News & Events

The University of Washington Huskies have secured a major recruit in their inaugural Big Ten season with the signing of Niko Bundalo, a 6'10", 215-pound power forward from Prolific Prep in Napa, California. Bundalo, originally from Uniontown, Ohio, chose the Huskies over a host of elite programs, including North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan State, Connecticut, and Alabama. His decision marks another significant win for first-year head coach Danny Sprinkle, who is quickly establishing Washington as a powerhouse in the new Big Ten landscape.

This is the first in a series of interviews with Power Conference team leaders. We spoke with Chris Exilus Head of Athletics for Royal Crown this past weekend In Daytona Beach.

Day two of the Grind Session Daytona Beach event brought high-intensity basketball, standout performances, and nail-biting finishes. With teams from across North America competing, fans were treated to an action-packed day of elite hoops.

Royal Crown Dominates Hamilton Heights

In women’s action, Royal Crown of Canada crushed Hamilton Heights 81-40. The standout of the game was Eunicia Salgado, who recorded a commanding double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Aisse Coulibaly contributed 11 points and 3 rebounds in a tough outing for Hamilton Heights.

The first day of action at the Grind Session Daytona Beach event delivered a full slate of thrilling matchups, with standout performances and hard-fought victories setting the tone for the weekend.

Game 1: St. John's DME Academy (WI) vs. Victory Rock (FL)

St. John's DME Academy opened the day with an impressive 84-62 victory over Victory Rock. A balanced attack saw seven players hit double figures, with LaTrevion Fenderson leading the way with 20 points. Abibou Gaye was a force on the boards, pulling down 10 rebounds, while Alex Ceredi contributed 12 points and four steals in the win. St. John’s faces TLAP (FL) on Sunday at 6:45 PM in their next game.
Victory Rock’s Andre Ngomabie led his team with 17 points, five rebounds, and two steals in the loss.

Grind Session, renowned for showcasing elite high school basketball talent, is thrilled to announce the launch of the Junior Grind Session, an exciting new initiative designed to nurture the next generation of basketball stars. Spearheaded by Justin Peterson, the Junior Grind Session promises to bring the intensity and prestige of Grind Session to younger athletes in grades 3 through 8, offering boys and girls a chance to develop their skills and passion for the game.

What is the Junior Grind Session?

The Junior Grind Session is a year-round series of basketball showcase events tailored for youth teams. It operates in conjunction with the elite Grind Session, mirroring its high standards of organization and competitive play.

The Grind Session continues to solidify its reputation as the premier platform for elite high school basketball talent, with three players from the circuit earning spots on the USA Today Top 15 High School Basketball Players and the ESPN Top 100 List for the Class of 2025. These young athletes are not only excelling on the court but also positioning themselves as future stars of college basketball and the NBA.

In a high-stakes rematch, Prolific Prep (CA) showcased resilience and skill Tuesday night, defeating the top-ranked Columbus High School (FL) 66-54 in Boca Raton, Florida. The clash of titans featured Grind Session Power 12 conference contender Prolific Prep, ranked #11 by Sports Illustrated, facing Columbus, the publication's #1 high school team. The game was a chance for redemption for Prolific Prep after a heartbreaking overtime loss to Columbus last season.

Prolific Prep vs. Columbus: Elite Showdown at Florida Atlantic University

Basketball fans, mark your calendars! On November 19th at 7:30 PM, two high school basketball powerhouses clash in a marquee matchup at Florida Atlantic University. Prolific Prep, the #11-ranked team by Sports Illustrated, takes on Columbus High School from Miami, the current #1 team in the nation. This game promises to be one of the highlights of the season, bringing together star-studded rosters and a rivalry renewed.

The final day of the Miami Grind Session event wrapped up with thrilling action on Sunday, as teams from across the country battled it out in both Power and Revolution Conference matchups. Here's a look at the standout performances and key moments:

Grind Session Miami Event Day 2 Recap: Thrilling Action and Stellar Performances

The second day of the Grind Session Miami event at Miami Senior High School brought exciting matchups, standout performances, and intense competition. Here’s how the day unfolded:

Grind Prep Dominates in Girls’ Revolution Game

Grind Prep showcased its depth and talent with a commanding 75-33 victory over Bond Academy in Saturday morning's Girls’ Revolution game. De’Andra Minor led the charge with 19 points, while Talia Vann contributed an impressive double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Sania Richardson added 10 points to round out a balanced offensive effort.

Academy of Central Florida defeated Royal Crown of Canada 66-56 in the first game of the Grind Session Miami event at Miami Senior high school. Martay Barnes was MVP of the game with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Justin Roman and Shane Cherry added 18 and 16 points respectively. It was a close game until the end when Central Florida pulled away for the victory. Xavier Istomin-Monroe had 12 points for Royal crown with 7 boards. Up next for Central Florida is West Oaks at 6:45 on Sunday.

In a rematch of last year’s overtime thriller in Miami, the Grind Session’s Prolific Prep will battle Columbus High School in an early season showdown of national heavyweights. Columbus is ranked No. 1 in SI’s national preseason boys rankings, while Prolific Prep sits just outside the Top 10 at No. 11.

The highly anticipated matchup – which will feature a slew of 5-star and 4-star recruits – will take place on Tuesday, November 19 on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 PM (Eastern).

GrindSession star and LSU commit Isabella (Bella) Hines has agreed to a multi-year NIL deal with Jordan Brand, becoming the only active high school player (boy or girl) to have such a deal with the iconic company.

The ABC Prep guard and 30th ranked women’s basketball player for the 2025 class (according to ESPN’s HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings) will receive cash, a regular merch allotment, and monthly Jordan packages.

She was in talks with other widely recognizable shoe companies, but ultimately chose Jordan because of the connection the brand has with her biggest role model.

Chicago Prep vs. Fort Erie International Academy
The day started with a highly anticipated matchup as Chicago Prep squared off against Fort Erie International Academy. Fort Erie dominated the early morning showdown, defeating Chicago Prep 87-64. Sqder Servilus was a standout, leading Fort Erie with 22 points. Fort Erie maintained the lead throughout, pulling away late to secure a solid win. Owen Urquhart added 10 points and snagged a game-high 9 rebounds, fortifying the team’s control in the paint. For Chicago Prep, Mike Jones and Tristian Ford were the bright spots, putting up 31 and 28 points, respectively. Chicago Prep will aim to rebound as they prepare for a face-off with Minnesota Prep next Saturday in the Grind Session’s Miami event.