AJ Dybantsa’s takeover, Cameron Boozer’s rare air, Team USA U18 cuts among biggest grassroots hoops stories

There were two big events in the world of high school and college basketball recruiting over Memorial Day weekend: USA Basketball’s under-18 training camp and tryouts in Colorado Springs, Colo., and then the stop in Kansas City for Nike EYBL, the main grassroots basketball circuit.

While some of the high-profile prospects that normally play on the EYBL circuit were in Colorado trying out for Team USA, there was no shortage of talent in the Fountain City as players and teams fought for a spot in July’s Peach Jam.

But let’s start with USA Basketball. On Tuesday, the 12-member team was announced, a combination of rising college freshmen and a class of 2,025 all-stars (rising seniors). He was selected from 28 participants who attended the five-day training camp.

The 2024 USA Basketball Men’s Under-18 National Team includes Darius Acuff Jr., Nate Ament, Mikel Brown Jr., Jeremiah Fears, Shelton Henderson, Daniel Jacobsen, Jasper Johnson, Morez Johnson Jr., Nikolas Khamenia, Trey McKenney, Patrick Ngongba II and Derrion Reid.

The action starts soon for Team USA.

The 2024 FIBA ​​Under-18 Men’s AmeriCup begins on June 3 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Here are some highlight notes from the 2024 USA Under-18 Basketball training camp along with two key Kansas City EYBL highlights via 247Sports National Director of Basketball Eric Bossi.

Purdue Center signee Daniel Jacobsen shines, earns rating boost

The player who most impressed in these first three days of tryouts for USA Basketball, especially in relation to expectations, was without a doubt Daniel Jacobsen. So it was no surprise to see her name on the final list, even when 5-star prospects like Jayden Quaintance didn’t make the final cut.

The 7-footer committed to Purdue has always been an intriguing prospect thanks to his combination of size and skill.

This week in Colorado Springs, we didn’t see the tallest player on the court get to the 3-point line or be reluctant to assert himself in the paint like we have sometimes in the past. We saw the opposite. We saw Jacobsen assert himself at the rim on both ends of the court from the start of the event. Defensively, he put his body in front of drivers and competed for plays at the rim, especially when rotating on the weak side of the court. Offensively, he was trying to bury everything. And even when he couldn’t, he showed the ability to finish quickly in the paint. He worked for deep catches while playing with his back to the basket and then elevated for baby hooks. He also made some impressive quick passes from various spots on the court.

Jacobsen arrived in Colorado Springs as the No. 149 overall player in the class of 2024. But after a remarkable performance competing against the best in the country, Jacobsen moved up to 86th overall and is now the 15th ranked center.

Shelton Henderson’s Stock Continues to Rise

Another highlight of the first days of USA Basketball tryouts was the Texas product Shelton Hendersona 6-foot-5, 220-pound wing in the 2025 class. Henderson discovered how to stand out with less offensive volume, albeit in different ways. He showed defensive versatility, hit bigger guys in the post and flew to the glass as a rebound.

In Colorado Springs, Henderson was an opportunistic finisher when he had opportunities and even mixed up some passes. Henderson came into the spring ranked 51st in class nationally, but seemed poised to move up in three sessions in the EYBL, and he backed that up here.

A name that is getting hotter and hotter as the summer heats up and recruiting moves are made, Henderson spoke with 247Sports’ Travis Branham ahead of the start of USA Basketball tryouts to detail your recruitment.

Henderson says he hears more from Houston, Louisville, LSU and Texas, and based on his performance on the EYBL circuit (and now USA Basketball), he is now receiving interest from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky and USC.

Scouting Report After First Cuts to USA Under-18 Basketball Trials

The goal for players at the USA Basketball tryouts is to make the final 12-player squad, but training camp is also a measure of the country’s elite. There are five days of comparison. How do these players compare? It’s the best versus the best.

From a scout’s perspective, these five days allow us to delve into each player’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s more subtle because you see players exposed in a way that you don’t get to see on the high school and even AAU circuits.

You are seeing players facing each other with more players in the game. It’s a unique scenario because these players are used to being the best players on their respective teams, whether in high school or on the spring and summer circuit. In USA Basketball, it’s about finding a role, being a good teammate, and complementing other players in a way that makes the entire team better. The cream rises to the top.

After the first cut, I essentially put together what became scouting reports on each player who made the first cut. It’s a look at what I observed, what I really liked about the players, and what each could do better. If you’re interested in following the next wave of American basketball talent, consider this your cheat sheet this summer.

Appreciating Cameron Boozer’s greatness on the grassroots circuit

From Eric Bossi of 247Sports in Kansas City:

What Cameron Boozer has done in recent years on the youth circuit is simply remarkable and I don’t think we’ll fully appreciate how good he’s been until we’ve had a few years to reflect on it.

Having already led his team to Peach Jam titles at the 15U and 16U levels over the past two summers, Boozer – of course, Carlos Boozer’s son – has played an important role in the Nightrydas’ run through the last month or so with a record of 14-1, while also positioning them to make an unprecedented run at three Peach Jam titles in three different age groups over three summers.

Now leading the EYBL in scoring and rebounding, the 6-foot-9 forward is an absolute model of consistency and efficiency. He plays the game with an off-the-charts basketball IQ and dominates by making the right play almost every time. He has some of the best hands I’ve ever seen, touch the rim and continues to show more and more improvement as a face-up shooter and playmaker for others. I may be forgetting someone, but over the last 15 years the list of fours who have been as consistently dominant as Boozer on the popular level is Anthony Davis, Julio Randle It is Paulo Banchero and that’s probably it. Will he become an NBA All-Star like these guys? Only time will tell, but his track record says it will be difficult to bet against him.

Although the natural assumption is that he will go to Duke With your brother Cayden Boozer (which has also been remarkably consistent and productive over the past three years), Miami is there while Arkansas, Florida, North Caroline and others make strong efforts. You can practically sign him for 25 and 12 years every time he takes the floor and it’s hard to believe this kid won’t turn 17 until later this summer.

AJ Dybantsa, number 1 player of 2025, takes over

From Eric Bossi of 247Sports in Kansas City:

Since moving into the class of 2025 and taking first place, AJ Dybantsa has proven to be among the most dynamic wing prospects to hit the scene in the 247Sports era. At 6-foot-3, the recent transfer to Utah Prep does it all. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find fault with his game.

What I loved watching Dybantsa in Kansas City I was seeing the strides he made not just as a leader, but as a player who knows how to choose the right places to take over. I watched when he hit an incredibly difficult three at the buzzer to win on Friday night, and then on Monday morning, his calm demeanor as he made three consecutive threes from the top of the key as his team battled a slow start truly illustrated his growing maturity.

He dribbled past defenders, dunked and locked in on defense, all while playing with tremendous energy and leadership. He has officially visited Auburn and USC and can choose his next destination. Arkansas has been pushing hard since John Calipari made his move, and it will be interesting to see if Cal lands another No. 1 recruit in his new job.