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The opportunity to participate with USA Basketball at the Men’s Junior National team minicamp this weekend was a thrill for 65 of the top players in the country.
It was also a thrill for two veteran high school basketball coaches.
Brownsburg’s Steve Lynch and Carmel’s Ryan Osborn were invited to help as coaches this weekend under the USA Basketball umbrella. In addition to on-court drills and scrimmages, players participated in a series of educational programs presented by USA Basketball, NBA Player Development and the NCAA.
“We started with some coaches meetings, the layout of the week and the kids who were going to come in,” said Osborn, who is a two-time state champion in his nine years at Carmel. “Really just getting our minds ready to be able to coach the kids who play at this level. The kids came in (Thursday) and we were able to spend some time with them. It was cool to be able to meet them and see how genuine they were about wanting to be coached. That makes it fun.”
The players invited to the minicamp were among the top juniors, sophomores and freshmen in the country. The group of 65 players included Pike 7-foot junior Isaiah Hill, former Evansville Reitz standout Jaylan Mitchell (now at Overtime Elite) and Indiana recruit Chase Branham, a junior from Rogersville, Mo.
Among the other top players included the No. 1 2028 prospect in the country, A.J. Williams of Stockbridge, Ga., the No. 3 player in the 2027 class, Duncanville, Texas, point guard Beckham Black, and J.J. Crawford of Seattle, generally regarded as a top-3 prospect in the 2029 class. The talent level is extremely high, but so is the willingness to put in the work.
Putting “USA Basketball” on your chest carries a different meaning … for the coaches, too. Purdue coach Matt Painter has a long history with USA Basketball going back almost 20 years.
“We’re very grateful for the opportunity,” said Lynch, who has 318 wins over 20 seasons at Brownsburg and Mt. Vernon. “Mr. (Don) Showalter (USA Basketball Youth & Sport Development coach) and the coaches really brought us in and empowered us to coach and do our thing and made us feel very welcome. The (players) have taken it very seriously and are grateful to be here, too.”
More: IU recruit Chase Branham wants to ‘get Indiana back to what it was’
Osborn added that the culture of the USA Basketball group was impressive to soak in over just a few days.
“I think for us, it allows us to take these talking points back to our teams,” Osborn said. “The humility it takes, even at this level, to want to be coached, get feedback and then have the opportunity to go execute it is pretty cool. This culture is unreal. The game gets over and these kids are hungry for more feedback and information. It’s just cool.”
As part of the minicamp, the coaches also were able to attend the national semifinal games at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, then take part in a final practice on Sunday morning before the kids headed home.
“Once it starts, you are going hard for three days,” Lynch said. “It’s something different for the coaches and the kids, once you put that USA Basketball gear on. And you have three entities talking to you – USA Basketball, the NCAA and the NBA – so three unique entities pouring into them. They are soaking it all in.”
Both coaches said they would love to be involved with USA Basketball again if the opportunity presents itself. There was one other “new” coach for this weekend’s minicamp. There are normally more coaches at the minicamps in Colorado Springs, Colo., because the number of participants is higher.
“To be able to experience this at home and make these connections is great,” Osborn said. “Really good coaches and organization. Everything you would expect from a high-level program.”
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Brownsburg's Steve Lynch Carmel's Ryan Osborn help with USA Basketball
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It was also a thrill for two veteran high school basketball coaches.
Brownsburg’s Steve Lynch and Carmel’s Ryan Osborn were invited to help as coaches this weekend under the USA Basketball umbrella. In addition to on-court drills and scrimmages, players participated in a series of educational programs presented by USA Basketball, NBA Player Development and the NCAA.
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“We started with some coaches meetings, the layout of the week and the kids who were going to come in,” said Osborn, who is a two-time state champion in his nine years at Carmel. “Really just getting our minds ready to be able to coach the kids who play at this level. The kids came in (Thursday) and we were able to spend some time with them. It was cool to be able to meet them and see how genuine they were about wanting to be coached. That makes it fun.”
The players invited to the minicamp were among the top juniors, sophomores and freshmen in the country. The group of 65 players included Pike 7-foot junior Isaiah Hill, former Evansville Reitz standout Jaylan Mitchell (now at Overtime Elite) and Indiana recruit Chase Branham, a junior from Rogersville, Mo.
Among the other top players included the No. 1 2028 prospect in the country, A.J. Williams of Stockbridge, Ga., the No. 3 player in the 2027 class, Duncanville, Texas, point guard Beckham Black, and J.J. Crawford of Seattle, generally regarded as a top-3 prospect in the 2029 class. The talent level is extremely high, but so is the willingness to put in the work.
Putting “USA Basketball” on your chest carries a different meaning … for the coaches, too. Purdue coach Matt Painter has a long history with USA Basketball going back almost 20 years.
“We’re very grateful for the opportunity,” said Lynch, who has 318 wins over 20 seasons at Brownsburg and Mt. Vernon. “Mr. (Don) Showalter (USA Basketball Youth & Sport Development coach) and the coaches really brought us in and empowered us to coach and do our thing and made us feel very welcome. The (players) have taken it very seriously and are grateful to be here, too.”
More: IU recruit Chase Branham wants to ‘get Indiana back to what it was’
Osborn added that the culture of the USA Basketball group was impressive to soak in over just a few days.
“I think for us, it allows us to take these talking points back to our teams,” Osborn said. “The humility it takes, even at this level, to want to be coached, get feedback and then have the opportunity to go execute it is pretty cool. This culture is unreal. The game gets over and these kids are hungry for more feedback and information. It’s just cool.”
As part of the minicamp, the coaches also were able to attend the national semifinal games at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, then take part in a final practice on Sunday morning before the kids headed home.
“Once it starts, you are going hard for three days,” Lynch said. “It’s something different for the coaches and the kids, once you put that USA Basketball gear on. And you have three entities talking to you – USA Basketball, the NCAA and the NBA – so three unique entities pouring into them. They are soaking it all in.”
Both coaches said they would love to be involved with USA Basketball again if the opportunity presents itself. There was one other “new” coach for this weekend’s minicamp. There are normally more coaches at the minicamps in Colorado Springs, Colo., because the number of participants is higher.
“To be able to experience this at home and make these connections is great,” Osborn said. “Really good coaches and organization. Everything you would expect from a high-level program.”
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Brownsburg's Steve Lynch Carmel's Ryan Osborn help with USA Basketball
Continue reading...
