Shaw's Storylines: Day 1 of USA Basketball 2025-2026 Minicamp

Colorado Springs, Colorado – The 2022 USA Basketball October Junior National Team Minicamp brought together some of the country’s best from the 2023 to the 2026 classes. With this many players under one roof, they split the days into two sessions, putting the 2023 and 2024 classes together and then the 2025 and 2026 groups.

While there were some notable faces missing from the crowd, 2024’s No. 1 Tre Johnson, No. 2 Dylan Harper, and No. 3 Ian Jackson, along with 2025 No. 1 Cooper Flagg, to name a couple, the beauty of this minicamp lay with its depth across classes.

In all, 58 players are at the US Olympic facilities. On day one, there were about 25 NBA scouts in attendance as well. The October Minicamp is a separation camp. Players’ reputations are left at the door. If the committee likes what you’re about, you get an invite to team tryouts.

With the two sessions to pull from, let’s start with the 20254 and 2026 group. Here are some storylines we saw from Day 1 of the competition.

The race for 2025s top shooting guard

Right now, it is Isiah Harwell who holds that honor. The No. 3 overall player in the 2025 On3 50 transferred this summer from Idaho to Mount Pleasant (UT) Wasatch Academy. Harwell spent the summer playing 17u, up two age groups, with the Utah Prospects on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 12.6 points and made 1.2 threes per game in July. Harwell is a complete guard. He has a great frame with long arms and a strong lower body. He is confident on the ball but refrains from forcing the issue.

With burst at the rim and range beyond the three-point arc, Harwell is currently in that top shooting guard spot. However, Jalan Haralson has inserted himself into the conversation. Now, Haralson may end up being called a wing or a small forward, but he has guard skills. At 6-foot-6, the Fishers (IN) High product is already able to create his own shot. He possesses a smooth jumper with great lift from multiple spots on the floor. Currently, the 2023 On3 50 No. 10 player in the class, Haralson, also has great lift at the basket. He attacks closeouts in straight lines and makes a late rotation pay.

While Haralson and Harwell will have staying power at the top of this conversation, watch for Meleek Thomas to make a push as well. Thomas may not be everyone’s cup of tea; however, there is no denying the fact he is a high-level shot maker. Thomas is a volume scorer, but one where it is only a matter of time before he gets rolling. The Pittsburgh (PA) Lincoln Park product further showed in this setting; he gets buckets.

Cameron Boozer’s USA Basketball career begins

This summer’s USA men’s basketball u17 run to the gold gave Cooper Flagg some separation atop the 2025 class. While Flagg led the team in rebounds, blocks, and steals, Cameron Boozer was too young to participate. That is no longer, as Boozer drew a crowd on day one each time he took the floor.

Boozer is the 2025 On3 50 No. 2 player in the class; interestingly enough, he will not turn 18 until July after he graduates high school. Boozer is young. However, he was also clearly, one of the top players, regardless of class, under this roof.

The son of former NBA All-Star and Redeem Team member Carlos Boozer, Cameron stands 6-foot-8 and does a lot on the floor. He is an advanced area rebounder and a smooth shooter from three. The Miami (FL) Christopher Columbus forward sees the floor at a high level as well, excelling in transition and playing in straight lines.

Boozer is easily a large part of the USA Basketball Junior National Team’s plans, and it is good to see him get his opportunity.

AJ Dybansta makes early claim for 2026’s No. 1

Yes, it is early, and sure On3 will most likely not be creating its 2026 On3 50 for another six to twelve months. However, we will be hard-pressed to find a player in the conversation for No. 1 with AJ Dybansta.

The 6-foot-8 wing forward from Brockton (MA) St. Sebastian has the length, the ball skills, and the confidence you look for in a top option. Even in this setting, Dybansta was able to showcase his alpha tendencies.

Again, we are months away from debuting the 2026 rankings, but this USA Basketball Minicamp is further proof we need to get used to hearing AJ Dybansta’s name.

Caleb Gaskins, welcome to the conversation

Leading into star-studded events like this, you peruse the roster ahead of time and circle players. Players you need updated looks on, players who have built reputations, or players you heard you need to watch. What platforms like this also do, is gives players with no reputations a chance to start their resume.

Caleb Gaskins, a 6-foot-7 class of 2026 wing from Melbourne (FL) Holy Trinity Episcopal, was a name that had not come across my radar before this camp. However, after day one, the long-armed 14-year-old is someone tracking toward the top of his class.

Sure we are all just getting to know the 2026 class; they are just entering their freshman in high school, but welcome to the conversation Caleb Gaskins.