Top-of-the-line impartial underclassmen occasions within the nation, the Crossroads Elite Invitational has made its mark within the grassroots group all through the previous decade. Held in Indianapolis, founder Adam Shoulders and his employees feverishly scout the nation searching for the highest kids who’ve but to hit the nationwide radar, then present them with the platform to get the publicity obligatory. Gamers corresponding to Michael Porter Jr., Brandon Miller, Darius Garland, Chet Holmgren, Kevin Knox, Gradey Dick, the Thompson twins, and extra all donned the Crossroads Elite jersey far earlier than they have been family names in recruiting circles. The 2023 version of the camp introduced a lot extra who will definitely observe their path.
The camp jumped off with a abilities clinic led by USA Basketball Director of Youth Growth Don Showalter. Showalter established a baseline for the expectations of the occasion, implementing workforce ideas with quite a few participant growth drills. Video games adopted on Saturday, culminating with a novel all-star playoff sequence on Sunday that introduced the highest 80 gamers towards one different in aggressive style. New names got here to the horizon, scholarships have been earned, and the competitors stage was excessive all through the weekend at Crossroads.
Listed below are just a few of the standouts from the 2023 Crossroads Elite Invitational:
Niko Bundalo, 6’9, PF, Inexperienced HS (OH), 2025
One of many hottest rising juniors within the nation, NBundalo confirmed the inside-out recreation that school coaches dream of out of a brand new age ahead. The lefty is a severe athlete who can defend a number of spots, is a severe creator from the perimeter, but additionally isn’t afraid to combine it up within the paint. The mix of ability, manufacturing, and potential make him one more particular product in Ohio’s loaded 2025 class. Having gained over a dozen huge time gives prior to now month, issues actually don’t seem like slowing down anytime quickly for Bundalo.
Lincoln Cosby, 6’8, SF, Lakota West HS (OH), 2027
So far as upside is worried, Cosby is amidst the elite that the Crossroads Elite Invitational needed to provide. The lefty is a ridiculous athlete, is totally snug dealing with the basket and going to work, and makes you neglect that he’s a mere 14 years outdated. The Cincinnati product’s mixture of offensive ability set, dimension, and athleticism set him atop of Ohio’s 2027 class.
Winters Grady, 6’6, SF, Lake Oswego HS (OR), 2025
One of the best participant on the very best workforce (champion workforce Darius Garland), Grady left fairly the impression on scouts in attendance on the Crossroads Elite Invitational. The gritty wing can end by way of contact when attacking, shot it nicely from past the arc, and was environment friendly scoring with restricted bounces. Grady holds no scarcity of mid-major gives and has started listening to from quite a few PAC-12 faculties over the previous month.
Toni Bryant, 6’9, PF, North Tampa Christian (FL), 2026
There was appreciable buzz surrounding Bryant coming into Crossroads and he actually backed up the hype when his motor was operating, each together with his manufacturing and potential. The ahead is an explosive leaper who can defend quite a few spots, confirmed flashes of being a dependable three level shooter, and performed above the rim on each ends. Instantly after the camp, Bryant acquired gives from Illinois and UNLV.
Howard Williams, 6’5, SG/SF, Leo HS (IL), 2027
A participant who I had heard a ton about however had but to see in individual, Williams actually confirmed he was the reality at Crossroads. Proudly owning nice positional dimension at 6’5 (and never showing to be completed rising), the rising freshman was an explosive straight line driver, completed within the paint by way of contact, and has excellent pure scoring instincts. Operating with the Chi-City Bulldogs and Meanstreets on the AAU circuit, Howard has the potential to be the subsequent particular wing out of the Windy Metropolis.
Stephen Brown, 6’7, SF/PF, Marist HS (IL), 2026
Brown was one more Chicago participant to carry a package deal of grit and excessive stage play to Crossroads. The brand new age ahead can play inside and outside, maximizing his athleticism to make performs on each ends with switches. He scored when the chance introduced itself, was unselfish to a fault at instances, and stored his foot on the gasoline together with his motor. The Mac Irvin Hearth ahead remains to be simply 14 years outdated getting into his sophomore 12 months, providing scary potential down the street.
Elijah Perryman, 6’2, PG, Clayton Valley HS (CA), 2025
The catalyst from the championship Staff Darius Garland squad, Perryman got here from California and confirmed that he may maintain his personal with most of the finest that the Midwest has to supply. The lanky playmaker had quite a few excessive extension finishes on the rack, could make powerful passes with both hand, and is a risk capturing the rock together with his ft set. Nonetheless considerably beneath the radar, Perryman is a reputation that you just’ll be listening to about on the west coast.
Aidan Cronister, 6’7, SF, Rogers HS (AR), 2026
A participant who I used to be not aware of main into the occasion, Chronister actually held it down for Arkansas on the Crossroads Elite Invitational. The lanky wing possesses a fast launch from 3-point vary, is agile sufficient to beat you off the bounce, and makes use of his size to offer a formidable presence on the defensive finish. Already listening to from quite a few excessive main applications, Chronister is among the extra attention-grabbing underclassmen on the New Stability PRO 16 Circuit.
Cameron Williams, 6’8, PF, Skyline Prep (AZ), 2026
The definition of all legs and arms, Williams confirmed his unimaginable long run potential at Crossroads Elite. The brand new age ahead can play each inside and outside, defends a number of positions, and was automated capturing from mid-range. Williams has been working with famend grassroots coach Paul Suber and is operating with Vegas Elite within the EYBL.
Jaylen Gunther, 5’10, PG, Youngstown Ursuline (OH), 2027
So far as the deepest vary within the camp, Gunther positioned himself proper there with anybody so far as capturing Trae Younger-esque threes. The rising freshman is a excessive IQ lead guard, performs inside himself, and can’t be left attributable to his capturing potential off of the catch and off the bounce. A coach’s son, Gunther actually has the entire instruments at his disposal to meet his potential to the best stage.
