Elite Gym Rat

Rising third grader, Quinn Wilkins, is from Anderson, Indiana, and attends Lapel Elementary School. He’s a 4.0 GPA student: He was Citizenship award winner and Excellence in Mathematics Award recipient for 2nd grade. Only one student per grade received such acknowledgment. His current AAU teams are the ThunderCats (2026) and (2024); and Indy Nets (2026). He plays up with older kids.

When watching Wilkins play, it’s apparent that he’s as good as other sorted out young athletes. NBA and college coaches have commented on Wilkins’ talent, saying “he’s a heady player who does all the right moves.” He’s not perfect by any means, if such a thing existed. But, he’s special and beyond his years.

Wilkins’ dad says, “you would be hard pressed to find a more fundamentally sound player and shooter in the class of 2026,” and “What he lacks in quickness and athleticism he more than makes up for in using angles, technique, and heart.” Wilkins realizes that players will grow taller, stronger, and more athletic over years.

However, Wilkins’ fathers states that his son is “an above average sized kid with a solid frame who will only get stronger and shouldn’t be short on height as it runs in his family.”

Wilkins is humble — but don’t underestimate his meanness to devour competition. He has a high-IQ and natural feel for the game as a coaches son. The left handed player even has good footwork.

His biggest accomplished thus far is hitting 25 straight free throw shots in four games. Also, his local ThunderCats team won 43 straight games in the past year.

“He really values basketball and looks to get teammates involved, even to a fault at times. But that will pay off more as he gets older.”

Hoopin’ Hupp

Class of 2022, 5’9″, guard, Quinten Hupp, from Lincoln, Nebraska, is a 4.0 GPA student with plenty of game for an elite budding athlete. He’s a member of Made Men Basketball in Chicago, IL. (An AAU Grassroots program founded by Iman Shumpert.)

So far this AAU season, Made Men have a 25-7 record and were the Baylor AAU Super Regional Champions, which they qualified for AAU D1 nationals. Hupp’s  squad is gearing up for the USBA Nationals in Charlotte, NC, on July 19-23.

The 2016 camps that Quinten attended are the Junior Phenom Regional Camp in Cartersville, IL, where he received an invite to the Phenom Top 150 National Camp in July in San Diego, CA.

Other showcases Quinten has entered are the John Lucas Camp in Chicago, IL, Tim Miles Nebraska Basketball Camp in Lincoln, NE and the Middle School Elite Camp in Toledo, where he was 6th grade MVP of the latter two events.

Last week, he earned an invite to the BaLLIsLife Jr. All-American camp in Anaheim, CA this summer.

Lastly, Quinten trained the past two summers at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. We must admit that he’s a versatile player with good ball handle and outside shooting. At his age, he can play the 3 and 4 spot, considering his size . A University of Nebraska camp trainer said, “he has a natural athletic skill that allows for him to guard a lot of different types of players.”

Jones is Backed

Class of 2023 — Jaylen Jones, from Nashville, Tennessee, is a newly ranked top-20 national player. He attends East Nashville Magnet where he’s an honor-roll student. He was given the Leadership/Citizenship award by his school. Jones’ caring mother,Joan, says, “he’s a great kid who gets stronger and wiser everyday.”

Jones is explosive and plays above his age. He’s a good ball handler, shooter and defender. He gets frustrated at times when his teammates don’t step up at practice or games.

He’s a true warrior who leads through adversity with a smile on his face. He’s a great addition to any team he plays on.

On Jones’ spare time, he likes to hang with his friends and family, but their activities somehow still involve some type of sport.

If he isn’t a future NBA player, a teacher and basketball coach is a career path. “His will to master his craft and hours of practice with his team or by himself will surely put him in a position to grow and excel as one of the top basketball players in the nation!”

Lloyd’s Bball Return 

C/o 2022, 6’0″, Ramel Lloyd, from Los Angeles, California is a top 10 player in the country which will show in our updated 7th grade MSE player national rankings. If you recall, young Lloyd suffered knees pain last year, but now he’s 100% healthy and back to terrorize the entire AAU and camp circuit.

Although Lloyd’s mother is shorter than 6’0″, his father is nearly 6’6″ and a former college player. While basketball genetics run in Lloyd’s family, he must desperately work to improve his talent. However, before talent comes academics which Ramel has A & B grades.

Ramel Lloyd is a hot topic player making a lot of noise on the east and west coast. Check out his new highlight video that illustrates his point guard prowess.

Junior may move to the east where his dad was born and raised.

Early Exposure Rankings

First grader, Rogan Miller from Oklahoma is rocking in the below video. He’s penciled in at No. 5 on the new offical 1st Grade MSE Top-20 Player National Rankings for class of 2027.

Big and strong, Drake Iverson Williams, from Arkansas, tops our list of elite young players mainly because of his outstanding work ethic, early muscle memory and sprouting talent. He’s the epitome of kid strength training, for example, jumping steps at home with weights strapped around his shoulders inside a book bag. Williams shouldn’t get too comfortable though as more and more talented athletes emerge everyday.

Who’s paying attention?

ESPN, NY Times, WSJ, Chicago Tribune, CBS, Yahoo, Bloomberg News, Ohio Observer, Bleacher Report, Tampa Bay Times and New York Daily News, have written about us so they’re All definitely watching players on our website.

Middle School Elite rankings are based on a AAU player’s performances at high level camps and tournaments, overall team success, ability to impact games and long term potential and upside.

Rank, Name, State 

#1 Drake Iverson Williams Arkansas 

#2 Peyton Howell, New York

#3 Brayden Walker Alabama

#4 Gregory Forest Texas

#5 Rogan Miller Oaklahoma

#6 Payton Jones from Texas

#7 Johnny Magna New York

#8 Dallas Williams Missouri

#9 Da’Mari Gilstrap Oklahoma

#10 Isaac Hayes Texas

#11 Ayden Donald Florida

#12 Madden Hill Texas

#13 Rasheed Muhammed Jr. Maryland

#14 Torian Adams Jr. Michigan

#15 Maurice Hamrick Jr. Ohio

#16 Sherod McCormick North Carolina

#17 JJ. Grier North Carolina

#18 Carson Butler Michigan

#19 Collin Tjin California

#20 Keeran Stokes Ohio

Soto Belongs

Class of 2023, Caleb Soto, from Texas went from playing recreational ball last year to competing for one of the best AAU teams in the country. Not bad for someone who’s only been playing basketball for two years.

Less than two years, Soto grew from being an average player to one of the best overall athletes. Caleb’s rare offensive talent is catch and shoot. He has good footwork and a quick release jumper. But what makes him special is his ability to put the ball on the floor, and his skill with shooting off the dribble. And he has comfortable range from three to four feet behind the arc.

Soto’s dedication over the past 16 months solidifies him as one of top shooters in the nation. He has the necessary resources and equipment to continuously build his game. It doesn’t hurt that his father/trainer is Founder/CEO of Be Elite Basketball — one of the top youth basketball programs in North Texas.

The video below shows Soto’s most recent tournament in which he averaged 20 plus points per game.

MJ is Set

Class-of-2024, MJ Yeager, from Michigan, whose twin brother is, D1, may be a look-alike but has a totally different style of play. Yeager, a straight A student, won the school’s Spelling Bee. In addition, MJ will play on the 7th and 8th grade basketball team next school season.

Yeager is a heady and feisty ball handler who demands the ball to pass or score. He understands that tenaciously guarding his man wins games. And to improve his lateral movement and defense, Yeager signed up for this summer’s 2016 Jason Otter Camps.

Meanwhile, Yeager practices at a place convenient to him. He has an indoor half-court gym at home, and a regulation full-size court in the backyard.

Yeager religiously works out 8-10 hours on non-school days and 4 hours on school days. He’s developed a consistent 15 -17 foot shot, and shoots 90 percent from the free throw line. Him and his brother must make 400 shots apiece each day on their shooting machine.

When Mr. Yeager was asked to describe his hooping twins’ nature, he said, “It’s pick your poison. Double up on one and then the other will get you.”

“Only God knows where this will all go, but they are extremely hard workers and is going to make their high school coach very happy.”

Early Exposure Rankings

Rising 4th grader, Rasell Young, seems to have the best game presently. He’s a big, strong guard with skills and athleticism. Yes, Young is extremely flashy when he dribbles, passes or shoots, but his overall knowledge of the game is substance. In addition, he’s been very active on the AAU circuit, and was MVP of the MSE Virginia Camp last year. For these reasons, Young is No.1 on the 2016 3rd grade MSE Top 40 Players National Rankings

Who’s paying attention?

ESPN, NY Times, WSJ, Chicago Tribune, CBS, Yahoo, Bloomberg News, Ohio Observer, Bleacher Report, Tampa Bay Times and New York Daily News, have written about us so they’re All definitely watching players on our website.

Middle School Elite rankings are based on a AAU player’s performances at high level camps and tournaments, overall team success, ability to impact games and long term potential and upside.

Rank, Name, State

#1 Rassell Young Virgina

#2 Ashaun Richardson Virginia

#3 Nathaniel Williams North Carolina

#4 Chadlyn Traylor North Carolina

#5 Diante Neal North Carolina

#6 Kingston Flemmings Texas

#7 Xavier Williams Virginia

#8 Chidi NwigweNew New York

#10 Desmon Briscoe Indiana

#11 Anthony Brown Washington D.C.

#12 Tylis Jordan Georgia

#13 Omar Smith Maryland

#12 Jakobi Roberts Kentucky

#13 Devin Houston Missouri

#14 Cameron Stephens Georgia

#15 Mansur McClain Georgia

#16 Dezhon Hall Indiana

#17 Ashton Lewis New York

#18 Akia Flemings Georgia

#19 Nick Byrd Virginia

#20 Jovaan Daniels Virginia

#21 James Vaughn III Virginia

#22 Evin Eversole Kentucky

#23 Cameron Zeigler from Texas

#24 Tydus Summers Kentucky

#25 Nathaniel Williams North Carolina

#25 Jevon Yapi Nevada

#26 Gavin Herrington Virginia

#27 Eric Jackson Indiana

#28 Zion Hawthorne West Virginia

#28 Marquinn Weston Michigan

#29 Markus Gibbs Tennessee

#30 Jacobi McRoberts Kentucky

#31 Tylan Lewis Florida

#32 Emir Gainer Florida

#33 Jacori Jones Texas

#34 Jacob Lainer Arkansas

#35 Jason Harris Michigan

#36 Timothy Anderson Nevada

#37 Cole Edelen Kentucky

#38 Moses Wright California

#39 Kris McDonough Virginia

#40 Calvin Miller Tennessee

Humble & Hungry 

Class-of-2020, guard, 6’4″, Isaiah Rhodes from Virginia will attend Highland High School in Warrenton, VA. He graduated as an 8th grade honor-roll student.

The small forward is a good midrange and three point shooter. He sees the whole court with his court vision. He also has quick footwork. Rhodes must work on his post moves and handling the rock against faster guards. He plays good defense down low.

Rhodes has some accolades such as being ranked top 10 in Virginia, according to local hoop reports, and winning 2nd place at the DMV Elite tournament with his Big Shots team.

However, Rhodes’ dream college is Maryland or Ohio State. If not the NBA for him, he wants to own a shoe store.

One thing for sure Rhodes is “humble and Hungary.”

Tate is Tough 

Class-of-2023, Barry Amari Tate, from North Carolina, has game for years. He just wrapped up at Sedalia Elementary School and will be attending Eastern Guilford Middle School in NC. He’s an A & B honor-roll student. When not hooping, he likes reading books, playing football and chilling with his family.

Tate has a great IQ, and can dribble swiftly with finesse through traffic to find his shot and knock it down. Tate has a high-motor and doesn’t take any plays off. He’s an unselfish, solid ball distributor who wants to help get teammates better.

What Tate needs to improve: 1) crashing the boards 2) creating space and not over penetrating the defense 3) picking up cheap fouls or turnovers as a result of trying to make every play.

But we can’t knock his passion to dominate even though he’s puts his team first. At least he has fortitude to attack the competition, and then get exposure on Middle School Elite Dot Com.

Tate’s people say “his game is like butter.” We’ll, he gets buckets at will and is able to take over a game whenever needed. He’s a match-up problem for opponents, which makes him a top player nationally.

His dream college is Ohio State, and future goal is to play in the NBA. We wish you the good combination of blessings and good luck to get there.

Praise Christian 

Chicago native, 5’8″, Christian Henry attends Vanderpoel Elementary Magnet School where he maintains a 3.6 GPA.

Rising eighth grader Henry is a true general on the court, setting up teammates with fluid passes, powering to the hole for an “And 1”, and dropping bombs from outside of the paint.

He displays natural power on the court, and he’s steadily improving his speed.

Henry hopes to enter a university that would not only support his athletic goals of leading a powerhouse basketball team, but also assist him to attain a business law degree. If a professional or NBA career doesn’t pan out, Henry wants to continue in the field of sports as a licensed agent.

Academically, Christian is regularly acknowledged for outstanding work on projects and presentations in Science and Social Studies. Athletically, he has received a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and numerous trophies in basketball and football.

Stay tuned for more of Nation’s best talent Christian Henry.

Miles is Lurking

Class-of-2020, point guard, Dylan Miles from Texas earned the nickname “The Floor General” because of his playmaking ability; he creates mismatches off the pick and roll and knows when to pop a shot. He’ll attend Humble High school in Texas where he’ll gain early experience on Varsity. Lately, he’s honed his skills in preparation for the next levels.

Miles began his AAU journey playing with the Sheldon Heat three years ago, and currently plays for Fam Elite. He’s never at a disadvantage when playing against smaller and bigger athletes who might be quicker, older or stronger.

Mr. Miles who’s excited about his son’s progress says “he plays the game fair and hard and leaves it all out on the court!,” and “pain is only temporary but greatness is forever.” Dylan’s dream college is Duke University. He’ll earn a free scholarship to an institution that fits him.

Grimes the Man 

Class-of-2024, J’Athony Andreus Grimes from West Virginia attends Guyandotte Eementary where he’s an honor roll student. His dream college is Michigan.

Grimes scores in bunches and can shoot the ball from anywhere. His weakness is his off hand which will improve with more repetitions. He attacks the basket with aggressiveness as well as plays hard defense.

Recently, he won the school a championship on his figth-grade school team. He was also selected for the All-Star team at the Neo Camp where his squad won the closing game.

Off the court, Grimes enjoys playing video games, bowling, skating and spending time with his friends and relatives. He even started a garden at the local Boys and Girls Club.

Middle School Elite Florida Camp

It’s White Time

Class-of-2022, Esyah Pippa-White, from Portland, Oregon, is a young talented athlete who sparked our interest due to his exceptional basketball qualities.

He attends St. Andrews Nativity School and averages a level B Grade.

White is a reliable point guard that sees the floor and shoots extremely well. He has three point NBA range and a very high IQ particularly for his age. White is adept at getting teammates involved while scoring himself. He is a winner! Sometimes White is unselfish to a fault.

White earned MVP award at the Open Gym Premier/WCE25 Camp in Washington. He’s ranked No.18 player on the West coast by West Coast Rankings. White is arguably the top point guard in Oregon.

Stay tuned for updates on his camp and AAU progress this year.

Long is Working 

Class-of-2021, guard, Caleb Long, from West Virginia, is an virtually unknown, but talented player who attends Faith Christian Academy in West Virginia. He has a reputation for flashy ball handling although plays the right way.

The rising high school freshman is fundamental with a high basketball IQ and ability to finish difficult shots despite his height. Like most developing hoopsters, he must improve his defense and athleticism.

Long is working diligently to build his portfolio. He used his quickness and skills to help win the conference championship for his school team. He’s appeared at several acclaimed national camps, garnering some attention for his unique game.

In sum, Long has Michigan State on his mind and to become a basketball coach or trainer. There’s no stopping Long who says “I’m in the gym everyday getting better.”

Miles Shines 

Class-of-2020, Courtney ‘CJ’ Miles, from Bangor, Pennsylvania, is a player who caught our eye at an organized Streetball tournament this summer. What stood out the most is his lockdown defense.

Miles looks to shoot the ball from anywhere on the court and has a good mindset for 5-on-5 competition. However, he’s too passive and needs to be more assertive when finding his shot. Also, Miles plays a lot of 1-on-1 games to sharpen his own skills.

Miles’ dream college is Kentucky University, and his future goal is to become a NBA player. We asked Miles what did he want people to know about him and he said “I want people to know that I tried to get noticed by scouts and camps.”

Captain Lucas 

Rising 5th grader, KJ Lucas, from Virgina, is one of the top combo guards on the east coast. He’s a star among stars in the class of 2024. He’s a sharp shooter for his team, hitting eighteen three-pointers in three games, and even seven treys in one outing at the Maryland Invitational tournament.

He attends a school in Chesterfield, VA that we won’t mention for security reasons. Since first grade, he’s been a A and B honor roll student. In addition, he made it into the Center Base Gifted Program (CBG), and has received the Proud Principal Award for good citizenship and strong work ethics, Student of the Month Awards, and numerous MVP trophies for basketball and football such as Offense and Defense Player of the Season.

Lucas’ high IQ of the game, speed and athleticism gives him the ability to see the court, slice through presses and create for his teammates. He causes havoc on defense for easier turnovers, steals and fast break opportunities. KJ is a perfectionist who wants to make sure he does everything right, on and off the court.

Young Lucas is mature and talented beyond his age. He says his future goals are a “pre-Engineering program and playing basketball and football in college.” Lucas will receive a lot of exposure on MiddeSchoolElite.com in the near future.

Smith the Gift

Class-of-2025, Anthony Smith lll aka A3, is somewhat a new face player on the scene from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He’s an elite student-athlete at Reede Gray Elementary. In addition, he featured inside his school’s newspaper for being the smartest person in his math class. Mr. Smith Jr. whose son is Anthony, said “he loves school, gets excellent grades, he’s a great son!”

Young Smith’s AAU team is nationally known as the Minnesota Spartans Elite, and this August is their last tournament in Kansas where Smith will compete against talented kids across the country. Smith is a prolific three point shooter; able to attack the rim with quick crossover dribbles. A weakness of Smith is overanalyzing on the court — but that much attention to detail could also be a strength.

Smith’s a winner; therefore, he wants the ball when games are on the line. He once made five three-pointers in the last 8 minutes of a game. And his team won the Spring AAU Minnesota State tournament. His dad says “Smith lives for the moment.” Furthermore, he’s a lock down defender.

After watching Smith’s video, you’ll agree that he has rare and remarkable talent.

Smith’s ultimate goal is to be a future NBA star, but most important he wants a full sports scholarship to a major Division I school like Kentucky University; A3 met coach Calipari at a Nike sponsored EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League) event.

MSE California Camp