USA Basketball Minicamp Top Performers: Day 1
Houston, Texas – USA Basketball is hosting its annual Junior National Team Minicamp in Houston. The program sent out 62 invites to the top prospects across the 2024, 2025, and 2026 classes. It is rare that you are able to get this many top prospects under one roof to compete. These players are playing for a spot on the USA Basketball Junior National Team this summer that will take part in a FIBA world event.
On3 is on hand for the three-day minicamp, and here are the standouts from day one.
USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp event preview
Full USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp roster
On3 MVP: Five-star PF Koa Peat
Koa Peat is a veteran of the USA events. He played with the u16 team and won FIBA world gold in Spain this summer. The Gilbert (AZ) Perry High forward came into the day confidently, as expected. A player we have seen a lot, the takeaway from here was how smooth the jump shot looks.
He plays tough, is a good rebounder, and is a willing defender. Peat’s game is getting to the rim. He will straight-line drive in the half-court. While he is a bit stiff, he is still able to bully his way to the rim to finish plays with contact. Peat played with the ball in his hands here and was able to create opportunities.
He is currently the No. 3 player in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking.
2. Five-star SG Meleek Thomas
There is a mentality a player has to have to shine in this type of event. Meleek Thomas has that exact mentality; he just oozes confidence. Thomas has the ability to get to his shot at any point of the possession. He can make off-balanced, off-the-bounce shots, or knock them down off the catch, squared up. He handles the ball as a primary initiator and is capable of getting a team in sets, but he is at his best looking to put the ball in the hole.
Defensively, Thomas plays with a toughness. He has quick hands and feet with long arms and the tenacity to compete.
He is currently the No. 3 player in the 2025 On3 150.
3. Five-star PF Ace Bailey
The upside is tantalizing. Ace Bailey has always had flashes that would drop your jaw; however, on day one, the flashes were very consistent. Bailey is listed at 6-foot-9, and he carries long arms and broad shoulders, and a lot of pop. He made plays all over the floor, on both ends.
Bailey had one stretch on the day where he knocked down a one-dribble pull-up going left, went down on the other end of the floor to block a shot around the square, then ran the floor finishing above the rim in transition.
Despite some inconsistencies, he makes his flashes hard to ignore. Bailey is the No. 5 player in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking.
4. Five-star CG Dylan Harper
The ball seems to find Dylan Harper’s hands when he is on the floor. No matter the drill or how big the small-sided game was, Harper found the ball and made a play. He is a strong-framed, 6-foot-5 guard; he has excellent floor vision and never plays rushed.
The pace that Dylan Harper plays with sticks out immediately. He is always balanced and able to get to his spots. During one drill, it was a three-on-three drill, the ball kicked out to the wing, and then play started. The first rep, Harper attacked the closeout, drew the second defender, and threw a pin-point pass – no look – to the player at the opposite wing. The second rep saw Harper establish on two feet just outside the paint and knocked down an easy floater.
You want to see the jump shot to become more consistent, but he has no problem scoring or making plays.
He is the No. 2 player in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking.
5. Four-star PF Caleb Wilson
Caleb Wilson continues to make strides, adding something new each time you see him. He has a great frame, even if it does lack weight. The touch is there, and so is the footwork and the toughness.
Wilson is not afraid to play away from the basket. He has a controlled handle for a big man as well as good balance with the ability to knock down a jumper. He is a long-term play; there is still some necessary physical development needed, and with that will come better balance and more explosion.
The production is already there, and the flashes continue to be impressive.
Wilson is the No. 9 player in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking.
6. Five-star SG Tre Johnson
Tre Johnson’s ability to score the ball is something that continues to impress. It is the footwork that gets him open looks. He plays with great balance, and he understands where he is looking to go on the floor and how to get there.
Johnson’s jump shot is smooth. The load and balance are great, and the release does not change. Johnson’s dribbles are also with a purpose. He does not dance with the ball, preferring to make one move and attack his spot.
Johnson also played on the ball in the five-on-five portion and was comfortable getting his team into sets. The smooth nature of his business is hard to ignore.
Johnson is the No. 1 player in the 2024 On3 150.
7. Four-star C Jaden Toombs
Jaden Toombs goes about his work and makes plays. There is not much flash, but he played with a lot of substance. Toombs has nice touch and is comfortable facing up in pick-and-pop situations or playing from the high post. He is also an aggressive area rebounder.
Toobs uses his size well, with long arms and broad shoulders. He carves out space for himself to make plays with an advanced feel for spatial awareness. He also showed nice timing when blocking shots.
Toombs is the No. 36 player in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking.
8. SF AJ Dybansta
AJ Dybansta is in the class of 2026 and is one of the younger players on this roster. You would not know that by watching him play. He fit in perfectly, playing with toughness and confidence. The 6-foot-8 forward was comfortable with the ball in his hands; he aggressively made plays and got downhill to the rim. The jump shot looked smooth, and so did his willingness on the defensive end.
On3 does not rank players until after their freshman-year travel season. Dybansta has been tracking toward the top of his class and did nothing to dispel that reputation on day one.
9. Four-star PG Boogie Fland
If the game is on the line, Boogie Fland seems to step up to the plate without fear. He has a solid handle, the jump shot range is deep, and he makes plays with confidence.
Fland played on the u16 USA Basketball team this past summer that won gold medal at the FIBA World Games in Spain. He came into camp with a ton of confidence and pushed the pace. During the scrimmage portion of the day, in their second game, they went to overtime. First play, Fland called for the ball, dribbled into a jump shot, and took it with a hand in his face, game time.
He is the No. 5 player in the 2024 On3 150.
10. PG Caleb Holt
Caleb Holt is like a freight train touching the paint. You would not expect, looking at him that he is one of the youngest players at the event. Holt is a physically developed class of 2026 guard who played confidently with the ball in his hands.
When the games opened up to five-on-five is when Holt really shined. He is a good defender, able to slide his feet and play in the passing lanes. He is also a good rebounder. Holt did not show a jump shot today, but no one was able to stop him from getting into the paint.
Other notes
*Five-star SG Isiah Harwell played on the ball today. He looked comfortable getting his team into sets, and he knocked down a couple of jumpers.
*Five-star UNC commitment Ian Jackson plays with so much confidence. A strong frame with handle and strength. He also defends.
*Four-star Bryson Tiller’s frame is impressive. Good size with long arms, and he is filled out, which helps him around the basket. Finished plays today from ten feet and in.
*Four-star Jasper Johnson got going toward the end of the day when he settled in. The class of 2025 guard has sneaky bounce with some quickness off the bounce and a nice set shot.
*You love the effort 2025 point guard Jerry Easter gives. A strong frame with a good handle and a go-about-my-business mentality.
*Carter Bryant has a lot of physical tools. He is a fluid athlete, and he gives some interesting, albeit spaced-out flashes.
*Annor Boateng fits in so many roles on the floor, a true connective piece. The class of 2024 wing is an excellent passer with a great frame who rebounds and can defend.
*Jalen Haralson has a lot of upsides, and that is easy to see on the court. He is a three-level scorer with a strong frame and a good athlete.
*Tajh Ariza is the son of former NBA champion Trevor Ariza. While thin, he has a load of upside with natural fluidity and ball skills.
*Karter Knox is an explosive athlete from the wing. Shoots the passing lanes and can be aggressive in transition.