At Statham Academy, our mission has always been simple: create real opportunities, develop elite competitors, and open doors that once felt unreachable. Over the past year, our athletes, teams, and programs have reached new heights — locally, nationally, and internationally — and we are proud to share the latest success stories and what lies ahead.
Recent Athlete Highlights
The Statham Academy family continues to produce athletes making noise at the highest levels:
- Keira McLaughlin was named Sports Illustrated High School Girls Athlete of the Week, a national recognition that speaks to both her performance and consistency on the court.
- Darby Dunn became the first sophomore girl in Santa Clarita history to score 1,000 career points by her sophomore year, a milestone rarely seen at the high-school level.
- Andrew Meadow made history as the highest-paid athlete in Boise State history, while also delivering a career-high 25 points at San Diego State, proving his impact on one of college basketball’s biggest stages.
- Jonathan Hakim scored a career-high 32 points for Concordia University Irvine (CUI) in a statement win over California Prestige University.
These achievements are a direct reflection of long-term development, accountability, and trust between athletes, families, and our staff.
A Look Ahead to 2026
The momentum is only building. Here’s what the Statham Academy community can look forward to in 2026:
- SCV All-Star Game hosted at College of the Canyons on March 26th
- Girls Game: 5:00 PM
- Boys Game: 6:30 PM
- Creators High School Boys AAU officially joining the Adidas Gold Circuit, placing our athletes on one of the premier platforms in grassroots basketball.
- The highly anticipated Spring Youth League, tipping off in April.
- Statham Academy Elite Girls building off an unforgettable 2025 spring and summer with a national schedule, including Select 40, Nike, and Adidas events.
- Spring Pro & College Training Camp – Year 7, continuing to serve professionals and high-level college athletes.
- Statham Academy Prep expansion, strengthening our year-round development pipeline.
- More tournaments hosted in Santa Clarita Valley, continuing to bring elite basketball to our community.
- Pro Combine in Las Vegas, expanding exposure for professional-level athletes.
- A return to The Asian Tournament, strengthening international pathways.
- Giveback and charity initiatives every quarter, reinforcing our commitment to community impact.
Spotlight: A Historic Year of Achievements
This past year marked one of the most impactful seasons in Statham Academy history:
- Statham Academy debuted at The Asian Tournament in Chengdu, China, leading to:
- Cole Micek signing with the Macau Black Bears and later being drafted into the Philippines Basketball Association (PBA).
- Ely Cohen signing professionally in Israel.
- Ely Cohen and Damion Hooks signing with the Vanta Black Dragons (Hong Kong).
- Statham Academy Elite Girls completed a historic AAU season:
- 35–6 overall record
- Multiple Gold-level championships
- Undefeated in 3 of 4 live events in front of college coaches
- 9 athletes actively recruited
- 7 athletes nationally ranked
- Upset wins over EYBL, Adidas 3SSB, and P24 sponsored programs
- Hosted the largest AAU tournament in Santa Clarita history, spanning three locations.
- Creators Basketball won Adidas West, with Jaiden Giarrizzo named MVP.
- Eric Kubel was named CIF Player of the Year after leading Canyon High School to a CIF championship and leading all of California in three-pointers made.
- Statham Academy Prep officially opened, expanding year-round development opportunities.
- Hosted TAT’s Pro Combine alongside Amazn HQ, selecting:
- Phoenix Shackelford and Joshua Hyon for guaranteed professional contracts
- Helping seven additional athletes sign professionally.
- Cy Mitchell broke Trinity’s single-game scoring record with 52 points, earning LA Daily News Player of the Week honors.
- Charlotte Crosley earned a Bronze Medal with El Salvador’s U19 National Team at the Centro Americanos in Guatemala.
- Darby Dunn broke six school records as a freshman varsity player, including:
- Points in a season
- Assists in a single game
- Steals in a single game
- Helped 18 athletes sign overseas, including consulting with the Philippines National Team to identify, sign, and naturalize Elizabeth Means, making her eligible for both 3×3 and 5-on-5 international competition.
- Hosted 9 sold-out camps throughout the year.
- Ran a camp in China with over 250 children.
- Worked with over 1,000 athletes in 2025 alone.
Gratitude & What Drives Us Forward ❤️
None of this is possible without the trust of our families, the belief of our athletes, and the tireless work of our coaches and staff. We are incredibly grateful for every opportunity to serve, teach, and build something meaningful through the game of basketball.
As we move forward, our commitment remains the same: elite training, elite coaching, elite events — and expanding opportunities to the next level. We’re excited to continue opening doors, creating pathways, and helping players chase dreams they once thought were out of reach.
Thank you for being part of the Statham Academy family.
The best is still ahead.
