Mind, Body, Spirit, Buckets: AIA National Prep 2026-27
Based in Xenia, Ohio, just outside Dayton, Athletes in Action Prep Academy runs a post graduate basketball program built around developing the complete athlete: mind, body and spirit. Daily practices and sports performance training are paired with leadership and Bible classes, and four full-time certified sports performance and athletic trainers oversee player care. Student-athletes live on campus, eat meals in the academy cafeteria, and train and compete in the John Wooden Family Fieldhouse.
AIA fields both a National team and a Premier (regional) team. The program's placement record matches its investment. Over a recent three-year stretch, AIA sent six players to NCAA DI, five to D2, two to D3, six to the NAIA and nine to the junior college ranks.
AIA was founded by James Bolin, who remains program director and assistant coach after more than a decade of coaching and mentoring young men at the academy. Bryan Weakley, who led the National team to a 90-31 record and three straight national tournament appearances over the past three seasons, has moved off the bench to become the program's general manager. Nick Dials is the Premier team head coach.
Taking over as the National team head coach is Scott Flemming, who brings more than four decades of coaching experience across college, professional and international basketball. Flemming won more than 440 games as a college head coach at Nyack College, Mount Vernon Nazarene and Northwest Nazarene. His teams reached the NAIA DI National Tournament eight times, won the 2000 NCCAA National Championship and he was named NAIA (1998) and NCCAA (2000) National Coach of the Year. He then spent two seasons as top assistant for the Dallas Mavericks' NBA D-League affiliate, before taking over India's men's National Team in 2012 in his first stint (2012-15). He later served as Director of Basketball Operations and Technical Director at the NBA Academy India, then returned for a second run as India's National Team head coach before stepping down this year. Small College Basketball has honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. His assistant coach is Samson Sandu.
The National team competes in the powerhouse-loaded Elite Prep League, and the Premier team competes in the Ohio Prep Conference.
For the 2026-27 season, the AIA National team will be featuring the players profiled below.
#3 Ethan Esse (2027) 5’11 155 lb point guard - From Inter City Baptist High (MI), Esse is a big time shooter. He is also a tough player who wants to always improve. He is coachable and can run a team. Has been offered by Rochester Christian and Trine and is receiving interest from Northeastern, Pfeiffer and Ball State. Projected as a D2 recruit. 3.0 gpa
#5 Caleb Conway (2027) 6’0 170 lb point guard - From Almaty, Kazakhstan, Conway runs a team, has a great feel for the game with great decision making. He is a high character, great teammate. Receiving interest from Southern Union State Community College and Troy. Projected as a D2 recruit. 4.0 gpa
#7 Colby Jessup (2027) 6’4 195 lb guard - From Gilbert, AZ, Jessup is a big time leader and everyday guy. He plays the point guard and shooting guard equally well. He is a great high percentage shooter and really sees the floor. Works very hard on both ends. Has received offers from Black Hills State, and Hawaii Pacific and is receiving interest from Air Force, Army, Navy, Ball State, Colgate, Colorado Mesa, Central Washington, Lehigh, Idaho State, Northern Colorado, South Dakota State, UC-San Diego and Northwest Nazarene. Projected as a Low/Mid Major recruit. 4.0 gpa
#11 Will Day (2027) 6’5 wing - From North Richland Hills, TX, Day is a glue guy and does a little bit of everything to help team win. He can play multiple positions. Day is a hard worker and a competitor that will make a team better. Projected as a Low/Mid Major/ NAIA recruit. Greenville, Boyce, Spurgeon and Emmaeus. 4.2 gpa
#12 DJ Humphries (2027) 6’1 180 lb guard - From Chula Vista, CA, Humphries is an athletic point guard who can create for others, score at all three levels, and make plays in transition. He guards the ball well. Projected as a Mid Major recruit. Has received multiple offers, including Cal State San Marcos, The Masters University and Biola University and is receiving interest from Boston College, UC Irvine and Columbus State. 3.6 gpa
#13 Ryan Munger (2027) 6'11 225 lb center - From Bellows Free Academy (VT), Munger has a high ceiling. He is long and has great size. He needs upper body strength but is a skilled shooter and passer. He is good in the pick & roll, a smart defender and picks up things quickly. He is receiving interest from Keene State, D’Youville University and Cedarville University. Projected as a Low Major/Mid Major recruit.
#20 Liam Velker (2027) 6’3 185 lb guard - From Harrisonburg, VA, Velker is a strong guard that can play-make and really shoot the ball. He has a good understanding of the game, great teammate and high character. Receiving interest from Roanoke College, Bridgewater College and James Madison. Projected as a D2 recruit. 4.2 gpa
#21 Jesse Raijans (2027) 6'2 185 lb guard - From Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands via Spire Academy, Raijans is a tough, smart and vocal leader! He is a shooter, a total team player, a winner, and a good defender. Receiving interest from Westminster. Projected as a D2/Low Major recruit. 4.0 gpa
#22 Ramsey Sato (2027) 6’6 185 lb wing - From Woodlands Christian Academy, TX, Sato is a scorer!! He is a deep 3 pt shooter. He has good athleticism. His dad, Romain Sato is a Hall of Fame player at Xavier. He has high character and is a hard worker. Projected as a Mid Major recruit. Has received offers from Lubbock Christian, Arkansas-Fort Smith and Indiana Wesleyan. 2.8 gpa
#23 Hayden Shouse (2027) 6’8 200 lb small forward - From Ekron, KY, Shouse is a highly skilled combo forward. He is a great shooter and has a high IQ. Shouse facilitates well and is a great passer. Receiving interest from IU Indy, Navy, The Citadel, SEMO, Akron and Ball State. Projected as a Low Major recruit. 3.6 gpa
#25 Karlis Skillins (2027) 6’7 230 lb forward - From Talsi, Latvia, Skillins is a strong and versatile inside-out big. He is very skilled and tough and shoots the 3 ball. Projected as a Low/Mid Major recruit. 3.6 gpa
#32 Gabriel Kuzmic (2027) 6’7 205 lb small forward - From Zagreb, Croatia, Kuzmic is a great teammate. He facilitates well, a good shot blocker, a decent vertical athlete and can shoot from the perimeter. Projected as a NAIA/D2 recruit. 4.0 gpa
#33 Deng Majack (2027) 6’3 170 lb guard - From Chaminade Julienne High, OH, Majack is a worker! He has a high ceiling. He is fast in transition and can get to the basket. Majack excels in the open floor and in isolation. He is a great on ball defender and plays with a high motor. Projected as a Low/Mid Major recruit. 3.4 gpa
To accommodate college scout visits, AIA holds a schedule of Fall Open Gym runs, the details of which can be found by clicking here.
The National team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.
The Premier team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.