MIAMI (United States) – The Youth Elite Camp, jointly organized by FIBA’s Youth Development Program (YDP) and The Grind Session (TGS), wrapped up in Daytona Beach, Florida, after four days of high-level training, competition, and player development. The event was held from September 4 to 7 at the renowned DME Academy, one of the top high school basketball academies in the United States. Following intense training sessions and games, K’Nard Callendar (ISV) was named Most Valuable Player.
Symon Ghai (SSD), Simón Gradín (ARG), Pedro Pastre (BRA), Lucas Rodríguez (URU), and Felipe Quiñones (PUR) were selected to the All-Star Five.
The camp was led by coach Donald Showalter (USA Basketball) and featured the participation of renowned coaches such as Walter Roese (former NBA Academy), Clay Moser (former NBA and NCAA), Sharman White (USA Basketball), and Matt Panaggio (DME Academy). The initiative reflects the shared mission of FIBA and The Grind Session to identify and develop the next generation of global basketball talent.
The 28 athletes who took part were:
Name | National federation | Height | Year | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emmanuel Jamgbadi | NGR | 6'8" | 2026 | PF | Prolific Prep |
Javion Tyndale | CAN | 5'8" | 2027 | PG | Montverde Academy |
Alhassane Camara | GUI | 6'10" | 2027 | C | Hamilton Heights |
Joel Mokweza | DRC | 6'9" | 2025 | F | Prolific Prep |
Alassane Doucoure | MLI | 6'10" | 2027 | PF | Mode Academy |
Felipe Quinones | PUR | 6'5" | 2026 | SG | Christian Columbus HS |
Patrick Otey | BRA | 6'4" | 2027 | SG | OTE |
Christopher Brown | BAH | 6'10" | 2027 | PF | Dream City Christian |
James Rivera | PUR | 6'11" | 2027 | F | The Academy CFL |
Winicius Braga | BRA | 6'10" | 2025 | C | Minas Tenis |
Cheick Coulibaly | MLI | 6'7" | 2027 | C | Hamilton Heights |
Jahmai Drayton | TTO | 6'11" | 2027 | C | Washington Warriors |
Yair Olano | MEX | 6'5" | 2027 | PG | Spire Academy |
Lucas Rodríguez | URU | 6'3" | 2026 | PG | Minas Tenis |
Anderson Díaz | DOM | 6'2" | 2027 | G | OTE |
Pedro Pastre | BRA | 6'4" | 2026 | SG | Pinheiros |
Symon Ghai | SSD | 7'3" | 2026 | C | The Academy CFL |
Fallilou Mbengue | GBR | 6'10" | 2027 | C | The Academy CFL |
Myles Fuentes | PUR | 6'3" | 2027 | G | Riviera Prep |
Ydderick González | VEN | 6'0" | 2026 | G | Great Barrington Academy |
Stefan Ilic | CAN | 6'10" | 2027 | PF | Tri-City Prep |
Facundo Cornalis | ARG | 6'6" | 2027 | SF | Obradoiro |
Simón Gradin | ARG | 6'8" | 2027 | SF | Estudiantes de Madrid |
Marlon Martínez | DOM | 6'6" | 2027 | SF | The Academy CFL |
K'Nard Callendar | ISV | 6'6" | 2026 | SF | Royal Palm Beach HS |
Chrinovic Kitenge | DRC | 6'5" | 2026 | SF | DME Academy |
Yohane Kabongo | DRC | 6'9" | 2027 | PF | DME Academy |
Patrik Birmingham | ISL | 6'5" | 2026 | SG | DME Academy |
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About The Grind Session Formed in 2014, The Grind Session is the first-ever and longest-running winter circuit of elite high school basketball events. In past seasons, our teams have played in some of the greatest and most unique cities across the U.S., as well as Canada, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. From November to March over 300 action-packed games will be played. The Grind Session is more than just great games: it's an opportunity to prepare for the next chapter of your basketball career. For more information, visit www.thegrindsession.com. About FIBA FIBA (fiba.basketball) - The world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 212 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For further information about FIBA, visit fiba.basketball or follow FIBA on facebook.com/fiba, x.com/fiba, instagram.com/fiba and youtube.com/fiba. FIBA