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The Grind Session comes to Denver for three-day showcase featuring some of nation’s top high school basketball prospects

AJ Dybantsa, who has the potential to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, headlines the field

AJ Dybantsa (7), of the United States, in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup — Turkiye 2024 semifinal match between New Zealand and the United States at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 6, 2024. (Altan Gocher/Hans Lucas, AFP via Getty Images)
AJ Dybantsa (7), of the United States, in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup — Turkiye 2024 semifinal match between New Zealand and the United States at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 6, 2024. (Altan Gocher/Hans Lucas, AFP via Getty Images)
Kyle Newman, digital prep sports editor for The Denver Post.
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...

Some of the the country’s best high school basketball players are playing in Denver this weekend.

, a winter circuit of high school basketball events featuring top boys and girls hoops prospects in the U.S., begins its 2024-2025 season with a three-day showcase at from Friday through Sunday.

, the top-rated prospect in the Class of 2025 who has the potential to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, headlines a field filled with future college and professional talent. The 6-foot-9 forward plays for Utah Prep, one of 19 boys teams participating.

The showcase will also feature five girls teams, highlighted by dunking sensation Oliviyah Edwards. The highly recruited Class of 2026 forward stars for Elite Prep out of Washington.

Six Colorado boys programs are competing in the showcase: Accelerated Prep, Colorado Prep, Manual, Denver East, George Washington and Horizon. Manual and Denver East tip off the event at 5:15 p.m. Friday in the Thunderbolts’ main gym. There are 24 total games across the three days of competition.

The Grind Session’s produced about 3,000 players who have gone on to play collegiate or professional basketball, as well as over 20 first-round NBA draft picks. That list includes Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray as well as Boston Celtics star and reigning NBA champion Jayson Tatum.

Admission is $15 a day, and kids age 6 and under are free.


The Grind Session’s Opening Night

Schedule for Friday’s six games at Manual High School to kick off the three-day showcase. Mobile users, tap here to see the chart.

Friday, Main Gym Time
Manual vs Denver East 5:15 p.m.
Balboa School (FL) vs Utah Prep 7 p.m.
Accelerated Prep (CO) vs Colorado Prep 8:45 p.m.
Friday, Aux Gym Time
Rosemary Anderson (OR) vs Bella Vista Prep (AZ) 5:15 p.m.
Grind Prep (OK) vs Bella Vista Prep (AZ) (Girls) 7 p.m.
Grind Prep (OK) vs Albuquerque Prep (NM) 8:45 p.m.

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