Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy proudly announces that five student-athletes have been named 2026 McDonald’s All American Nominees, a prestigious national recognition reserved for the game’s elite high school talent.
On the boys’ side, Nathan Kirk earned nomination honors. Representing the girls’ program, nominees include GiGi Battle, Chikae Desdunes, Sther Ubaka, and Sara Okeke.
The McDonald’s All American Games showcase the nation’s brightest stars in an iconic East vs. West matchup. The McDonald’s All American court is where hype meets heritage—where today’s top prospects share space with the greatest players to ever touch a basketball. Earning nomination status is a lasting mark of excellence and a testament to years of dedication and performance. (McDonald’s AAG History)
The nominations further reinforce DME Academy’s reputation as a premier destination for developing elite student-athletes prepared to compete at the highest levels of the game.
About DME Academy
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.
SHANE LAFLIN: ESPN – Murmurs about Okeke’s play began this summer after an MVP performance at the FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket (13.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 57% FG through the tournament, including 23 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals in the final), well before she arrived in the U.S. She’s carried that momentum into this high school season, averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds and shooting nearly 70% from the field — and has the recruiting world abuzz.
Okeke’s physicality is unmatched in the 2026 class. At 6-4, her combination of length, agility, and instinct can’t be taught, and she’s an imposing paint presence who finishes well with both hands and is a fantastic rim-runner. She has made unofficial visits to Indiana, Louisville, and Miami, though UConn and Texas are still in the mix. She plans to take more visits after the high school season.
College comparison: Madison Francis (Mississippi State), Toby Fournier (Duke)
Okeke moves with such uncommon fluidity for her size, much like Francis and Fournier, who both stepped into productive roles right away. It’s not a stretch to say Okeke is reminiscent of the Ogwumike sisters, Nneka and Chiney, who played at Stanford, either.
Read the full story on ESPN.com by Ckicking Here:
About DME Academy
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 Londyn Boone, a standout middle school basketball player, on being selected to attend the CP3 Middle School Combine hosted by Chris Paul. The invitation-only event took place in California over the Christmas break and brought together some of the top middle school prospects from across the country.
The CP3 Middle School Combine is nationally recognized for identifying, developing, and showcasing elite young talent through high-level instruction, competition, and mentorship. Boone’s invitation reflects her rapid development, work ethic, and growing reputation as one of the most promising young players in her age group.
Boone’s participation highlights DME Academy’s commitment to long-term player development, beginning at the middle school level and extending through high school, college, and beyond. DME Academy congratulates Londyn Boone on this achievement and looks forward to her continued growth on and off the court.
About DME Academy
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. – The DME Academy Boys National Basketball Team delivered a major statement with a decisive victory over the Academy of Central Florida, a result that counts toward both SIAA conference play and the Grind Session standings.
The win carries added significance as it impacts DME’s positioning in two competitive formats, underscoring the team’s ability to perform in high-stakes environments against quality opposition.
Leading the way was Ryan Hampton, the five-star guard who put on a scoring clinic, pouring in 30 points to pace the offense. Hampton’s performance showcased his shot-making, poise, and leadership as DME controlled the game from start to finish.
With momentum building and meaningful games ahead, the team continues to set the standard as it pushes forward in conference and Grind Session play, looking to create another flagship season in DME history.
About DME Academy
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 on earning another major national honor, as she was named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Midseason Team.
The recognition places Battle among the top high school players in the country and highlights her continued excellence during the 2025–26 season. A standout for DME Academy’s Girls National Basketball Team, Battle has consistently delivered elite performances against top competition while demonstrating leadership and composure on the court.
Battle’s latest accolade adds to an already impressive list of national recognitions and reinforces DME Academy’s reputation as a premier destination for developing elite student-athletes prepared to compete at the highest levels.
About DME Academy
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 will welcome elite competition to campus this weekend as the National Boys Basketball Team hosts Grind Session conference play from January 16–18. The three-day event will bring high-level programs and top prospects to Daytona Beach, creating a showcase environment filled with college-level talent and intensity.
The Grind Session is the first-ever winter circuit of elite high school basketball events, featuring teams that compete across the United States and internationally in destinations including Canada, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. From November through March, more than 400 games are played across the circuit, offering athletes meaningful exposure and competitive preparation for the next stage of their basketball careers.
DME Academy’s campus will serve as the backdrop for this weekend’s conference matchups, providing fans, families, and basketball enthusiasts an opportunity to watch some of the nation’s top talent compete in a premier setting.
“This weekend is a great opportunity to experience Grind Session basketball up close,” said a DME Academy representative. “With so much talent on the floor, it’s the kind of environment that prepares athletes for what’s next and gives the community a chance to see high-level basketball in person.”
A full event schedule will be released soon, with additional details to follow at: grindsession.com
About DME Academy
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. – The DME Academy Girls National Basketball Team continued its dominant run this past weekend, improving to 15–0 overall and 6–0 in conference play after a challenging multi-state road trip.
DME opened the weekend in Indiana, competing in a highly charged environment against a future teammate of GiGi Battle, with a packed crowd of Indiana fans creating a playoff-like atmosphere. The team responded with composure and resilience, earning a hard-fought victory on the road.
The girls then traveled to Kentucky for conference action, where they secured two more wins with strong performances against Hamilton Heights and Example Prep, maintaining their perfect conference record.
Now, the focus shifts to Atlanta, where DME will continue conference play with two more games this week. One matchup carries added significance, as the girls will face a familiar opponent from the World Championship, a game in which DME previously came up just one point short. The rematch promises to be one of the most anticipated games of the season.
With momentum building and key matchups ahead, DME Academy Girls National Basketball remains focused on growth, consistency, and maintaining its standard of excellence as the season progresses.
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 alumnus Mikel Brown Jr. brought home an illustrious award today (Jan. 6), when he was named the 2025 USA Basketball 5-on-5 Male Athlete of the Year, one of the highest individual honors awarded by USA Basketball. The award caps off a remarkable year of international success and continued excellence at the collegiate level.
Success has followed Brown Jr. every time he has taken the court in a USA Basketball uniform. In the summer of 2025, he served as the floor general for the USA Men’s U19 National Team, leading the program to a gold medal at the FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Americans finished the tournament with a flawless 7–0 record, highlighted by a dominant 109–76 victory over Germany in the gold medal game, where Brown Jr. recorded 12 points and four assists.
Brown Jr. was named to the tournament’s All-Star Five, averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.1 rebounds in just 23.2 minutes per game. He delivered three performances of 20 points or more, beginning with a 24-point outing against France, followed by another 24-point performance against Cameroon, where he added eight assists. His final 20-point game came in a thrilling 108–102 quarterfinal win over Canada, as the U.S. rallied in the fourth quarter behind his scoring and playmaking.
Throughout the tournament, Brown Jr. showcased elite efficiency, shooting 46.7 percent from the field, 47.6 percent from three-point range, and 82.4 percent from the free-throw line. Against France and Cameroon, he combined to shoot 17-of-23 from the field, demonstrating his ability to impact games without forcing shots.
Earlier in 2025, Brown Jr. also starred at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon, helping the USA defeat the World Select Team 124–114 in overtime. He finished that contest with 17 points, three assists, three steals, and 15 made free throws, tying the USA record for the event.
The 2025 gold medal marked Brown Jr.’s second international title, following his championship run at the 2024 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup in Buenos Aires. His sustained success at the international level earned him this year’s USA Basketball honor after being nominated in both 2024 and 2025.
A former standout at DME Academy, Brown Jr. was a five-star recruit, the No. 7 overall player in the Class of 2025, and the No. 2 point guard nationally according to 247Sports. He averaged 29.6 points per game during his senior season at DME and was a McDonald’s All-American, winning the 3-point contest while also being named a semifinalist for the Naismith Trophy Boys High School Player of the Year.
Now a freshman starter at the University of Louisville men’s basketball, Brown Jr. continues to build on his momentum and looks poised to carry his success into 2026 and beyond.
Brown Jr.’s selection as the 2025 USA Basketball 5-on-5 Male Athlete of the Year further reinforces DME Academy’s mission of preparing student-athletes for excellence at the collegiate, professional, and international levels.
About DME Academy
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 recognizes Timani Harris, a member of its Girls National Basketball Team, for leading a meaningful community initiative through a free basketball clinic and holiday toy drive held on Saturday (Dec. 20) at her local Boys & Girls Club in Richmond, Virginia.
The event brought together local youth for an afternoon focused on skill development, mentorship, and giving back during the holiday season. Participants had the opportunity to sharpen their basketball fundamentals while receiving holiday toys donated by sponsors, vendors, and volunteers, reinforcing the spirit of generosity and community support.
“Timani is an extraordinary basketball player with the complete package of athleticism and skill,” said Dan Panaggio, DME Academy Co-Founder. “She is headed for greatness, and her future in the game is incredibly bright. Yet what sets her apart is not only her talent, but her intangibles, humility, unselfishness, and now, her kindness in giving back to her community. Timani embodies the values we cherish at DME Academy: excellence on the court and character off it. She is truly a wonderful young lady, and we are proud to support her journey.”
Harris, a 5’9” point guard in the Class of 2027, is ranked No. 7 in the state of Florida by Prep Girls Hoops and No. 54 nationally by ESPN. While she continues to stand out as one of the top young guards in the country, Harris’s efforts off the court reflect her leadership, character, and commitment to service.
“Timani is a special young lady,” said DME Director of Girls Basketball Michael Panaggio. “Obviously, she’s extremely talented on the court, but she’s just as impressive as a young lady. Her parents, Tiffany and Manny, are great parents who have raised her right and encouraged her to serve others in the Richmond, Virginia, community. I’m very thankful to her parents and Timani for the opportunity to coach her. She’s a joy to coach every single day.”
DME Academy places a strong emphasis on developing student-athletes who are prepared for life beyond competition.DME Academy commends Timani Harris for representing the program with pride while making a positive impact during the holiday season.
About DME Academy
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 is proud to announce that alumnus Mikel Brown Jr. has been nominated for the 2025 USA Basketball 5-on-5 Male Athlete of the Year Award, placing him among an elite group of the nation’s top basketball talents. Brown Jr. is one of four nominees, alongside Nasir Anderson, AJ Dybantsa, and Javonte Smart.
This marks the second consecutive year Brown Jr. has earned a nomination for the prestigious award. He was also nominated in 2024 following his standout performances with the USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team, where he helped lead the program to a gold medal at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup.
A five-star recruit and the No. 7 overall player in the Class of 2025 at the time of his signing with Louisville, Brown Jr. was also ranked as the No. 2 point guard nationally according to 247Sports. During his prep career at DME Academy, he established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in the state of Florida, finishing among the top three scorers statewide after averaging 29.6 points per game in his senior season.
Brown Jr.’s accolades include being named a McDonald’s All-American, where he captured the 3-point contest title, and earning recognition as a semifinalist for the Naismith Trophy Boys High School Player of the Year.
Internationally, Brown Jr. made a major impact with USA Basketball during the summer of 2024. He started all six games at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, and earning his first USA Basketball 5-on-5 Male Athlete of the Year nomination alongside NBA stars Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James.
Brown Jr.’s 2025 nomination further solidifies his place among the nation’s elite players and underscores DME Academy’s proven pathway from prep basketball to collegiate, professional, and international success.
About DME Academy
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.
