The best of the best in high school hoops
Meet the members of the All-USA High School Boys Basketball Team
The American Family Insurance All-USA boys basketball team was selected by Jim Halley after discussions with USA TODAY’s Jason Jordan and high school basketball coaches. All selections are seniors, except for Vernon Carey Jr. This is the first time four players on the first team all have signed with the same college — in this case, Duke.
ALL-USA Player of the Year
R.J. Barrett, 6-7 guard, Montverde (Fla.) Academy Details: From Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Duke signee led the Eagles to a 35-0 record and a title at the GEICO High School Basketball Nationals while averaging 28.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, two blocks and 1.5 steals per game. In July, he led Team Canada to a championship in the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Cairo, Egypt.
Favorite food: Hamburgers and bacon cheeseburgers, plus chicken alfredo pasta. My worst sport: Lacrosse. Being from Canada, I tried it a little. Most difficult dunk attempted: A 360 between the legs. Most difficult dunk made: I’ve jumped from the free throw line a few times. Secret entertainer crush: Zendaya. Favorite class: Introduction to philosophy. We were able to discuss matters that are going on around the world and how you can change things.
Cam Reddish, 6-7, small forward, Westtown School, Westchester, Pa.
Details: Duke signee averaged 26.6 points and 5.6 rebounds. Averaged 22.6 points during the NIKE EYBL circuit last summer.
Favorite food: Chicken alfredo. My worst sport: Hockey or skateboarding. Most difficult dunk attempted: A 360 windmill. Most difficult dunk made: I made one going between the legs when I was at school, messing around. Secret entertainer crushes: (Actress) Brittney Elena.
Hoops start: My dad played basketball in college, and while I was growing up he was playing in 48-and-over leagues in Philly.
Vernon Carey Jr., 6-10 forward, University School, Davie, Fla.
Details: Undeclared junior, the son of a former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman who was an All-USA football player at Miami Northwestern. Led University to a 36-2 record and a 5A state title, averaging 26.1 points and 10.4 rebounds.
Favorite food: Baked ziti.
My worst sport: Probably golf. My dad hosts a tournament for his foundation, so I’ve played, but I’m not really good. Odds of you wearing a bow tie to NBA draft: Probably likely. School daze: I made National Honor Society this year and last year. Secret entertainer crush: Rhianna.
Tre Jones, 6-2, point guard, Apple Valley, Minn. Details: Duke signee led team to state title in 2017. This season, he averaged 22.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists through 26 games. He is the younger brother of Minnesota Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones. His father and his oldest brother, Jadee, also played college basketball.
Favorite food: Chicken alfredo and cinnamon rolls. My worst sport: Hockey. I’ve skated one time.
Two things I’m better at than Tyus: My defense is one, and the other one is my athleticism. Secret entertainer crush: Zendaya. On building Duke’s recruiting class: When Coach K met me, he told me the guys he was recruiting. I had already been talking to Cam (Reddish), so then me and Cam started talking to R.J. (Barrett) and Zion (Williamson) and we were able to build a good relationship.
Zion Williamson, 6-6, power forward, Spartanburg (S.C.) Day
Details: Duke signee led team to three consecutive state titles, averaging 36.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Has 1.4 million followers on Instagram, including Drake. Was also a first-team All-USA pick last season.
Favorite food: My mom’s home-cooked fried chicken.
My worst sport: Would probably be cross country. I can run 3 miles, but I probably would finish in the middle or in the back.
Stay true to your school: I tell people the same thing that my mom and a few college coaches told me. ‘Coaches will find the talent’ and then, getting looks, if I’m being honest, you are not going to get a lot of looks in high school. A lot of the looks you get are during the AAU season, so you might as well represent your school. Secret entertainer crushes: When I think about those, it’s almost like, ‘Yeah, that would never happen,’ so I try not to think about it. I’m going to go with Peyton List and Zendaya.