USA Basketball u16 Training Camp Superlatives
Colorado Springs, Colorado – On3 spent the week at the USA Basketball u16 Training Camp. The final team of 12 will leave at the end of the training camp to go to Mexico and compete in the FIBA Americas championships.
Let’s hand out some superalteives form the week
USA Basketball u16 Training Camp Roster | Day 1 Top Performers | Day 2 Top performers | Final Roster Storylines
The guy: 2026 SF AJ Dybantsa
When looking through this roster, as things went from 39 to 18, and now they are competing for the final 12, one thing has been a constant; AJ Dybantsa has the highest upside of the players in attendance. Already standing 6-foot-8, the wing has very fluid athleticism with a natural burst.
Dybantsa has shown the full scoring arsenal throughout camp. The jump shot is smooth, and the mechanics are consistent. The footwork in the mid-range is advanced, both when establishing space in the mid-post and with one/two dribble pull-ups. In a gym that has numerous future first-round picks, Dybantsa continues to be the one that turns heads.
Mr. Alpha: 2025 SG Darryn Peterson
While Dybantsa might have the highest upside, Darryn Peterson is the one who continues to make plays. He came into camp with a reputation as a scorer, and he has done that. However, throughout camp, he has also shown comfort on the ball, capable of getting his team into sets and creating offense.
However, let’s not make a mistake, Peterson is a bucket-getter. Throughout his time at the training camp, he has consistently gotten his points in a multitude of ways and never rushed. He is playing at a great pace, letting things set up, and getting to his spots. That last part has been the most impressive, his spots. Peterson has an understanding of where he is best at on the floor and then how to get there. He has also shown significant burst this week, trying to finish, above the rim, in traffic.
Mr. Big Dog: 2025 C Jayden Quaintance
The depth of talent for this age group is on the wings; however, Jayden Quaintance has made his presence felt. The bruising 6-foot-10 post player has played with strength and explosion around the rim on both ends of the floor.
Where Quaintance has impressed me the most is with the way he moves. As a 15-year-old player at his size, he carries excellent burst, getting high above most for traffic rebounds or gathering in the paint and finishing above the rim in the half-court. Quaintance has also shown he can slide his feet on the perimeter and open his hips when switching on defense. He is just scratching the surface, but for this week, he was the best big in camp.
Mr. Defensive Stopper: 2026 SG Caleb Holt
Caleb Holt is only a freshman, but the 15-year-old from Huntsville, Alabama made his name here with the tough-guy stuff, the hustle plays. He is a physical presence; well put together with long arms and quick-twitch burst. Holt was able to put all of those gifts to good use, making plays on the defensive end.
Holt proved more than capable of defending the point of attack, guarding full court, and turning the ball handler multiple times. He has also been aggressive in the passing lanes, quickly turning defense into offense and creating opportunities for his team. If there is one way to make your presence felt in one of these types of environments, hustle plays, and defense is a good way to do it.
Mr. Explosion: 2026 F Tyran Stokes
Throughout the season, you started to hear of a freshman on the west coast named Tyran Stokes. The 6-foot-7 forward at Prolific Prep (CA) was making eye-opening plays as well as producing as a starter for a team that finished the year 35-2.
Stokes came into this camp with expectations. His reputation continued growing with impressive performances on Nike’s EYBL 17u Circuit. The 15-year-old is playing up in age with the Vegas Elite program. Stokes has spent his time feeling his way through this process. He has shown an advanced skill set with shooting and ball handling. He has also been able to showcase the explosion when given the opportunity.
Stokes is at his best in transition. When the defense is able to get on the offensive end quickly, Stokes has shined with his finishes. He has also been good in the passing lanes, able to create extra opportunities for his team. Already considered one of the top players in his class, and as his confidence continues to grow, his name should continue to be one you consistently hear.
Mr. Versatility: 2025 SF Jalen Haralson
Jalen Haralson is a known commodity, someone who has college recruitment and a reputation. With his Fishers High (IN) team and with his Indy Elite team on Nike’s EYBL Circuit, you see the scoring ability. As a 6-foot-7 wing, we knew coming into the week he could score in a variety of ways.
In this training camp setting, he was able to score, but Haralson was able to do so much more. He played on the ball when his team needed, he was a floor spacer with his three-point shooting. Haralson was able to guard down a line up and get forwards on the block. His versatility played a major asset in his teams winning a lot of reps throughout the training camp. It also showed a side of Haralson I had not seen prior. He caught the eye of the NBA personnel in attendance. A lot of positivity throughout each session.
Mr. Cool: 2025 PF Cameron Boozer
Cameron Boozer is the No. 1 player in the 2025 On3 75. He had one of the most productive seasons in all of high school basketball this year as he was a finalist for Naismith National Player of the Year. When we say ‘Mr. Cool,’ that accolade has everything to do with his never-changing demeanor. Boozer never got to high, or too low, he always stayed cool, calm, and collected.
On the court, the 6-foot-9 forward competed. He is an excellent rebounder with strong hands and he welcomes contact. He has the balance and strength to play through the contact and continue to produce. The son of two-time USA Basketball gold-medalist Carlos Boozer shot the ball very well this weekend, especially when his feet were set. There is a lot of production here, a guy who seems to always make the right play or be in the right spot.
Mr. Connector: 2025 SG Isiah Harwell
Throughout the week, five-star Isiah Harwell showed he had little flaws in his skill set. The 6-foot-5 guard was fine under pressure, handling the ball in half-court. He also showed a smooth jump shot with consistent range and mechanics.
Possibly the standout piece of Harwell’s week was his defense. He was really good guarding the ball both in the open floor and in the half-court. Harwell was also tough as a team defender, bumping cutters in the lane and playing physically on the boards. The top-10 prospect is a guard who fills in the gaps. He brings a lot to the table with a well-rounded game and his ability enhances the play as of the overall team.
Mr. Competitor: 2025 F Koa Peat
Koa Peat brings a competitive edge which is typically followed by production. There is not really one piece of Peat’s game that you hang your hat on, but at the end of the game, you see he has numbers across he board.
Listed at 6-foot-7, Peat, who is the younger brother of former first-round NFL draft pick Andrus Peat, is an excellent area rebounder. He is a threat to grab-and-go, pushing the break under control, and he is an excellent passer, both in the open floor and in half-court sets. He has excellent instincts, great size, and a competitive nature that produces numbers.
Mr. Playmaker: 2025 PG JJ Mandaquit
There is something to be said about a true point guard who has an understanding how to run a team. Real Salt Lake (UT) point gaurd JJ Mandaquit had a full understanding of what his team’s abilities were and what his team was trying to do.
Mandaquit has exceptional feel with the ball in his hands. He was great in the pick-and-roll, creating space and delivering pin-point passes. When a big on his team would put his hand in the air, the ball would hit it almost immediately. Mandaquit was also a threat to score, showing good feel to pull up in the mid-range or to known down a three when the ball swung back around. He isn’t the tallest, or the quickest, but he had complete control of whichever team he was on, from start to finish. A very heady week for the four-star.