Darryn Peterson

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.

Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 ranked player in the ESPN Class of 2025 and fresh off a Grind Session World Championship with Prolific Prep, enrolled this week at the University of Kansas, joining head coach Bill Self and a loaded Jayhawk roster with championship aspirations. The move solidifies Kansas as a favorite not just in the Big 12, but nationally—especially with Peterson considered a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The impressive list is expected to grow in the weeks and months ahead.

The Grind Session proudly announces that 89 senior athletes from the Class of 2025 have officially committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level during the 2025–2026 season.

These seniors are headed to college programs that span a diverse array of institutions, from NCAA Division I to junior colleges, reflecting the Grind Session’s role as a vital platform for developing and showcasing top-tier men’s and women’s talent across North America.

247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein announced Wednesday that Prolific Prep’s Darryn Peterson will finish as the No. 1 overall player in the class of 2025 when the final rankings come out in May. The Kansas commit will jump fellow Grind Session standout and Utah Prep star AJ Dybantsa for the top spot. 

Dybantsa has held the No. 1 ranking ever since he reclassified from the 2026 class back in October 2023.

Peterson began his senior season ranked as the No. 3 overall player behind Dybantsa and Duke-bound Cam Boozer, but he jumped Boozer in the last ranking update. Now, he’ll claim the top spot and finish his high school career as the No. 1 prospect in the class.

In a game that lived up to every bit of the hype, Prolific Prep edged out Long Island Lutheran 81-80 in overtime at the 2025 Chipotle Nationals, formerly known as the GEICO Nationals. The win marked a major milestone for Head Coach Ryan Bernardi, who earned his first victory in the event after two straight first-round exits.

The McDonald's All-American Game took center stage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, showcasing the best high school basketball talent in the country. This year’s event was particularly special for The Grind Session, as four of its standout players were selected to compete in the prestigious game. AJ Dybantsa (Utah Prep), Darryn Peterson (Prolific Prep), Niko Bundalo (Prolific Prep), and Mikel Brown Jr. (DME Sports Academy) all represented The Grind Session as part of the West team.

Four of the Grind Session’s biggest stars of this past season showcased their skills in front of a national audience Tuesday in the 2025 McDonald's All-American Game, leading the West team to a 105-92 victory over the East. Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Niko Bundalo, and Mikel Brown, Jr. score nearly half of the team’s points in 105–92 victory.

A quartet of Grind Session players will be competing in the McDonald's All-American Game on Tuesday night inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

AJ Dybantsa of Utah Prep, Darryn Peterson and Niko Bundalo of Prolific Prep, and Mikel Brown Jr. of DME Sports Academy will be on the West team's 12-player roster for the annual high school all-star game.

The game is scheduled to broadcast nationally on ESPN at 9:00 p.m.

Grind Session recently announced its men’s and women’s individual award winners and other honorees for the 2024-2025 season. Showcasing the strength and parity of the circuit, 23 different teams earned a place on the various listings and 10 programs saw themselves with at least one individual award winner.

Grind Session star Darryn Peterson of Prolific Prep has been named the 2025 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year.

The 2025 McDonald’s All-American and Kansas signee beat out Five-Star Plus+ small forward AJ Dybantsa, Five-Star Plus+ power forward Cam Boozer, Five-Star Plus+ SF Nate Ament and five-star point guard Darius Acuff for the illustrious award.

Peterson becomes the first ever Grind Session player to win the award, which began in 1987.

The Grind Session made its way to Napa this past weekend, with games held at Napa Valley College from February 28 to March 2. The weekend was all about Prolific Prep, the top-ranked team in the Grind Session Power Conference, standing at an impressive 13-0 record.

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.

First presented in 1987 and given annually by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to high school basketball’s top male and female player, the award is named after James Naismith, a Canadian-American physical education instructor best known for inventing the game of basketball. Previous winners include Kobe Bryant (1996), Lebron James (2003), Chris Webber (1991), Jason Kidd (1992), and Alonzo Mourning (1998), among other NBA superstars.

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.

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.

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.

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).

No. 1 AJ Dybantsa and No. 3 Darryn Peterson headline the marquee matchup

AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson will be taking center stage this weekend when two of the nation’s Top 10 high school mens’ basketball teams in Utah Prep (No. 4) and Prolific Prep (No. 8) go head-to-head during a Grind Session showcase in Murray, Kentucky.

The Grind Session, an elite winter circuit of high school basketball, brings together some of the best basketball talent from around the world. Running from November through March, the Grind Session hosts weekly events across the United States and Canada, featuring teams from three competitive conferences:

• Power Conference: The top 12 prep school teams in the USA.
• Revolution Conference: The premier women’s basketball programs.
• Evolution Conference: Teams fighting to break into the Power Conference next season.

Each event also invites local top teams to showcase their skills against Grind Session's elite competition.

In a high-stakes rematch, Prolific Prep (CA) showcased resilience and skill Tuesday night, defeating the top-ranked Christopher 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.

With the 2024-25 mens’ high school basketball season upon us, teams across the country and Canada, are gearing up for what promises to be a competitive Grind Session campaign. From perennial powerhouses to up-and-coming programs, here’s a look at key storylines and top players.