As Team USA goes for its fifth straight men's basketball Olympic Gold Medal on August 10 (3:30 pm ET, NBC) against host France, we wanted to put into perspective what the Olympics has meant to American basketball development over the years.

To give it some perspective, Team USA was 143-6 all-time entering Olympic competition at this year's games, including the 5-3 "disaster" of 2004 when America took the Bronze medal. Overall, there is no big problem. Everyone always says the world has caught up to the U.S.A., but in reality, they still have a plenty ways to go.

Serbia led 76-63 with 10 minutes remaining in this year's semifinal contest vs. the USA with arguably the best player in the world on its team (Nikola Joki?) and still fell, 95-91. When Team USA had to get it done, it defended and played team ball. It wasn't all that surprising it made that comeback. It's how it got to this point that raises questions and/or doubts about the quality and usefulness of the American Olympic process.

There is no denying that the decision to use NBA players starting with the 1992 Olympics in Spain and coaching clinics around the world featuring some of the brightest minds over the last half century is the reason the world is so much better at the game we love. The Dream Team gave the world the motivation and our coaches gave the world the know how to get better at the game. Without that 1992 Dream Team, there perhaps is no Joki? today, or maybe a player of his caliber wouldn't have developed for another 50 years or so.

Many folks feel the development across the world has come at the expense of development here in the United States, but at the highest level, that development is curtailed.

There are two things that made the Dream Team work in 1992. tThe timing of its announcement and Team USA's 82-76 loss to the Soviet Union in the 1988 semifinals. If the late John Thompson and his group of college players (alongside David Robinson, who hadn't yet played pro ball but was the No. 1 pick of the 1987 NBA Draft) had won Gold in Seoul, South Korea, who knows if we are even having this discussion now. USA and the rest of the world was ready to see what would happen with NBA players and there was no better group than the guys on that 1992 Dream Team to make it a success. Perhaps it wouldn't have worked as well in 1988 or in 1996. Timing is very important and people forget the go-to players on this year's US Olympic team, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry, are significantly older than anyone on the 1992 Dream Team, which had the make and feel of a veteran national team.

Lost in the Dream Team's greatness is the lack of a tryout process. And there hasn't been one since.

Yes, USA Basketball has done a fine job at the youth level and are dominant in the 19U-16U age groups. But those players who dominate the younger levels are not necessarily the ones who dominate at the senior levels. Development happens at various stages for aspiring players and what the Olympic team is missing is a tryout process.

Having a tryout process would eliminate some of the issues that come with clashing NBA egos on a team and would help with chemistry. Now, NBA stars probably don't want to be part of the tryout process, as they don't want to give up the leverages they have worked at for years to attain as the world's best, but the positives would outweigh any backlash.

The positives of a tryout process are many. It would create an atmosphere of fairness, it would help foster a team culture (instead of a group of star players), and most importantly, would be great evaluation for NBA personnel, not to mention college and grassroots scouts for the younger players. It would also create what recent Olympic teams are missing: the ability for role players to increase their worldwide profile and young players to enjoy a marketing platform that would help the world know more about the up-and-coming and future pro stars. With the current state of college basketball and the NBA's reliance on players to enter the league who have been out of high school for less than a year, there are limited ?opportunities to market players to the point where they have built brand value and a faithful following prior to the draft. This would help in that area tremendously and be a win for everyone involved in the process.

The tryout should include non-NBA players and elite high school players, if the selection committee deems them worthy. Only a few might be worthy every four years, but after watching Cooper Flagg (last season's Mr. Basketball USA and now a Duke freshman) doing what he did against Team USA at a scrimmage, it would be meaningful to have that type of atmosphere in a formal tryout setting. Even for the players who didn't make the team, it would be a tremendous evaluation and marketing opportunity.

As NBA agent and marketing veteran Nate Jones points out, the Olympics are one of the few events left in terms of media platforms, where the masses still watch the game at one time. For an up-and-coming star to be siting on the bench or contributing in a way that is not the norm for a max contract NBA player, it would not only be a great opportunity, it would enhance the team and set a great example of what a team should be on on the world stage.

For anyone who attended an Olympic tryout prior to the formation of the Dream Team, it was more than an excellent evaluation tool. For Frank Burlison, a McDonald's All-American voters since the game's inception in 1977, the 1984 Olympic tryouts was one of the best settings and best basketball he ever evaluated. This coming from a person who has attended endless summer games since the 1970s to NBA Finals games featuring Michael Jordan. Even players who were cut from that '84 Olympic tryout, such as future NBA Hall of Famers John Stockton and Charles Barkley, got tremendous milage out of the experience.

Now, the 1984 team led by Jordan was one of the best teams of all-time that didn't feature NBA players. As the late Bobby Knight told the world before they could understand or were ready to hear from a coaching perspective, Jordan was that special of a talent and the team around him, which included Patrick Ewing and specialists such as sharp-shooter Steve Alford, was strong. It was evident when Thompson was putting his team together for 1988, it wasn't going to be as strong as the team in 1984. The tryout roster was not near the talent level of four years prior. Some felt Thompson was playing favorites when his incoming high school recruit Alonzo Mourning (the 1988 Mr. Basketball USA pick) was one of the last Olympic cuts. In reality, however, his talent level warranted a serious look despite just graduating from high school.

That brings us to our next two points. One, the talent level across the high school and grassroots landscape is not close to equal year over year. This is hardly ever never pointed out or analyzed by national scouts. Two, it wasn't the end of the world that Team USA lost an Olympic game. There is no secret the high school classes that made up the 1984 team were clearly stronger than the high school classes that created the talent poll for the 1988 team. The Class of 1985 is considered weak overall and it took a major hit when forward Ben Wilson of Siemon (Chicago, Ill.), was murdered just as his senior season was about to tip off in the fall of 1984. Perhaps as a graduated college senior, he could have helped Thompson and Team USA win gold.

We'll never know.

After the 1988 team lost in the semifinals in a competitive game to Arvydas Sabonis and the Soviet Union, the 1992 Dream Team's performance felt like a series of exhibition games. Still to this day, the Dream Team proved the point. Also, for a U.S. Olympic team, there is no shame in losing if the players are giving it their all like the 1988 team did. The novelty of the NBA players in FIBA events wore off fast. By the 1994 World Championships, in fact, they were more criticized than praised. The young team had talents such as Shawn Kemp and Derrick Coleman that were framed by the media as malcontents more often than great champions.

Heading into 1992, Team USA was 85-2, including the infamous 1972 Gold Medal loss to the Soviet Union. Since then, Team USA has only lost in the medal round once with a young team in 2004 that was void of great chemistry and leadership. Those issues were resolved by the 2008 Redeem Team led by the late Kobe Bryant, but perhaps those issues wouldn't have been there had the circumstances of making the team been different and accepted over the years.

The 2004 losses certainly wouldn't be looked at the same if the team wasn't handpicked by influential individuals and had a more open tryout process. For now, the process only favors NBA elites instead of being used as the ultimate developmental setting for our country's players.

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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At the USA Basketball Junior National Team Mini-Camp, we had a chance to interview fast-rising big man Xavion Staton of Sierra Vista (Las Vegas). The 6-foot-11 rising senior (2025) is one of the fast-rising prospects in the country and a name to know for the future.

RELATED: Staton An Eye-Catcher At USA Basketball

Staton is an excellent student who has picked up offers from all over the country in the past six months, from the likes of Stanford to Blue Bloods like Kansas. He arguably has as much upside as any of the 65 players who were in attendance at the Mini-Camp over final our weekend, but it wasn't always this way. In fact, it wasn't long ago when Staton thought his future was in another sport.

We talk with Staton about his camp experience, his background, his introduction into organized basketball that was fueled by a COVID-19 growth spurt and whom he emulates.

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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Approximately 65 of some of the finest home grown high school talent was in display in Phoenix for the USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp. For some camp veterans such as Koa Peat, a 2025 forward out of FAB 50 ranked Perry (Chandler, Ariz.), the experience is nothing new and it's the start of the process of competing at the FIBA 17U World Cup taking place June 29 through July 7 in Istanbul, Turkey. Expect Peat, a three time high school state champion, to be one of the team's leaders.

Today we wanted to highlight the players who made a favorable impression over the first two days by approaching the mini-camp playing the right way, under control and with pace. This is not about passing the look test, as some players look like they belong but have a long way to go in terms of their I.Q. and approach. The theme here is making a favorable impression by being coachable and not pressing or forcing the action.

Here's five participants who caught our eye in those departments and five more who impressed.

Davion Adkins, Oak Cliff Faith Family (Dallas), 6-8 2026 PF
We we first evaluated this well put together 16-year old forward at the Pangos All-South Frosh/Soph Camps, his motor and rim-running stood out, but he's added plenty to his game since then. Adkins had added solid post moves over both shoulders to compliment his vertical pop. He converted a couple of terrific left-handed half hooks and displayed nice touch around the basket. Adkins' pace and patience made a big difference and national scouts and some NBA personnel definitely came away impressed. Adkins plays for a winning high school program and is using the experience to learn how to adjust his offensive game playing against forwards of similar size and skill.

Devin Cleveland, Kenwood Academy (Chicago), 6-1 2027 PG
We counted 10 2027s in attendance and Cleveland was among the few that really turned heads in a class that has a long ways to go (and plenty of time) to develop. As a 15-year old, many of the older players and upperclassmen in attendance could learn a thing or two about place from Cleveland, who has a cool-under-fire disposition on and off the court. While many of the young guards were forcing the action and getting into trouble with the dribble, Cleveland has a good grasp of the stop-and-pop game and not taking it too deep into the paint to get caught in no man's land. Cleveland can cover ground with the dribble and displays a nice-pull up jumper. He can also finish under control around the rim with both hands and has a competitive drive that will pay off down the line. If he keeps developing at a normal pace, Cleveland has a bright future in the game.

Hudson Greer, Lake Travis (Texas), 6-6 2025 WF
This 17-year old is a well-known commodity on the high school and grassroots circuit and is making a splash at USA Basketball this weekend. Greer had some nagging injuries this past season for Lake Travis, and gutted them out well enough to earn district MVP honors. Already a two-time district MVP, Greer displayed a terrific all-around skill level and when his legs are bouncy and he's at 100 percent like he was here, it takes his game to a whole other level. Greer was knocking down shots at a high clip and finishing in traffic with authority. He also got behind the defense and used his stride to get out and finish before the defense could get set. Greer reminds us some of former Florida St. standout Bob Sura and his confidence and eagerness to get better really shined through on Saturday.

Jacob Lanier, Maumelle (Ark.), 6-5 2026 WF
This 17-year old prospect is just scratching the surface of his potential and coming out of his shell at this level. On the first day, Lanier turned heads and caught the attention of national scouts with his shot making ability off the dribble and his movement off-the-ball. On the second day, he was lauded for not losing his composure during stretches of out-of-control play by the lead guards on his team. Lanier moves without the ball well and can score in a variety of ways, with a better than average float game. He's also an instinctual defender who is learning how to become more vocal on the court and take more of an alpha role. His progression is noticeable and will pay off plenty this spring and summer.

Xavion Staton, Sierra Vista (Las Vegas) 6-11 2025 C
With a dearth of traditional big men in attendance, Staton stands out for many reasons, and even if there were more in attendance, he'd still stand out. That's because he's a quick learner, smart both on and off the court (excellent student) and has tremendous upside. In fact, scouts and NBA personnel were surprised to learn he's been playing the game for only a short period of time (less than four years). Staton grew up playing football until a 6-7 inch growth spirt during the COVID-19 Pandemic made him and his family realize the gridiron was likely not in his long-term future. With his defensive instinct and vertical pop and second jump ability, Staton has a bright future on the hardwood. The 17-year old was blocking shots at a high clip and there might not be a player in the country that alters more shots with his presence than Staton. Another plus is he doesn't do too much he's not capable of right now and quickly moves the ball when he doesn't have an advantage. Few players are getting more out of the USA Basketball experience than this Las Vegas big man who quickly has the interest of P5 schools around the country.

5 More That Impressed:

Mikel Brown Jr., Overtime Elite (Atlanta), 6-2 2025 PG
Not many guards here can rip a crossover into a pull-up, but Brown has a nice offensive arsenal with the ball.
Junior County, Utah Prep (Manti, Utah) 6-5 2026 SG
One of the best shooting strokes of any player in attendance.
Jaylen Mitchell, Reitz Memorial (Evansville, Ind.) 6-7 2027 WF
This 15-year old was making the right passes and displayed a nice shooting touch.
Chris Nwuli, Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) 6-8 SF
Las Vegas native has been up and down on the circuit the past two years, but deserves credit because his outside shot was on point on Saturday and he brought his usual energy and toughness to make winning plays.
Babatunde Oladotun, Blake (Silver Spring, Md.) 6-7 2027 SF
There is plenty to like about this 15-year old who knows how to play with the ball and sets grown man screens. He has a good offensive base, to boot.

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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Airious "Ace" Bailey, McEachern (Covington, Ga.) 6-9 PF 2024
Versatile talent who makes his mark on both ends of the floor. Bailey jumps out as a prospect with his combination of size, athleticism and explosiveness. Bailey can face up and score or dominate around the basket with quick, precise moves. Bailey got some consideration for the best long-term prospect in attendance. He's committed to Rutgers, where he's the program's most highly-regarded recruit since Phil Sellers came out of Jefferson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) in 1972.

Jason Crowe Jr., Lynwood (Calif.) 6-3 PG 2026
This young point guard got plenty of attention during the high school season for his scoring exploits (third most single-season points in California history in any class), but he entered this event to feel out his national competition and get the experience of playing in this type of setting. Let's just say he had no problem adjusting his game from where he's a primary scorer (36 ppg.). Crowe found his seams and creases, didn't waste any time on unnecessary dribbles, and hit the up man consistently with snap passes. Crowe is always ready to attack and his shooting keeps defenders off-balance.

Zoom Diallo, Curtis (Tacoma, Wash.) 6-4 PG 2024
His high school season is not officially over, as FAB 50 No. 38 Curtis will participate in the State Champions Invitational beginning April 6. Diallo did nothing to dispel the notion that he's the top point guard in the rising senior class. Diallo is always in control and plays the game one step ahead of his peers. Basketball is about who controls the space on the floor both the offensive and defensive player claim the right to and Diallo gets where he wants on the floor like no guard in the high school game right now, using his positional size and skill to control tempo.

A.J. Dybantsa, St. Sebastian (Needham, Mass.) 6-8 SF 2026
A strong and physical wing who is already well-known on the circuit because of his middle school exploits and highlight reels, Dybantsa is both a good player now and someone down the line who can challenge for the top spot in the national class. He uses his size and strength to get downhill and has enough wiggle to create space and score on secondary moves. He moves well without the ball, too, and has a jumper with sound mechanics. Dybantsa reminds us some of former high school star and future NBA player Tim Thomas when he was a young player at now defunct Paterson Catholic in New Jersey in the mid 1990s.

Caleb Gaskins, Holy Trinity Episcopal (Melbourne, Fla.) 6-7 SF 2026
The 2025 and 2026 is off to a good start, as scouts and NBA scouts are looking forward to evaluating them more as they are not particularly thrilled with what they've seen of the 2023 and 2024 classes, so far. As far as 2026 goes, Gaskins gets our nod as the most impressive overall performer in Houston. He's a terrific all-around talent with explosiveness, strength and a good skill level. Gaskin is hardly ever sped up and has good instincts on both sides of the ball. He is a quality passer, covers ground with the dribble and has a good outside shot. It is hard to find a major weakness in his game right now.

Tre Johnson, Lake Highlands (Richardson, Texas) 6-5 SG 2024
No surprise here, as Johnson is coming off a historic season for FAB 50 No. 8 Lake Highlands and was arguably the top performer in attendance. The other two you can make a strong argument for as the most impactful were Koa Peat and Meleek Thomas. Johnson has improved his crossover and uses it to create space and get good scoring looks in the tightest of spaces. Overall, he was the most skilled scorer in camp.

Brandon McCoy, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) 6-4 SG 2026
This young combo guard was one of the best defenders and most instinctual players, regardless of class. McCoy got a late start to his freshman season but made the most of it, helping Bosco to the CIF Southern Section open title game with his big play ability. McCoy can alter nearly any shot at the rim or strip ball-handlers clean in the open court. He's also active on offense and a terrific offensive rebounder with a nose for the ball.

Koa Peat, Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.) 6-8 SF 2025
This powerful wing is one of the best players in the country, regardless of class. He's simply too skilled for bigger defenders and too powerful for smaller ones, making him a matchup nightmare. Peat was the best offensive rebounder of the lot and can get things done even when his shot is not on because of his ability to get to the line.

Darryn Peterson, Cuyahoga Valley Christian (Cuyahoga Valley, Ohio) 6-5 SG 2025
A strong guard with good size and physical gifts, Peterson can find seams to score as well as anyone in attendance. He has a nice release on his jump shot and a relaxed disposition to his game. He also can move without the ball and reminds us a bit of Kentucky's Chris Livingston, only with more wiggle and fluidity.

Meleek Thomas, Lincoln Park (Midland, Pa.) 6-4 SG 2025
Coming off a state championship season for Lincoln Park, Thomas impressed onlookers with his approach, intensity and explosive fundamentals. There is little wasted motion in Thomas' game, and he gets downhill quickly and efficiently. He's a three level scorer and works hard on the defensive end to get over screens and get to the correct spots on the floor. With his dynamic personality, combined with his trademark Western PA-like toughness and skill level, the sky is the limit for this talented rising junior.

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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2024

Tre Johnson, 6’5 SG - Richardson Lake Highlands: We know the scoring prowess Johnson holds but I was impressed with the playmaking. Making sharp, quick passes as well as making fine reads as a pick n roll ball-handler. Defensively competed as well. Strong showing for the top player in 2024.

2025

Jaden Toombs, 6’9 C - Dynamic Prep: Toombs was solid. Has lost a lot of weight in the past year so he’s moving better. Like his activity on both ends. His athleticism doesn’t pop out at you, but his twitchness does. Quick with his hands and reactions which allows him to collect help-side blocks, nabs rebounds in traffic and holds a soft touch coming off either shoulder on the block. His counterparts’ athleticism gave him a hard time at times when it came to finishing around the rim, but Jaden still held his own. 

Nigel Walls, 6’9 PF/C - St. Francis: The type of player Walls can become is scary. Thin built but at his size, he’s a plus shooter and a solid passer that moves well. Saw ability to put the ball on the floor and generate a decent look. Walls checks a lot of boxes, he’s young for his class and once it all comes together, you’ll see a player that is high in the ranks in a loaded 2025 class.

Jeremiah Green, 6’2 PG - Denton Guyer: I liked Green’s assertiveness with the ball. Can get to whatever spot he wants to on the floor due to the mix of power and speed that grants him access to the paint and also has a nice mid-range shot off the dribble. Sometimes he got too deep into the teeth of the defense and got himself into a bind but he did show his ability to get to spots.

Sebastian Williams - Adams, 6’8 Forward - St. Johns: Sebastian had his moments. Showed flashes of his versatility on the offensive end. His handle, off the catch shooting and his play inside. Defensively he was fine. 

Calvin Murphy III, 5'10 PG - Jack Yates: I thought Murphy was solid. Was able to display his quick release from three, advanced handle and speed. Murphy is a fun one to watch especially when he's loose and has his foot on the pedal the whole time.

2026 

TreVaun Clark, 6’6 Wing - San Antonio Wagner: Good positional size with fairly long arms. Legit shooting stroke from 3-point line and handle has gotten tighter in the past year. Playing through physicality better but that’s still something he needs to get better at. Ton of upside with this one. 

Seven Spurlock, 6’5 Guard - Frisco Memorial: Strong basketball bloodlines with his father playing D1 basketball overseas and the older brother having a solid D2 career as well. Southpaw guard who can handle and pass. Strong for his age as physicality didn’t bother him as much. Needs to improve as a shooter but liked his positional size, length and passer vision.

Trent Perry, 6’4 Guard - Frisco Lone Star: Was the best 2026 player out the bunch. Big-time athletic guard that was aggressive from the jump. Got to the paint, used vertical pop to finish above the rim and defensively, he was very active, trying to disrupt the opposing team’s point of attack. Shooting as well will be Trent’s swinging skill down the road, but he has a lot going for him. 

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During the season, the hard-nosed 6-ft lefty point guard (now age 15) picked up his first Division-1 offer from Coach Tim Miles and Nebraska. Expect that list of offers to grow. Kezo plays AAU basketball with Chicago's Mac Irvin Fire and is a member of the 2015-16 USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team.

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It was nice seeing some familiar faces, like Kevin Durant, Paul George, James Harden, Steph Curry, Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving, on the first day of USA Basketball practice in Vegas and it was even nicer seeing an old face, Derrick Rose (dunking!), that we have all been waiting to see the return of.

VIA?USAB.com

The practices in Las Vegas culminate with an intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 1, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Then on Aug. 14-16 the team continues its training camp in Chicago.

Chicago Bulls coach?Tom Thibodeau?ran a majority of the first practice on one court. It started out with a lot of walk-throughs and some specific plays but it didn’t take long to get the group starting to resemble teammates.

“It’s not going to happen in one day,” Thibodeau said, “but when you have the type of talent that we do, if you get them committed to playing basketball on both sides as a five-man group that’s your best chance for success.”

The National Team went 2-0 in a pair of 12-minute scrimmages against the Select Team, although both were close and each required a comeback. In the final scrimmage, the teams were split up more evenly for one 10-minute game. The result was an exciting back-and-forth affair that went down to the wire. The Blue Team, featuring Durant,?James Harden?and?Paul George, among others, held on for a three-point victory.

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Check out one of the 3 best scorers in the league, Carmelo Anthony teaching Blake Griffin how to incorporate a step-back and a pull up jumper to his game during USA Basketball's practice in Las Vegas.

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