The Stage Circuit Act I kicked off its 2^nd Annual Live Period across Southern California this past weekend with over 300 teams. Teams traveled from Southern California, Northern California, Washington, Utah, North Dakota, Texas, Oregon, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho and Alaska. Teams from outside the US, Canada and Australia also traveled to Orange County and competed in front of over 50 college coaching staffs from across the country.

Gold Division Highlights:

17U Undefeated Teams:
- Project Excellence (Canada): 2023 6’7” Wing Benni Kazadi led his team to a 4-0 record and was named the MOP (Most Outstanding Performer). Kazadi came down to the Stage Act I and put on dominant performances game after game and finished with a statline of 26.5, 7.5 RPG, and 1.8 SPG.
- Team Zona (Arizona): 2023 6’7” Power Forward Zaveion Bineyard helped his team to a 4-0 record on the weekend at the stage Act I. Bineyard played well on both ends of the floor and had a final statline of 16.8 PPG, 8 RPG, and 3.3 SPG.
- Veritas Titans (Southern California): 2023 6’5” Boubacar Diatta led his team to a 4-0 record on the weekend at the Stage Act I. Boubacar had solid performances at the Stage Act I and had a final statline of 17 PPG, 5 RPG, and 1 BPG.
- Team Rize (Sacramento): 2023 6’6” Elijah Samdahl led his team to a 4-0 record on the weekend at the Stage Act I. Samdahl put up a final statline of 12.75 PPG and 3 RPG.
- PHPS (Sacramento): 2023 6’4” Jalen Glenn led his team to an undefeated record on the weekend. Glenn worked hard all weekend and had a final stateline 14.3 PPG, 6 RPG, and 1.33 SPG.
- Coastal Elite (San Diego): 2025 5’11” Angel Ochoa helped his 17U Coastal Elite get to an undefeated record on the weekend at the Stage Act I. The young buck produced at a high level and had a final statline of 14.5 PPG, 2.5 APG, and 1.5 SPG.
- Team Sac Pharoahs (Sacramento): 2024 6’3” Jaden Woodard grinded for his team to lead them to a 4-0 weekend. Woodard was a workhorse on the boards and had a final statline of 18.25 PPG and 8.25 RPG.

16U Undefeated Teams:
- OGP Anaheim (Southern California): 6’5” 2025 Brandon Benjamin, OC Player of the Year, had himself a phenomenal weekend at The Stage Act I. Benjamin had tremendous performances all weekend including a game where he hit the game winning shot against the Las Vegas Punishers. Benjamin finished with a statline of 25 PPG, 11 RPG, 1.8 BPG, and 1.8 SPG.
- Elev8 (Southern California): 2024 6’2” Derek Peterson led his team to a dominant 4-0 weekend. Peterson was consistent all weekend with a final statline of 17.25 PPG (3 3PTM), 2.5 RPG, and 1.25 SPG.
- UBC Elite (Utah): 2025 6’2” PG Jaxon Soto played a solid role all weekend to help his team to a 4-0 record. Soto did all the little things to help his team win games and finished with a final statline of 11.75 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 3.75 APG.
- Gamepoint Elite (San Diego): 2027 6’0” Jeremiah Profit played well all weekend long to help his team to a 4-0 record. Profit and Gamepoint Elite really showed out this weekend proving they are a force to be reckoned with. Profit finished with a final statline 15.25 (3.25 3PTM) PPG, 4 RPG, and 2 APG.
- Meta Hoops (Idaho): 2024 5’10” Carter Rupp helped lead his team to an undefeated weekend at the Stage Act I. Rupp had a strong scoring showing and finished with a final statline of 18 PPG (3.5 3PTM) and 1 SPG.
- Veritas Titans (Southern California): 2025 6’3” Zion Paleo had a strong presence to help lead his team to a dominant 4-0 record on the weekend. Paleo was a smooth operator on the court and showed great leadership all weekend. Paleo finished with a final statline of 15.5 PPG (2.25 3PTM), 2 APG, and 3 SPG.
- Lakeshow (Northern California): 2025 6’2” Joshua Green helped his team to an undefeated record on the weekend. Green was knocking down the three consistently all weekend and finished with a final statline of 11.75 PPG and 2.75 3PTM.
- Evolve Performance (Northern California): 2025 6’2” Micah Nyamuzuwe was a solid piece to his team all weekend and helped his team to a 4-0 record at the Stage Act I. Nyamuzuwe played hard on both ends of the floor all weekend long and finished with a final statline of 11.25 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 1.5 SPG.

15U Undefeated Teams:
- Flash Elite (Texas): 2026 6’0” Kensington Candler was on an absolute tear this weekend with Flash Elite. He led his team to an impressive undefeated record at The Stage Act I. Candler was producing on the court and it showed in every category in the box score. Candler finished with a final statline of 24.75 PPG, 4.25 RPG, 3.75 APG, and 2.25 SPG.
- SF Work Hard Play Hard (San Francisco): 2027 5’10” Nathalio Gray played well at The Stage Act I and helped his team to an undefeated record. Gray finished with a final statline of 12 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 1.75 SPG.
- AZ Storm (Phoenix): 2026 5’10” Tristen Rhodes led his team to a 4-0 record on the weekend at The Act Stage I. Rhodes showed off his scoring ability especially when he scored 43 points (13 3PTM) in one game. Rhodes finished with a final statline of 24 PPG (3 PTM) and 3 SPG.
- California Select (San Diego): 2026 6’2” Runnar Miller led his team to an undefeated weekend at The Stage Act I. Miller was a force to be reckoned with all weekend averaging close to a double double. Miller finished with an impressive final statline of 17.75 PPG, 9.75 RPG, and 1.25 BPG.
- BC Warriors (San Francisco): 2026 6’1” Giovanni Garduno Martin helped lead his team to a 4-0 record on the weekend with his consistent play. Garduno did everything he could to help his squad pick up wins on the weekend and finished with a final statline of 16.5 PPG (3.25), 4 RPG, and 2 APG.
- Swoosh Elite (Fresno): 2027 5’11” Jahlil Montgomery led his team to a 4-0 record on the weekend at The Stage Act I. Montgomery stole the show and was a pest on the defensive end all weekend long. Montgomery had a game high 6 steals in one game. He finished the weekend with a final starling of 14.75 PPG, 3.75 RPG, and 3.5 SPG.

Open Division Highlights:

17U: Compton Magic Select 17s defeated Strive For Greatness 16s in front of a packed crowd of spectators, media, and college coaches.
- 2024 6’6” Jerimiyah Smith had an exceptional game putting up a double double, 24 PTS and 10 REBS. His energy and effort was there all game long, setting the tone on the both ends of the floor and on the boards. Smith ran the floor well setting him up for easy dunks on the break. There were also times where Smith showed off his skillset handling the ball on the break showing he has more to his game. Smith had an amazing weekend and solidified his MVP award at The Stage Act I with his performance against Strive For Greatness 16U.
- 2023 6’0” Shadale Knight showed his poise in the game against Strive for Greatness as he didn’t let the hype get him out of sorts. Knight played his game, creating for others and at times for himself. He showed grit and determination to help lead his team to a statement win against Strive For Greatness. Knight finished the game with 8 PTS, 3 REBS, 6 AST, and 2 STLS.

Five Star Elzie Harrington, who has an offer from UCLA and USC, showed off his exceptional skill set against Compton Magic Select 17U. Harrington has great size and the ability to do it all. His ability to score on all three levels and create for his teammates makes him very hard to guard and his size adds to the difficulty. If Harrington continues to get better he will only become more of a problem on the court.
#5 Combo guard in the Class of 2025 Brayden Burries is a spectacular player and has great talent. Burries adds great size and strength to his game with a tremendous skill set. Buries is an underrated talent, when watching the game people can get distracted by the so-called bigger names but Burries showed his talent and put on a show against Compton Magic Select 17U.

Check out the links below to the Strive For Greatness 16U vs. Compton Magic Select 17U game.

The Stage Circuit Act 2 will commence this Friday at both the Bay Area and Southern California Open Gym Premier locations. Expect another big weekend of competitive high level basketball.