Class of 2022 Camp Recap: Part I

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 Article written by Rodger Bohn of SLAM Online

The 2020 CREI Crossroads Elite Invitational brought together 320 players from all over the country under one roof in Wichita, Kansas and the event did not disappoint. There were multiple top ten players from the classes of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 respectively. The coaching staff was led by pro basketball trainer Matt Jones (coached for Maccabi Ashdod in Israel this past year), and included both former NBA players (Mark Aguirre) and college legends. Battles were had, names were made, and recruitments have taken off in the days that have followed the camp.

Here is a look at the first group of 2022 players who caught my eye:

Chris Livingston, 6’6, SG, Akron Buchtel (OH)


Making his debut this summer (his AAU team We All Can Go didn’t play in any events due to COVID), Chris Livingston was eager to come and get some good run in. The Akron native showed that his athleticism is on another level, rebounded the ball exceptionally well from backcourt, and created his own shot at will. Livingston is making his return to his home public school of Buchtel where he and his brother should immediately make them a contenter for a state title.

Brandon Miller, 6’8, SF, Cane Ridge (TN)

A guy who we’ve had at CREI since he played with RSD on the AAU circuit, Brandon Miller continued to add to his arsenal on the offensive end. He improved a ton as a shot creator, showed an automatic pull-up off the bounce, and used his length to make a considerable impact on the defensive end. Miller has been shooting up the recruiting rankings and not only should he be one of the frontrunners for Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball, but will ultimately have his choice of any college in the country he wants to go to.


Mark Mitchell, 6’8, PF, Bishop Meige (KS)


The top-10 junior definitely lived up to his billing, willing the title of the CREI Top 80. The lefty face-up forward showed improved consistency from the three point line, was a great straight line driver to the rim, and had arguably the highest motor of anyone in Wichita. Mitchell is going to have his choice with virtually any school in the country as a plug and play guy.

Amen Thompson, 6’6, SG/SF, Pinecrest HS (FL)


There weren’t two players who helped themselves more at the 2020 CREI than Amen and Ausar Thompson. We’ll cover Ausar in our next article, but Amen was an absolute lockdown defender who simply walked on air when he got the ball in transition. His fast twitch athleticism was on another level and Amen made sure to use it on both ends of the hardwood. With their recent explosion, expect both Thompsons to be ranked in the top-50 when the next batch of national rankings roll around.

Aidan Shaw, 6’8, SF, Blue Valley HS (KS)


In terms of highlights, there wasn’t anyone who offered more than Aidan Shaw. The bouncy forward put a hurting on the rims with his pogo stick athleticism, shot the ball exceptionally well on Sunday, and was able to defend multiple spots on the perimeter. The versatility and athleticism that he brings to the table will make him a valuable commodity to big time college programs in today’s generation of consistent switching on D.


Damien Mayo, 6’2, PG, St. Louis Chaminade (MO)


Of the rising juniors, Damien Mayo probably helped himself more than anyone. The dynamic point guard from MOKAN Elite showed great burst in pick and roll play, was super competitive with his on ball defense, and had a number of the camp’s top ten plays. Only holding an offer from SIU-Edwardsville, Mayo is bound to blow up over the next two years.

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