Jet Academy 2030 Jr. EYBL Team Spotlight
Jet Academy Jr EYBL 2030 is not just another talented grassroots team. This is a group that has already separated itself nationally because of how connected, skilled, and disciplined they are at such a young age. Coming off a Final Four run at Peach Jam a season ago, this team entered 2026 with one clear goal, finish the job and establish themselves as the premier middle school program in the country. At 12 and 0 overall, undefeated in Jr EYBL regional play, and undefeated on the Next Gen Circuit, they continue to back that standard up every weekend. What makes this group different is the balance. There is no weak link, no forced hierarchy, and no player hunting stats. Every piece fits. Every player understands spacing, timing, pace, and role responsibility at an advanced level. Flat out, this is what elite grassroots basketball is supposed to look like.
The backcourt is ridiculous from top to bottom. Deuce Grayson feels like the prototype lead guard in today’s era with his ability to control pace while still being explosive and athletic. He does not overdribble, does not force the issue, and knows exactly when to attack. Grayson can dominate a game without taking bad shots and his pick and roll feel is advanced beyond his years. Add in his ability to shoot it from deep, finish above the rim, and defend multiple spots, and you understand quickly why he is one of the most complete guards in the country. Then there is Kei Sean Roberts, who might genuinely be the shiftiest guard in the entire 2030 class nationally. Roberts protects the ball at a high level, manipulates defenders with pace and hesitations, and gets wherever he wants on the floor. Defenders consistently look off balance trying to contain him because of how unpredictable he is with the ball in his hands. Roberts also understands when to score and when to facilitate which makes him even tougher to guard.
Messiah Lancaster brings another layer to the team because of how naturally he impacts winning. Lancaster is a true do it all guard who can score, facilitate, defend, rebound, and control momentum without needing the offense built around him. He allows the game to come naturally while still taking over stretches when needed. Lancaster rarely wastes movement or dribbles and consistently makes the right basketball play. His poise and versatility make him one of the most complete players in the class. Josiah Dempsey adds another tough matchup because of his frame, shot making, and ability to shield defenders. Dempsey has become much more aggressive attacking the basket and it has completely opened up his game offensively. Defenders cannot crowd him because he shoots it at such a high clip, but once they close hard he uses his body and counters extremely well. He processes the game quickly and understands angles.
On the wing, Tory Walker Jr changes the energy of the game with his athleticism and scoring instincts. At 6’5 as a true shooting guard, Walker plays the position naturally and comfortably. He can erupt quickly offensively and gives the team another player defenses have to account for at all times. Walker runs the floor hard, finishes above the rim, and can score from multiple levels. Then there is William Ononiwu, who may be one of the most important glue pieces in the entire program. Every elite team needs someone willing to embrace the dirty work and Ononiwu does exactly that. He crashes the glass, rotates defensively, guards multiple positions, and consistently makes hustle plays that do not always show up in highlights. Teammates trust him because he does the little things that directly impact winning.
And then there is Emmanuel Ouedraogo, the 6’10 mismatch who changes the geometry of the game every time he steps on the floor. Ouedraogo runs the floor with purpose and forces defenses to sprint back in transition because of his rim pressure. Around the basket he looks to dunk everything and finish through contact with authority. What stands out even more is how disciplined he is defensively for his age and size. Ouedraogo rebounds outside of his area, outlets the ball quickly to ignite the break, and protects the paint at a high level. His combination of size, mobility, and motor gives this team a completely different dimension than most middle school groups nationally.
A major reason this team functions at such a high level is because of the coaching trio of Leshon Dempsey, Darnell Shepherd, and Corey Cameron. The structure is clear, but the players still have freedom to hoop naturally within the system. Offensively they keep defenses guessing with spacing, movement, and multiple actions flowing together possession after possession. Defensively the communication is elite for this age group and rotations happen quickly without hesitation. The accountability, trust, and chemistry throughout the roster are obvious once you watch them play. This is not a group built around hype. This is a team built around development, discipline, and winning basketball.