Basketball Archives - DME Sports

Daytona Beach, Fla. – Ryan Hampton, a 6’7” guard/wing and five-star prospect in the Class of 2027, has been named to the prestigious Naismith High School Boys Player of the Year Watchlist, recognizing the nation’s top high school basketball players.

Hampton, ranked No. 5 nationally in the Class of 2027, joins an elite group of players being recognized for their skill, production, and impact at the highest level of high school competition. He will compete for DME Academy in Daytona Beach for the next two seasons, continuing his development within one of the country’s top basketball programs.

Last season, Hampton earned Underclassman Honorable Mention on the Naismith list, and since then, he’s elevated his game to new heights. On the Nike EYBL circuit with Drive Nation, Hampton established himself as one of the most efficient and dynamic scorers in the country — averaging more than 25 points per game this summer against elite national competition.

Being named to the Naismith Watchlist solidifies Hampton’s standing as one of the premier young talents in the nation.

The inclusion of Hampton on the boys’ side and GiGi Battle on the girls’ watchlist reinforces DME Academy’s growing reputation as a national powerhouse for player development, competition, and college preparation.

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DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.

Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy proudly congratulates GiGi Battle, a standout 5’11” guard in the Class of 2026, on being named to the 2025–26 Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year Watchlist, one of the most prestigious honors in high school basketball.

Battle, who is ranked No. 32 nationally in the ESPNW Class of 2026 rankings, has become one of the premier players in the country and a cornerstone of DME Academy’s elite girls basketball program. Known for her versatility, elite scoring ability, and leadership on both ends of the floor, Battle has continued to shine against national competition.

Earlier this year, Battle earned Offensive Standout honors at the Adidas All-American Camp, where she dropped 22 points, five rebounds, and two assists in her opening game, earning recognition as one of the event’s top performers. Her continued growth and consistency have now earned her a place among the nation’s best high school players.

Being named to the Naismith Watchlist places Battle among an elite group of athletes projected to compete at the highest levels of college and professional basketball. Her recognition further solidifies DME Academy’s reputation as a premier destination for developing top-tier talent through world-class coaching, facilities, and competition.

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Daytona Beach, Fla. – It was a banner week for DME Academy Boys Basketball, as the program combined for an undefeated 11–0 record across all levels of play. From the middle school through the national teams, each squad showcased the depth, talent, and development that define DME basketball.

The High School National Team led the way, going 3–0 behind standout performances from Patrik Birmingham and Ryan Hampton. The team now turns its focus to opening Grind Session Conference play this weekend in Boca Raton, where they’ll look to continue their hot start against some of the nation’s top prep programs.

Meanwhile, the Prep Team added two more wins to their record, finishing the week 2–0 behind impressive leadership and scoring from Luke Melbiczak, who earned DME Player of the Week honors for his standout play.

In total, DME’s Middle School, White, Regional, Prep, National, and Blue Teams all secured victories, highlighting the collective strength and alignment across the program.

With every level contributing to the perfect week, DME continues to reinforce its reputation as one of the nation’s premier basketball academies, developing complete student-athletes who are prepared to compete and succeed at the next level.

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Daytona, FL. At DME Academy, the trio of girls’ basketball stars Sara Okeke, GiGi Battle, and Chikae Desdunes is paving the way.

Prep Girls Hoops has released its latest Florida rankings for the Class of 2026, and three DME athletes headline the list: Sara Okeke at No. 1, GiGi Battle at No. 3, and Chikae Desdunes at No. 6.

Sara Okeke: Ranked No. 1
Sara takes the top overall ranking thanks to her dominant two-way presence, athletic versatility, and continued growth. Her ability to impact the game inside and out has drawn national attention, and she enters the season poised for a breakout year

GiGi Battle: Ranked No. 3
GiGi comes in at No. 3 statewide and is officially committed to Indiana University. A 1,000+ point scorer with over 500 rebounds, she brings strength, poise, and consistency to every matchup. Her ability to finish through contact, control pace, and lead in big moments makes her a perfect fit for the Big Ten.

Chikae Desdunes: Ranked No. 6
Chikae lands at No. 6 in the state and is committed to Penn State. Having already surpassed 2,000 career points, she’s one of the most dynamic scorers in Florida. Her creativity, scoring range, and competitive fire give her the tools to make an immediate impact at the next level.

A Big Year Ahead

With Sara, GiGi, and Chikae all ranked among the state’s best, DME enters the season with experience, depth, and real championship potential. The schedule is national, the expectations are high, and this group has the talent to make noise well beyond Florida.

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DME Academy helps serious athletes train with purpose, compete against high-level programs, and build a path to the next level. With year-round structure, national exposure, and a staff that understands what it takes, we prepare players to perform when it counts.

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Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy is proud to highlight Timani Harris, a standout 5’9″ point guard for the Class of 2027, who is ranked No. 7 in the state of Florida by Prep Girls Hoops and No. 54 nationally by ESPN.

Her standout play as a sophomore and rising junior has earned her early college offers as she has already attracted interest from NCAA Division I programs, including Pittsburgh, UCF, Stephen F. Austin, and more.

At DME Academy, Harris trains in a performance-driven environment with experienced coaches and high-level competition. Her early success reinforces the Academy’s mission to prepare student-athletes for collegiate opportunities and beyond.

With her ranking, offers, and strong trajectory, Harris is positioned as one of the nation’s most promising guards in her class, and another example of DME Academy’s commitment to developing elite talent.

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Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy proudly congratulates Class of 2025 graduate Mikel Brown Jr. on being named to the Preseason All-ACC First Team, an extraordinary honor for a freshman who has yet to play his first collegiate game.

The announcement comes as part of the 2025 ACC Preseason Poll, where Brown Jr.’s Louisville Cardinals were ranked second overall, receiving 15 first-place votes. His inclusion on the First Team underscores his reputation as one of the most talented and accomplished young players in the nation.

Originally from Orlando, Florida, Brown Jr. played his final prep season at DME Academy, where he established himself as one of the top scorers in the state, averaging 29.6 points per game. His exceptional performance earned him recognition as a McDonald’s All-American, where he went on to win the 3-point contest at the McDonald’s All-American Games and become a semifinalist for the Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year Trophy.

A five-star recruit and the No. 7 overall player in the Class of 2025, as well as the No. 2-ranked point guard according to 247Sports, Brown Jr.’s early success reflects the strength of DME Academy’s basketball program, which continues to develop elite student-athletes prepared to compete and excel at the next level.

DME Academy congratulates Mikel Brown Jr. on this incredible milestone and looks forward to following his continued journey in the ACC and beyond.

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Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy proudly congratulates Keegan Murray, Class of 2020 alumnus and 2022 NBA First Round Draft Pick, on signing a five-year, $140 million contract extension with the Sacramento Kings.

Selected fourth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Murray has quickly established himself as one of the league’s top young forwards. Since joining the Kings, he has become a reliable two-way contributor and one of the franchise’s core pieces for the future.

Murray earned NBA All-Rookie Team honors in 2023, averaging 12.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in his debut season. In 2024–25, he continued to make an impact, starting 76 games and posting 12.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 44.4% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range.

While his scoring numbers remain strong, Murray’s defensive evolution has elevated his value. He has led the Kings in total blocks for three straight seasons and has become a go-to defender against opposing stars. Over the last three seasons, he’s one of only three NBA players to record at least 3,000 points, 500 three-pointers, 150 steals, and 150 blocks.

A proud product of DME Academy, Murray’s journey from Daytona Beach to NBA stardom reflects the Academy’s mission of developing complete student-athletes who excel at the highest levels of sport and life.

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Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy is proud to announce that Chikae Desdunes, a 5-foot-10 guard and the No. 51-ranked player in the Class of 2026 according to ESPN, has committed to play for Penn State University and the Lady Lions women’s basketball program.

Desdunes, a four-star prospect with a 94 player grade, becomes one of the latest high-profile commitments for Head Coach Carolyn Kieger, who has made it clear that her goal is to return Penn State to national prominence.

During her junior season at DME Academy, Desdunes averaged 12.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, helping lead her team to multiple statement wins while showcasing her versatility, leadership, and ability to impact both ends of the floor. Known for her smooth scoring touch and on-court poise, Desdunes has consistently proven herself as one of the nation’s most complete guards.

Desdunes’ commitment continues DME Academy’s strong tradition of producing Division I talent and providing student-athletes with the tools to succeed at the next level.

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Daytona Beach, Fla. – The DME Academy High School National Basketball Team tipped off the 2025 season in dominant fashion, going a perfect 3-0 at the prestigious All-American Jamboree in Orlando, Florida. The strong start sets an early tone for what promises to be another standout year for one of the nation’s premier prep basketball programs.

The All-American Jamboree is widely regarded as the largest and most competitive preseason showcase in the country, featuring more than 100 top JUCO and prep teams from across the United States and Canada. Each year, the event attracts hundreds of NCAA Division I coaches and scouts eager to evaluate elite-level talent, making it one of the most heavily attended recruiting stops on the basketball calendar.

DME’s National Team rose to the occasion, displaying its potential for the year ahead with the sparkling 3-0 record on the weekend.

The weekend also provided valuable exposure and experience for DME’s athletes as they continue preparing for a challenging national schedule filled with some of the country’s top-ranked programs.

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Daytona Beach, Fla. – Over the weekend, DME Academy Girls’ Basketball guard GiGi Battle capped off an impressive weekend by earning Camp Offensive Standout honors at the prestigious Adidas All-American Camp.

Ranked No. 32 in the ESPNW Class of 2026, the 5’11” guard delivered a commanding performance in Game 1, posting 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, earning recognition as one of the event’s Top Performers. Competing against many of the country’s highest-ranked prospects, she showcased the athleticism, poise, and scoring ability that have made her one of the most exciting young guards in the nation.

At DME Academy, Battle has continued to develop into a complete player, blending her natural scoring ability with leadership and defensive tenacity. Her growth both on and off the court reflects DME’s commitment to preparing student-athletes for success at the collegiate and professional levels.

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