USA Basketball’s tradition of excellence continues with the 2026 men’s U18 National Team set. 

The USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team was announced Wednesday following a six-day training camp at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. The team was selected by the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Committee and narrowed from a 32-athlete roster at the start of camp. 

All 12 athletes selected will be making their national team debut at the FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup in Leon, Mexico, from June 1-7. It was a dream come true for the top 17- and 18-year-old players in the country. 

“It’s truly a blessing to represent your country,” Jasiah Jervis of White Plains, New York, said. “Just grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to getting that gold medal.”

This was Jervis’ first time being invited to a training camp, and despite arriving late due to high school graduation, he adjusted quickly and was welcomed by the players and coaches. Jervis was a four-star shooting guard prospect and committed to Michigan State in November. 

Training camp will continue until the team departs for Mexico. Team USA will open group A play with Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, and will play Argentina in the opening game June 1. 

In addition to those teams, the United States will compete with Canada, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela for a top-four spot to advance to the 2027 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup in Pardubice, Czechia. 

Another Michigan State commit, Ethan Taylor of Branson, Missouri, made the U18 national team and stood out with his 7-foot stature and strong defensive presence. It’s been a goal of his since freshman year to be invited to a national team camp, let alone make the team. 

“It’s a blessing, especially after the year I went through,” Taylor, a four-star prospect, said. “Just struggles on and off the court … it was hard to find my groove, but starting to pick it up now. I just want to leave behind a good legacy for myself.”

For BYU commit and five-star small forward Bruce Branch II, making the team was a sigh of relief after previously being a training camp finalist. The Gilbert, Arizona, native has a 7-foot-1 wingspan, making guarding and deflections come naturally for the 17-year-old. 

“To make my first team is a blessing; it’s every kid’s dream,” Branch said. “Everyone is going to score here, so it’s not really what the coaches are looking for. They are looking for what you do to impact winning rather than scoring. For example, (Quentin Coleman) is 6-4 but getting every rebound. I’m getting deflections … everyone here is impacting winning, it doesn’t have to be through scoring.”

Wednesday’s training session, the first as a team, included a short film session from Tuesday’s scrimmage and drills to work on defensive habits. Having built chemistry over the last six days, the team feels confident in its ability to come together for a successful run in Mexico. 

The keys to victory? Stick to the game plan, listen to the coaches, and play together. 

“What’s most exciting is that we have no film or scout on the other teams,” Branch said. “We just need to play basketball, play the game we all love. If we play to each of our strengths, a gold medal will be no problem.”

The 2026 USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team (graduating classes of 2026 and 2027): Bruce Branch III, Quentin Coleman, Adan Diggs, Caleb Gaskins, Demarcus Henry, Jasiah Jervis, Malachi Jordan, Taylen Kinney, Colben Landrew, Ethan Taylor, Davion Thompson, and Darrius Wabbington.