July Live Period Heats Up in Atlanta: NBA Academy Games and Under Armour Association Highlight Rising Talent and International Stars
ATLANTA, GA – The first live evaluation period of July is officially underway, and the city of Atlanta has become the epicenter of elite basketball prospects this weekend. College coaches, recruiters, and scouts have descended on the area in droves to get an up-close look at the next generation of talent—both domestic and international.
Two major events are anchoring the action. At Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, the NBA Academy Games have returned, once again bringing together some of the world’s top international prospects. Roughly an hour north in Cartersville, the Under Armour Association (UAA) is continuing its AAU season with its own star-studded showcase of rising high school players from across the United States.
A Who’s Who of Coaches on the Sidelines
The live period always attracts attention from college basketball’s biggest programs, and this year is no different. From blue-bloods to mid-majors, coaching staffs were visible and active across both sites. Several head coaches were in attendance, watching closely and making early impressions on their recruiting boards for the 2025 and 2026 classes.
Notably, the likes of Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, Michigan, UCLA, Arkansas, Houston, and Kentucky were all spotted evaluating players across both venues. Meanwhile, NBA scouts were also seen keeping tabs on international talent with professional potential.
NBA Academy Games: A Global Showcase of Skill and Promise
The NBA Academy Games, long seen as a proving ground for the world’s top teenage talent, did not disappoint. Hosted in partnership with Basketball Without Borders and the NBA’s global academies, this event featured players from Australia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Canada.
Top International Standouts:
-
Daniel Jacobsen (Australia) – The 7-foot center continues to show elite mobility for his size. His rim protection, rebounding, and improved footwork drew the attention of numerous high-major programs.
-
Mahamadou Diarra (Mali) – A long, wiry forward with natural shot-blocking instincts and a growing offensive game. Diarra’s performance hinted at major upside and he’s expected to receive offers from top NCAA programs soon.
-
Diego Silva (Brazil) – A creative guard with excellent feel for the game. Silva showcased excellent court vision, strong shooting mechanics, and fearless play against top competition.
The competition was intense, and the NBA Academy coaches ensured that every game mimicked the speed, spacing, and physicality of elite-level basketball—giving scouts a realistic view of how these international prospects could transition to the college or professional ranks.
Under Armour Association: U.S. Stars Shine Bright in Cartersville
While the NBA Academy drew the global spotlight, Cartersville was ground zero for some of the top American AAU teams and talent. 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein, Director of Scouting, was on hand for the UAA action and offered up several standout scouting reports and updates from the event.
Breakout Performers from the UAA:
-
Malik Thomas (2025, G) – A dynamic scorer with a powerful frame, Thomas is showing improved consistency from deep and a growing ability to make plays off the bounce. Schools like Tennessee, Providence, and Marylandhave ramped up interest.
-
Jayden Harris (2026, F) – A high-motor forward with a relentless rebounding presence. Harris has added a reliable mid-range jumper to his game and looks like one of the most versatile defenders in the event.
-
Trevor Wynn (2025, PG) – A floor general in every sense. Wynn controlled tempo, made smart reads, and hit clutch shots all weekend. His leadership and poise caught the eye of several coaches from the Big Ten and Big East.
Finkelstein also noted the depth of talent in the 2026 and 2027 classes, with several underclassmen proving they belong on the national radar. The event not only served as a scouting bonanza but also as a crucial touchpoint for programs building their recruiting classes in a fast-changing landscape of NIL deals and transfer portal dynamics.
Recruiting Buzz and Takeaways
Recruiting momentum is beginning to shift as players see their stock rise from performances in front of live audiences.
-
Jayden Quaintance, already a top target for multiple blue-bloods, reportedly met with staffers from UCLA, Arkansas, and Duke. His physical dominance and growing offensive game make him a high-priority prospect.
-
2025 wing Elijah Moore has seen new interest from Florida, Marquette, and NC State after a string of strong outings.
-
International guard Matija Dusanic (Serbia) impressed enough at the NBA Academy Games that G League Ignite, Overtime Elite, and a handful of Division I programs have already reached out.
College basketball’s power structure may increasingly be shaped by international players, as the global talent pool continues to deepen. At the same time, grassroots American hoops remains as fierce and competitive as ever.
Final Thoughts
The opening weekend of the July live period has already provided plenty of insight for scouts, coaches, and fans. From the NBA Academy Games’ global showcase to the AAU firepower on display at the Under Armour Association, the future of the sport is in very capable hands.
With more live periods and evaluation events to come, the recruiting landscape will only get more intense. But one thing is clear: Atlanta has once again proven to be a central hub for basketball excellence, and the talent on display this weekend is only scratching the surface of what’s to come in the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes.
Stay tuned—there’s plenty more action ahead.
Leave a Reply