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.
The global basketball spotlight turns to Nicaragua this week as the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 enters its quarterfinal stage—and among the talent competing are seven standout Grind Session alumni.
This year’s AmeriCup has showcased the incredible global reach and developmental impact of the Grind Session, with former players representing a range of national teams including Canada, Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay. Each has brought the competitive fire and skillset that defined their high school careers into the international arena.
In one of the most remarkable upsets in the history of the FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket, former Grind Session star Gal Raviv and Israel stunned reigning champion France 81-74 in the Round of 16.
After a winless group stage, few would have predicted such a dramatic turnaround – but led by a brilliant performance from Raviv, the Israeli women rose to the occasion in unforgettable fashion in Senhora da Hora, Portugal.
Raviv defined the match on both ends of the court, erupting for a game-high 32 points to go along with five assists, five rebounds, and two steals.
The Star Alliance – an elite European collective featuring top-tier prospects from Italy’s Stella Azzurra and Orange1 Bassano – has been officially selected to compete in the upcoming 2025-2026 Grind Session season. This marks the first time a European team has joined the prestigious winter circuit of elite high school basketball events.
Grind Session Alumni Shine Bright at 2025 NBA Summer League
Las Vegas, NV
The 2025 NBA 2K26 Summer League has wrapped up in Las Vegas, and the Grind Session once again cemented its place as a proving ground for future pros. With over 20 former Grind Session players participating across multiple teams, the league’s impact at the NBA level continues to grow.
The Grind Session is proud to announce that three of its rising female stars — Emilie Norregaard (Denmark), Lisa Sirgi (Estonia), and Naima van Stein (Netherlands) — are representing their countries in the 2025 FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship Division B.
The event is currently taking place in the Lithuanian cities of Alytus and Vilnius through July 13.
This international honor highlights both the players’ growth and the Grind Session’s continued reputation as a top global development platform for elite basketball talent.
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 Spotlight: Jordan Pope — From Prolific Prep to the Big Stage in Texas
Guard Jordan Pope, a Prolific Prep/Grind Session alum, has elected to return to Texas for his senior year under new head coach Sean Miller. As a junior, Pope averaged around 11.0 points per game and had standout performances including a career-high 42 points with eight 3s in a game against New Orleans.
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:
Deandre Ayton Enters Free Agency: Former Grind Session Star and No. 1 Pick Looks Ahead After Portland Exit
Former Grind Session standout and 2018 No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Deandre Ayton is officially a free agent after a seven-year journey that has taken him from top high school prospect to one of the league’s most consistent rebounders. The Portland Trailblazers announced early Monday morning that the team had finalized a buyout with Ayton.
Grind Session Stars Shine at FIBA U19 World Cup as USA and Canada Go Undefeated
The stars of the Grind Session are taking center stage on the global basketball stage this week, as the FIBA U19 World Cup unfolds in Switzerland. With standout performances from Team USA, Team Canada, and now Cameroon, it’s clear that the Grind Session has become an international pipeline of elite talent.
Team USA: Five Grind Session Alums Fuel Dominance
Team USA is off to a 2–0 start in group play, powered by five elite Grind Session alumni:
Javon Small has become the latest Grind Session alumnus to reach the NBA. The former Arizona Compass Prep standout was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies last night with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Grind Session Career
Small played his senior year (2020–2021) in the Grind Session with Arizona Compass Prep, where he helped lead the program to a historic, undefeated season — the first in Grind Session history. That legendary squad capped off their perfect run by winning the 2021 Grind Session World Championship, with Small playing a critical role as a poised floor general and high-IQ playmaker.
Former Grind Session star Jalen Green is on the move. In one of the most talked-about offseason trades, Green has been dealt from the Houston Rockets to the Phoenix Suns, signaling a fresh chapter in the career of one of the NBA’s most electric young scorers.
Green, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has had flashes of brilliance during his time in Houston. Now, with a change of scenery and a new backcourt partner in Devin Booker, he’s poised to bring that same explosive energy to the Valley.
Darryn Peterson Officially Enrolls at Kansas: Grind Session Champion and Future NBA Star Joins Bill Self’s Jayhawks
LAWRENCE, KANSAS — One of the most decorated high school players in the nation and a Grind Session legend has officially touched down in Jayhawk country.
