The storylines you need to know from Day 1 of the u17 USA training camp

Colorado Springs, Colorado – Walking into the USA facility, we heard the phrase numerous times, ‘Pros will get cut from this team”. USA Basketball selected thirty-five of the best men’s high school players who qualify for the u17 age group. The u17 USA training camp was incredibly competitive and was the ultimate proving ground.

On3 was courtside for the session; here are the storylines you need to know.

The best player on night one was Tre Johnson

Tre Johnson’s skill set is what sets him apart. He is a feared scorer, with deep range and the footwork in the mid-range that gets him to his spots. The three-on-three portion of the workout was almost unfair with how he scored.

The five-on-five portion broke out, and the 6-foot-5 guard showcased his court vision. Johnson’s head was always up and surveying the floor when the game sped up. He delivered great passes, on target and on time, from all over the floor. –Jamie Shaw, On3’s National Recruiting Analyst

…but that begs the question, Who is No. 1 in 2024?

As things stand today, Ian Jackson and Tre Johnson are the two players in this conversation. And the two could not be more polar opposite.

On the one hand, you have Jackson, a New York guard through and through. His effort on the defensive end stands out; he picked up his man full court and continued to turn point guards multiple times. The tenacity on that end reminds some of Marcus Smart at the same stage.

Offensively, Jackson is a straight-line driver who has an explosive first step and a crafty finishing package around the basket. The jump shot looked improved in this setting, especially in the catch and shoot drills.

We touched on Johnson above, but in today’s offensive-driven game, there are not many holes in what he does. His ability to play off the ball and create instant offense is as good as any player in high school basketball. However, there are shades of Johnson being a long-term point guard.

This conversation will be fun as we continue to move forward with this class as it should be fluid over the next two years. –Jamie Shaw, On3’s National Recruiting Analyst

Is Cooper Flagg the early favorite for No. 1 in 2025?

Cooper Flagg is going to be special. Mark my words. At 15 years of age, Flagg was one of only three 2025 prospects represented at the USA U17 tryouts today. At 6-foot-8, he does a bit of everything – crashes the boards, handles the ball when needed, and can score from all three levels efficiently. I’m particularly intrigued with his mid-range game. All in all, Flagg is incredibly polished for his age and is clearly making his case for the top overall prospect in 2025. He’s definitely one to keep an eye out for and watch as he continues to develop, add strength, and further cultivate his game. – Joe Tipton, On3’s National Recruiting Expert

5-star DJ Wagner not at USA basketball…yet?

DJ Wagner, the 2023’s No. 2 overall prospect according to the On3 Consensus, did not make it out to Colorado Springs for the U17 tryouts because of school interferences while also competing for Camden High (N.J.). However, Wagner will still be considered as a finalist for USA basketball as the first cuts are made, and voters will take his prior evaluations with USA basketball into consideration. Additionally, Wagner could very well still arrive in Colorado in time for the remaining days of tryouts if he wishes. A final decision has yet to be made, but my gut tells me Wagner makes the first cut tomorrow (down to 17ish). – Joe Tipton, On3’s National Recruiting Expert