By ADAM ZAGORIA
The last time Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis were at a USA Basketball minicamp, they were both uncommitted and they were both cut.
Antoine and Lewis were cut this summer from the team that went on to win the gold medal at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship in St. Catharines, Ontario.
Now, both players out of the Ranney (N.J.) School and Team Rio have already chosen their future college destinations and are more focused at USA Basketball minicamp in Colorado Springs, Colo.
“When you’re uncommitted it can be a distraction,” Antoine told USA Today. “Just with constantly texting coaches back and having to think about where you want to go. It’s different. I like it this way better.”
The 6-foot-4 Antoine committed to Villanova over Duke in August, while the 6-5 Lewis picked Florida over Kentucky last week.
Both players are impressing at the camp, as evidenced by a couple of Tweets from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
“I don’t worry about what’s going on off the court anymore; I used to do that a lot,” Lewis told USA Today. “Now I worry about doing the little things and my teammates because that’s what makes the biggest difference. That will only help me with the season about to start.”
Scottie Lewis put in serious work day 2 @ Team USA Minicamp! @Scott_lewis_23 pic.twitter.com/NH51FG8kMx
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) October 7, 2018
Great first day at USA Basketball. High level matchup inside between James Wiseman and Isaiah Stewart. Khalil Whitney shot the ball extremely well. Evan Mobley showed his talent. Best I’ve seen Bryan Antoine play – looked really focused and serious. Talent level is off the charts
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) October 6, 2018
Intensity was lacking at times tonight at USA Basketball as the busy schedule and altitude started to take its toll. Quite a few guys decided to sit out. Competitors in this group, including Isaiah Stewart, Kahlil Whitney, Devion Harmon, Scottie Barnes, Scottie Lewis, stood out.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) October 7, 2018
Antoine and Lewis have their sights set on a deep postseason run for Ranney in the New Jersey state tournament this year, with the ultimate prize being the prestigious Tournament of Champions title.
“I think we’re the favorite to win everything [in New Jersey], but we favored ourselves obviously,” Lewis told me last month. “I feel like our chemistry on and off the court is going to lead us to a TOC championship this year.”
Said Antoine: “'[We want to] try to be ranked as a team top 5, top 10 in the country.”
With their college commitments, and yet another USA Basketball camp in the rearview mirror, the two Ranney stars can now focus on the upcoming high school season and winning some hardware.
“Most of the guys here are gonna be stars in college,” Antoine told USA Today. “Any time you get the chance to play against this level of players it’s helping you elevate your game. I always want to play against the best for that reason. It’s not about proving anything out here, it’s just about getting better.”
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