The Project and PERFECT Camp: A Home Run out of the Starting Gate!

[Part 1: 2026 and 2027 Sessions]

July 3, 2025

Held June 23-26, 2025, at Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill in Hamilton Ohio, The Project and PERFECT camp brought approximately 300 players (about 75 per class) to the facility. It was facilitated as the lead of Shane Laflin and his ESPN counterparts Jason Key and Kenneth Pannell. On June 23-24 the classes of 2026 and 2027 participated in drill work, 3x3 and 5x5 ball combining instruction and play. There were three sessions (two the first day) for each class, alternating court time. Similarly, the classes of 2028 and 2029 were in action on June 25 and 26. Monday and Wednesday were long days wrapping up after 8pm. Tuesday and Thursday were significantly shorter, ending about 1pm. Given that players came from all over the USA, this allowed most to catch flights home later that day.

Comments by parents and players were very positive

In an era where finding fault is the norm, parents and players were exceptionally positive in camp reviews. Repeatedly it was mentioned as one of the best camps the commenting player had ever attended. Specific items mentioned included the enthusiasm/knowledge of staff, incorporation of both 5x5 and 3x3 play (guess some camps do not engage much or at all in 3x3) and the high level of competition where most of the players were likely future college players who will receive athletic scholarships. I will add two other pluses in that the timing of each segment was very well laid out, and when players were assigned to teams, there were amazingly competitive contests as the organizers (not me) took great pains to balance out both 3x3 and 5x5 teams.

On to players…

Listed below are 12 players from each class who would (in the opinion of the selection committee) form a competitive team given the pool of players. Players are in alphabetical order with listed height, position, home state, high school (last or if known, soon to be attending) and club team.

Note that players described below as “improved” were ones this writer had seen previously some time ago. Also, although I gave input into creating the lists below, there were other players I might have had in place of some picked. (There was a lot to choose from!).

2026 Session – had its share of major D1 players but less depth than the younger classes as a lot of rising seniors have already narrowed their list and (perhaps mistakenly) are not so camp oriented as their younger counterparts.

2026 Session Players.

 Fope Ayo,6-4, C, MA, Austin Preparatory School, Mass Rivals 3SSB

Strongly built lefty with improved right hand finish; dominated lower key in camp games.

 Ariyana Cradle, 5-8, PG, OH, Spire Academy, Legends U P24

Medium built PG with smooth handles, a nice pull-up and court vision. Plays the game with enthusiasm.

 Jasleen Green, 5-9, G, FL, Grandview Prep, East Coast United P24

Has good motor with improved range showing scoring at all three levels. Physical guard who made clutch plays to win the 5on5 bracket!

 KK Holman, 5-9, PG, IN, Hamilton Southeastern, IGB 17 GUAA

Mobile medium-built PG with nice size and stroke. Lead guard facilitation is valuable.

 Shania James, 5-7, CG, IL, Example Academy, Example Sports GUAA

Athletic medium build with good quickness in attack and on D; has ‘ups’ to block shots and confidence to let shots fly.

 Natalie Kussow, 5-11, G/W, WI, Arrowhead Union High School, Wisconsin Lakers GUAA

Lefty with medium-solid built; three-point and mid-range stroke off pass or bounce – really hunting the three well

 Karisma Lewis, 5-10, SG, CA, Oak Park High School, Team NorCal 3SSB

Mobile, medium-built shooter who can get on a roll scoring from the perimeter – has leadership intangibles.

 Tori Oehrlein, 5-11, G, MN, Crosby Ironton High School, MN Suns P24

Heady player with stroke knowing when to pass or shoot; Verbal commit to Minnesota. Shot the ball extremely well.

 Jaelynn Scott, 6-0, SF, MA, Wachusetts Regional High School, Bay State Jags GUAA

Athletic player able to attack from the perimeter; upside to get better as she embraces the glue-forward role.

 Lani Smallwood, 5-8, CG, AL, Albertville High School, Alabama Southern Starz EYBL

Active, lefty guard with three-point range hitting glass well for height; Verbal commit to Mississippi State.

 Morgan Stewart, 5-10, G, MD, St. John’s College High School, Germantown Lady Panthers – GUAA

One of the top performers in camp for the 2026 class; played with high motor affecting the game positively at both ends; has really expanded her offensive game.

 Atlee Vanesko, 5-11, G, NJ, The Westtown School, Philadelphia Rise 17U EYBL

Prefers to operate out of the wing to baseline area, has three-point range; seems to know when to shoot and when to pass, all within the team concept. Solid!!

2027 Session – lot of solid D1 prospects but one could argue who was best present     

2027 Session Players.

 Charlotte Cavin, 6-0, G/W, TX, Wakeland High School, Proskills 16U EYBL

Active within team concept; can hit the three but will also hits the glass. Shooter!

 Syniah Coachman, 5-10, G/W, AR, Fayetteville High School, Missouri Phenoms EYBL

Able to play multiple positions; smooth in attacking the rim. Major upside!

 JaNyia Cunningham, 6-1, F, SC, South Pointe High School, FBC United the Family 16U GUAA

Improved perimeter skills (shooting and handles) with ability to dominate in the paint. Physical player with more versatility than you think.

 Jada Jackson, 6-2, F, TX, Frenship High School, Team Mo Jeff P24

Long athlete with high upside now adding perimeter skills. Rebounds and finishes above the rim!!

 Nyla Lyons, 5-10, F, LA, South Lafourche High School, Mississippi All N EYCL

Muscular athlete able to attack the rim starting in the paint or from the perimeter. Does all the competitive little things – will be a nice addition to a college roster.

 Amaya Manuel, 5-7, PG, MO, Lift for Life Academy, Missouri Phenom 17U EYBL

Athletic guard with good ‘ups’ and solid handles; able to score at all three levels .. savvy feel for the game.

 Tiera McCarthy*, 5-6, PG, CA, Archbishop Mitty High School, Jason Kidd Select P24

Showed out playing in the 2026 camp; has good handles and knows how to run a team and shoot when appropriate; point guard intangibles.

 Sydney Mobley, 6-2, PF, OH, Big Walnut High School, West Virginia Thunder GUAA

Strongly built but mobile with good hands; able to score down low but also face up on the perimeter. Rebounds well.

 Anna Moser, 5-8, PG, NY, Hoosac School, Philly Rise EYBL

Floor general with high basketball IQ making players around her better, pass first mentality; can hit three.

 Saniyah Murray, 6-4, PF/C, MS, Harrison Central High School, Mississippi All-N 16U EYCL

Quality post athlete with scoring mostly in lower paint but agility to eventually move game further from rim. Major upside.

 Bella Owumi, 6-0, W, MA, Tilton School, MCW Starz P24

Active quality athlete able to affect the game at both ends; smooth to the rim. Has added ability to create off the bounce .. overall reads the floor very well.

 Finley Parker, 6-3, F, GA, River Ridge High School, Southeast All Stars 3SSB

Able to shoot the three with size; working to broaden game by improving attacking off the bounce.

*participated in the 2026 session