Shaw's Superlatives: USA Basketball 2023-24 minicamp

Colorado Springs, Colorado – After two years off due to COVID, the USA Basketball October Minicamp was back. It was a two-day event, just jam-packed with talent. The committee broke the total field of 58 players into two groups, 2023-24 and 2025-26.

This was a proving ground, the start of the next cycle to see which players make the various junior national teams. Over the numerous hours of court time, you could see the cream rise to the top. The USA basketball committee is going to have some very tough decisions moving forward.

Here is how we saw this weekend play out with some of Shaw’s Superlatives.

Read Day 1 Takeaways from USA Basketball 2023-2024 Minicamp

MVP: Four-star G Jared McCain (Duke)

In a gym filled with players bricking everything, Jared McCain’s ability to make shots stood out. The well-built 6-foot-2 guard showcased a tough handle and a competitive nature. His team, whether 3-on-3 or 5-on-5, won more times than not. Where the four-stars game showed improvement here was he did not force anything; all of his buckets came within the rhythm and the feel of the game. McCain is an alpha on the floor and one who simply breeds winning.

Most Explosive: Four-star F Coen Carr (Michigan State)

Coen Carr is a violently explosive leaper. His pop is quick, and he gets on the rim in a hurry. Carr’s defensive versatility played an excellent compliment to his competitive nature. Carr will need to improve the jump shot, but the release looks good, and he takes them confidently. At 6-foot-6, he is a good off-ball cutter and sees the floor well, with vision. Defensively he can be a game-changer.

The Connective Piece: Four-star SF Annor Boateng

Annor Boateng is the lone 2024 on the superlative list, but it was hard to ignore how much he affected winning. In fact, it was Boateng that secured the game-winning rebound in the 2023-24 vs. 2025-26 camp championship game. He is a versatile defender, able to switch up or down a lineup. He can handle, confident on the ball in the half court, and the jump shot fell here. Boateng’s teams won all weekend, and his versatility helped make everyone around him better.

Best big: Tyler Smith (Overtime Elite)

Tyler Smith is in a different boat than every other player in the training camp, as he signed a pro contract with Overtime Elite last year. The 6-foot-9 lefty has a strong and lengthy frame. He was active on the boards, he switched and moved his feet on the defensive end, and he consistently knocked down shots. The center position was the overall weakest of the 2023-24 group, but Smith was consistently good.