Eighty-four of the top high school basketball players congregated in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this past weekend for the annual USA Basketball junior national team minicamp. This event has long been considered the gold standard of high school scouting. The sheer depth of future NBA talent assembled and the way players are pushed to compete with maximum intensity trying out for future camp invites, coveted rosters spots for future FIBA events and the Nike Hoop Summit makes for an ideal evaluation platform.
For the first time in the decade-plus we've been covering this event (which started in 2010), at least a half-dozen NBA teams elected to send general managers or other top-level decision-makers to evaluate this deep crop of prospects, adding to the sense of urgency among participants. Little time was wasted as the players were almost always conducting some type of competitive action during the three-day camp with plenty of instruction sprinkled in from a coaching staff attempting to instill the principles and game style USA Basketball has long been known.
Despite several elite prospects electing not to participate in the event -- Cooper Flagg, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson and Airious Bailey -- the weekend was highly successful, with quite a few lesser-known players stepping into the void to establish themselves as high-end NBA prospects. Coming off a difficult summer, finishing fourth at both the FIBA World Cup and FIBA U19 World Cup, USA Basketball has an important year to restore its dominance at the FIBA U17 World Cup and Paris Olympics, something that wasn't lost on stakeholders at the minicamp. ESPN NBA draft insider Jonathan Givony looks at A.J. Dybantsa living up to the hype, the potential best player in the 2024 class not named Flagg and updates on the sons of two former NBA players.
A.J. Dybantsa looks like a future No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft
Coming off a fantastic spring and summer playing as a 16-year-old on the Nike EYBL 17U circuit with Expressions Elite, Dybantsa was the most highly regarded player in Colorado Springs and did nothing to diminish that thinking.
With many of his peers atop the rankings electing not to attend and others present sitting out the final day, Dybantsa became stronger as the weekend moved on. He came alive in the knockout round showing an insatiable level of aggressiveness in attacking the rim and scoring seemingly whenever he wanted to finish in traffic, drawing fouls and following misses for putbacks.
Measured a hair under 6-foot-9 in shoes with a near-7-foot wingspan and a sturdily built frame, Dybantsa has ideal physical tools for a future NBA wing. He gets low to the ground to attack off the dribble, using convincing shoulder fakes, hesitation moves, long strides and outstanding footwork. He also has creativity and touch around the basket and draws fouls prolifically thanks to his relentlessness in seeking contact.
While Dybantsa's hunger for scoring can lead to occasionally questionable decision-making, he's an intelligent passer who can pass off a dribble and has significant potential as a big playmaker as he gains experience and learns how to pick his spots.
Improving as a perimeter shooter and defender are the other next steps in Dybantsa's evolution as a potential No. 1 pick candidate in the 2026 NBA draft after announcing this week his intentions to reclassify to 2025. It sets up a fascinating future battle for the top spot in the high school class with Boozer and Peterson.
🤌 @ADybantsa finds @annor2024 for the slam!
— USABJNT (@usabjnt) October 7, 2023
📍 🇺🇸 October Minicamp pic.twitter.com/xojFfsSIyT
Dybantsa makes 3-pointers prolifically and in dynamic fashion, hitting pullups and step-backs, and is a career 84% free throw shooter. However, he isn't consistent, converting just 30% of his career 3-point attempts. Even though he plays with frenetic energy attacking the glass and operating in transition, he's streaky with his approach as a half-court defender, losing his focus and technique -- perhaps not a surprise considering his age, but something he can certainly improve on to cement his status as an elite two-way prospect.
NBA executives sitting courtside in Colorado Springs absolutely loved the alpha dog mentality, competitiveness and toughness Dybantsa offers, in addition to his shot-creation prowess and overall scoring instincts at his size. Despite being earmarked as a future top pick from an early age, he's made significant strides in the past year.
Jalil Bethea's rapid ascent continues
Bethea's improvement trajectory is unlike any player in his class (2024), as he's gone from borderline top-100 prospect last spring to a real candidate for the No. 2 player in the class (after Flagg) based on what he's shown in a variety of settings, including this past weekend.
Playing mostly off the ball in previous viewings, Bethea was given significant freedom to show off his potential as a big point guard. The nearly 6-5 guard got anywhere he wanted on the floor with his tremendous fluidity changing gears, body control operating in the lane and explosiveness as a creator and finisher. He can pass on the move, make shots in a variety of ways rising up in the midrange or beyond the arc and is extremely creative and instinctual.
He's also got a real competitive streak, seeking contact in the lane, stepping in for charges and diving for loose balls. Still learning to channel his emotions, he didn't have any of the bad body language we've seen in the past.
A late-bloomer who is possibly still growing, Bethea's rate of improvement and ideal fit in the NBA game, combined with the fact that he's still only 17 years old, gives him as high a ceiling as any player.
Tyran Stokes adding to his game and résumé
With the 84-player camp roughly split with 17 and 18-year-olds in one group and younger players in the other, it may have surprised some to see just one 15-year-old, Stokes, playing against the veterans.
Stokes was one of the best players on the floor for long stretches, showing new facets to his game. Known as one of the most explosive athletes in high school, but streaky as an outside shooter, Stokes buried a barrage of 3-pointers with his feet set and off the dribble, a notable development considering he came into this event shooting a career 26% from 3 and 54% at the free throw line.
Also, Stokes is one of the most instinctual players at this age, passing with terrific vision, covering ground and generating turnovers like a free safety in football with his huge wingspan and an impressive knack for creating offense.
Growing an inch in the past year while adding nearly 25 pounds to his frame, he seems to be maturing rapidly, which is impressive considering his youth and that he isn't currently slated to be NBA draft eligible until 2027. He could bump up a year (like Flagg did) and potentially be one of the youngest players in the 2026 draft. Stokes has a strong case to be considered one of the five best long-term prospects in high school with the way he's consistently produced against older players, a clear upside he possesses physically, his feel for the game and rapidly improving skill level.
Darius Acuff lights up younger group
Acuff vaulted up recruiting rankings this past spring after some highly impressive scoring performances on the Nike EYBL circuit, before somewhat coming down to earth in the summer.
One of the older players among the junior group of players when the camp was divided, Acuff proved to be simply unstoppable.
Slippery off the dribble, getting to the rim at will and demonstrating impressive skill as a pick-and-roll ball handler and finisher, Acuff did whatever he wanted at this event, showing considerable potential as a passer and shooter.
Ramping up his intensity defensively and improving on his at-times poor body language will be priorities, but overall Acuff left little doubt that he is one of the most talented guards in his class and still has room to grow considering he's only 16 years old. At 6-2 and change but with a 6-6 wingspan, Acuff hopefully still has another growth spurt to become a high-end NBA guard prospect.
Brandon McCoy shows his long-term upside
McCoy was far from the most productive player at this camp or other settings he's competed in recently, but few high school basketball prospects share his long-term upside.
Not turning 16 for another month, McCoy is at an early stage of development physically but should end up having some of the best skills of any player in his class. With a highly projectable 6-4½ frame, he displays explosiveness and fluid body control.
He's best on the defensive end, where he covers ground exceptionally well and shows terrific activity and length. He plays with toughness and communicates nonstop with teammates, bringing a winning, unselfish style of basketball that bodes well for his long-term development.
McCoy views himself as a point guard long-term and shows flashes of vision as a passer to back that up, even if his ballhandling and decision-making are still catching up with his talent. He shows flashes of shot-making and scoring instincts that still need to be honed since he's still figuring out how to consistently impact games on offense.
It's easy to play the long game with McCoy with the considerable two-way potential he shows since he's not slated to be NBA draft-eligible until 2027.
Khani Rooths' two-way potential
Rooths has been viewed as more of a prospect than player due to his inconsistent productivity and lack of aggressiveness. But he made a major step forward showing he's a clear-cut five-star recruit and future NBA player.
Rooths has the type of physical skills NBA teams search for, as a big wing standing nearly 6-8 with a huge wingspan and an impressive frame that should carry considerable weight.
THE place to be the first weekend of October 🙌
— USABJNT (@usabjnt) October 11, 2023
Sights & sounds from 🇺🇸 October Minicamp 2023 👇 pic.twitter.com/I7BUvK5AIt
As the camp progressed, he really began to play with the type of toughness and aggressiveness scouts have long been hoping to see consistently, especially on defense. Rooths was often tasked with defending guards and wings and smothered ball handlers on the perimeter with his length, generating steals and blocks in bunches.
Offensively, Rooths is a work in progress. He shows flashes in several areas, passing around the perimeter intelligently, making shots in small doses or cutting for easy above-the-rim finishes. He's not much of a ball handler and has struggled to score consistently, but has NBA skills on defense and passing -- something every NBA team is looking to add.
Xavion Staton emerges from obscurity
After picking up the game only three years ago, Staton entered as a fringe top-150 player and left as a strong top-25 recruit candidate. No one played with more energy than the wiry 7-footer from Las Vegas, running the floor with purpose, showing quickness jumping, timing as a shot-blocker and a fearlessness you love to see from a 16-year-old big. Staton's offense is a major work in progress, and he showed his lack of experience by getting sped up and committing mistakes, but it's hard to find players his size who are light on their feet and bouncy as Staton. His recruitment has exploded since the weekend, adding offers from UCLA, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, USC and more.
Mikel Brown Jr. moves up
Measuring under 6-feet in shoes at this same camp a year ago, Brown has sprouted considerably since, boasting good size (6-4 in shoes) and length for a point guard with a frame that should fill out considerably. Fluid with the ball, Brown can pass on the move, finish with creativity around the basket and make shots all over the floor, especially off the dribble. He still has room to grow physically and with decision-making, but his long-term talent was evident.
Bryson Tiller's offensive versatility on display
Tiller has grown and made considerable progress since last year's lackluster showing, adding bulk and polish to his skills and emerging as one of the best scorers at the camp.
At nearly 6-10 in shoes with a plus wingspan and chiseled frame, Tiller is big enough to be a center in the NBA and has the offensive skill set of a power forward. He can push off the defensive glass, make jumpers from all over the floor, create his own shot effectively, rising up skillfully for midrange pull-ups or turnaround jumpers. He's fluid and coordinated, being a consistent lob threat as a cutter and crashing the offense glass, but he can also play through contact impressively.
Tiller needs consistent intensity defensively and as a decision-maker, as the game moves a little fast for him. He's made a significant jump since joining Overtime Elite and looks to have strong versatility to grow.
Quick hitters:
Kiyan Anthony
Anthony had a strong weekend, showing his polished scoring instincts, confidence and versatility, which bodes well for the 16-year-old son of former NBA player Carmelo Anthony. He's a tough shot-maker who plays off of hesitation moves and shows creativity as a passer and finisher. He was in attack mode every time he stepped on the floor. Measured nearly 6-5, Anthony appears to have plenty of upside at the guard spot, especially with his bloodline.
Tajh Ariza
The 15-year-old son of 18-year pro and NBA champion Trevor Ariza showed quite a bit of long-term upside with his terrific size, frame, length and shot-making ability. Already standing 6-8, he shows flashes of creativity with the ball, the vision to find teammates on the move and impressive potential defensively. Still unrefined as virtually all players his age physically and as a decision-maker, Ariza is at an early stage of development but shows impressive tools and versatility that give him a high ceiling.
Johnuel 'Boogie' Fland
Coming off an uneven spring and summer that caused him to drop in recruiting rankings, Fland responded with a strong weekend, reminding scouts why he was a highly regarded prospect early in his high school career.
Fland has added 10 pounds to his thin frame in the past six months and showed improvement with his perimeter shooting, finishing and defensive ability while bringing a consistent level of aggressiveness and intensity.
One of the youngest players in the 2024 high school class -- he doesn't turn 18 until mid-July -- Fland's pace operating out of pick-and-roll while changing gears using or rejecting ball screens stood out. He still needs to improve handling contact, decision-making and shooting consistency, but draws rave reviews off the floor for his leadership and ability to impact winning, which helps explain why he's such a coveted recruiting target for Indiana, Kentucky and Alabama. How he evolves physically over the next year will help determine how quickly he's able to transition to college and how long he stays.
Jalen Haralson
Haralson led a group of 15 and 16-year-olds to an unlikely win in the championship game of the camp over a group of older players, including Dybantsa and Flagg, showing impressive physicality and aggressiveness.
The powerful wing plays through contact better than most 16-year-olds, attacking the lane ferociously in the open court. While not a great shooter, Haralson showed some progress in that area, especially off the dribble, something he'll need to continue to work on.
The BOUNCE @JalenHaralson3 🐇
— USABJNT (@usabjnt) October 8, 2023
📍🇺🇸 October Minicamp pic.twitter.com/8eA9pWxVSP
Haralson's playmaking ability gives him significant room to grow -- he averaged five assists in 27 minutes per game at the Nike EYBL 17U playing up a year on the competition. He played more of a combo forward role at this camp than as a big guard like he has in other settings, and still has some work to do with his decision-making. His terrific frame and length gives him significant potential defensively, an area he's been inconsistent in effort and technique. He showed progress in that department in Colorado Springs, bringing strong intensity that bodes well for his long-term outlook.