Utah Prep put on a show at The Grind Session event in Philadelphia this past weekend, securing two impressive victories behind the stellar play of AJ Dybantsa. Dybantsa, the No. 1 player in the country according to ESPN’s Top 100, was named MVP in both games, leading his team to dominant performances.
Friday Night: Utah Prep 90, Huntington Expression Prep 62
The Grind Session is set to make its return to Napa Valley for the 20th event of the season, hosted by Prolific Prep. Currently leading the Power Conference with a perfect 13-0 record, Prolific Prep is in pursuit of an unprecedented Grind Session three-peat. Under the leadership of head coach Ryan Bernardi, the team has captured the last two Grind Session championships, and they are in prime position to secure a third consecutive title.
Philadelphia will be the epicenter of the high school basketball world this weekend when rising hoops superstar AJ Dybantsa headlines a three-day Grind Session showcase at School of the Future (4021 Parkside Avenue) from Friday through Sunday.
Ikenna Alozie of Nigeria has been named the Most Valuable Player of the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global Camp 2025, held during the NBA All-Star Weekend. The talented young Grind Session star from Dream City Christian High School in Glendale Arizona showcased his skills among 40 of the top high school players from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and Europe. He solidified his reputation as one of the elite prospects in his class. Heri Bukinga the 6'11" center from the Grind Session's DME Academy played alongside Ikenna in the event.
The Grind Session made its way to Washington, D.C., for an intense weekend of high school basketball action at Wise High School. Teams from across the U.S. and Canada battled it out, with standout performances and thrilling finishes marking each day.
Dream City Christian junior Emma Slack made history on February 1st, setting a new Grind Session record for three-pointers made in a single game. Playing on her home court in Glendale Arizona, Slack knocked down an astonishing 11 three-pointers, surpassing her own previous record of nine, which she set last season.
At 6'0", junior small forward Mackenzie Buckner is a standout player for Bella Vista Prep's women's basketball team in Arizona. Class of 2026, she also competes with the SW Premier club team in the off season.
Balancing academics, athletics, and motherhood, Buckner exemplifies dedication and resilience. She emphasizes the importance of time management and a strong support system in achieving her goals.
On the court, Buckner is known for her versatility, effectively playing both inside and outside positions. Her leadership and commitment make her a role model for aspiring athletes.
This past weekend, the Grind Session brought top-tier basketball talent to Atlanta for an electrifying three-day event featuring some of the best prep teams in North America. From thrilling comebacks to dominant individual performances, the competition was intense, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Here's a recap of the standout games and players from the event.
Grind Session stars AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Mikel Brown, Jr. have been named three of the 10 semifinalists for the 2025 Naismith Boy’s High School Player of the Year award. They still have a month to make their case for the prestigious award, which will be presented to one winner on March 7, 2025.
In what might go down as one of the greatest high school basketball games of all time, Prolific Prep and Utah Prep Academy delivered an unforgettable battle at the Grind Session event in Atlanta. The two powerhouse programs met for the second time this season, and the game came down to a final heroic shot, as Prolific Prep secured a dramatic 88-86 victory.
Day 1 – Friday, January 31st
Colorado Prep 79, Albuquerque Prep 73
Colorado Prep secured a tough win over Albuquerque Prep, dominating the rebounding battle 58-27.
Top-ranked class of '25 recruits to lead their teams in marquee matchup of national powerhouses.
The two top-ranked high school basketball players in the 2025 recruiting class – AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson – will be taking center stage in Atlanta this weekend when they go head-to-head in a mid-season showdown of future NBA stars. The Grind Session hoopers play for Utah Prep and Prolific Prep respectively, the No. 8 and No. 7 teams in ESPN’s current national rankings.
Darryn Peterson and Prolific Prep headline a field stacked with future college and professional talent.
Some of the country’s best men’s and women’s high school basketball players are set to battle in Phoenix this weekend (January 31 - February 2) when the Grind Session Duel in the Desert showcase returns to the Valley of the Sun.
The three-day event will feature 25 teams from 12 states, 29 games, and an impressive roster of the nation’s Top 30-rated prospects.
On the final day of the Crush in the Valley Grind Session event, Dream City Christian showcased their resilience and skill by bouncing back from a Saturday night loss to secure a commanding victory over Albuquerque Prep with a final score of 116-76.
Prolific Prep came out Sunday afternoon confident in securing a victory over Rosemary Anderson and chose to sit starters Daryn Peterson and Niko Bundalo. Rosemary Anderson played hard throughout the game but ultimately fell short, losing 81-78 in the final seconds.
