The Formula Zero Elite Camp is an event level event hosted by Milwaukee Bucks' All-Star and former Oakland (Calif.) and Weber State standout Damian Lillard. The three-day event was held at the The PHHacility in Phoenix with "Dame Dollar" and NBA player development coach Phil Beckner leading the on-court skills training for 30 elite players (actually 15 high school participants and 17 college level athletes) that wanted to get some insight on the training methods of one of the NBA's hardest-working players who developed into an eight-time NBA all-star from humble beginnings.

Lillard played for the Oakland Rebels travel club in Northern California in the late 2000's and was somewhat of an overlooked high school prospect in California's famed 2008 class. He was a Cal-Hi Sports all-state selection as a senior, averaging 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists for a 23-9 club after committing to Weber State before his senior season began. From there is where Lillard's game took off after developing a unique training method to excel while many of his peers in high school plateaued.

The slogan for Formula One is "Character, Hard Work and Accountability" and is designed for players with a relentless passion to do things differently in order to take their game to the next level. The training model around Formula One has molded one of the best players in the NBA and this elite camp is a way for him to share that passion and training method with young players who aspire to get to the level Lillard has with the Bucks and Portland Trailblazers over the years.

We take a look at six of the standouts from the three-day event in front of NBA decision-makers:

High School Standouts

Mikel Brown Jr., DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.) 6-2 2025
A terrific spot up shooter who should be in store for a fine senior season of high school after a transfer to a Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) program. His ability to play make and score and his craftiness with the ball takes his spot up shooting to the next level.

Acaden Lewis, Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) 6-2 2025
Followed up on his terrific play at the 2024 NPBA Top 100 camp with another standout grassroots performance. Lewis is crafty with the ball and knows when and where to attack or act as a setup man. Lewis gets it done with his live dribble passing and shot making ability from all over the court.

Darryn Peterson, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) 6-5 2025
The top overall high school prospect at the event, Peterson is like a NFL running back whose pads don't make noise during practice because he is so fluid and his moves are smooth. Peterson can stop and explode into his move or shot as well as any high school or college player and is pushing the top players in the national class of 2025. Peterson recently announced his will spend his senior season in California at Prolific Prep and in that atmosphere should be a bonafide Mr. Basketball USA candidate for 2024-25.

College Standouts

V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor (2024), 6-5 SG
Explosive finisher in the open court was as good an athlete as any player in attendance. Edgecombe stand outs with his competitive fire and skill level as an attacking shooting guard. As he continues to develop a more reliable jumper will ultimately determine where he lands as a bonafide lottery pick for 2025. With continued improvement he could push towards the top five.

A?a Newell, Georgia (2024), 6-9 PG
Was an integral part of Montverde Academy's 2024 FAB 50 title team and could be a breakout performer in the SEC. Newell knows spacing and angles to get the ball in the interior and uses a variety of hooks and spins to be a formidable offensive threat. Newell's motor is a differnce-maker and his jump shot range will dictate his numbers as a college freshman.

Trent Perry, UCLA (2024), 6-4 PG
Will be competing for playing time in Westwood and his competitive nature and IQ will push his teammates in practice. Perry sees the game a few plays ahead, especially in transition, and was making some terrific open-court passes at Formula One. In the half court, Perry was knocking down his jumper and attacking defenders in an efficient manner.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at?[email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter:?@RonMFlores

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Kaden Magwood Helped Himself 

Known mainly for his scoring prowess, 2025 guard Kaden Magwood displayed his playmaking for Team Loaded VA. He finds the open man because he generates a lot of gravity from the defense. He was finding shooters on drives and making shots off the bounce, even when he didn’t have much space to get it off. One of the top players from the weekend, as he averaged 25 ppg, 4 rpg and 3.5 apg.?

Darryn Peterson Showing Why He’s a 5 Star

Phenom United finished the Omaha session with a 3-1 record. A large part was due to ‘25 PG Darryn Peterson. He averaged 23.7 pppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.3 apg and 3.0 spg. Peterson impacts the game on both ends. At about 6’5 and a legit point guard, Peterson utilized his combo of strength and burst off the bounce to get to the rim. He rebounds and attacks in transition and is also an adequate perimeter shooter. He’s always had a strong frame, but it seems Peterson added more muscle to his build and he’s generating space off of contact easier.?

Best Underclassman Performer: Caleb Holt 

A premier prospect in 2026, Caleb Holt for Game Elite has shown growth in his game. Last time I saw him was at the City of Palms Classic in December and he showed more comfort with the ball in his hands. This past weekend in Omaha, it seems as if the game is slowing down for him when he’s the lead guard.?

Holt's pace was good, he didn’t force many shots. He is a willing passer but he also knew when to turn on the gears and collect a bucket. Holt plays with a lot of power and he generates adequate lift on his pull-ups and finishes at the rim. Finished the weekend session averaging 24.5 ppg, 6 rpg and 2 apg.?

The Versatility of Koa Peat 

Versatility is key when it comes to basketball. For guards, wings, post, no matter the position, it makes no difference and Koa Peat is one who provides a lot of versatility offensively. Standing at about 6’8 with a large frame, Peat can handle the ball under pressure, operate in the mid-post or post for a bucket, can pass out of double teams,? rebounds out of his area and ignite breaks after securing a board.

I saw all that on display at the 1st Session of 3SSB as he led the Compton Magic to a 3-1 record and averaged 18.8 ppg, 7 rpg, and 2 apg. ?

Moreno, Mullins Combo Propels Indiana Elite To a Spotless Record 

Indiana Elite won all four games in Omaha as they were clicking on all cylinders. Good ball movement, 3- point shot making with a formidable interior presence.?

‘25 Malachi Moreno was the interior presence. The 6’11 big man ran the floor well and showed good touch around the rim. He has real upside as a shooter down the road, and altered shots defensively.?

For the shooting, ‘25 Braylon Mullins shot the cover off the ball. He has a quick trigger on his jumper, and is a versatile shooter that made shots off the bounce, move and spot up situations. Capped off the weekend averaging 20 ppg, 3 rpg and 2 apg.

2027 Ryan Hampton Checks A Lot of Boxes

Ryan, the younger brother of NBA player RJ Hampton, suited up for Game Elite on the 15U level and he showed why, albeit it being early, that he’s within the top tier of 2027 players in the country. Standing at about 6’6, Ryan Hampton has a smooth shooting stroke from deep off the catch and thrives in transition as an attacker to the rim. He averaged 23 ppg and 8 rpg. ?

There's still plenty of room for growth, but Hampton's scoring prowess, combined with his length and emerging vertical pop, allows himself to be a difference maker on the court.?

Player Notables 

2025 

Moustapha Thiam, 7’1 C - SE Elite: Big man’s that’s mobile and has a nice touch around the rim. Also saw range with his shooting. Mobility mixed with shooting upside and rim protecting was on display.?

Mikel Brown, 6’3 PG - Team Loaded NC: Very skilled guard that we’ve seen grow not only in skill but height and athleticism during his time in high school. Perimeter shooting, has a high passer feel and because his range extends beyond the 3-point line, it gives his teammates more room to operate on the court.?

Joson Sanon, 6’5 Guard - BABC: A big-time shot maker that showed shiftiness off the bounce. Clean pull-up game from three and the mid-range area. Was in attack mode offensively and defenses had to put their best perimeter defender on him. Averaged 21 ppg and 5.8 rpg.?

2026 

Gabe Weis, 6’6 SF/PF - Wildcat Select: Size, skill and IQ standout when watching Weis play. Dependable perimeter shooter that attacked closeouts well. Also liked his control when he had the size advantage inside. Holds adequate footwork and uses his body well to generate space before he launches. 

Brandon Bass Jr., 6’3 Guard - SE Elite: Really showed his scoring prowess this past weekend. Thought he did a good job as a secondary ballhandler and attacking closeouts from the wing when the ball was swung to him. Showed why he’s on the high end of prospects in 2026.?

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NBPA Top 100 MVP

Cooper Flagg, Montverde Academy (Fla.) 2025 6’8 Wing
Was the camp MVP as his team won the championship game. Arguably the best player in 2025, Flagg orchestrated a strong week of play, averaging 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks a game. He played hard every possession, was a big-time help-side shot blocker and attempted to get any shot that came off the rim. His shooting numbers weren’t the prettiest as we are accustomed to, but he still was able to be productive and ultimately win it all. Cooper is a special talent.

NBPA Top 100 All Star Team

A.J. Dybantsa, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) 2026 6’7 Wing
Big-time wing prospect that brings a lot to the table. Long arms and explosive but also has great hang-time. He can score it with length on three levels. Led the camp in scoring, averaging 28 ppg. Physicality gave him some problems at times and that’s normal playing a few grades up, but still very advanced for a player his grade and age. It's hard to imagine him staying in high school for three more years.

Cameron Boozer, Columbus (Miami, Fla.) 2025 6’9 PF
Coop or Cam, Cam or Coop. That’s generally the argument of who's No. 1 in the 2025 class, but to me I say just enjoy both for free or paying a grassroots entry fee while we can. Boozer is a strong and skilled front-court player that brings versatility. He was efficient from the field (66 percent), scored inside-out and showed ability to defend out on the perimeter on switches. Averaged 24 ppg, 12 rpg and 3 apg.

V.J. Edgecomb, Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.) 2024 6’5 Guard
Athletic, tough and has improved as a scorer and shooter. Gets downhill to finish with the best of them. Defends with physicality and shows lateral explosion. One of my favorite players to watch in the 2024 class, although he didn't play a majority of the camp games here. Versatile and impacts games in multiple ways.

Jayden Quaintance, Overtime Elite (Ga.) 2025 6’9 C
Enjoyed the progression Quaintance has made in the past year and he really stepped up here. He’s young for his class, so it’ll take time to fulfill his huge ceiling but he has a freakish length which allows him to secure rebounds and block shots. He's also finishing better around the rim. Flashed a promising mid-range jumper that one day will be consistent from three. Was the best big man performer at the camp and was in contention for camp MVP.

Darius Acuff, Cass Tech (Detroit, Mich.) 2025 6’2 Hybrid Guard
This kid popped out onto the national scene this spring after a strong high school campaign. A confident hybrid guard that can score it in bunches (24.8 ppg). Changes speeds and direction well with the ball in his hands. Even when defenders play the drive, he’ll knock down enough threes to keep the opponent honest. Strong finisher at the rim and perhaps his best asset is he’s a competitor.

Derik Queen, Montverde Academy (Fla.) 2024 6’9 PF
A load in the paint. Skilled big man with good passing feel even if it doesn’t show in the assist column all the time. Uses his large frame and terrific footwork to create space with his back to the basket or facing up. Queen finished up the camp averaging an impressive 18 ppg and 10 rpg while shooting 65 percent from the field.

Darryn Peterson, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (Ohio) 2025 6’5 PG
Lead guard with good positional size. Balances scoring and passing well. Peterson got to the rim, showcased a nice mid-range pull-up, as he’s a precise passer off the live dribble. Defended on ball well and intercepted the passing lanes (led camp in steals with 2.2 spg). Strong overall stat-line with 15 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg, 2.2 spg and a high end motor.

Bryson Tucker, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 2025 6’6 SG
Guard with good positional size as a two-man. Polished offensive game and can make tough shots versus length. Good balance and control when operating off the bounce. Just was smooth in the way he orchestrated his scoring performance as he finished the camp averaging 19 ppg.

Bryson Tiller, Overtime Elite (Ga.) 2025 6’8 PF
Holds a lot of translatable physical tools. Length, size and power stands out as a true 4-man in the mold of former Maryland and NBA standout Buck Williams. Had a very strong output at the camp, averaging 15 ppg, 7.8 rpg on 48 percent shooting.

Khani Rooths, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 2024 6’7 SF
Displayed an array of ways to score with his size. Grabbing rebounds and initiating offense as a primary ball handler, he operated comfortably on the wing looking to score. Has an athletic, sturdy frame. It was the best I’ve seen him play in a while and with the size and skill-set, if he can put it all together, he’ll be a big-time mismatch guy at the next level.

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Here are a number of the top youngsters I evaluated in my recent travels:

Darryn Peterson, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (OH), 2025 6-5 SG
The consensus No. 1 shooting guard in the class of 2025 nationally was matched up against defending D1 (highest classification) state champs Akron St. Vincent St. Mary over President’s Day weekend and despite constant face guards and double teams, certainly lived up to the hype. He dropped 28 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks from the two guard spot at the Ken Ganley Nissan Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic. Most impressive, he got to the line 17 times (hitting 15 of his free throws) via a variety of scoring moves with limited dribbles. Peterson will enter the spring AAU circuit as one of the most highly sought after players in the national class of 2025.

Jackson McAndrew, Wayzata HS (MN), 2024 6-9 PF/SF
The epitome of a new age forward, McAndrew brings the inside/outside game that college coaches are dying for out of someone standing 6-foot-9. He owns a picturesque stroke from the 3-point line with a fluid release, knows how to utilize his height to exploit mismatches, and has improved his level of physicality drastically over the past year. McAndrew holds a number of high major offers and will continue to add more running with Howard Pulley on the EYBL circuit.

Dorian Jones, Richmond Heights HS (OH), 2025 6-3 SG
The highest touted prospect from arguably the best team in Ohio regardless of division that recently cracked the Ballislife FAB 50, Jones is a name that is about to blow up nationally. Ranked by some in the top 50 nationally, the bouncy two guard has been essential piece for the defending D-4 state champs who own a 42-game winning streak. Jones is a freak athlete who plays well above the rim, has deep range well beyond the 3-point line, and has the potential to be a lockdown defender. Already the owner of offers from programs such as Michigan State, Houston, Ohio State, and a host of others, Dorian will be one of the hotter names from the Midwest in the EYBL.

Jaleel Donley, Benilde St. Margaret’s (MN), 2025 6-1 PG
The best lead guard in Minnesota’s sophomore class has continued to put his footprint on that spot and doesn’t appear to be moving off it anytime soon. In a recent game I saw Donley matched up against a team that featured two D1 prospects, he simply dominated to the tune of 26 points (4 3-pointers), seven assists, six steals, and five rebounds while sitting the final 12 minutes of the game. The combination of blinding speed, ability to make high level passes with both hands, and improved jumpshot make him one of the most intriguing 2025 point guards in the Midwest.

Calvin Little Jr., Garfield Heights HS (OH), 2024 6-2 PG
One of the best defensive guards in the state of Ohio, Little Jr. showed that he can provide great on ball defense to all three perimeter spots. “C.J.” is a big time athlete, uses his strong frame to offer physicality on the perimeter, but also uses his athleticism to stay in front of guys laterally. The explosive guard has already visited West Virginia and owns a handful of mid-major offers.

Zashon Rich, Minneapolis North (MN), 2024 6-2 SG
A D1 prospect on the gridiron as well as on the hardwood, Rich has proved to be one of the best defensive guards that the Land Of 1,000 Lakes has to offer. The powerful lefty provides immense pressure on the rock, has no shortage of heart, and is a threat to put anyone on a poster with his serious bounce. Rich is playing for former NBA 20 ppg scorer Ricky Davis for the city league champs and is one of biggest under the radar guys in Minnesota.

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