US Basketball Academy Roster Preview
In this article:
For the first time, the United States Basketball Academy out of Blue River has decided to field a prep team this fall and winter and will do so in the talent-laden Grind Session in games and events against some of…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingFor the first time, the United States Basketball Academy out of Blue River has decided to field a prep team this fall and winter and will do so in the talent-laden Grind Session in games and events against some of the most talent-laden teams in the country. We caught up with USBA assistant coach Aden Hawes to chat about the team and its roster.
“We have the potential to be one of the top teams at each event we go to,” Hawes said. “We have a good mix of guys who all want to showcase what they can do but want to play a brand of basketball that’s team-oriented. They all want to play the right way and win a lot of games.”
The squad is a combination of players, about half of which are from the state of Oregon while the others are coming in from out-of-state. Here is first a look at the in-state players on the team.
Lamar Washington Lamar Washington 6'4" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2022 State #128 Nation AZ (2022 Jefferson)
Washington has long been the top-ranked player in the state in the Class of 2022 and he’s been taking things to an even higher level since the 2019-20 season ended. Visibly the 6-foot-4 lead guard has reshaped his body and gotten more athletic, while not losing anything when it comes to his strength and skills. He’s primed to really take advantage of the stage the Grind Session will provide him.
“I think that he will explode even more onto the scene after he’s done playing with us,” Hawes said. “There’s no question that he’s going to be another (National) Top 100 kid out of the state of Oregon. The sky is the limit for him and we’re super excited to have him on board.”
Darius Gakwasi Darius Gakwasi 6'5" | SG Central Catholic | 2021 State OR (2021 Central Catholic)
The recent Princeton commit had a great junior campaign at Central Catholic where he did a little bit of everything for the Rams. The 6-foot-5 swingman may have already made his college decision but the opportunity to play on the Grind Session will allow him to further develop his game and prepare himself to help Central Catholic capture a 6A title in 2020-21.
“Once Darius gets out here on the Grind Session I think he can be a guy that people around the country will question why they never heard about him before,” Hawes said. “I think he’s that talented and I think he’s a hell of a steal for Princeton. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him and more.”
Trace Salton Trace Salton 6'5" | SF Lake Oswego | 2021 State OR (2021 Lake Oswego)
Salton is the highest-ranked Class of 2021 player who has yet to make a college commitment and the hope is that the Grind Session will give the 6-foot-5 swingman the opportunity to earn some more offers playing against top-notch competition.
“Trace is another guy who we’ve been pleasantly surprised with,” Hawes said. “He comes from a great program with Coach (Marshall) Cho so he’s obviously a very cerebral player and knows the game. He’s a Division I talent and I think the Grind Session will especially help him to get his name out there.”
Marquis Cook Marquis Cook 6'6" | SF AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #6 Nation AZ (2023 Jefferson)
Cook is the top-ranked player in the Class of 2023 and he’s coming off a solid first high school season at Jefferson. As he continues to develop as a high-level prospect the Grind Session will allow him to compete against older, more mature players and the USBA staff is expecting a lot out of him.
“Mookie just so smart for a young guy, he just gets things with basketball that not a lot of older guys do,” Hawes said. “He’ll be another one of our guys that will be a main contributor and sort of an X-factor for us in that how well he plays will help determine our wins and losses.”
Finn Barkenaes (2021 Beaverton)
Barkenaes will be the prototypical “hustle guy” for USBA as his non-stop motor is infectious on both ends of the floor. Every team needs guys who will sacrifice their bodies and win 50/50 loose balls and the 6-foot-2 senior guard embraces the role.
“Finn is improving his offensive game but is a capable defender with long arms and always makes the right play,” Hawes said. “He rarely gets sped up and has made a ton of gritty plays in practice.”
Matthew Forsyth (2022 Churchill)
Rounding out the in-state players is Forsyth – who previously played at Marist – has vast potential and will really contribute to the squad with his ability to knock down shots. At 6-foot-3 he’s got good size on the wing and with a step-father as a coach, he’s well-versed in the game.
“Matthew is one of the better shooters on our team,” Hawes said. “He’s getting used to the speed of this level of basketball and this will be really good for him when he gets back to high school, just playing at this level and working his tail off. We’re super happy to have him on board.”
The squad has several players from out of state including:
Jalen Lewis (2023 Bishop O’Dowd-CA)
Lewis is a do-it-all big man at 6-foot-9 out of Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland. He’s already considered a top ten talent nationally in the Class of 2023 and will no doubt be a key guy down low for USAB.
“For how talented he is, you’d never know he was as highly touted as he is due to his work ethic and attitude,” Hawes said. “He’s so even keel and carries himself and treats other guys well.”
Leo DeBruhl Leo DeBruhl 6'3" | PG Seattle Academy | 2021 State WA (2021 Seattle Academy-WA)
DeBruhl is actually a Portland-area native before his family moved up north on I-5 to Seattle. A coach’s kid, the 6-foot-3 floor leader comes out of the Seattle Rotary AAU program so he’s battle tested against top talent.
“Leo’s a true point guard and can do a little bit of everything,” Hawes said. “This Grind Session will really help get his name out on the national level a little bit more. “
Tevin Smith (2022 Danville-IL)
Smith is an athletic 6-foot-4 wing who started getting plenty of college attention starting his sophomore season. Oregon liked him enough to put a scholarship offer on the table and his profile is still high despite coming back from a torn ACL, of which he’s recovered 100 percent.
“Tevin has all the talent in the world,” Hawes said. “He’s put it all back together and get to where he left off. Playing the competition on this platform is going to be amazing for him and his recruitment.”
Mike Sharavjamts (2022 Prolific Prep-CA)
Sharavjamts is no stranger to USBA as the native of Mongolia has attended camps there since he was as young as eight years old. At 6-foot-8, he’s a versatile player who can hit threes at a high percentage or create and finish at the rim.
“Mike is another guy we’re super excited to have,” Hawes said. “He has some low-major offers on the talbe right now but by the time he’s a senior I think he’ll have high-major options as well.”
Hudson Hansen Hudson Hansen 6'8" | PF Bellevue | 2021 State WA (2021 Bellevue-WA)
Hansen adds more size to the frontline at 6-foot-8 and provides grittiness as well. He’s got good touch around the hoop and plays with a good motor.
“Hudson is tough as nails and will go up against anyone fearlessly,” Hansen said. “I think he’ll be a nice addition to our mix.”
Sheer Akot (2021 Proctor Academy-NH)
Akot is a native of Senegal who grew up in the same town as Portland Trail Blazer Wenyen Gabriel. He’s long and a freak athletic at 6-foot-8 who can really defend.
“He’s another guy that with another year or two at this level can go from a low-major guy to a high-major level guy,” Hawes said. “He’s super quiet off the court but on the court he’s talking like nobody’s business. He may have the highest ceiling out of anybody on our team.”
USBA will make its debut on the Grind Session on November 2-12 in The Bubble in Phoenix and will play their second event in December in Kentucky.