Recruits secure spots on USA Basketball U18 team for 2024 FIBA AmeriCup

Two prominent 2025 Michigan football recruiting targets have been chosen for the USA Basketball U18 team for the 2024 FIBA AmeriCup. Their selection underscores their exceptional talent and potential, enhancing their profiles as they remain highly sought after by top college programs, including Michigan.

Several Indiana University recruiting targets have earned spots on the U18 USA Basketball team following tryouts held in Colorado Springs. This accomplishment underscores their talent and potential, further solidifying their appeal to college programs, including Indiana University.

A contingent of 28 players journeyed to Colorado Springs for the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team tryouts held over the extended Memorial Day weekend. Among them, four prospects targeted by Indiana University secured spots on the 12-player roster, set to compete in Argentina the following week. The tryouts, renowned for their intensity and rigorous selection process, followed a similar pattern this time.

The 2024 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup will take place in Buenos Aires from June 3-9.

Darius Acuff Jr., Nate Ament, Mikel Brown Jr., and Trey McKenney emerged victorious after the five-day tryout to secure their positions on the team. All four players have long been on Indiana’s recruiting radar. Ament particularly impressed with his performance during the third adidas 3SSB circuit stop in Bryan, Texas, showcasing his sharp three-point shooting skills at a towering 6’9″. Indiana’s interest in Ament has intensified over the past few months, with the Hoosiers diligently attending each of his games in Texas.

McKenney has been a top priority target for Indiana University’s 2025 recruiting class for quite some time, and the Hoosiers continue to actively pursue him. The Michigan native has always possessed the ability to make difficult shots, but this spring, while playing with The Family in Nike EYBL competition, he has been finding more open three-point opportunities. This has resulted in a significant increase in his scoring efficiency against top-tier opponents.

Acuff and Brown are both highly regarded point guards whom the Indiana coaching staff has been recruiting extensively. Currently, they tend to score more than create for others, but they both show glimpses of passing brilliance. Brown recently showcased his deep shooting range in Texas, although he faced challenges from Indiana Elite, which managed to disrupt his shooting rhythm.

Acuff and McKenney share the court for The Family during the grassroots season, which may have contributed to their chemistry and cohesion during the tryout process. This could be advantageous in international competition, where most American players are not accustomed to playing together.

Among other Indiana recruiting targets who participated in the tryouts but did not make the final team are Malachi Moreno, Hudson Greer, Nyk Lewis, and Caleb Wilson. While Moreno, Lewis, and Wilson made the initial cut down to 18 players, they were ultimately not selected for the final roster.

The team is coached by Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, with assistant coaches Grant McCasland from Texas Tech and Micah Shrewsberry from Notre Dame.

College coaches are allowed to attend the event in Argentina.

Pool play is scheduled for June 3, 4, and 5. The USA will face Argentina on June 3, followed by Belize on June 4, and Brazil on June 5. Bracket play will follow these games to determine the gold medal winner.

The complete roster includes Darius Acuff Jr., Nate Ament, Mikel Brown Jr., Jeremiah Fears (Illinois), Shelton Henderson, Daniel Jacobsen (a Purdue signee for 2024), Jasper Johnson, Morez Johnson Jr. (an Illinois signee for 2025), Nikolas Khamenia, Trey McKenney, Patrick Ngongba II (a Duke signee for 2024), and Derrion Reid (an Alabama signee for 2024).