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Kaleena Smith, Haylen Ayers lead USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Minicamp pool

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby: Lawrence Fernandez04/01/26lawandfern

The 2026 USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Minicamp will have 42 student-athletes, including Kaleena Smith and Haylen Ayers, who are two of the best girls’ basketball players from the Class of 2027. They will take part in a three-day minicamp in Phoenix, Arizona, at the same time as the NCAA Women’s Final Four.

Smith, the best player among new high school seniors, helped Ontario Christian win the California Interscholastic Federation Open Division state championship against Archbishop Mitty. That victory ended their season at 34-2, making them the best team in the country according to the Massey and Rivals Composite Rankings.

Kaleena Smith also won the Gatorade California Player of the Year award after averaging 32.1 points, seven assists, 4.6 steals, and 3.6 rebounds in 34 games. Her excellence extends beyond basketball, as evidenced by her 3.45 grade-point average and her volunteer work as a youth coach.

Meanwhile, Ayers is the third-best prospect from the Class of 2027 behind Smith and Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka. She led the University School of Jackson to a 25-6 record while averaging 21.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.6 steals per game.

Other Class of 2027 invites to the USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Minicamp are Caroline Bradley, Ryan Carter, Celsy Colombo, Harper Dunn, Eve Long, Tatiana Mason, Madeline Mignery, Sydney Mobley, Saniyah Murray, Micah Ojo, Qandace Samuels, Sydney Savoury, and Nation Williams.

Joining Kaleena Smith and Haylen Ayers from the Class of 2028 are Hailey Benbow, Dakhari ‘Strawberry’ Blankumsee, Sydney Douglas, Kayla Eberz, JaKaila Gaskin, Reece Gilpatrick, Tatianna Griffin, Jhaliana Guy, Janiyah Hargrave, Jordyn Haywood, Belle Hill, Maliyah Hunter, Amy Nduka, Ella Peper, Morghan Reckley, Arianna Robinson, Erin Thomas, and Sutton Villa.

Also invited are Class of 2029 prospects Avery Bollin, Kolbi Brooks, Geralynn Byers Veal, Khloe Ison, Chloe Jenkins, Jayden McClain, Carib Morris, and Kristen Winston. Finally, Claire Stoops will be the lone participant from the Class of 2030.