NBA scouts and executives arrived in Portland, Ore. early last week to watch loaded Nike Hoop Summit teams practice, scrimmage and eventually face off.

The event featured the top American and international prospects ages 16-19.

During Team USA's 98-75 win over the World on Saturday, there were a number of eye-opening performances that will continue to raise the level of excitement over the 2025 and 2026 drafts.

This was ultimately a five-day scouting experience that gave scouts their best up-close look at the skill levels, athleticism, measurements and habits of future No. 1 overall talents and lottery picks.

Ace Bailey

Takeaway: 2025 draft's premier shotmaker

No prospect made scoring appear as effortless as Ace Bailey in Portland. Pro-level shotmaking was on display all week between practices, scrimmages and Saturday night's game vs. the World.

The easy space creation, unlimited range and confidence can act as a gift and curse. He has trouble resisting urges and settling, but there isn't a shot Bailey can't get off or knock down. Against the World, he converted a pair of pull-ups, a step-back three and a movement three. And it was the same story against the Portland Generals on Thursday.

He made a nice effort adapting to more off-ball reps, looking shot-ready with his feet set for catch-and-shoot looks or cutting backdoor.

Looking ahead, the tough-jumper diet may be the only negative that can keep Bailey from the No. 2 spot on boards behind Cooper Flagg. But every team will detect both safety and upside with a big-wing shotmaker archetype, similar to Brandon Miller's.

Carter Bryant

Takeaways: Looked on par with the players selected for Nike Hoop Summit

Despite being left off USA's roster, Carter Bryant still made an appearance and impression during Nike Hoop Summit week for the Portland Generals.

He capitalized on an opportunity to scrimmage the Americans and World Team in front of dozens of NBA scouts and executives. He looked the part of a player who'd normally be on a roster for Saturday night's game, popping with 6'8" size, athleticism for easy-basket finishing and confident shotmaking ability to hit threes and fallaway jumpers.

While there were some expected forced shots, Bryant's body type, fluidity and perimeter skill screamed pro in matchups against a handful of projected top-10 picks.

Scouts will want to see his handle and decision-making continue to improve, but he's going to instantly look like an NBA talent next year at Arizona.

Ulrich Chomche

Takeaway: Obvious potential, obvious project

Scouts paid extra attention this week to Ulrich Chomche, the only player at the event eligible for the upcoming 2024 draft.

Drills and scrimmages gave us a clearer look at his skill set than Saturday night's game. Aside from standing out physically and athletically, he looked comfortable shooting threes, his passing popped at times, and he showed some patience and touch scoring around the post.

There is plenty to like about Chomche's defensive upside, regardless of how accurate the 6'11½" size and 7'4" wingspan listings were (the numbers were changed/updated mid-week). However, it's the potential to stretch the floor, find teammates and score around the key that can help set him apart.

Regardless, he looked raw offensively, playing mostly a background role and showing no sure-thing scoring skill to bank for NBA minutes next season. He'd likely spend most of next year on the bench or in the G League if he did decide to enter this year's draft.

The odds on Chomche declaring versus going to college or overseas are no clearer today than they were before the week.

AJ Dybantsa

Takeaway: Become No. 1 overall favorite for 2026 draft

One of the youngest prospects at the Nike Hoop Summit, 17-year-old AJ Dybantsa was giving off pro vibes all week with his NBA wing size, smooth shotmaking and effective, under control slashing.

He had a stretch to open the scrimmage against the Portland Generals where he converted five baskets from three levels in a matter of minutes. He then went on to score 21 points against the Americans on Saturday night, showcasing his pull-up game, strength attacking the rim and long strides in the open floor. He also delivered a handful of impressive assists that highlighted underrated passing ability.

His intangibles were praised throughout the week, with scouts coming away impressed by his maturity, professionalism and coachability. He's surpassed Cam Boozer right now as the face of the 2026 draft.

VJ Edgecombe

Takeaways: Special athleticism, clear Tier-2 prospect behind Tier-1 Cooper Flagg

VJ Edgecombe had a stretch during Thursday's scrimmage when he scored 10 points on two threes and two dunks without taking a dribble. One of those finishes was a tough lob pass he caught with his left before putting his right on it to secure the alley-oop conversion.

His bounces creates advantages and easier-basket opportunities, and though a streaky shooter at 18 years old, there is a very believable level of confidence and ability in his jumper.

Edgecombe put up 17 points on Saturday, though it was on 19 shots as he struggled from behind the arc.

He has an electric, potent offensive game with the ability to catch fire around the perimeter, fly in the open floor and finish in different ways. He has started to show improvement working off the dribble and passing, which can make him a more versatile guard and less prone to inefficient games when his jumper isn't falling.

Regardless, he looks like a lock to find himself ranked in a tier with the top 2025 prospects not named Cooper Flagg.

Cooper Flagg

Takeaways: Clear top prospect outside the NBA

Cooper Flagg's signature high activity and intensity levels were on display throughout the week.

Sharing the floor with Dylan Harper, Flagg didn't play as much on the ball as he has this year at Montverde. But that didn't affect his production or impact. He led USA on Saturday night with 19 points and 11 boards, showing scouts a mix of athletic ability, improved shotmaking and motor.

He hit five jump shots against the World Team, including some difficult ones in the mid-range that require his high release. His one three-point make came as a pick-and-roll ball-handling pulling up, a scary sign for a 6'9" forward who's more known for defense and playmaking than self-creation scoring,

Even with these promising results, Flagg still has room to grow as a shot-creator and shooter. But his game remains highly adaptable regardless due to his comfort level finding opportunities with movement, effort and leaping, high passing IQ, special defense and a mindset that prioritizes making the right plays over collecting stats.

Dylan Harper

Takeaway: Dylan Harper could be No. 2 for 2025

With Thursday's scrimmage tight after two quarters, Dylan Harper took over, getting to whatever spot he wanted, picking the right times to change direction, accelerate or Euro-step.

He had total command against the Portland Generals, setting the table and creating high-percentage looks for teammates with such an obvious feel for the facilitator job.

Despite missing some mid-range shots and finishes on Saturday night, Harper still impressed against the World (14 points, seven rebounds, three assists) with his change of pace, facilitating instincts, slashing and improving shooting.

His shot continues to look better, a significant development, as Harper possesses the physical tools, traits and other skills NBA teams are looking for in point guards. At 6'5", he offers positional size, rim pressure and playmaking IQ. And while other prospects like future teammate Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe possess athleticism that traditionally hints at more upside, it's becoming more evident in the NBA that upside for a ball-handler doesn't require blazing speed or explosive leaping.

Harper's ability to control a game, whether it's by taking it over as a scorer or quarterbacking an offense, could allow him to make a different level/type of impact compared to the class' big-time shotmakers.

Nolan Traore

Takeaway: Will be a top point guard for 2025 draft

Nolan Traore came out a big winner from the week that ended with an 18-point, four-assist game against the Americans.

At 17 years old, he operated with a visible sense of poise and smarts, consistently picking the right spots to penetrate, manipulate and pass or pull up for a jumper. Despite underwhelming athletic pop and three-point percentages (overseas) entering Saturday night's game, he delivered some impressive tough finishes and a pair of confident three-point makes.

Traore looked ultra complete for a guard his age, between his feel, passing and ability to score from three levels.

His shooting development will be closely monitored over the next year, but the eye test remains promising, and the rest of his skill set and intangibles look sharp. Traore will clearly be one of the top point guards eligible for the 2025 NBA draft.