JJ Mandaquit: Utah Prep’s True Point Guard and Leader on the Grind Session
JJ Mandaquit is a 6'1" point guard from Honolulu, Hawaii, and a cornerstone player for Utah Prep's basketball program. Known for his leadership, toughness, and basketball IQ, Mandaquit exemplifies the qualities of an old school floor general who thrives in high-level team settings. As Utah Prep competes in the elite Grind Session, Mandaquit’s presence on the court is a significant factor in their success.
The Grind Session is headed to St. Louis this weekend for three days of action.
Darryn Peterson, the No. 2-rated prospect in the Class of 2025 and a presumptive lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, headlines a field filled with future college and professional talent. The 6-foot-6 guard plays for Prolific Prep, which currently holds the No. 2 spot in the ESPN High School Basketball Top 25 team rankings.
Among the other Top 100-rated prospects playing in the Gateway City this weekend, include:
The Milwaukee Bucks secured a dominant 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the 2024 NBA Emirates Cup, showcasing stellar performances from their star players and strong team cohesion throughout the tournament. This marks the Bucks' first NBA Cup championship, finishing with an undefeated 7-0 record.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Shines Bright
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ perennial MVP contender, delivered an extraordinary performance in the championship game, earning him the Emirates NBA Cup MVP title. Giannis recorded a triple-double with 26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks, and two steals, leading his team on both ends of the court.
TyTy Washington Jr., a standout alumnus of The Grind Session, rose to prominence as a highly skilled guard with AZ Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona. Washington's senior season in 2021 was a masterclass in leadership and performance, culminating in AZ Compass Prep defeating BFL Prep from Seattle, Washington, to claim the Grind Session World Championship. That victory cemented Washington's legacy as one of the premier talents in Grind Session history.
The third day of the Grind Session in Phoenix brought thrilling action and standout performances across the board, with teams displaying grit, skill, and teamwork in front of an energetic crowd.
Phoenix Prep 88, AZ Compass 55 (Women)
Phoenix Prep claimed a decisive win over AZ Compass, showcasing a dominant offensive display. Leading the charge was Dylan Swindle, who poured in 20 points, including three 3-pointers. Teammates Noelle Mulvanny, Caia Campbell, and Emilie Noerregaard-Laursen contributed significantly with 14, 12, and 16 points, respectively.
Dream City Christian High School Glendale Arizona – The second day of action at the Phoenix event delivered intense matchups, incredible individual performances, and a blowout victory to start the day. Here's a recap of the day's games:
Taylor Made Prep vs. Albuquerque Prep
Final Score: Albuquerque Prep 100, Taylor Made Prep 53
The Grind Session’s Phoenix event, hosted at Dream City Christian High School in Glendale, Arizona, kicked off with intense matchups and stellar performances that thrilled basketball fans. Here’s a detailed breakdown of all the action from Friday:
Game 1: Eduprize Prep (96) vs. Albuquerque Prep (88)
Three-day event featuring 19 teams and 20 games will be headlined by Dream City Christian's Ikenna Alozie, ESPN's No. 11 prospect in the Class of 2026.
The Grind Session is set to tip off this weekend in Phoenix.
Ikenna Alozie, ESPN’s No. 11 prospect in the Class of 2026, will headline a field filled with future college and professional talent. The 6-foot-3 guard plays for Glendale’s Dream City Christian, one of 13 mens teams participating.
In a groundbreaking decision, AJ Dybantsa, the standout player for Utah Prep and a projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, announced his commitment to BYU this morning on ESPN. Dybantsa chose the Cougars over basketball powerhouses Alabama, North Carolina, and Kansas, citing a desire for a family-oriented program with NBA-experienced coaching.
"I was looking for a program that felt like home," Dybantsa said during his announcement. "BYU's coaching staff has the NBA experience I need to grow as a player, and the atmosphere here is unmatched."
The wait is nearly over for fans and college basketball programs eager to see where AJ Dybantsa, one of the most coveted high school basketball players in the nation, will take his talents next. Tomorrow morning at 10:30 AM EST, Dybantsa will reveal his choice live on ESPN’s First Take alongside host Stephen A. Smith.
Hailing from Brockton, Massachusetts, the 6’9”, 210-pound phenom is known for his versatility, sharp shooting, and defensive prowess, bolstered by a remarkable 7-foot wingspan. Currently playing for Utah Prep in Hurricane, Utah, Dybantsa has narrowed his college choices to Alabama, North Carolina, BYU, and Kansas.
In a game touted as the biggest matchup of the Grind Session season, Prolific Prep (#8 in the ESPN Top 25) edged out Utah Prep (#4) in a nail-biting 76-70 victory at the CFSB Arena at Murray State, Kentucky. The marquee showdown featured two of the nation’s top high school basketball talents: Darryn Peterson, the Kansas commit ranked #2 in the ESPN Top 100 for the class of 2025, and AJ Dybantsa, the #1-ranked player and centerpiece of Utah Prep.
Day 2 of the Grind Session event in Murray/Calloway, Kentucky, delivered intense competition and memorable moments. From buzzer-beater finishes to standout performances, the action kept fans at the edge of their seats. Here’s a look at the games:
Game 1: Skyline Prep (AZ) 81, Chi Prep (IL) 76
In a tightly contested opener, Skyline Prep pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure an 81-76 victory over Chi Prep. Adam Tyson led the charge in crunch time with key shots and a highlight-reel breakaway dunk. Tyson and Josh Powell each contributed 18 points, while Aiden Duran posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Christian Taylor also grabbed 10 boards in the win.
In a fiercely contested battle at the Murray-Calloway Grind Session event on Thursday evening, the Central Florida women’s team secured a hard-fought 67-63 victory over a resilient Hamilton Heights squad. This lone Revolution Conference game of the day showcased elite talent and high-stakes action, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
In a thrilling championship game at the first-ever Players ERA Festival, the Oregon Ducks clinched a nail-biting 83-81 victory over Alabama, highlighted by a game-winning put back dunk from former Prolific Prep standout Nate Bittle. The festival, held in Las Vegas, featured six alumni from The Grind Session, the elite high school hoop circuit taking part in the game.
The Ducks and Crimson Tide engaged in a high-paced, back-and-forth contest, treating fans to an unforgettable display of skill and athleticism. Both teams traded leads throughout the game, with Alabama’s explosive offense countering Oregon’s relentless defensive pressure.
The highly anticipated matchup will take place on Saturday, December 7 at CFSB Center, home of the Murray State men's and women's basketball teams. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM (Eastern).
