Event Recap: 2025-26 Sports Academy National Cup - Grand Finale
- Pro Insight
- 13m
- 8 min read
In the latest edition of ‘P.I. Pulse’, Pro Insight’s Tyler Glazier highlights prospects who stood out at Sports Academy National Cup Grand Finale after spending the weekend at Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA:
The fourth-annual Sports Academy National Cup concluded this past weekend at the Sports Academy facility in Thousand Oaks. Once again, there were a number of high-level matchups and talent spread across multiple divisions.
The 8th-grade National Bracket was a showdown between AZ Unity SEB (CA) and Sports Academy Swish (CA), with AZ Unity SEB coming out on top with a final score of 70-66.
The 7th-grade National Bracket was once again dominated by Paul George Elite EYBL (CA), as they beat Sports Academy Swish (CA) with a 93-44 final score.
The 6th-grade National Bracket was highlighted by another commanding performance where All Covered Prospects (CA) was crowned the champion in a 90-46 win over GameSpeed Academy (CA).
Below, we break down some of the players who stood out over the weekend and should remain on your radar, moving forward.
Event Standouts
Tarik and Zain Albeiruti served as dual catalysts for CBC alongside standout guard Landon Jones, showcasing a rare combination of decision-making, efficiency, and on-court chemistry. Both handled the ball with confidence, created opportunities for teammates, and finished inside with authority, while also demonstrating the ability to defend multiple positions on the other end. Their synergy and feel for playing off each other amplified their impact, making it a constant challenge for opponents. With at least one of them on the floor at all times, CBC controlled tempo and spacing, and few teams had the personnel or IQ to match their blend of skill, versatility, and basketball intelligence.
Zander Boykin operated as a steadying presence throughout the weekend, showcasing a mature feel and strong command of the game well beyond his age. With his long arms and promising frame, he already brings intriguing physical tools, but it was his pace, processing speed, and ability to control tempo that really stood out. He consistently broke down the defense to generate paint touches, kept his head up to make advanced reads on kick-outs and drop-offs, and played with a calmness that allowed his team to stay organized. Around the rim, he showed craft and touch finishing through traffic, and defensively his length disrupted passing lanes, created deflections, and made opposing guards uncomfortable at the point of attack. The blend of feel, facilitation, and physical upside makes him a compelling long-term guard to monitor.
Gabe Hoshide functioned as one of the offensive tone-setters for AZ Unity at the Sports Academy National Cup Grand Finale, blending skill, pace, and poise throughout. A fluid athlete with a confident stroke, he consistently stretched the floor from deep and proved to be one of the more reliable shooters in the lineup. But he wasn’t limited to spotting up — Hoshide mixed in downhill drives, attacking closeouts and finishing at the rim with craft and touch. He played with a controlled tempo, never sped up, and showed a natural understanding of when to hunt his shot versus when to keep the offense flowing. His smooth all-around approach made him one of the clear standouts on the floor.
Caleb Johnson was a consistent matchup problem, making the game look effortless with his blend of size and scoring polish. He steadily produced as a multi-level threat — knocking down shots from deep, attacking hard closeouts to get downhill, and finishing with strength and control at the rim. At his size, he comfortably toggles between playing as a big guard and sliding to the wing, which adds real lineup versatility. Defensively, Johnson leveraged his length and physicality to disrupt actions on the perimeter, bother ball handlers, and hold his own across multiple spots. The combination of positional size, shot-making, and two-way tools makes him a highly intriguing long-term prospect to monitor.
Kasen Jones anchored the interior with a physical presence that immediately stood out, emerging as the most physically impressive and talented 5th grader in attendance. He flat-out dominated the paint as an offensive rebounder, shot blocker, and finisher, using his size and length to control the glass on both ends, protect the rim, and consistently score through contact. He carved out space, altered shots, and made his impact felt possession after possession. What elevated his performance was the added versatility — showing the ability to grab-and-go in transition and handle the ball in space. When you pair his physical tools with that mobility and emerging skill set, the long-term upside becomes very real.
Landon Jones once again operated as a heady floor general, reinforcing why he’s one of the more intriguing young guards in Southern California. Picking up right where he left off from Session I of the Sports Academy National Cup, Jones controlled tempo with poise and played with a polished feel that kept his team organized. Offensively, he blended facilitation and scoring seamlessly — breaking down defenders off the bounce, getting into the paint with crafty euro-steps, and finishing with soft touch, while also rising confidently into pull-up jumpers when given space. Defensively, he set the tone at the point of attack, applying consistent pressure and using active hands to disrupt passing lanes. The combination of pace, skill, and two-way engagement continues to make him a productive and compelling guard to track.
Cassius Koubek was a clear tone-setter, which was nothing new after watching him in Session I — this time while competing up a level. After suiting up for the Paul George Elite NorCal 6th grade team during Session I, he returned with Sports Academy Swish 7th to test himself against older competition and didn’t miss a beat. His versatility and advanced feel immediately stood out, as he processed the game quickly and consistently made the right reads. Offensively, he provided multi-level scoring, showing the ability to create for himself, capitalize when given space, and finish plays with toughness. He competes with an edge and plays the game the right way, impacting possessions beyond just the box score. When you factor in the physical tools he already possesses for his age, the long-term upside becomes even more compelling. A prospect whose trajectory continues to trend upward.
Benjamin popped as a physical tone-setter, imposing his strength and competitive edge on both ends of the floor. With a sturdy, well-built frame — and physicality that clearly translates from the football field to the hardwood — he consistently leveraged his body to create advantages, lowering his shoulder, absorbing contact, and powering through defenders to finish at the rim without getting knocked off his line. He embraced contact and played through bumps with confidence. On the defensive end, he brought that same toughness, anchoring possessions with a strong base, active hands, and a level of physicality that wore opponents down over time. His blend of force, motor, and two-way impact made him a clear difference-maker throughout.
Navon Nunley functioned as a momentum-shifter for AZ Unity, injecting athleticism and activity into every stretch he was on the floor. He attacked the paint with explosiveness, finished with athleticism in traffic, and relentlessly pursued second-chance opportunities by crashing the offensive glass. Off the ball, he cut decisively and found seams in the defense, keeping pressure on the rim and forcing rotations. On the defensive end, his versatility showed up through timely switches, sharp anticipation in passing lanes, and the ability to guard multiple spots without giving ground. His blend of energy, physical tools, and competitive drive consistently tilted possessions in his team’s favor.
Kyle Peters quickly asserted himself as one of the most impactful guards in the gym, joining the list of intriguing young players emerging from the All Covered Prospects program. His athleticism and physical tools immediately pop, particularly when he turns the corner and drives downhill, collapsing the defense and living in the paint. Peters plays through contact with strength, finishes decisively at the rim, and uses his tight handle and burst to keep defenders off balance. He approaches possessions with aggression and intent, applying steady pressure as a scorer while competing with edge on both ends. Alongside Caleb Johnson, Peters was a major reason All Covered Prospects dominated the 6th grade bracket, ultimately winning their division. The combination of explosiveness, toughness, and developing skill gives him a high ceiling and makes him a player to watch closely moving forward.
Ezekiel Vernis emerged as a dynamic lead guard for AZ Unity, showing why he’s quickly carving out his own path in basketball despite coming from a baseball background. On defense, he was active and disruptive — jumping passing lanes, reading routes, and turning stops into quick transition opportunities. Offensively, he stretched the floor with range, attacked the paint with poise, and consistently created for teammates, showing advanced court vision and control. Vernis managed the game with maturity, dictating tempo and making smart decisions while playing with confidence and a touch of swagger. His combination of skill, competitiveness, and two-way impact makes him a rising guard to track closely.
Zechariah Wilson stood out as a versatile and intriguing long-term prospect, showcasing a frame that’s long, lanky, and still filling out. Throughout the weekend, he displayed real fight and motor, crashing the glass with aggression and creating opportunities on the offensive boards. He can put the ball on the floor, attack the rim, and finish with touch, showing glimpses of a developing offensive skill set. Defensively, his length and mobility allow for switchable potential, making him a disruptive presence in multiple spots. A West Coast prospect with a high ceiling, Wilson combines physical tools and competitive instincts that make him one to keep a close eye on.
Matt Barnes Defensive Spotlight
This award goes to the best defensive player in the session. The recipient must exhibit a high-level of defensive capability, affecting the game in multiple ways on the defensive end.
Elijah Muhammad once again established himself as a defensive catalyst at the Sports Academy National Cup, reinforcing why he’s regarded as one of the premier stoppers in attendance. After a strong Session I, he returned with AZ Unity SEB 2031 and set the tone from the opening tip with relentless point-of-attack pressure. He consistently disrupted rhythm, jumped passing lanes for multiple steals, and forced ball handlers into uncomfortable spots with his physicality and lateral quickness. His motor never dipped — flying around in help, closing out with urgency, and turning live-ball turnovers into instant transition opportunities. The defensive intensity and competitive edge he brings are contagious, and his impact on that end continues to separate him.
Additional Event Standouts
💡➡️ Floor general traits, crafty finishing and defensive intensity
💡➡️ High motor, athleticism, slashing and, defensive toughness
💡➡️ Spot-up shooting and defensive switchability
Fosiah & Foshua Fleming | 2031 | HandleLife 2031 (CA)
💡➡️ Offensive versatility, playmaking for others and creating their own shots
💡➡️ Versatility, scoring, slashing, finishing, and stout defense
💡➡️ Plus-feel for the game, above-the-rim finishing, rim-running, interior defense
Check out our 2025-26 SANC Session I recap, here.
