The Most Exciting Young Players in the USA Basketball Program
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — This year's USA Basketball junior minicamp had a lot of quality underclassmen in attendance as the program was seeking some of the next stars who might come through the next few years.
With the Class of 2019 and Class of 2020 heavily represented at last weekend's camp in Colorado Springs, there were plenty of prospects in attendance who have started to separate themselves from their peers. The Colorado Springs trip was very important for these younger players because they had a chance to play at a USA Basketball event for the first time, and a lot of these names should be invited back to try out for the USA U16 FIBA Americas team this summer.
It's still very early for a number of these prospects, and others from this camp will likely emerge and become great prospects over the next few years, but here's a look at 10 prospects who impressed from the event.
Jalen Green, Wing
1 of 10
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 175 pounds
Why he has a chance to be special: A bouncy wing who can already play well above the rim, Jalen Green doesn't play like a high school freshman typically would. The California native from the Class of 2020 put on an aerial show at times in Colorado Springs, as he wasn't afraid to attack the basket and take it at any defender trying to challenge.
Green also has a workable perimeter jumper that has room for improvement, and he showed a solid basketball IQ as a passer and ball-handler. Gifted with long arms and great leaping ability, Green has the look of a high-ceiling prospect who could become a well-rounded perimeter scorer.
Isaiah Todd, Forward
2 of 10
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 195 pounds
Why he has a chance to be special: With good size and skill, Isaiah Todd is only a high school freshman, but the Class of 2020 big man has a chance to be a very good player over the next few years. With as much upside as any player in attendance, the native of Richmond, Virginia, showed a lot of comfort turning and facing the basket for a young big man.
Although he's going to need to add strength to compete with older players, Todd has the kind of skills you simply can't teach a player his size. While many of the Class of 2020 players looked overwhelmed by the speed of USA Basketball and playing with older players, Todd held his own as he surprised with an array of advanced offensive moves.
De'Vion Harmon, Guard
3 of 10
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 195 pounds
Why he has a chance to be special: A high-motor guard who was all over the floor during the minicamp, De'Vion Harmon made his presence felt. The Texas native isn't the most consistent perimeter shooter of the bunch, but he makes up for it by playing an attacking style of ball that lets him get in the paint with regularity.
A physical player who isn't afraid to draw contact on the drive, Harmon might have been the best young guard in the event because he consistently brought energy and did a good job as a play-making threat. It'll be interesting to see if Harmon can improve his perimeter jumper over the next few years because he could become a tough scoring guard at the next level.
Bryan Antoine, Guard
4 of 10
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 185 pounds
Why he has a chance to be special: With a high skill level and an ability to play multiple spots on the perimeter, Bryan Antoine could develop into a lethal perimeter scorer over time. As part of a dynamic duo with high school and grassroots teammate Scottie Lewis, Antoine has gained notoriety over the last year, but he can hit pull-ups, can handle in traffic and throws some very good passes.
Also a good athlete, Antoine has a solid-looking jumper and could be a very gifted player on the offensive end of the floor with added consistency.
Scottie Lewis, Guard
5 of 10
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 185 pounds
Why he has a chance to be special: A freakish athlete with elite leaping ability and great quickness, Scottie Lewis is the type of athlete who is seldom seen on the wing at any level. An above-the-rim finisher who can also make creative plays heading to the rim, Lewis is more than just an athlete.
Armed with a workable jumper and an improving handle, Lewis could play multiple guard spots at the next level, and defensively, his athleticism allows him to be a factor. If Lewis continues to improve his skill level, he has a chance to be a special prospect because of his athletic ability.
Wendell Moore Jr., Guard
6 of 10
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 180 pounds
Why he has a chance to be special: A versatile wing who can handle the point a bit or defend forwards, Wendell Moore Jr. is a solid player who had a good weekend. Aggressive as a scorer, Moore got to the basket and also knocked down jumpers from the perimeter.
Also an effective rebounder and defender on the wing, Moore will play with physicality. If Moore can continue to show he can handle the ball, he could become an effective secondary ball-handler who can also score at the next level.
Christian Brown, Small Forward
7 of 10
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 200 pounds
Why he has a chance to be special: A tough player to stop both in transition and in the half court, Christian Brown was one of the most productive and active Class of 2019 players in attendance at the camp. With good size and length on the wing, Brown can be a major weapon as a future three-and-D wing because he can also defend multiple spots on the floor.
Brown's size also enables him to rebound, and he could develop a mid-post game to score over smaller players down the line. Not established as a 5-star prospect before the camp, that could change after his play in Colorado Springs.
Matthew Hurt, Power Forward
8 of 10
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 195 pounds
Why he has a chance to be special: Players at Matthew Hurt's size and age aren't usually this skilled, but Hurt can do a lot of unique things on the floor. With an ability to handle the ball a bit and utilize pull-up jumpers, Hurt is a plus shooter at forward as he's able to stretch the floor against slower post players and shoot over smaller wings.
Although he needs to add strength, Hurt is not lacking for toughness, as he'll defend in the post and rebound against bigger and stronger players. If Hurt continues to show this kind of smoothness and skill level for his size, the national recruiting interest should continue.
James Wiseman, Center
9 of 10
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 190 pounds
Why he has a chance to be special: Gifted with a great basketball frame at 6'9" with good athleticism, James Wiseman is oozing with potential, as he can run the floor, defend the post and rebound. Wiseman's great size enables him to alter shots at the rim, while he's also starting to find a comfort level on the offensive end.
Wiseman looked like he wasn't scared to take mid-range jumpers, and if he can space the floor even a little bit, he could be a tough cover in the post. Even if he doesn't show a lot offensively, Wiseman is mobile enough to disrupt multiple areas of the floor.
Vernon Carey Jr., Power Forward
10 of 10
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 245 pounds
Why he has a chance to be special: A gifted athlete with great size and scoring ability, Vernon Carey Jr. has a lot of ability already as a sophomore. While Carey's size lets him score and defend in the post, he also has good-enough footwork and a feathery jumper to step out and play facing up.
Carey looks like he'll have range that can extend to the three-point line, and with his size, that could make him a very tough matchup. One of the better Class of 2019 prospects at the camp, Carey could be a double-double machine at the next level with his ability to rebound.
Recruiting ratings via Scout.com.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information were obtained firsthand.
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