For the first time in Arizona basketball history, the state had an incredible (5) different players selected to represent the United States on the USA Basketball U18 Men’s National Team, further solidifying Arizona’s emergence as one of the premier basketball hotbeds in the country. The 12-man roster featured an astonishing five players with Arizona ties: Millennium High School 6-foot-5 junior Adan Diggs, AZ Compass Prep 6-foot-9 senior DeMarcus Henry, Dream City Christian Prep's 6-foot-6 senior Malachi Jordan, Sunnyslope's 6-foot-10 senior Darius Wabbington and Prolific Prep's 6-foot-7 senior Bruce Branch (BYU signee), a former Perry High School standout who now attends Prolific Prep and is committed to BYU.
The accomplishment is a testament to the tremendous growth of Arizona basketball over the past decade. Once considered an emerging basketball state, Arizona has now become a nationally respected producer of elite talent, with players consistently earning McDonald’s All-American recognition, national rankings, high-major Division-I scholarship offers and now positions on USA Basketball’s highest youth levels.
The USA U18 team traveled to León, Mexico, to compete in the 2026 FIBA U18 AmeriCup and battled its way to the championship game, before suffering a heartbreaking 67-65 loss to Canada in the gold medal contest. Although the team fell just short of winning the championship, the silver medal performance marked only the second silver medal ever won by the United States at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, and added to USA Basketball’s impressive history of international success. While the final result was disappointing for a program that traditionally expects gold medals, the tournament provided another major stage for Arizona’s elite prospects to showcase their talent against some of the best young players in the world.
For Arizona basketball, the bigger picture is impossible to ignore. Having five different players represented on a 12-player USA Basketball roster is a remarkable achievement and a clear indication of the talent currently developing within the state’s high school and prep basketball programs. From traditional high school powers like Millennium and Sunnyslope to nationally recognized prep programs such as AZ Compass Prep and Dream City Christian Prep, Arizona’s influence on the national basketball landscape continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. This historic moment is another reminder that Arizona basketball is no longer just a state producing occasional elite prospects—it has become a true national powerhouse. With a new generation of stars leading the way, the future of Arizona basketball has never looked brighter.
Congratulations to Adan Diggs, DeMarcus Henry, Malachi Jordan, Darius Wabbington, Bruce Branch, and their families from our Arizona Preps' staff. We look forward to following their continued success as they represent Arizona on the national and international stage.
