Power Conference

The Grind Session Heads North: Toronto Hosts Power and Revolution Conference Teams at the Pan American Centre

The Grind Session continues its global expansion this week with its second stop of the 2025–26 season, landing in Toronto, Ontario for a three-day international showcase at the Pan American Centre. Following October’s groundbreaking Bridge of Hoops event in Bassano Del Grappa, Italy, the Grind Session now returns to North America — marking its second event outside the United States this season. Although last week’s scheduled event in Jamaica was canceled due to Hurricane Melissa, the energy around Toronto is stronger than ever as both the men’s and women’s Power Conference take the stage in one of Canada’s premier basketball cities.

Conference Focus: Grind Session Power, Contenders, and Elevation Conferences Take Center Stage in Toronto and Ridley College Events

The Grind Session’s international momentum continues this week with two major events in Canada, featuring action across all men’s and women’s conferences — the Power, Contenders, Elevation, and Revolution. The premier Power Conference games will take place at the Pan American Centre in Toronto, while the Contenders Conference tips off its inaugural event at Ridley College, marking a massive weekend for prep basketball across North America.

Player Spotlight: Ricards Aizpurs — The Rising Star from Latvia Shining with Italy’s Star Alliance

by: Rick Manahan

The Grind Session’s global reach continues to expand this season with the addition of its first-ever European program, Star Alliance, based in Italy. Leading the charge for this historic team is Ricards Aizpurs, a 6’5” guard from Riga, Latvia, who is quickly becoming one of the top international prospects in the class of 2027.

Day 3 Recap: Bridge of Hoops Tournament Heats Up in Bassano Del Grappa, Italy

The third day of action at the 1st Annual Bridge of Hoops Basketball Invitational in Bassano Del Grappa, Italy, delivered another thrilling slate of international basketball at the Pala Angarano. With four games on the schedule, the day was packed with energy, teamwork, and standout performances from some of the top prep and international programs in the world.

Bridge of Hoops Day One: U.S. Teams Shine in Bassano Del Grappa, Italy

The first full day of action at the inaugural Bridge of Hoops Invitational delivered excitement, competitive energy, and a global blend of basketball styles inside the Pala Angarano in Bassano Del Grappa. Although the event tipped off last night with an opening matchup between Prolific Prep (USA) and the host team The Star Alliance (Italy), today marked the first full slate of international competition featuring programs from the United States, Italy, Lithuania, and Dubai.

Bella Vista Claims Grind Session Play-In Championship in Triple-Overtime Thriller

The Grind Session tipped off its 12th season this past weekend with the annual Play-In Event, a four-day showcase that featured 32 elite teams battling for three coveted spots in the 2025–26 Power Conference. The event took place across three Hopkinsville venues — Hopkinsville High School (430 Koffman Drive), Planters Bank–Jennie Stuart Sportsplex (155 Tilley Way), and Christian County High School (220 Glass Avenue) — with packed crowds, college scouts, and electric atmospheres throughout.

Grind Session Power Conference Play-In Tournament Returns to Hopkinsville, Kentucky This Week

The Grind Session is bringing its Power Conference Play-In Tournament to Hopkinsville, Kentucky this week for the second consecutive year. This year’s tournament is scheduled for October 2-5 and will feature 33 teams from 13 states and Canada. Games will be held at Hopkinsville High School, Christian County High School, and the Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex.

Southeastern Prep Academy Joins the Grind Session Power Conference for the 2025-2026 Season

Southeastern Prep Academy is officially joining the Grind Session Power Conference for the 2025-2026 season, signaling a bold new era for the rising Orlando-based program. After making a strong impression last year in limited appearances on the circuit, the Orlando, Florida-based program is now stepping into the spotlight as a full-time contender—armed with elite talent and championship aspirations.

Grind Session Alumni Adem Bona and Onuralp Bitim Set Sights on EuroBasket 2025 Glory as Unbeaten Türkiye Reaches Quarterfinals

The field for the Quarterfinals of the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket Championship is now complete and two former stars of the Grind Session – Adem Bona and Onuralp Bitim of Türkiye – remain in pursuit of the European crown.

Türkiye continued their unbeaten start to the tournament by defeating Sweden in the Round of 16 over the weekend. They now meet Poland in the opening quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday, September 9.

Grind Session Newcomer Caleb Holt Dominant in Team USA's Convincing Round of 16 Win Over Jordan at FIBA U19 World Cup

Grind Session newcomer Caleb Holt had another impressive performance at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup on Wednesday. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard, who recently transferred to Prolific Prep for his senior season, was dominant on both ends, helping lead Team USA to a convincing 140-67 Round of 16 win over Jordan.

Holt scored 13 points, grabbed five rebounds, and notched four steals in the victory. He also dished out five assists and logged a team high 25 minutes in the game.

Grind Session Stars Take on the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland

The 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup tipped off over the weekend in Lausanne, Switzerland and the competition is loaded with an impressive lineup of Grind Session talent.

Here are the 14 former and current Grind Session stars representing their respective national teams and hoping to raise the championship trophy on July 6:

Grind Session Standouts Shine at 2025 Pangos All-American Camp

Annual NBA-certified event features 120 of the nation’s top high school basketball prospects – and once again, Grind Session stars made their mark.

The Grind Session proudly congratulates seven of its premier athletes who showcased their elite talent at the 2025 Pangos All-American Camp. Held this past weekend in Las Vegas, the annual NBA-certified event features 120 of the nation's top high school basketball prospects.

The Grind Session stars who made their mark at this year’s invitation-only camp included:

89 Grind Session Seniors Commit to Play College Basketball During the 2025–2026 Season

The impressive list is expected to grow in the weeks and months ahead.

The Grind Session proudly announces that 89 senior athletes from the Class of 2025 have officially committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level during the 2025–2026 season.

These seniors are headed to college programs that span a diverse array of institutions, from NCAA Division I to junior colleges, reflecting the Grind Session’s role as a vital platform for developing and showcasing top-tier men’s and women’s talent across North America.

Seven Grind Session Standouts Named to 6th Annual Ball Dawg All-Star Game

The Grind Session is proud to announce that seven of its outgoing seniors have been selected to participate in the 6th Annual Ball Dawgs All-Star Game, set to take place in Las Vegas on May 10, 2025. Representing both the boys and girls divisions, their selections are a major milestone in their basketball journeys and a point of pride for the Grind Session community.

AJ Dybantsa, Mikel Brown, Jr., and Ikenna Alozie Shine in 2025 Nike Hoop Summit

The best high school basketball players in the world took center stage on Saturday night at the Nike Hoop Summit. In the end, the Grind Session’s three participating stars in the men’s game – AJ Dybantsa (Utah Prep) Mikel Brown, Jr. (DME Academy), and Ikenna Alozie (Dream City Christian) – lived up to their hype.

Prolific Prep’s Darryn Peterson Will Finish as the No. 1-Ranked Player in the 2025 Class After Top-Spot Swap in Final Rankings

247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein announced Wednesday that Prolific Prep’s Darryn Peterson will finish as the No. 1 overall player in the class of 2025 when the final rankings come out in May. The Kansas commit will jump fellow Grind Session standout and Utah Prep star AJ Dybantsa for the top spot. 

Dybantsa has held the No. 1 ranking ever since he reclassified from the 2026 class back in October 2023.

Fort Erie International’s Tristan Beckford Dominates All-Canadian Boys Game with MVP-Worthy Performance

Grind Session star and USF commit was also named All-Canadian Boys Player of the Year at halftime.

What a weekend for the Grind Session’s Tristan Beckford.

The Fort Erie International forward led his team to victory at the CWENCH All Canadian Games, dropping a game-high 26 points to go along with 13 boards. For his efforts, Beckford became the 11th Grind Session player to be named MVP of the annual all-star game that has drawn comparisons to America's McDonald's All-American Game.

Five Grind Session Stars Set to Play at 2025 Nike Hoop Summit

AJ Dybantsa, Mikel Brown Jr, Ikenna Alozie, Bella Hines, and Nyadieng Yiech to battle this weekend in the elite showcase of tomorrow's college, NBA/WNBA stars.

2024-2025 Grind Session Men's and Women’s Awards and Honors Announced

Grind Session recently announced its men’s and women’s individual award winners and other honorees for the 2024-2025 season. Showcasing the strength and parity of the circuit, 23 different teams earned a place on the various listings and 10 programs saw themselves with at least one individual award winner.

Royal Crown and Prolific Prep Claim Grind Session Championships in Lawrence, Kansas

The 2025 Grind Session season concluded with two thrilling championship matchups in Lawrence, Kansas, showcasing the best talent from the Power Conference and Revolution Conference. In an unforgettable night of basketball, history was made on both the men’s and women’s sides.