BrandonClayScouting.com Recap: USA Basketball Minicamp Class of 2016

Class of 2016 guard Josh Jackson of Southfield, Mich., was on a mission at USA Basketball Minicamp.
USA Basketball / Jenny Johnston

COLORADO SPRINGS – The USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp is a bi-annual staple of the BrandonClayScouting.com event calendar. The event is designed to give young men with a chance of making a USA Basketball team in the future a chance to compete and train in front of key USAB decision makers such as Sean Ford or BJ Johnson as well as U16 / U17 coach Don Showalter. It also gives them a chance to play in front of McDonald’s All-American and Naismith Awards voters. Here’s a look at the Class of 2016 standouts:

By: @BrandonClayPSB

USAB Day One #McDonaldsWatch Standouts:

Markelle Fultz
Alterique Gilbert
Josh Jackson
Josh Langford
Jayson Tatum pic.twitter.com/xCVqkHz9KS

— Brandon Clay (@BrandonClayPSB) October 4, 2015

Jayson Tatum of St. Louis, Mo., has been in the weight room. He’s been working off of the floor in addition to his consistent play on the floor. His play will draw natural comparisons to both Allan Houston and Klay Thompson. The future Duke Blue Devil has a cool and calm demeanor allow him to make plays consistently throughout games whether he’s on the wing or in the mid post action as well.

Josh Jackson of Southfield, Mich., was a force in every facet of the game in this setting. The five-star guard had the full arsenal on display attacking the rim and shooting the basketball with accuracy. Jackson’s a laid back guy during the drill work but turned his game up several notches when the shot clock was turned on during game play.

Jonathan Isaac of Naples, Fla., blew up this summer for a reason. He was the elite big swing forward in the U.S. Training Center throughout the weekend. Florida State will be able to use him at multiple positions. Issac’s skill set lends itself to creating off of the bounce facing the basket. His versatility and length were difficult for anyone who had the task of guarding him.

Episode Title: “LIVE National Coverage”

Date: October 8, 2015
Analysts: Brandon Clay and Marques Burnett
Topics Covered (In Order):
1) USA National Camp: 2016 – Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson
2) USA National Camp: 2016 – Markelle Fultz, Alterique Gilbert, Josh Langford

Josh Langford of Huntsville, Ala., had a heck of a weekend. The five-star guard can score the basketball off of the bounce or off of the catch and shoot. In Langford, Michigan State has a potential two-game All-American capable of making a play at any moment. He is in the discussion as an elite scoring guard in the class nationally.

#McDonaldsWatch: ’16 Josh Langford stepped up at USA. Michigan State fans will love his demeanor, scoring ability. pic.twitter.com/4OHn3P24bK

— Brandon Clay (@BrandonClayPSB) October 6, 2015

Speaking of potential two game All-Americans, Markelle Fultz of Upper Marlboro, Md., has put himself firmly in the discussion with his play this summer. The Washington commit didn’t shy away from this big stage at all attacking any guard in his way during his 48 hours in Colorado Springs. Like Langford, Fultz has put himself in a must mention status when discussing the nation’s top perimeter scorers.

Alterique Gilbert of Lithonia, Ga., continues to show and prove. From the high school circuit to the travel circuit to a well-deserved trip to USA Basketball, Gilbert is playing his way right into the All-American mix as well. He very well could be named Mr. Georgia Basketball too if his 2015-16 school season play resembles the past 12 months. UConn faithful will appreciate Gilbert’s blend of skill and toughness.

NOTE: The nation’s No. 1 rated prospect, Harry Giles III of Winston Salem N.C., did not participate during the Mini Camp due to a broken finger. Giles is on schedule to be good to go for the season opener at Oak Hill.

Brandon Clay is the owner of Peach State Basketball, Inc., and BrandonClayScouting.com. He serves as the Executive Camp Director for the Elite Basketball Academy Camps. Clay is a McDonald’s All-American Game Selection Committee member. He also votes on the Naismith Trophy Men’s / Women’s College Player of the Year Academy and is the HS Boys / Girls All-American Team Board of Selectors Chairperson. He has been involved in the community since 2001. You can reach Clay at [email protected]