The Star Alliance

Weekend in Review – Grind Session Toronto

The Grind Session returned to Toronto's Pan Am Centre in spectacular fashion, featuring three days of elite prep basketball with programs from the United States, Canada, and Italy. With buzzer-beaters, breakout stars, dominant bigs, and elite guard play, the event delivered on every level. Here is the complete weekend recap—now including the top athletes whose performances shaped the Toronto showcase.

Grind Session Toronto – Final Day Recap

The third and final day of Grind Session Toronto delivered a full slate of action—five games showcasing explosive scoring performances, dominant rebounding efforts, and competitive energy from start to finish. Here’s how Championship Sunday unfolded at the Pan Am Centre.

Grind Session Toronto – Day 2 Recap

Day 2 of Grind Session Toronto delivered another full slate of competitive matchups featuring international programs, rising young stars, and standout individual performances. From wire-to-wire battles to dominant displays on the glass, Saturday’s action showcased why the Grind Session remains one of the premier platforms for prep basketball talent. Here’s a full breakdown from the Pan Am Centre.

Conference Focus: Grind Session Power, Contenders, and Elevation Conferences Take Center Stage in Toronto and Ridley College Events

The Grind Session’s international momentum continues this week with two major events in Canada, featuring action across all men’s and women’s conferences — the Power, Contenders, Elevation, and Revolution. The premier Power Conference games will take place at the Pan American Centre in Toronto, while the Contenders Conference tips off its inaugural event at Ridley College, marking a massive weekend for prep basketball across North America.

Player Spotlight: Ricards Aizpurs — The Rising Star from Latvia Shining with Italy’s Star Alliance

by: Rick Manahan

The Grind Session’s global reach continues to expand this season with the addition of its first-ever European program, Star Alliance, based in Italy. Leading the charge for this historic team is Ricards Aizpurs, a 6’5” guard from Riga, Latvia, who is quickly becoming one of the top international prospects in the class of 2027.

Final Day Recap: Bridge of Hoops Closes with Excitement and International Camaraderie in Bassano Del Grappa, Italy

The first-ever Bridge of Hoops International Basketball Event in Bassano Del Grappa, Italy, came to an exciting close as eight teams from around the world wrapped up four days of competitive, high-level basketball. The event brought together four Grind Session programs from the United States — Prolific Prep (FL), DNA Prep Academy (CA), Academy of Central Florida (FL), and Southeastern Prep Academy (FL)—alongside four international clubs: The Star Alliance (Italy), Olimpia Milano (Italy), BC Dubai (UAE), and BC Zalgiris (Lithuania).

The Bridge of Hoops Invitational: The Grind Session Crosses Continents to Italy

The Grind Session’s 12th season takes a historic leap forward with its first-ever international regular-season event — The Bridge of Hoops Invitational, occurring October 22–25, 2026 and hosted at the beautiful Pala Angarano in Bassano Del Grappa, Italy. Partnering with The Star Alliance, this event represents more than just competition — it’s a milestone moment in connecting basketball cultures across the world.