What is the PRO16
The PRO16 is the sponsored section of the league; requiring teams meet 1 of 3 criteria. Team’s must either have prior shoe circuit affiliation, a top 150 ranked prospect on their roster, or be affiliated with a Puma athlete.
Why Play in the PRO16?
The PRO16 and NXTPRO bring a next level basketball experience nationwide. As Puma’s sponsored grassroots circuit, we provide year round scouting and media coverage, an innovative approach to exposure for players and programs, and the platform that helps players reach their goals. Just read about some of our success stories further down the page.
PRO16 Programs
PRO16 Success Stories
Asa Newell – Paving the Way
Asa’s PRO16 story is full of firsts. He’s the first player from the league drafted to the NBA, heading to play with his hometown team the Atlanta Hawks after a year at Georgia. A few other firsts in his repertoire; first gold medalist with Team USA, first PRO16 MVP, first top 15 prospect to play in the PRO16, first PRO16 champ, and the first player to see action at the Power 4 level from the league.
Nik Khamenia – Continuing the Legacy
Khamenia entered the national spotlight in his first season on the PRO16, earning a spot in the national rankings for the first time in the Summer of 2023. By the time his PRO16 career finished, he was 15th in the national rankings, had a PRO16 title on his resume, and had offers from Blue Bloods across the country. Khamenia is also a McDonald’s All American, 3x Gold Medalist with USA Basketball, and heading to Duke to join the Blue Devils.
Chris Cenac – Breaking Through
Cenac started the Spring of 2024 with solid national buzz and a spot in the 50-60 range in the National Top 150 rankings. By the time his summer was over, he was a Top 10 Prospects with Blue Blood head coaches watching him courtside. Among his accomplishments to date are McDonald’s All American, FIBA U19 Champion, NBPA Top 100 MVP, and Slam All-Star. Cenac will be a Houston Cougar this season alonside fellow PRO16 Alumni Kingston Flemings.
Joe Sterling, Josh Irving, & CPSA
The Clint Parks and Cartier French-Toney led Team CPSA earned their 1st PRO16 Title in 2025. Strong summers from Joe Sterling, Josh Irving, and JRob Croy paved the way for that title, creating plenty of interest along the way. All three have Power 5 interest and are now in the Top 150 Nationally. Sterling and Irving were in their 3rd and 2nd seasons in the league respectively; looking for redemption this season after missing the Finals bracket in 2024. All said and done, Sterling (Unranked to Top 150), Irving (Unranked to Top 40), and Croy (Unranked to Top 150) will have plenty of options at the next level and a PRO16 Title trophy to show for their efforts.
Layne Taylor – Proof of the Platform
Taylor was the first in a trend of PRO16 players moving from little to no college attention, to serious options at the next level after strong Live Period showings. The undersized guard from a small Arkansas High School (Farmington) put the nation on notice after leading his team to a win over hands down favorites to win the league, 1Family and Asa Newell. This started the chain of events that hasn’t stopped yet. His senior season in high school ended with a commitment to University of Central Arkansas. At UCA, Taylor earned ASUN freshman of the year honors, opening the doors to plenty of opportunities to transfer to bigger schools. He will be at Murray State playing for new Head Coach Ryan Miller this season.
Kingston Flemings – PG1
Flemings took over as PG1 in the league after Taylor’s huge summer the year before. He led his squad to a Final Four run in the PRO16 finals, bringing national rankings analysts and head coach’s to nearly every game he played in the month of July. A common trend at Flemings’ games were Houston Coaches Kelvin and Kellen Sampson, foreshadowing his eventual commitment to the Cougars. Along the way, Flemings also joined forces with Nik Khamenia to bring Team USA a 3×3 Gold Medal, jumped up nearly 80 spots in the national rankings, and earned invites to the prestigious Jordan Brand Game and Iverson Classic.
