By Rick Manahan
The first-ever Bridge of Hoops International Basketball Event in Bassano Del Grappa, Italy, came to an exciting close as eight teams from around the world wrapped up four days of competitive, high-level basketball. The event brought together four Grind Session programs from the United States — Prolific Prep (FL), DNA Prep Academy (CA), Academy of Central Florida (FL), and Southeastern Prep Academy (GA)—alongside four international clubs: The Star Alliance (Italy), Olimpia Milano (Italy), BC Dubai (UAE), and BC Zalgiris (Lithuania).
The final day was packed with energy, emotion, and international pride, highlighted by standout performances and sportsmanship that truly embodied the Bridge of Hoops mission—to build global connections through basketball.
Game 1: The Star Alliance (Italy) 109 – DNA Prep Academy (USA) 73
The day began with the host team The Star Alliance squaring off against DNA Prep Academy from Los Angeles. While the 109–73 final score might suggest an easy victory, the matchup was competitive through the first half. It wasn’t until the third quarter that Star Alliance took over, unleashing a decisive 34–14 run that broke the game wide open.
Ricards Aizpurs was once again a force for the Italian side, leading with 21 points, while teammates Filip Mihai (17 pts), Giannis Granai (16 pts), and Sekou Diarra (11 pts) all contributed in double figures. For DNA, Shameek Castillas poured in 24 points, and Jayden Robinson added 22 points in a strong offensive effort.
Game 2: Southeastern Prep Academy (USA) 72 – Armani Milano (Italy) 57
In the second matchup, Southeastern Prep Academy from Atlanta closed out their Bridge of Hoops trip on a high note with a 72–57 win over Armani Milano. SEPA’s fast-paced transition play and defensive energy set the tone early.
Beckham Black led all scorers with 23 points, while CJ Rosser Jr. added 20 points for SEPA. Milano’s balanced attack saw Davide Toffanin and Mattia Ceccato each finish with 7 points, but the Italian squad couldn’t find consistent rhythm against SEPA’s pressure defense.
Game 3: Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania) 94 – Academy of Central Florida (USA) 78
After a mid-day break, action resumed with Zalgiris Kaunas taking on Academy of Central Florida. The Lithuanian team’s discipline, hustle, and ball movement were on full display as they controlled the tempo from start to finish, earning a 94–78 victory.
Maksim Brnovic led Zalgiris with 17 points, guiding a well-balanced offensive performance. On the other side, Felipe Minzer showcased his scoring ability for Central Florida, dropping 24 points in the loss.
Game 4: Star Alliance (Italy) 76 – BC Dubai (UAE) 71
The final game of the weekend—and of the entire event—featured Star Alliance facing off against BC Dubai. In a thrilling and physical contest, the Italian hosts defended their home court once again, pulling out a 76–71 win to close the event in style.
Ricards Aizpurs capped off a dominant weekend with 24 points, cementing his status as one of the standout players of the tournament. For BC Dubai, Lukas Kubala led the way with 20 points, keeping his team within striking distance until the final minutes.
Looking Ahead: A New Global Tradition Begins
The inaugural Bridge of Hoops was more than a basketball event—it was a cultural exchange and celebration of the game’s unifying power. Players, coaches, and fans from across continents came together in the historic town of Bassano Del Grappa to compete, connect, and build lifelong memories.
As the Grind Session continues to expand globally, this event marked the beginning of a new era—where competition meets connection, and the world of basketball grows closer together.
The Grind Session and its international partners look forward to building on this success for many more Bridge of Hoops events in the years to come.
