The global basketball spotlight turns to Nicaragua this week as the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 enters its quarterfinal stage—and among the talent competing are seven standout Grind Session alumni.
This year’s AmeriCup has showcased the incredible global reach and developmental impact of the Grind Session, with former players representing a range of national teams including Canada, Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay. Each has brought the competitive fire and skillset that defined their high school careers into the international arena.
Grind Session Alumni in the AmeriCup 2025 Quarterfinals
- Leonard Miller (CANADA) spent his junior and senior (2020-2022) high school seasons with Victory Rock Prep (FL) and Ft. Erie International Academy (ON, CAN), respectively. He chose not to play college basketball and instead opted to sign with the NBA G League Ignite for the 2022-2023 season. Miller was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. He was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night, where he remains today.
- Jahvon Blair (CANADA) played his sophomore year (2014-2015) of high school basketball with Orangeville Prep at Athlete Institute (ON, CAN). He played college basketball for Georgetown, becoming the first commitment during the tenure of head coach Patrick Ewing. He currently plays professionally in France for Poitiers Basket 86.
- Isiaha Mike (CANADA) played his entire high school career for Trinity International Prep (NV), before playing college basketball for both Duquesne (2016-2017) and SMU (2018-2020). He’s currently signed with Bayern Munich of the German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) and the EuroLeague until 2027.
- Andres Feliz (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) played his sophomore year (2014-2015) of high school hoops with West Oaks Academy (FL). He eventually went on to split his time on the collegiate stage between Northwest Florida State (2016-2018) and Illinois (2018-2020). In July, Feliz signed with Real Madrid of the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague.
- RJ Melendez (PUERTO RICO) spent his junior (2019-2020) and senior (2020-2021) seasons of prep basketball with Central Pointe Christian Academy (FL), before going on to play college basketball at Illinois (2021-2023), Georgia Bulldogs (2023-2024), and Mississippi State (2024-2025). He currently plays professionally for Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rico.
- Ivan Gandia (PUERTO RICO) played his final two seasons (2014-2016) of high school basketball with Huntington Expression Prep (WV), before playing three years of college hoops at North Florida. He currently plays professionally with Santeros de Aguada in Puerto Rico.
- Juan Ducasse (URUGUAY) spent two years on the Grind Session during his junior and senior (2016-2018) seasons with Sunrise Christian (KS). He eventually went on to play college ball at Santa Clara, and has played professionally since 2021. He currently plays professionally for Club Bigua de Villa Biarritz in Uruguay.
“These seven players are a testament to the kind of talent and toughness that the Grind Session helps cultivate,” said Grind Session co-founder and CEO Scott Waldrop. “To see them excel at such a high level, representing their countries, is what our circuit is all about—preparing athletes for the biggest stages in basketball.”
All You Need to Know About the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Quarterfinals
The AmeriCup 2025 Quarterfinals are taking place on Thursday, August 28, and will feature cross-group duels based on the final group standings.
These are the matchups:
- Canada (1) vs. Colombia (8)
- Puerto Rico (4) vs. Argentina (5)
- United States (3) vs. Uruguay (6)
- Dominican Republic (2) vs. Brazil (7)
