USA Basketball, was once again the epicenter of the youth basketball in states, as 82 of the most elite basketball athletes, our nation has to offer, put on a display of force, over the course of 3 days. The spectacle of talent, being developed, and competing, in the facility of international champions, was an insight into the future of the USA Basketball Men's National Team. Thankfully BTL had the honor of witnessing the collection, of future stars, and potential members of our nations representation to FIBA & Olympic competition.
Below are summaries on each individual standout athlete, our West Coast & Mountain West regional contributors, Sam Beldock & Yusef Washington, observed on the weekend of October 11-13. Much appreciation to USA Basketball for their hospitality, and cooperation, for giving us the privilege into the insight of our future Olympic and FIBA competitors, and further allowing us to report on elite basketball being displayed, in any location in the world.
Brandon McCoy Jr. II St. John Bosco II PG 6’4 II C/O 2026
Yusef - McCoy was one of the more talented prospects on both sides of the ball showcasing the ability to not only play lead guard, but also play off the ball effectively as well. He excelled offensively with his timing cutting away from the ball, put backs, running the floor + self-creation in transition, and attacking closeouts. His explosiveness at the rim allowed for him to draw fouls and get to the line. He constantly picked up his matchup in the backcourt and made plenty of defensive plays whether it was being a disruptor on the ball getting deflections and forcing difficulties initiating the offense for his matchup, or playing the passing lanes and getting steals. Overall, his game was well-rounded and he separated himself from most of the upperclassmen throughout the camp.
Caleb Holt II Grayson HS II SG 6’5 II C/O 2026
Yusef - Caleb displayed an ability to disrupt the game with his defense through his motor, quickness, instincts, and athleticism. He was staying attached to his man’s hip while disrupting the ball handlers' action with his quick hands and long arms. Off the ball, he was making the right reads and got into the passing and driving lanes. Offensively, Holt demonstrated a capability to get downhill with his burst and finish at the rim, along with a solid feel for hitting his outside shots. Holt showcased a true two-way skillset that stood out amongst the rest of the players.
Chris Cenac Jr. II Link Academy II C 6’10 II C/O 2025
Yusef - Cenac has a few transferable skills as far as his ability to extend the defense beyond the paint with his shot-making, nice touch around the rim, good face up game in the mid post, ability to create off the dribble inside the arc, solid footwork in traffic. Struggled at times offensively in positional matchups when guarded by a longer athlete. Throughout most of the camp he displayed an inconsistent motor and was a poor transition defender. He was not 100% committed on that end so it has hard to gauge his effectiveness besides what he actually exhibited. When he did commit, he was a solid switch defender against ball-handling wings specifically. An area for improvement for him is improving his ability to rebound in traffic.
Darius Acuff Jr. II IMG Academy II PG 6’2 II C/O 2025
Yusef - Darius was a real offensive threat who can score and facilitate well from the point guard position. He was explosive off the dribble, getting past his initial defender with a deep bag, a quick first step, and an aptness for changing directions. He was getting into the lane easily, where he could score around bigger players while also setting up teammates for easy looks. Defensively, he struggled to stay in front of his man allowing multiple blow-by drives. Acuff did show good defensive instincts and quick hands that allowed him to make up for an occasional lack of effort on that end. Acuff dominated the scrimmages on offense by scoring at will and making countless plays, despite his defensive effort coming into question.
Mikel Brown Jr. II DME Academy II PG 6’3 II C/O 2025
Yusef - Brown was one of the best overall facilitators and playmakers in the camp, making advanced reads on drives to the basket and in the PnR. His ability to create separation from a ball screen or with him using his crafty handle, was consistent. He shot well from beyond the arc off the catch and dribble, and showed touch around the rim finding ways to get the ball over athletic defenders. He competed on the defensive side of the ball, but because he is a slightly undersized guard, he was susceptible to having unfavorable matchups at times.
Babatunde Oladotun II Blake HS II SF 6’9 II C/O 2027
Yusef - Babatunde showed to be a smooth wing who is fluid with the basketball and can make shots from the outside. He displayed an advanced and polished offense game for someone of his age and size that makes him very hard to defend. He was especially confident shooting off the dribble with a high and consistent release and was able to make shots at a fairly high clip. His ball-handling prowess also allowed him to get by defenders and score from the lane. Defensively he demonstrated decent versatility with an ability to guard along the perimeter with his length allowing him to stay in front of guards. On the interior, his long wingspan helped him block and contest shots.
Jordan Smith Jr. II St. Paul VI Catholic II SG 6’4 II C/O 2026
Yusef - Smith was in that McCoy-Holt group of combo guards who constantly got after it on the defensive side of the ball, creating plays and advantages for their team, but also showing some polish to their game offensively. He showed the ability to knock down jumpers from beyond the arc and create for himself. He did a solid job of generating paint touches and rim pressure. At 6’4, he showcased explosive, dynamic finishes at the rim and controlled his matchups due to his overall physical strength and intensity.
Xavion Staton II Sierra Vista II C 6’10 II C/O 2025
Yusef - Probably the biggest sleeper in the whole camp goes to Staton. He dominated games defensively due to his constant communication, length, athleticism, and instincts. He displayed the ability to protect the rim and anchor a defense at a high level, contain ball handlers in switches, and clean the glass. He altered shots near the basket and prevented multiple buckets in transition with his second effort plays. Staton was super mobile on both sides of the ball and most of his diet offensively came in the PnR, transition, put backs, and dump-offs from driving guards. He provided vertical spacing at the rim, making it easier for penetrating ball handlers to just throw the ball up at the rim and letting him finish the play. Although he has some polishing to do offensively he showed some flashes of shot-making beyond the arc and shot creation in the low post/mid-post area.
Marcus Spears Jr. II Dynamic Prep II PF 6’7 II C/O 2027
Sam - Marcus presented unique athleticism throughout the camp with high-flying dunks and
many impressive defensive plays. On offense, he demonstrated a good feel for getting to
the basket both off the dribble and as a cutter. He showed an impressive ability to handle the ball for his size and used that to create a lot of offense. Defensively, he moved his feet and was able to guard in the paint and on the perimeter. His size and athleticism allowed him to match up well against any player he was guarding.
Yusef - Marcus demonstrated unique athleticism playing above the rim on offense and disrupting opposing players on defense. He moved well within the offense and was able to score in bunches because of his good feel as a slasher and cutter. On the outside, he also showcased some capability to handle the basketball and make outside jumpers. Defensively, his quickness allowed him to guard smaller players on the perimeter, while also having the length and athleticism to match up against bigger guys on the interior. Marcus had a meaningful impact on the game on both sides of the court with his athleticism and movement standing out.
Nasir Anderson II Norcross HS II PG 6’2 II C/O 2027
Sam - Nasir demonstrated a tenacity on defense along with impressive athleticism and
quickness that stood out throughout the entire camp. He was consistently picking up full
court during the scrimmages making it difficult for the opposing guards to get anything
going. He uses his quickness to stay in front of his man and uses his active hands to
disrupt the dribble and deflect passes. On offense, Nasir was shifty with the basketball
and used his burst and quick first step to get downhill toward the basket. He consistently looked to drive when he had the ball and wanted to dunk every time he got in the paint.
Yusef - Nasir demonstrated a tenacity on defense along with impressive athleticism and quickness. He maintains a low base and moves his feet well to stay in front of his man. His quickness and hustle on defense proved his team with countless steals and deflections, resulting in transition opportunities. Offensively Nasir showed a propensity to create with the basketball consistently using a hesitation crossover to get by his initial defender and attack the basket. He occasionally struggled to finish over bigger defenders at the rim and would generally elect for dunks when a layup would’ve been the better decision.
Jeremy Jenkins Jr. II Rivera Prep II PF 6’8 II C/O 2027
Sam - Jeremy displayed an impressive skill set for someone of his age and size, as he proved to be able to handle the basketball, facilitate, and shoot the three. He showed an
impressive ability to run in transition, consistently getting the defensive rebound and breaking out down the court. In transition, he was confident and comfortable with the
basketball while making the right reads and creating easy looks for his teammates.
Jenkins also showed nice touch on his jumper from the outside, making a high
percentage of his three-pointers and mid-range shots.
Kameron Mercer II Huntington Prep II SG 6’5 II C/O 2028
Sam - Kameron showed to be a scrappy defender who can make it very difficult on opposing guards. He is very quick and stays attached to his man by fighting aggressively through ball screens and moving his feet. He also displayed active hands which he used to disrupt the ball handlers rhythm and cause turnovers. He rebounds very well for a guard by using his athleticism and strength and pursues the ball well on long rebounds to the perimeter. Offensively, Kameron uses his strong ball handling and wide frame to get to the basket where he showcased impressive skills as both a finisher and facilitator.
Beckham Black II Duncanville HS II PG 5’11 II C/O 2027
Sam - Beckham showed to be a polished point guard who has a high basketball IQ and can
operate and facilitate well within an offense. He has a strong handle and plays in control with the ball. He had the most success when getting into the lane as he demonstrated a nice touch on his floater along with unique vision and passing that allowed him to make many special plays for his team. Additionally, Beckham has a solid jump shot and his repeatable and quick motion should allow him to be at least a decent shooter. On defense, he gives good effort and has active hands with his ultimate defensive ability likely to be determined by how his body develops in the next couple of years.
Devin Cleveland II Kenwood Academy II PG 6’1 II C/O 2027
Sam - Devin showed to be a special defender by using his long wingspan, quickness, and
defensive instincts to cause numerous turnovers and deflections. His defensive play combines well with his transition game as he was consistently looking to get out and run. Offensively, he plays at a deliberate and controlled pace and operates well from the lane as both a facilitator and scorer. While his outside shot needs some development, he appears to be very confident in his mid-range jumper as he elevates well and plays off two feet.
Mason Collins II Irmo HS II SG 6’5 II C/O 2027
Sam - Mason showcased an intriguing skillset as an athletic wing who can rebound, score, and facilitate. Collins uses his strong court awareness and athleticism to help him excel in
many facets of the game. Offensively, he moves well without the basketball, spaces the
floor, and utilizes the open areas, getting easy looks for himself and his teammates by
being in the right spots. His athleticism also comes into play as a cutter and slasher who
can get to the basket and play above the rim. Defensively, he displayed an impressive
ability to get rebounds around bigger guys by using his athleticism, court awareness,
and instincts.
Jaylan Mitchell II Francis Joseph Reitz HS II PF 6’7 II C/O 2027
Sam - Jaylan showcased an ability to impact the game on many levels with his size and skill. Offensively, he demonstrated an ability to create offense as a facilitator with a knack for making tight passes in the lane and initiating offense with entry passes from the outside and in transition. In the paint, Jaylan has solid footwork that allows him to navigate around defenders and use his crafty finishing around the basket. His strong frame also provides him the ability to back down defenders for easy buckets. Mitchell stood out defensively because of his rebounding ability, as his strength enables him to clear out his man and corral a ton of boards.
Malachi Jordan II Link Academy II SF 6’7 II C/O 2027
Sam - Malachi showed to be a gritty defender who can disrupt the opposing team’s offense
with his motor. Malachi’s hustle, athleticism, and length give him a unique defensive
edge that resulted in blocks, steals, and successful shot contests. He looked to get out
and run in transition and make plays. Offensively, his game lacks polish as he showed to
be turnover-prone, and struggled to finish, but he did display an impressive ability to get
past his initial defender and get to the basket.
Looking forward to seeing the crop of the best 82 hooper's, in the nation, next year, as we are pleased to follow the progression, and growth, of this years cohort.
Written By: Sam Beldock & Yusef Washington
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