Class of 2028 Forward Bentley Lusakueno stands out at USA Basketball Minicamp
By MATT WHITFIELD
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Basketball aficionados may not know the name Bentley Lusakueno since he’s only a freshman at Pace Academy (GA).
They should get familiar, however, because he was named ESPN’s top recruit in the Class 2028 and has stood out at USA Basketball Men’s U16 National Team Training Camp.
“It’s fun, you get to see your guys that you meet on the circuit, you see them in the mini-camps, you get to see them,” he told ZAGSBLOG after being named on of 18 finalists for the USA team. “And with the added addition of trying to make a national team.”
Lusakueno looks more like a freshman in college than high school. On the court, he is a composed 6-foot-10 big who stands out with a blend of strength and athleticism and an above average handle and basketball IQ. Lusakueno likes to watch and learn from some current NBA greats.
“Kevin Durant, [Victor] Wembanyama, Evan Mobley, those are probably the ones I’m at right now,” he said. “You can watch any player in the NBA and you can learn something from them. Whether it’s spacing, how they take up space and their rebounding. The guards, how they handle and read stuff. There’s not really one player I’d say I watch explicitly.”
Bentley Lusakueno has stood out at USA Basketball U16 training camp with his feel for the game and two-way versatility at 6'10, pushing off the glass, creating open looks for teammates, guarding all over the floor and making open shots. Impressive long term prospect. pic.twitter.com/Peoh73FRkv
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 24, 2025
Pace Academy coach Sharman White praised the young player’s professional approach.
“He’s about the business all the way around,” White told Jacob Polacheck of KSR. “It’s not just on the court, but off the court as well. He’s a pro in every sense of the word.”
Lusakueno said he holds offers from Missouri, Georgia Tech, Georgia, Georgia State, Kansas State, Rice, and Tulane. He mentioned that his parents, who were both athletes at Davidson, are keeping him focused on the now but at the next level he’s looking for a program he’s comfortable with.
“Just a program I can get into and make an impact with a group of guys that I feel comfortable with,” said Lusakueno.
Despite his accolades, the athletic big man knows he has a lot of work on the court and in the gym ahead of him.
“All around, getting stronger and faster,” he said. “That’s the biggest jump between high school [and college]. You can always improve your shot and get that more consistent and get your handle a little tighter. Anybody who says they have a complete shot or handle is lying to you.”
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram
The post Class of 2028 Forward Bentley Lusakueno stands out at USA Basketball Minicamp appeared first on Zagsblog.