USA Basketball U18 Training Camp Offers Key Evaluation Setting for Top Young Prospects

Babcock Hoops
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The 2026 USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team training camp will bring together 35 of the top young prospects in the country, creating one of the most important evaluation settings on the youth basketball calendar.

The camp will take place at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, beginning Thursday, May 21. From there, USA Basketball is expected to select a 12-player roster before the team travels to Leon, Mexico, for the 2026 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup, scheduled for June 1-7.

For NBA scouts and evaluators, the camp provides more than just another look at elite talent. It offers a chance to see how players respond in a structured, competitive, and professional environment.

“This is always one of the more important evaluation settings on the youth basketball calendar, and I never miss it. You get an up-close look at high-level prospects competing against their peers in a USA Basketball environment that is as professional as it gets. It’s a great opportunity to gather valuable indicators that help project players long-term.” — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst

Camp Roster Includes Prospects From Three Classes

The 35-player camp roster includes prospects from the classes of 2026, 2027 and 2028.

The class of 2026 group includes Davion Adkins, Tarris Bouie, Bruce Branch III, Quentin Coleman, Sam Funches, Caleb Gaskins, Bryson Howard, Josh Irving, Jasiah Jervis, Taylen Kinney, Colben Landrew, Dhani Miller, Dylan Mingo, Bo Ogden, Baba Oladotun, Ethan Taylor, Kevin Thomas, and Anthony Thompson.

The class of 2027 is represented by Scottie Adkinson, Reese Alston, Dawson Battie, Chase Branham, Jalen Davis, Jaxson Davis, Demarcus Henry, Ahmad Hudson, Jaydn Jenkins, Malachi Jordan, Moussa Kamissoko, J’Lon Lyons, Kevin Savage III, Davion Thompson, Josh Tyson and Darius Wabbington.

Adan Diggs is the lone class of 2028 prospect expected to participate.

USA Basketball Experience Throughout the Group

A majority of the invited players already have experience with USA Basketball, giving the camp a strong mix of familiarity and new evaluation opportunities.

Bo Ogden brings gold medal experience from the 2024 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup. Bruce Branch III, Caleb Gaskins, and Ethan Taylor were also part of the USA group that defeated the World Team at the Nike Hoop Summit in April.

Several other players have participated in previous USA Basketball camps and minicamps, while Tarris Bouie, Quentin Coleman, Josh Irving, Jasiah Jervis, and Dhani Miller are expected to make their USA Basketball debuts.

Coaching Staff and AmeriCup

Anthony Grant of Dayton will serve as head coach of the 2026 USA Men’s U18 National Team. Matt Langel of Colgate and Nate Oats of Alabama will be assistant coaches.

Dennis Gates of Missouri, Greg Kampe of Oakland, Dusty May of Michigan, and Ritchie McKay of Liberty will also assist as court coaches during the opening portion of training camp.

At the 2026 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup, Team USA will compete in Group A with Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. The Americans open against Argentina on June 1, face Mexico on June 2, and close group play against Brazil on June 4. The quarterfinals are scheduled for June 5, followed by the semifinals on June 6 and medal games on June 7.

The event will also serve as a qualifier for the 2027 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, with the top four teams earning spots in the field.

Babcock Hoops Outlook

From a scouting standpoint, this camp is especially valuable because it places elite prospects in a setting that demands more than production. Players are asked to compete against other high-level talent, adapt to coaching, embrace their roles, and meet the expectations that come with USA Basketball.

For Babcock Hoops, the training camp will be an important checkpoint for evaluating top prospects in the 2026, 2027, and 2028 classes as they continue to build their long-term resumes.