Kentucky Assistant Coach Mikhail McLean in Mexico for FIBA U16 AmeriCup

Kentucky assistant coach Mikhail McLean celebrates the NCAA Tournament win over Illinois - Mont Dawson, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky has boots on the ground in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, to scout some top talent this weekend. UK assistant coach Mikhail McLean is representing UK at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup to see some of the top players in the 2027 and 2028 classes.

McLean has been active for Kentucky on the recruiting trail this summer. After recently signing a two-year extension through the 2026-27 season, McLean made his live period debut in mid-May during the Adidas 3SSB session in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Now, he’s keeping that momentum going in Mexico.

The event runs from June 2-8, with the semifinals set to begin on Saturday. Kentucky is just starting to get some early looks at the 2027 and 2028 classes, but there are some players on UK’s radar.

2027 No. 1-ranked prospect C.J. Rosser is the only player on Team USA’s U16 Team with an offer from Kentucky. Rosser, a 6-foot-9 forward from Northern Nash (Rocky Mount, NC)
added an offer from Kentucky last month after the Nike EYBL session in Memphis.

Rosser is averaging 13.8 points on 57.5 percent from the field, with 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He’s shooting 30.8 percent from three-point range on 3.3 attempts per game.

UK has also been in contact with 2027 four-star forward Marcus Spears Jr.. The 6-foot-7 small forward from
Dynamic Prep (Plano, TX) is averaging 13.8 points on 60.6 percent from the field with 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

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Canada’s Isaiah Hamilton is leading the event in scoring with 25.8 points per game on 50.7 percent shooting in four games. While he hasn’t reported any early interest from Kentucky yet, Hamilton is among the players to watch in the 2028 class.

Team USA Has Been Dominant

Team USA’s U16 Team has been dominant in the early phases of the FIBA U16 AmeriCup. Through four games, Team USA is a combined 4-0, securing its eighth consecutive berth to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup.

With the group stage completed, the USA is set to face Brazil in the Quarterfinals. Leading the way for Team USA has been 2028 guard AJ Williams from Dutchtown (Stockbridge, GA). Williams is averaging 15.3 points on 59 percent from the field with 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

The United States won the FIBA U16 AmeriCup in 2023, led by Cameron Boozer, Koa Peat, and Darryn Peterson. Kentucky big Jayden Quaintance was on that roster, averaging 6.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game in 18.7 minutes a night.