Local 2027 US Open Standouts

The NCAA and Team USA put together a joint camp at the end of the grassroots season to provide exposure for hundreds of prospects in the last live period for coaches of the summer season. The NCAA Academy had two tracks: An Individual Pathway track for individual HS athletes assigned to teams to play out a 6-game schedule in front of coaches. They also introduced a Junior College Pathway full of juco athletes assigned to teams to compete for the week in front of coaches. Team US held a US Open camp for some of the top 9th and 10th grade AAU teams to compete one last time with their group in cross-brand matchups that featured teams from across the country. It was an interesting evaluation setting, with the DMV well-represented, as usual. We'll break down some of our 2027 standouts below!    17p 6r 5a 2s 1b vs WCE   -This Thrill group goes as Hill goes most times that I've seen him this summer. Hill did a good job of facilitating in the 1H to manufacture open looks for teammates that just didn't fall. But he got himself going in the 2H defensively to flip the script for a Thrill team that was down to 6 healthy players at the end of the week. Serving as the first line in a fullcourt press, Hill forced turnovers and dribble pickups that led to easy layups and 3s for his team to cut into the deficit. After his team got going, the driving lanes opened up and he hit 3 of his last 4 shots while collecting a steal that tied the game up just under 3 minutes. As Hill continues to mature and develop a better feel for what his team needs each possession, the game will slow down and become easier for him.     Duran has really impressed me this summer in a different role and context with Loaded VA, serving as their engine offensively as a high level passer with either hand capable of knocking down jumpers from all over the floor. Although he routinely shares the floor with other PGs and knows how to move off the ball to operate as a C+S threat that can also attack closeouts, he runs the show offensively for a pretty stacked Loaded roster full of guys that aren't yet skilled enough to create a shot on their own. His midrange jumper OTB is falling consistently as he can sidestep in either direction to get it off and he is getting to the rim more frequently to finish with his right past the defense. Adding more weight to his frame will be key to his ability to absorb and play through contact on both ends of the floor     -Always impresses with his motor, intangibles, and willingness to do the little things that add up to winning for his team- rebounding, blocking shots, setting great screens, putback dunks, serving as a roll/lob target, and loud communication on and off the court. His touch and post footwork have already improved quite a bit since the end of his freshman HS season, getting into his move without traveling or collecting offensive fouls while making his read based off of the defensive positioning. Played up with 16u Thrill down the stretch of the season and didn't change his game, playing the same physical brand of basketball while battling with bigs in the paint. Finished with 6p 9r 1a 1b 1s in a win over Final     Downhill driving guard averaged 18 a game on the weekend, taking and making more perimeter shots while getting his usual diet of layups at the rim. The on-ball perimeter defense as a POA defender that can lock up either guard spot shone through in wins over Loaded VA twice in the past week. Graves plays within himself, takes care of the rock, and makes the extra pass when he doesn't have a clean look. Will be interesting to see how he fits into a Carroll stable of guards that has a good bit of young depth.     -Really popped the week before during NW's 3SSB title run and continued the strong play in Rock Hill. His 2-way potential as a big wing that has some guard skills makes him a really intriguing prospect to track in 2027. Capable of knocking down C+S 3s, finishing in the paint past or over the defense, distributing off the bounce, and switching 1-3 on the defensive end makes him a valuable asset to any team with some upside. The upside will be unlocked with better burst off the bounce, a stronger core to finish through contact and guard up a few positions, and handle the ball at a higher level to navigate through tighter windows in the defense.     16p 7r 1a 1b (6/8 FG) vs WCE   Not a flashy or overly athletic prospect but Young showed the shooting ability in a short-handed win over West Coast Elite. He came off the bench to collect 4 rebounds and a block within the first few mins, eventually finding his rhythm beyond the arc on C+S 3s. Young closed out a possession with a weakside block, outletted to a guard, and got it back for the go-ahead 3 late in the 2H for his best sequence of the game. With the shooting ability at his size with decent length and a frame that can add more weight-- if he develops more quickness and ball-handling ability, he can show more of what he can do on the perimeter and add to his value at the next level.     15p 7r 2b vs West Coast Elite   -Browne broke through what a standout game that showed his potential as a wing that can hit 3s while contributing as a wing that can switch onto guards defensively. Browne hit a layup off the backdoor cut, hit a layup through the contact, and finished the game with a big 3 followed by a block and rebound to seal the game for Thrill. The skill level is there, the motor and consistency just need to continue to match it to fully realize his potential as a basketball player.

The NCAA and Team USA put together a joint camp at the end of the grassroots season to provide exposure for hundreds of prospects in the last live period for coaches of the summer season. The NCAA Academy had two tracks: An Individual Pathway track for individual HS athletes assigned to teams to play out a 6-game schedule in front of coaches. They also introduced a Junior College Pathway full of juco athletes assigned to teams to compete for the week in front of coaches. Team US held a US Open camp for some of the top 9th and 10th grade AAU teams to compete one last time with their group in cross-brand matchups that featured teams from across the country. It was an interesting evaluation setting, with the DMV well-represented, as usual. We'll break down some of our 2027 standouts below!