The BallisLife Middle School All-American Camp took center stage in Anaheim, California, this weekend. Open Gym Premier in Anaheim welcomed 500 of the nation’s top players, all eager to prove themselves as the best in their respective classes.
Over the span of three days, players had multiple opportunities to showcase their skills. The camp kicked off with team concept sessions led by the Elite Basketball Circuit Coaching Staff. Players were then divided across three court lines, each named after the event’s partners—Sneakersteal, Ethika, and Courtsmith.
Once assigned to teams, players participated in an NBA film session conducted by NBA Skills Trainer Miguel Bennett. During this session, Coach Bennett broke down key concepts used by NBA teams, emphasizing the importance of off-ball movement and spacing. With this knowledge in hand, players were ready to hit the courts for their first chance to stand out and work toward earning an outstanding performer award on Sunday.
After a late night on Friday, Saturday morning began bright and early, with doors opening at 7:45 a.m. for the younger groups. EBC’s Coaching Staff did an excellent job setting the tone with high energy to get the players motivated. Saturday’s schedule included a 3-point Shooting Contest and the renowned King of The Court prelims, a long-standing highlight of the Elite Basketball Circuit.
As the Saturday events wrapped up at 8:00 p.m., players had the opportunity to rest and prepare for a jam-packed Sunday.
Sunday kicked off with an on-court recovery session to ensure the players were in peak condition after two days of intense basketball. The King of The Court Finals were something to watch, each player in a final for their respective grade was giving it all they had, these players came away with victories in each grade level (Karter Butler 8th, Quali Giran 7th, Kalani Abreu 6th, Jaydon Parker 5th, Kasileus Cole 4th, Dominic Phillips 3rd). After a quick lunch, the All-Star teams were announced, leading into the Top 20, Top 40, Top 60, and Top 80 games for each grade level.
The BallisLife Middle School All-American Camp concluded with an atmosphere of excitement and accomplishment, as players showcased their talents in the final games. The weekend was a true test of skill, endurance, and basketball IQ, with each participant leaving the camp having grown both on and off the court. Whether they earned an award, a spot in the All-Star games, or simply improved their game, every player walked away with valuable experiences and memories.
As the camp came to a close, it was clear that the future of basketball is bright, with these young athletes poised to make their mark in the years to come.
8th Grade Division (Class of 2029)
MVP: Jaden Redding 6’4 Vegas Elite Basketball Club
PPG: 20.3 RPG: 8.5 APG: 4.5 SPG: 1.3
With a smooth handle and a long frame, he brings to mind a young Lamar Odom. His ball-handling skills are exceptional for a forward, and when paired with his sharp court vision, he’s a constant threat in transition. Around the basket, he displays a soft touch and a talent for floaters. Defensively, he excels in on-ball situations, using quick feet and long arms to make scoring difficult for opponents. Jaden is also aggressive on the defensive boards, eagerly grabbing rebounds to kickstart fast breaks.
7th Grade Division (Class of 2030)
MVP: Quali Giran 5’7 Squad
PPG: 30.8 RPG: 11.3 APG: 2.8 SPG: 3.5
A versatile player who brings speed to the fast break and finishes strong with both hands. With impressive length as a defender, he makes it difficult for opponents to get their shots off. A vocal leader on both ends of the court, he consistently guides his teammates into the right positions. His fearless finishing ability stands out, but what’s even more impressive is how he moves off the ball to create scoring opportunities.
6th Grade Division (Class of 2031)
MVP: Yakai Craig 5’4
PPG: 33.5 RPG: 9.8 APG: 3 SPG: 0.8
A young guard with a diverse arsenal for attacking the rim. His impressive lateral movement allows him to easily reach his desired spots on the floor. When he’s focused, he can effectively contain nearly any perimeter player. Despite his ability to create his own shot at will, his exceptional passing adds depth to his game. Demonstrating his scoring prowess, he combines tight ball-handling skills with acrobatic finishes around the rim.
5th Grade Division (Class of 2032)
MVP: Landon Hamm 5’5 360 Basketball
PPG: 17.5 RPG: 11.3 APG: 1.5 SPG: 1.8
Landon is a commanding presence in the paint. He excels with a powerful downhill drive, frequently finishing at the rim despite contact. His patience, precise footwork, and sheer strength enable him to control the paint and score over defenders effectively.
4th Grade Division (Class of 2033)
MVP: Josiah Price 5’0 Dream Chasers
PPG: 11.8 RPG: 5.8 APG: 3 SPG: 3
Josiah is an excellent guard with the ability to score from all three levels. He has a reliable three-point shot and combines it with the speed to drive to the rim effectively. His length provides him with numerous advantages that he utilizes to great effect.
3rd Grade Division (Class of 2034)
MVP: Truss Wiggins 4’9
PPG: 11.5 RPG: 8.8 APG: 1.3 SPG: 3
Truss prefers to play as a bigger guard, leveraging his length to his advantage. He frequently handles the ball, using his height to see over defenders and make precise passes or quickly drive to the basket
2nd Grade Division (Class of 2035)
MVP: Carter Hill 4’6
PPG: 9 RPG: 3.5 APG: 2.3 SPG: 2.5
When Carter steps onto the court, he plays with a maturity that belies his age. He is a strong two-way guard capable of scoring efficiently and also shutting down one of the opposing team’s top players on defense.
