Part 2: The Project and PERFECT Camp: A Home Run out of the Starting Gate!

[2028 and 2029 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!).

2028 Session – was best class present in having the most likely high level major D1 prospects

2028 Session Players.

Love Best, 5-6, PG, OR, Tualatin High School, Maurice Lucas Enforcers P24

Small guard with high level skills and basketball IQ; knows how to run a team scoring within context of offense. Major connector!

Janaya Cooper, 5-11, G, IN, Fort Wayne Snider High School, Always 100 15U 3SSB

Strongly built athlete who can attack the opposition off the bounce, but whose perimeter shot must be respected; could be more active moving without the ball on offense and has potential to be a lock down defender.

Jordyn Ellis, 6-3, F, IL, Whitney Young High School, Mac Irvin Fire P24

Long athlete showing poise under pressure; upside high. Made some plays that displayed versatile potential.

Sydney Ferguson, 6-3, PF, OH, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Sports City Angels EYBL

Long athlete with good mobility needing to fill out before full potential can be realized. For her size, shoots the ball well from the perimeter.

Janiah Hargrave, 5-9, SG, OH, Kettering Fairmont High School, FBC United We Trust 16U GUAA

Quality perimeter athlete who drives very well and whose perimeter stroke must be respected.

Jayla Lackey, 6-3, PF, OR, Benson Polytechnic High School, Maurice Lucas Enforcers P24

Powerfully built lefty who is a force in the paint. Good motor and focus on the glass.

D’Arrah Mitchell, 6-0 PG, NV, Centennial High School, Jason Kidd Select P24

Lanky athletically built with good mobility; high potential with skills still developing as body filling out. Potential!!

Meg Moore, 6-0, SG, MS, Tishomingo High School, Alabama Southern Starz 15U EYBL

Medium built able to score at all three levels having both a three-ball and pull-up; needs to be more active at times moving without the ball and defensively. Sweet stroke!

Khloe Nicholson, 6-2, G/W, IL, Quincy Senior High School, Missouri Phenoms EYBL

Good all-around offensive skills with superior height and basketball IQ as a perimeter player. Can score it in a variety of ways.

Morghan Reckley, 5-6, PG, GA, Sandy Creek High School, AEBL 17U P24

Quick guard with strong handles; able to create shots for herself and teammates; sometimes needs to let the game come to her and not force shot prematurely; point guard of current USA U16 team.

Taylor Stanfield, 6-1, SF, OH, Mason High School, FBC United We Trust 16U GUAA

Prototype small forward able to score from the wing and hits the boards as needed while running the court adequately. Physical presence with skills.

Sutton Villa, 6-6, C, UT, Pleasant Grove High School, Utah Lady Prospects 16U 3SSB

Just scratching the surface as a post; shows ability hit from the elbow but scoring mostly in the low post; should work to rebound better out of area. Good touch and challenges everything around the paint.

2029 Session – was loaded with D1 talent with exact level of most too early to accurately predict

2029 Session Players.

Angelyn Almonte, 5-11, SG, NJ, DePaul Catholic High School, Exodus NYC 15U EYBL

Showed ability to attack the rim using her medium-solid frame; able to finish against contact.

Avery Bollin, 6-3, F, MA, Dexter Southfield School, Bay State Jaguars GUAA

Strongly built lefty who likes to go left to the rim; decent mobility for height and body type.

Victoria “Pippi” Boyer, 5-10, SG, FL, Lincoln Park Academy, FGB 15U GUAA

Showed a nice pull-up stroke; good understanding of how to play in team concept.

Ja’Kyiah Cook, 6-1, 3F, OH, Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School, United Family 16U 3SSB

Powerful at attacking rim with muscular build and quality handle; outside shot there but still not primary weapon.

Mia Gage, 5-11, W, IL, Nazareth Academy, Midwest Elite Meanstreets EYBL

Drive first mentality who slashes to the & rim able to finish against contact; can hit the three but perimeter shot still needs to become more of a weapon.

Beckett Greenway, 5-7, G, MN, Providence Academy, North Tartan EYBL

Nice athlete who runs well and can shoot the three off the catch; needs to fill out physically before full upside can be determined,  

 Makenzie Jackson, 6-1 F, TX, Cy Springs High School, Cy Fair Elite EYBL

Lanky build with strong athletic upside; skills still emerging.

Sloan King, 5-10, SG, AK, Chugiak High School, TruGame Alaska 3SSB

Active at both ends moving well; showed a nice perimeter stroke. Connector type.

Jayden McClain, 6-5, C, KY, Ryle High School, FBC United Youngunz GUAA

Mobile with great height and build; skills still emerging - needs to play harder.

 Nina Mceldon, 6-2, F, VA, Bishop Ireton High School, Team Takeover EYBL

Strongly built with advanced ability to use her frame to take control of space in paint. Great hands and touch.

 Maggie Thompson, 5-8, G, PA, Owen J. Roberts High School, Philly Comets GUAA

Medium in build; showed an ability to shoot the three and attack the basket via a nice spin move.

 Kristen Winston, 5-11, PG, AL, Hoover High School, Alabama Southern Starz 16U EYBL

Plays more like a rising junior than rising freshman, just needing to fill out a bit; able to score at all three levels, runs the team and defends well; arguably the top prospect at the camp regardless of class.