USA Basketball: Five Stock Risers from the Junior National Team October Minicamp

Anytime you bring 84 of the top players in the country together and put them under one roof to compete for a spot on the USA Basketball Junior National Team, you are going to get some standouts. In a true setting, where the cream rises to the top, you are also going to get some players who walk out of the event with their stock as high as it has ever been.

Eighty-four players across the 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 classes gathered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this past weekend to compete for a spot on next summer’s roster. How it typically works is USA Basketball will host an October Minicamp, an April Minicamp, and then a June Training Camp. The Minicamps typically consist of around 80 to 85 players. They last three days.

The Training Camp is different. Thirty to 35 players will be invited, and then they will cut the roster down to the final 13. It typically lasts for a week or two, and the final roster of players then leaves straight from the camp to the tournament.

This weekend was the first step in the process. One thing you know coming into each of these camp sessions is there will be a lot of talent in the gym, and the players will compete.

On3’s Jamie Shaw sat courtside on each of the three days. Let’s discuss five stock risers from the USA Basketball Junior National Team October Minicamp.

Four-Star SF Tajh Ariza (2026)

Height/Weight: 6-7/170
High School: Playa Del Rey (CA) St. Bernard’s
2026 On3 150: No. 36

The Buzz: Clear strides have been taken in Tajh Ariza’s game, even since July. For starters, he walked into camp having grown at least an inch or two. The 6-foot-7 sophomore, and the son of former NBA Champion Trevor Ariza is a slashing wing. He has great length with a projectable frame. During the weekend, he showed confidence. He was putting the ball on the floor, attacking closeouts, and identifying his spots. While he will still need to continue adding weight and continuing to work on his footwork, base, and overall bag, the belief was there. He has a smooth jump shot with a soft touch and a consistent release. While his game is still raw, at only 15 years old, he is on an upward trajectory. 

Ariza claims a handful of early offers from programs like UCLA, USC, and Kansas.

Four-Star PF Chris Cenac (2025)

Height/Weight: 6-10/210
High School: New Orleans (LA) Isidore Newman
2025 On3 150: No. 22

The Buzz: Chris Cenac’s play this weekend might have netted him the honor of best overall big in the event. Cenac is listed at 6-foot-10; he showed a strong frame with excellent length. Cenac was an instinctive rebounder, able to high-point the ball in traffic and secure the board. Defensively, his upside is immense. He slid his feet guarding in transition, protected the rim, and opened his hips to switch in the half-court. Offensively, Cenac finished out of the dunker spot. He ran the floor well in transition, showed comfort on the block, finishing over his left shoulder, and knocked down some spot threes with good form. Cenac has a high upside with a lot of tools basketball people look for as they project forward. 

LSU, Auburn, and SMU are among the early offers for Cenac.

Four-Star SG Akai Fleming (2025)

Height/Weight: 6-4/165
High School: Marietta (GA) Osborne High
2025 On3 150: No. 55

The Buzz: Akai Fleming played with confidence and poise this weekend. He was an invitee to last summer’s USA Basketball U16 Training Camp, which is when the program invites the 35 finalists for the roster. He was part of the group that was first cut as they dwindled down the roster. Fleming came into this weekend with a purpose. At times, he was the best player on the floor. Fleming showed a confident handle from the wing. He was able to use his pace to get to his spots, and he used his length and soft release to shoot over defenders. He did not get rushed, no matter the setting here, and that might have been the most impressive part of his game. Poise and skill are a good mix. 

Kansas State, Alabama, Georgia, and Indiana are among the early offers for Fleming.

Four-Star PF Morez Johnson (Illinois)

Height/Weight: 6-8/215
High School: Chicago (IL) Thornton Township
2024 On3 150: 60

The Buzz: Morez Johnson could simply not be stopped on the boards this weekend. In his area or out of his area, he was an absolute glass collector throughout the sessions. His toughness and go-get-it nature also played well on the defensive end. While he was not a shot-blocker, he did affect play around the basket with his strength and vertical pop. Offensively, Johnson was somewhat limited. He did knock down a couple of ten-foot catch-and-shoot middies, but his best was hunting offensive putbacks and playing out of the dunker spots. He also did not try to do anything he could not do. Johnson gave off the vibe of a 90’s Big East power forward, maybe a little undersized but strong, explosive, and tough. If you were a fan of Duke signee Sean Stewart in the 2023 class, you should like what Johnson brings to the table. 

Johnson committed to Illinois in November of 2021.

Four-Star C Xavion Staton (2025)

Height/Weight: 7-0/210
High School: Las Vegas (NV) Sierra Vista
2025 On3 150: No. 89

The Buzz: Xavion Staton has a unique skill when it comes to blocking shots and rim protection. For starters, the 7-foot-0 junior has very long arms and a lot of mobility. Adding to the physical gifts, he played from Friday to Sunday with a non-stop motor. Even after having his ankle stepped on toward the end of Friday’s session and being forced off the floor, he was one of the first ones in the gym on Saturday. His timing is excellent, and he has a quick second jump. Staton is still raw; there is still a lot of room for growth throughout his game. Playing more disciplined on defense and working on his footwork are both areas to look at. However, most of what he needs is reps and gameplay. Staton has something that you cannot teach, and he was consistently the top rim protector throughout camp. 

Iowa, Stanford, Illinois, Creighton, UNLV, TCU, and Auburn are among some of the early offers for Staton.