Standouts & Takeaways From Formula Zero Elite Camp
Damian Lillard's 3rd Annual camp featuring 30 of the best college and high school players
I had the privilege of being in Phoenix for Damian Lillard’s Formula Zero Elite camp. Roughly 30 elite high school and college prospects were there and we saw them compete in various drills and live scrimmages throughout the 3 days.
Most players stood out in some form or fashion and there weren’t many, if any, who didn’t have great stretches but we’ll focus on those who made the biggest impressions, starting with those in the college group with 2025 Draft implications.
Also, I didn’t initially intend on recording as much as I did so there isn’t an equal amount of film on everyone but there are video highlights for most of those we’ll talk about.
College Roster
VJ Edgecombe - Baylor, 6’5” Guard (Fr)
VJ was named Co-MVP of the camp. His energy, athleticism and effort have always been a separator for him and that was the case here. He was great as a cutter, frequently finding easy opportunities, he made a ton of plays on the offensive glass — that’s something that’s often popped. He got out in transition and made plays on defense. And he was difficult to stop when he got to his push cross/one move headed downhill to the rim.
I was probably most intrigued by his passing. It wasn’t as a primary ball handler or heavy PnR decision maker but he shined in transition, making hit-aheads, quick reads and being unselfish in the halfcourt.
I still have plenty of questions regarding his handle, pullup jumper and ability to make plays off the live dribble, especially given how important it is at his size. He wasn’t particularly comfortable in those areas from what we saw and that’ll likely dictate whether or not he’s a high-lotto player or falls a bit further. Nonetheless, he showed the clear potential to be one of the top picks in the upcoming draft.
Asa Newell - Georgia, 6’9” Forward (Fr)
Asa Newell was one of the most consistent college players throughout what we were able to see in the camp. I was most interested to watch him out of everyone in this group and he showed what’s made him so highly touted and now, a potential lottery pick. He’s big, versatile, athletic and any big that he was matched up with had a rough time scoring around the rim.
He shot it confidently from three and though he still had inconsistencies in his results, he didn’t shy away from open opportunities.
I was as consistently impressed with him as anyone and felt like he was making the biggest impact. In the drills, you could see him still working to improve his right hand on finishes, which will be key.
His growth as a shooter, ball handler and his comfort on the perimeter will dictate much of how this season goes for him, along with showing just how much 5 he can play but he has clear lotto upside and is the type of player that will impact winning.
Jalil Bethea - Miami, 6’5 Guard (Fr)
Incoming Miami Freshman, Jalil Bethea was also named Co-MVP.
He stood out most during the Day 1 4v4 scrimmages and during the drills on Day 2, unfortunately I didn’t record much of either (forgive me). But his skillset as a shotmaking guard was apparent. He was confident, got to his spots, shot the three well and his athleticism popped. And in those drills, as he got warm he was a level above his counterparts as a pullup shooter.
He’ll enter the year as a projected lottery pick as one of the most dynamic scorers in the class and a focal point of a different-looking Miami team. And he’ll look to continue rounding out his game, improving as a passer, defender, and physically.
Ian Jackson - North Carolina, 6’4” Guard (Fr)
Ian Jackson didn’t play the first day I was there but he gained comfort as the camp went on. He was one of the more dynamic ball-handlers in this group, showing an ability to get to the paint, make plays for others, and bother opponents defensively.
I wanted to see him be slightly more aggressive and confident in his outside jumper. That’s been a work in progress but he also rarely forced shots or ruined possessions with bad decisions.
Playing behind RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau could make it difficult to fully blossom but he certainly has the tools to be in first-round conversations as a freshman.
Felix Okpara - Tennessee, 6’11” Center (Jr)
I was frequently impressed by Felix Okpara’s activity around the rim on both ends of the floor. His athleticism and length was a big difference maker in every live setting. He came up with a handful of blocks and contests in recovery and moved his feet ok when in space.
There were a few times his hands and lack of touch on non-dunk finishes (49.3% in ‘23-’24 -Synergy) showed up but he was always there to clean it up using his second jump. Overall it was an impressive showing from him and I’m interested to see if he can continue to put it all together on what should be another talented Tennessee team.
Trent Perry - UCLA, 6’4" Guard (Fr)
Trent Perry is rock solid. He was at his best in the college pickup session at the end of Day 2, where he shot it well, made plays in transition and on the defensive end. He’s not someone who wows in any one area but he’ll always make his teammates better and limit mistakes. Historically, freshmen don’t get much of an opportunity at UCLA under Cronin but Perry seems like someone that could buck that trend.
Rasheer Fleming - St. Joseph’s, 6’8” Forward (Jr)
Rasheer Fleming was someone I didn’t have expectations for but he made timely plays and often showed off his skillset in the drills. He has a great motor, he can defend in space and on the interior and he showed his growing upside as an outside shooter and perimeter player. Not to mention he has a reported 7’5 wingspan and just turned 20.
Fleming’s teammate, Erik Reynolds, had his share of moments, too. St. Joe’s is primed to have one of the best seasons in their school’s history with those two and Xzayvier Brown leading the way.
AJ Storr - Kansas, 6’7” Wing (Jr)
Junior, AJ Storr had some good moments and was part of the winning 4v4 squad. He used his body well as a scorer, shot it confidently from three and was a more willing passer than I’d seen in the greater portion of his time at Wisconsin.
We’ll see just how much the defense and shooting can improve as he heads to Kansas but he was solid and could generate legitimate draft interest if those areas are more consistent.
Other Thoughts
There were plenty of other moments from the others in the field. Joson Sanon is wired to score and will likely continue to do a lot of it at Arizona State this year. He’s certainly a freshman to keep an eye on.
Aaron Bradshaw looked like he’d made progress from his freshman year at Kentucky. He has the same intriguing skillset as a 7-footer who can space it and block shots, had great moments at the rim before getting banged up.
I enjoyed watching Koby Brea shoot the ball, even if he was just warming up. Matched his all-time great splits last year.
Malik Mack was probably the smallest player in the camp but he found a way to make plays. Curious to see him at Georgetown after his freshman year at Harvard.
Kanon Catchings flashed some of his shotmaking upside on the wing. Quiet at times but the BYU freshman and son of hoops legend, Tamika Catchings, has a great skillset.
Other college players in the camp:
Erik Reynolds - St. Joseph’s, JP Pegues - Auburn, Kanon Catchings - BYU, Malik Mack - Georgetown, Koby Brea - Kentucky, Aaron Bradshaw - Ohio State, James Brown - North Carolina, James Scott - Louisville, Joson Sanon - Arizona State
High School Roster
Acaden Lewis - Sidwell Friends High, 6’2” Guard (2025)
Not only did Acaden Lewis hit a massive game-winning shot to end the 4v4 tourney, he was consistently effective and proved to *still* be one of the most underrated players in the class of 2025.
Sure, he’s now a consensus 4-star with offers from the likes of Duke, Kentucky, UNC and UConn among others, however, the fact he’s still consistently ranked in the 40’s and 50’s feels even more ridiculous after this weekend.
He was dynamic as a scorer & playmaker off the dribble— hitting pullups, getting to the rim and making pristine passes to his teammates. He was effective from three and competed defensively despite being smaller in stature.
And he was just as impressive in some of the drills I saw him in. You can usually gauge someone’s skill level pretty quickly and for Acaden, that was overwhelmingly positive the second I saw him go high glass with his right hand. He was lightyears ahead of everyone I watched in that drill and it confirmed much of what we’ve seen from him in the past.
He had a terrific summer and whoever lands him will be getting an intriguing talent, to say the least.
Darryn Peterson - Prolific Prep, 6’5” Guard (2025)
I’d say Darryn Peterson pretty easily showed the most overall NBA upside in the field. I anticipated that would be the case and it was. He wasn’t dominant in every drill or scrimmage setting but his presence was always felt.
He’s a big-time athlete and shotmaker at his core and that’s always at the forefront, but he has a poise and comfort as a playmaker and PnR operator that has become one of the most appealing elements of his game.
He can also take over a game defensively when he puts his mind to it. In fact, he got called out for his effort on that end at one point and took it personally, as he became an immediate pest and then made a college upper-classman not want to dribble near him for the entirety of that matchup.
I was impressed getting to see him in person for the first time. He’s well on the path of competing for a top spot in the 2026 Draft.
Credit to Swish Cultures on the extra video
Anthony Thompson - Western Reserve, 6’7” Wing/Forward (2026)
One of my favorite long-term players in this field was Anthony Thompson. He’s a 6’7 forward/wing who was lighting up the 3SSB this summer (55.6% on 45 made C&S 3’s) and he showed lots of the same in this setting. He’s a knockdown shooter with a sky-high release point, a solid mover on both ends and can make a play when necessary. He’s been capable of a little more with the ball vs players his age but I thought he acclimated himself well and made a good impression.
Chidi Nwigwe - Sunrise Christian, 6’7” Wing/Forward (2026)
Chidi Nwigwe saved his best for last as he made tons of plays in the last 4v4 scrimmages. I was initially impressed by his effort and defensive activity. He has the tools to be a presence on that end. He frequently scored in transition and showed his intriguing skillset as a perimeter shotmaker. He’s headed to Sunrise this year and looks like his profile will only continue to grow even as an already top-25 recruit.
Jasper Johnson - Link Academy, 6’4” Guard (2025)
Jasper Johnson has stood out nearly every time I’ve watched him recently, from Link Academy to the EYBL and he was solid at Formula Zero.
There were times he seemed disengaged and “floated” but that went away when the moment got bigger on Day 3 and I saw the dynamic shotmaker and playmaker at his very best.
He had all-world confidence from three, he was active on defense and limited more of his mistakes. He’ll need to continue working on his body and I’d be curious to see some of his habits in other settings in person but he’s easily one of the most talented guards in the class and I’m interested to see his college decision next week.
Mikel Brown Jr - DME Academy, 6’2” Guard (2025)
Mikel Brown Jr. was another member of this talented group of high school guards. High-level ball handler, shooter and playmaker who is crafty and a sneaky good athlete. He’s stronger than he looks but he’ll need to continue progressing physically as he ascends. That’s the spot that impacts him most right now but he finds a way to be effective. Had as disciplined a routine as anyone when he entered the gym.
Tajh Ariza - St. Bernard, 6’7” Wing (2026)
Tajh Ariza also won Most Improved Player and it was fitting. He didn’t stand out much from what I saw early but he started to gain confidence on offense, showing his twitchy handle, a solid outside shot and a versatility on defense that was extremely impressive. He had a lot of “want-to” on that end and had great moments in space against many of the best players in the field. For someone who turned 16 in March, I’m excited to see where he goes from here.
Other HS players in the camp:
Tounde Yessoufu - St. Joseph, Isaiah Denis - Davidson Day, Ikenna Alozie - Dream City, Jasir Rencher - Archbishop Riordan, Jaylon Dean-Vines - Diamond Doves, Jerry Easter II - Link Academy, JJ Andrews - Little Rock Christian, Cameron Holmes - Millenium.
Final Thoughts
Again, big thanks to everybody part of Formula Zero for credentialing me for this event. Of course, there was a ton of talent in the building but the attention to detail from all the coaches, but, Phil Beckner specifically —was great to see with many players who are so highly touted. And from what I’ve heard, the off-court stuff we didn’t see seems like it’ll end up being by far the most beneficial.
Dame speaking on their collective approach and message to the camp.
Happy to get back in my writing bag a little bit. More to come, at least occasionally in the future.
