Shaw's Superlatives: USA Basketball 2025-2026 Minicamp

Colorado Springs, Colorado – The USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp is a signature event. A camp where you are sure to be some of the best in the country, compete head to head in a proving grounds. Everyone in attendance is trying to make the team and represent the United State in global competition.

This October Minicamp has not been held in the previous three years due to COVID. And while this year’s camp was depleted of some of the top talent, the depth was excellent. This year there were 58 players in attendance across the 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 classes.

With this many kids, in order to get a true evaluation of a player, the committee broke the participants into two groups, the 2023-2024 group and the 2025-2026 group.

Read the Day 1 Takeaways from USA Basketball 2023-2024 Minicamp

The 2025-2026 group brought all the buzz of NBA talk, as the class is tracking to have the depth of top-end talent the last couple of classes has lacked. After sitting courtside for two days, along with 20 or so NBA scouts and NBA Draft experts, let’s go through Shaw’s Superlatives from the 2025-2026 group.

MVP: Four-star SG Maleek Thomas

This weekend’s performance from Meleek Thomas showcased electric scoring ability. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard’s scoring ability was on full display throughout. Sure, he is a tough shot-taker, but he also proved to be a tough shot-maker. The confidence of the Pittsburgh (PA) Lincoln Park sophomore did not waver, no matter the defender. Thomas might have a case as one of the most electric scorers in high school basketball; he certainly brought excitement among onlookers to track his progression closely.

The lock: Five-star PF Cameron Boozer

Cameron Boozer provided exactly what we have come to expect from the No. 2 player in the 2025 On3 50. The 6-foot-8 power forward is an efficient scorer from three levels and an excellent area rebounder. He is a real meat and potatoes player, with no real flash in his game, but he has some incredible instincts and a natural IQ. Boozer’s steady, high-level performance showed he is about as much of a lock to make this team as there was in this camp.

Best in 2026: AJ Dybansta

When watching AJ Dybansta, you find yourself often being surprised he is still only 15 years old. At 6-foot-8, Dybansta moves and has the ball skills of a true wing. Throughout this camp, he stayed aggressive when attacking the basket and showcased the touch, and confidence, to rise up and knock down shots from beyond the arc and in the mid-range. While On3 will not issue its first class of 2026 ranking for another 8 to 12 months, the Brockton (MA) St. Stephen’s freshman is tracking at the top of the list.

Best Big: Four-star C Jayden Quaintance

The camp, as a whole, was void of high-level centers. So someone like Jayden Quaintance stood out almost immediately. Listed at 6-foot-10, the Phoenix (AZ) Hillcrest Prep sophomore has a physically developed frame, with long arms and huge hands. Quaintance attacked the basket off one and two dribbles, he rebounded at a high rate, and he showed touch over his left shoulder. The upside is clear, but it was the production that stood on its own merit here.

Mr. Consistent: Five-star SG Isiah Harwell

Isiah Harwell is as smooth and efficient as they come. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard seemed to always make the right play, take the right shot, or deliver the right pass. He showcased bounce and pop at the rim when he attacked closeouts, but his pace was never rushed. Harwell is a smooth shooter, he has a solid handle in the halfcourt, and there is upside there to be a good defender in time. During drills, 3-on-3 play, and 5-on-5, the 2025 On3 50 No. 3 player was very good throughout this USA Basketball experience.

Others to watch

6-7 2025 SG Jalan Haralson

6-6 2026 SG Jalen Montonati

6-7 2026 SF Tyran Stokes

6-7 2026 SF Caleb Gaskins