Inside LCA: A Global Basketball Program

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Layton Christian Academy finished last season ranked No. 48 nationally by MaxPreps. The program enters the 2026-27 season with a talented roster made up of players from around the world and a new head coach leading the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a unique group of international prospects, LCA will be a program worth watching this season. I'm taking a closer look at the players coming in, where they're from, and what they bring to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3785294,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Serban Alexandru Stefan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"7'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Layton Christian Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abde4a78b318"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Șerban Alexandru Ștefan is a 7'1 junior from Romania who is still an unknown name to a lot of people. I think that will change quickly once high-level coaches get a chance to see him play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has the ability to finish above the rim, defend the paint at a high level and rebound with his size. He can also space the floor and knock down the three, giving him a skill set that is hard to find in a 7'1 big. There is a lot to like here, and I'm excited to see what he brings to LCA this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3590158"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abde4a78b2b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Burns grew an inch this summer and now stands at 6'10. The Ireland native comes to Layton Christian Academy after playing at Brewster Academy and is a 3-star prospect who currently holds multiple D1 offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burns is a long, athletic guard who brings a unique skill set at his size. He can handle the ball, attack downhill and get to his spots, while also showing a smooth shooting stroke. At 6'10 with guard skills and athleticism, Burns is an elite prospect to watch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3783611"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abde4a78b33e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arseni is a 6'4 guard from Belarus in the 2028 class who I'm expecting to have a big year. His athleticism and shot-making ability make him one of the younger prospects in this class to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Litvinau has an elite three-point shot and is a high-level athlete who can finish above the rim and throw down dunks. His combination of shooting and athleticism gives him a lot of upside heading into this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jaden Cardona","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":" Layton Christian Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abde4a78b360"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaden Cardona is a long, athletic 6'8 wing from France who brings a ton of energy to the game. He has the ability to be an elite defender while also being a strong scoring option. I like his ability to rebound at his size and get out in the open floor quickly. His length, athleticism and versatility make him a player I'm excited to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3782352"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abfea7713228"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3782352' first='Gabe' last='Peciulis'], a 6'5 guard from Lithuania, had a big summer and gained a lot of interest. This is a big senior season for him. He can shoot effortlessly from deep, has an elite downhill attack, and his playmaking ability at 6'5 allows him to see over defenders and make the right plays. He will be a huge piece for this LCA team</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">My Prediction This Season </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is only 5 of the many talented international players who play at LCA. This roster has plenty of size, athleticism and high-level recruits, and the coaching staff has the experience and knowledge to put these players in the best position to succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm excited to dig deeper into this roster over the coming months and watch this team compete. My early prediction is that LCA can finish the season inside the Top 25 nationally. They play a national schedule, giving them plenty of opportunities to compete against some of the best teams in the country and showcase the talent they have on this roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a lot of talent at LCA, and I'm excited to see how this group comes together throughout the season. College coaches looking for elite basketball players — look no further than LCA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->