USA Basketball: The storylines to watch for as the u16 roster is cut from 18 to 12

Colorado Springs, Colorado – Thirty-nine players were invited to the USA Basketball u16 Training Camp, and this afternoon, that list was trimmed down to 18. Ultimately, this week, the roster will get down to the final 12 that will compete in the FIBA America’s event in June. USA Basketball has never lost in this event and won the past seven gold medals.

A common sentiment around the gym throughout training camp has been how deep and how talented of a roster this is. Throughout the early days on campus, 2025 On3 75 No. 1 Cameron Boozer (Columbus/FL) and the class of 2026 SF AJ Dybantsa (St. Sebastian/MA) have been consistent standouts. Despite their youth, the pair is widely regarded as two of the top prospects in high school basketball.

But this group of players is far from a two-man show. Five-star SF Jalen Haralson (Fishers High/IN) has found his moments of production. 2026 SF Tyran Stokes (Prolific Prep/CA) has been one of the most physically impressive players in camp. A pair of top-10 2025 prospects, Koa Peat (Perry/AZ), who played up on last year’s u16 team, has consistently produced winning plays, and Darryn Peterson (Cuyahoga Falls Christian/OH) has scored it as well as anyone.

The process of narrowing from 39 to 18 had to be a juggling act. Factoring in both who will help win the gold medal now and who are players that have the long-term potential to help the USA Basketball program for years to come.

Each of these players was born after January 1, 2007. Let’s go through some of the storylines as they go through the process of getting from 18 to 12.

The 18 finalists for the USA Basketball u16 Team

Who will be the PG?

While this age group is heavy when it comes to play-making wings, the one position that brought about the most questions is the point guards. It will be interesting to see how they let things play out here over the next couple of play sessions.

Realistically, JJ Mandaquit, Cayden Boozer, Brandon McCoy, and Deron Rippey will be competing for one, maybe two roster spots. The good thing about the situation is they are all here, and they can spend the next couple of days going head-to-head or competing side-by-side.

With the skill set and the makeup of the team, how many true point guards they keep could be in play. Players like Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Koa Peat can all push the break, and while maybe not ideal, they are comfortable initiating the offense. There are also guys like Darryn Peterson and Isiah Harwell who can act as combo guards and give good minutes as the primary guy.

We have all seen that guard play wins games, and in a room filled with tough decisions, how they plan the make up of the point guard positions could be interesting.

The emergence of Jayden Quaintance

This is a topic we wrote about after the USA Basketball Junior National Team Houston Mini Camp and then again after Day 1 of Training Camp, but Jayden Quaintance has been a continuous standout among the post players in this age group. He is a physically imposing presence with a naturally strong frame, great length, and loads of mobility.

Throughout the week, Quaintance has been a terror around the basket. He has dunked the ball, in traffic, with authority. He has rebounded both in and out of his area with a purpose. Defensively, he has been able to switch and move his feet along the perimeter as well as block shots and protect the rim. He moves in a natural way that is unique for a player his age and size. He also plays with a quiet ferocity that can be very intimidating.

A look through the center position for this u16 team, Jaden Toombs (Dynamic Prep/TX) is the only other true five who made the list of 18. One interesting factor to look at here is the size and versatility of the team. Players like Cameron Boozer and Koa Peat could be able to steal minutes at the five, especially if you spread the floor or play in a pressing style. Also, a player like Chris Nwuli (Bishop Gorman/NV) has real ability as a switchable defensive player who can move his feet and cut down angles in a press and trap style.

Much like the point guard position, how the five plays out in this process will be interesting.

Which 2026’s will make the roster?

More than likely, you can pencil in Tyran Stokes (Prolific Prep/CA) and AJ Dybantsa (St. Stephen’s/MA), but which of the other six players in the 2026 class will make the final roster?

We talked above about the task at hand for Deron Rippey (Blair Academy/NJ) and Brandon McCoy (St. John Bosco/CA), battling for a roster spot. Caleb Holt (Buckhorn High/AL) is an explosive 6-foot-5 wing who is a versatile defensive player and puts pressure on the rim with the ball. Alijah Arenas (Chatsworth High/CA), the son of former NBAer Gilbert Arenas, had a lot of flashes, especially scoring in the mid-range. Wing duo Jalen Montonati (Owasso High/OK) and Elijah Williams (Scottsdale Christian/AZ), son of former Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams, have consistently been two of the better long-range shooters in the camp.

At the end of the day, they will keep 12 players on the active roster to take to Mexico. Eight to ten of the players are most likely already firm in their spots on the team. That means that over the next couple of sessions, eight to ten players will be battling for three of four spots. This is why you love USA Basketball. The competition level is always so high; players are always playing for something.