USA Basketball: U16 Training Camp Day 1 Top Performers

Colorado Springs, Colorado – Thirty-nine players born after January 1, 2007 (2025 and 2026 classes) gathered at the US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center for the USA Men’s Basketball Junior National Team u16 Training Camp.

Head coach Sharman White of Pace Academy (GA) and the committee are looking to whittle the roster down to a final 12 that will wear the USA across their chest at the 2023 FIBA America’s Championships set to take place June 5-11 in Merida, Mexico.

On3 is courtside for the first day of open workouts to talk top performers.

The complete roster of players

On3 MVP: Five-star F Cameron Boozer

Cameron Boozer was the first player in the gym, getting up shots. He brings a serious demeanor to the floor, nothing really flashy, letting his immense production do the talking. He is listed here at 6-foot-9, and on the eye test, he is one of the tallest guys in this camp.

Boozer is a natural rebounder. He chases the ball with two hands and holds it high with his head up, ready to push or throw an outlet. He is never rushed on the offensive end as a threat to shoot from three or get downhill to absorb contact or finish at the rim.

Boozer, the son of former Redeem Team forward Carlos Boozer, is quiet in his approach but very competitive. He is not afraid of contact, and he plays every possession within himself. Boozer is the No. 1 player in the 2025 On3 75, and in a gym of alphas, he brings an alpha mentality to the floor.

2. 2026 F AJ Dybantsa

The size you notice immediately with AJ Dybantsa. But once he starts playing, the dexterity and fluidity are interesting. The way he moves, his cuts, and his spatial awareness is unique for a player his size. Then you get to five-on-five play, and you see the ball skills, the shooting touch, and the confidence. Dybantsa, only a freshman in high school, sees the game in an advanced manner.

He did a nice job scoring today, not forcing the issue but picking his moments and making plays. While movement knocked his form loose at times, the jumper release was smooth and consistent. He has more pop than you expect in transition and he plays with a great pace. He is a dynamic player.

3. Five-star G Darryn Peterson

The game just comes naturally to some. Darryn Peterson is a gamer. During the small-sided drills portion of the day, he played on the ball, trying to get his teammates involved in the action. He got them into sets and did not turn it over.

However, when the open scrimmages happened, the switch flipped. Peterson is a natural scorer. He is capable of getting the ball to his spots, and he rises up to knock it down no matter the level. Peterson has a good frame; he is strong and confident with the ball. One of the standouts at the Houston minicamp that carried over to this setting.

4. Five-star F Koa Peat

There is a leadership quality that Koa Peat brings to the court. He is listed at 6-foot-7, and he played on the u16 USA Basketball team last year, which won gold. Peat is confident on the ball and is fine handling it in the half-court. He attacks the rim in straight lines and is really good in transition.

Peat seems to consistently make plays every time he takes the floor. He has long arms, which he uses to rebound and then push the break into something positive. Peat has good touch around the rim in traffic. He is also an intriguing defender, switching up and down lineups, guarding the perimeter and on the block. He is the elder statesman of the group and carries that type of demeanor on the floor.

5. Four-star C Jayden Quaintance

For this age group, coming into this event, Jayden Quaintance has consistently been the top performing center at the USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamps. One of the youngest players in the 2025 class, Quaintance is listed at 6-foot-10, and he is equipped with long arms and a strong frame.

The intrigue comes with the fact he is more agile than you expect. He moves his feet naturally on defense, opening his hips when asked to slide his feet. He also has great length with natural timing around the rim. Quaintance has no problem mixing it up around the basket, and he finishes with authority at the rim. The future is very bright here.

6. Five-star F Jalen Haralson

Jalen Haralson had a very productive day. Listed at 6-foot-7, he used every bit of that height on both ends of the floor. Haralson got downhill off straight-line drives with his right hand. He looked for contact in the paint, and he was not thrown off balance when hit. His physicality was impressive.

Haralson also rebounded the ball well in his area, which is good to see from the wing. There was not really one thing about his play that was overwhelming, but the overall depth of his production is what gets him here. He made plays today, and they were plays that oftentimes translate to the win column.

7. 2026 G Dylan Mingo

While thin, you immediately notice the frame on 2026 guard Dylan Mingo. Only 14, he has good length that is projectable as he continues to grow. When the small-sided games started, you notice the quick twitch, which is something that stood out, especially with his efficient dribble.

He carried a less is more mentality with the ball in his hands; he moved it appropriately and dished a couple of eye-opening passing in the half-court. For a class of 2026 prospect, there is a lot to like when you bring together the skill, the frame, and the confidence.

Other standouts

*The jump shot on 6-4 2025 Akai Fleming (Osborne High/GA) is picture-perfect. The load, release, and rotation are all consistent, along with the typical result #Splash.

*2026 Sam Funches (Germantown/MS) is a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop. Already listed at 6-foot-10, the lefty has a soft touch from behind the arc and moves well with good length.

*2026 Nigel Walls (St. Francis Episcopal/TX) continues to catch my eye. He is a lengthy 6-foot-9. Naturally, he will need to gain weight, but the explosion, fluidity, and natural touch/ball skills are all there.

*I really like four-star PG Cayden Boozer (Columbus/FL) at the point of attack. He is a tough on-the-ball defender and applies pressure on the defense, using his body well in traffic.

*Jaxon Richardson (Bishop Gorman/NV) is an explosive athlete. Listed at 6-foot-5, the son of former NBAer Jason Richardson is a terror in transition, and you like the defensive upside.

*You love the qualities JJ Madaquit (Real Salt Lake/UT) brings to a team. The floor vision, willingness to pitch ahead, and the ability to make a shot. Floor general.

*A lot of intriguing qualities with 2026 Cam Holmes (Millennium/AZ). The younger brother of Dayton’s DaRon Holmes, Cam has a smooth lefty jump shot with a natural feel on the ball.

*There were consistent flashes from 2026 Alijah Arenas (Chatsworth/CA), son of former NBAer Gilbert Arenas. He has good length and knocked down a couple of fluid pull-up jumpers.

*2026 Tyran Stokes (Prolific Prep/CA) is an explosive, physical specimen. He did a good job getting downhill and pushed the break in transition. He can be ferocious around the rim.

*The explosion pops immediately with 2026 Jordan Smith Jr. (Paul VI/VA). Has a strong frame, he has no problem doing the tough guy stuff, and you like the defensive abilities, especially at the point of attack.

*Isiah Harwell (Wasatch/UT) is playing more on the ball in this setting. He is interesting when playing in the pick and roll, as he has shown a good pace and letting the play develop. The jump shot is nice when his feet are set, and he is a good point-of-attack defender.

*2026 Caleb Holt (Buckhorn/AL) is a tough-nosed player on both ends of the floor. The guard touches the paint consistently, and he defends the ball in the open floor. Lots of tough guy plays.

*Four-star C Jaden Toombs (Dynamic Prep/TX) is a steady player. Not afraid of the contact, he is a good area rebounder, and he made shots. Scored when asked, rebounded when needed, and went about his business.

*Four-star F Chris Nwuli (Bishop Gorman/NV) is a high-motor player that does a lot, especially on the defensive end. In this setting, especially the small-sided games, he was able to attack the rim in straight lines. Productive.

*2026 Caleb Gaskins (Holy Trinity Episcopal/GA) made shots, and that is intriguing. He has a great frame, good length, and is strong. Gaskins cut well in traffic and found openings in the defense to rise up and make plays. He was consistent.