The Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, one of the most coveted awards in American sports, is the culmination of the NBA playoffs. Over the next two months, 16 teams and more than 200 players will battle for the trophy.
This year, 15 former Grind Session stars across 10 different teams are among those looking to lift the championship hardware in June. Four of those teams have multiple Grind Session alumni on their postseason rosters, led by a trio of alumni on the Denver Nuggets. The Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, and Minesota Timberwolves feature two Grind Session products apiece.
Denver Nuggets (3)
DaRon Holmes II (AZ Compass, 2020-21), Jamal Murray (Orangeville Prep, 2014-15), Jalen Pickett (Spire Academy, 2017-18).
Detroit Pistons (1)
Lindy Waters III (Sunrise Christian, 2015-16).
Golden State Warriors (1)
Jonathan Kuminga (Huntington Prep, 2017-18).
Houston Rockets (2)
Jalen Green (Prolific Prep, 2019-20), Nate Williams (Prolific Prep, 2017-18).
Indiana Pacers (2)
Thomas Bryant (Huntington Prep, 2014-15), Isaiah Jackson (Spire Academy, 2018-19).
Los Angeles Lakers (1)
Jarred Vanderbilt (Victory Prep, 2015-17).
Milwaukee Bucks (1)
Gary Trent Jr. (Prolific Prep, 2016-17).
Minnesota Timberwolves (2)
Rob Dillingham (Donda Academy, 2021-22), Leonard Miller (Victory Rock Prep, 2020-2021; Fort Erie International, 2021-22).
Orlando Magic (1)
Paolo Banchero (BFL Prep, 2020-21).
Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
Luguentz Dort (Arlington Country Day, 2015-16; Conrad Academy, 2016-17; Athlete Institute, 2017-18).
Three of these players – Murray, Kuminga, and Bryant – have previously captured NBA Championships in their careers. Murray and Bryant helped lead the Nuggets to the team’s first-ever championship in 2023. Kuminga was a member of the Warriors team during their 2022 championship run.
The Grind Session also had two other alumni who played in this year’s NBA play-in tournament, which determines the final two playoff spots in each conference (Eastern and Western). Mouhamed Gueye (Prolific Prep, 2019-2021) represented the Atlanta Hawks and Dalen Terry (Hillcrest Prep, 2018-19) played for the Chicago Bulls. Both teams failed to advance out of the play-in tournament.
“From rising stars to established contributors, former Grind Session players continue to impact the league at the highest level and underscore our circuit’s growing reputation as a launchpad for elite basketball talent,” said Grind Session co-founder and CEO Scott Waldrup. “We couldn’t be more excited for these alumni and can't wait to see which one of them is the next to find NBA championship glory"
The impressive playoff presence for the Grind Session comes as no surprise, as 61 total players who previously competed on the circuit appeared on NBA opening day rosters this season. More than half of them (36) spent time with a Grind Session team during their high school careers, while the others showcased their skills at least once at a Grind Session event.
For regular updates on the Grind Session, follow the circuit on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
