Colorado Springs, Colorado – USA Basketball u16 training camp roster went from 39 to 18 after this morning’s session. Now these 18 players are competing for 12 spots on the final team that will head to Mexico to compete in the u16 FIBA Americans Cup. 



NBA personnel was allowed in today, which adds another layer to the competitive umbrella in the building. On3 was one of the selected media in the building, so let’s talk about the Day 2 top performers.



<a href="https://www.usab.com/news/2023/05/usa-basketball-2023-mens-u16-national-team-finalists-announced">The 18 finalists for the USA Basketball u16 team</a>



<h2 id="h-on3-mvp-five-star-sg-darryn-peterson">On3 MVP: Five-star SG Darryn Peterson</h2>



USA Basketball can bring the best out of everyone in the gym, and in a gym that has a lot of alpha personalities, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/darryn-peterson-156883/">Darryn Peterson</a> was one who shined. He was at his best when playing with freedom; the free-flowing aspects of his game are creative. 



Peterson did a good job of getting to his spots in the half-court. He made shots at each level with consistency. He also showed explosive burst around the basket, getting on the rim during small-sided games and touching the paint regularly. Peterson has the look of someone who could lead the team in scoring during competition.



<h2 id="h-2-2026-f-aj-dybantsa">2. 2026 F AJ Dybantsa</h2>



There is an ‘it-factor’ that AJ Dybantsa brings to the floor each time he plays. The 6-foot-8 wing is wired to score, and he is capable at each level of the floor. What he has shown in this setting is his explosive pop. There is a burst in his step that gets him into the paint as well. 



Dybantsa plays with an alpha mentality. He knows he is talented, and he is able to get to his spots on the floor when he wants. It is so intriguing how young he is, only a freshman, capable of scoring the way he does. There is also room for growth, nailing down his footwork and getting his balance right.



<h2 id="h-3-five-star-f-koa-peat">3. Five-star F Koa Peat</h2>



There is something about the consistent production of <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/koa-peat-154247/">Koa Peat</a> that is incredibly satisfying. The 6-foot-7 forward has a strong frame with great length. And he competes. It is not loud and in your face, but there is no question he has winning on his mind. 



Peat is an excellent rebounder in his area on the defensive end. He uses his strong hands to gather possession and is able to push the break or deliver an outlet pass. With the ball, he plays with a nice change of pace, getting to his spots on the floor where he is a threat. The passing is excellent in the half-court, and he finishes with touch, through contact, around the basket. Production.



<h2 id="h-4-five-star-g-jalen-haralson">4. Five-star G Jalen Haralson</h2>



<a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jalen-haralson-158528/">Jalen Haralson</a> has fit into a lot of different roles this week. Whatever his various teams have needed, he has done. Yesterday, on day one, Haralson attacked the basket and rebounded well. He also guarded fours. Today, he was more perimeter based. Haralson has a natural ability to face the basket; it is where he is most comfortable. 



His ability to make shots was interesting today. He confidently stepped into multiple threes off the catch. He also handled the ball well in the half-court, not doing too much, playing within himself. You like the toughness, and the versatility has shined all week. 



<h2 id="h-5-four-star-jayden-quaintance">5. Four-star Jayden Quaintance</h2>



There is a ferocity that <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jayden-quaintance-159196/">Jayden Quaintance</a> plays with each time on the floor. The Quaintance experience is a unique one, because interacting with him off the floor and he is quiet, almost shy. On the floor, he plays mean, from start to finish. 



Quaintance moves very well for a guy listed at 6-foot-10 and 15 years old. He slide his feet well on the perimeter switches and he protected the paint enforcing his space and affecting shots around the rim. There is a natural feel he has and there is a sense he is just scratching the surface of what he could be in the long term.



<h2 id="h-6-four-star-pg-jj-mandaquit">6. Four-star PG JJ Mandaquit</h2>



As the USA Basketball roster gets dwindled down, players’ roles start to become more and more defined. In a gym filled with alpha personalities, four-star <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jj-mandaquit-175503/">JJ Mandaquit</a> kept all of them happy. His passing was creative and precise, leading teammates on target and on time. 



He also showed defensive chops, moving his feet well in the open floor and giving excellent effort on the ball. You like the shooting threat that Mandaquit brings. He is capable at each level with the base balance and release that does not change. In the small-sided portion of the day, you saw the reads and the intellect. He changed speeds well, created opportunities, and threw great passes. 



The Real Salt Lake (UT) point guard simply made his teammates better today.



<h2 id="h-other-standouts">Other standouts</h2>



*2026 <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jalen-montonati-178795/">Jalen Montonati</a> (Owasso High/OK) is a shooter. His ability to space the floor is what got him here, and he does that at a high level. Prior to the practice even starting, Montonati got up over 100 makes.



*Five-star G <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/isiah-harwell-158523/">Isiah Harwell</a> (Wasatch Academy/UT) has done a great job at USA Basketball establishing himself as a connective piece. He was comfortable on the ball at times, he knocked down shots when called upon, and he guarded the ball at a high level. A lot to like about how Harwell filled in the gaps and made plays.



*Four-star F <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/chris-nwuli-158725/">Chris Nwuli</a> (Bishop Gorman/NV) athleticism plays in any setting. He is both quick and explosive, causing him to be a terror on the defensive end. There is a switchable factor that is intriguing with him.



*Five-star F <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/cameron-boozer-150005/">Cameron Boozer</a> (Columbus High/FL) had another solid day. He is an excellent rebounder, and that happens each time he is on the floor. He competes hard in every possession and is always under control. 



*Four-star C <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jaden-toombs-152850/">Jaden Toombs</a> (Dynamic Prep/TX) knows who he is as a player and finds his production playing within himself. He is a strong presence who rebounds his area well, sets good screens, and can knock down open jumpers in pick-and-pop situations.



*2026 <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/alijah-arenas-179173/">Alijah Arenas</a> (Chatsworth/CA), son of former NBAer Gilbert Arenas, made shots here. He has had a good week, especially in the mid-range. But his confidence was high on day two, and the shots were falling from each level. Nice frame and good upside.



*You like the long-term upside of 2026 PG <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/brandon-mccoy-12778/">Brandon McCoy</a> (St John Bosco/CA), it is easy to see with the way he moves and the ball skills he has. He made some good reads today and some nice plays in the half-court.



*The physical presence of 2026 <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/caleb-holt-174844/">Caleb Holt</a> (Buckhorn/AL) is hard to ignore. He competed at a high level on both ends of the floor, using his athleticism on defense and his quick twitch to get into the lane.



*2026 <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/deron-rippey-180966/">Deron Rippey</a> (Blair Academy/NJ) has a legitimate claim as the fastest player in the gym. His quick-twitch shines in the half-court, attacking the paint, putting pressure on the defense.



*2026 <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/elijah-williams-180967/">Elijah Williams</a> (Scottsdale Christian), the son of former NBA coach Monty Williams, has a great frame. The shooting stroke is real. Accurate with a high release.



*2026 <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tyran-stokes-174854/">Tyran Stokes</a> (Prolific Prep/CA) had a relatively quiet day, but he played his role. The shooting was intriguing, the form looked improved, and he confidently stepped into jumpers with range. He remains an absolute terror in transition.

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