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.
Behind every whistle and game-changing call is a team of referees who uphold the high standards of the Grind Session. The Grind Session rules are similar to NBA rules with a 24 second clock, 8 seconds in the backcourt and 6 personal fouls per game before disqualification. The core group of referees travels to every event, supplemented by local officials to ensure the highest-quality officiating for the fast-paced, high-stakes action.
Officiating Elite Talent
Grind Session referees don’t just call games—they officiate the careers of future stars. This season features some of the top players in the country, including:
- AJ Dybantsa: The #1 player in the Class of 2025, suiting up for Utah Prep.
- Darryn Peterson: The #3 player in the Class of 2025 and a Kansas University commit under coach Bill Self.
The Grind Session has a rich history of refereeing games for future NBA and professional players, such as:
- DeAndre Ayton: 2018 NBA Draft #1 pick (Phoenix Suns).
- Jalen Green: 2021 NBA Draft #2 pick (Houston Rockets).
- Josh Jackson: 2018 NBA Draft #4 pick (Phoenix Suns).
The women’s side of the Grind Session is just as impressive, with referees officiating games featuring elite players like Bella Hines (#30 nationally), Oliviyah Edwards from Washington, and Gigi Battle, a standout senior at DME High School in Daytona Beach.
Referees Rising to the Challenge
Grind Session referees relish the challenge of officiating games featuring elite talent. Brent Thompson, a Grind Session referee, shared his perspective:
“I think it elevates the game. It makes the play of the game better.”
Fellow referee Tye Harrison agrees, saying:
“We have to elevate our game to be elite officials to call a game with elite athletes. I love it!”
Setting the Standard
This season, Grind Session referees are debuting sleek new uniforms, designed to reflect their status as the best in the game. These elite uniforms symbolize their role in officiating top-tier talent from around the globe.
Watch the Action
Catch the Grind Session referees in action each week on Tanager Sports. Follow the journey to the Grind Session World Championships, happening March 21–24 in Dallas, where the season’s best will compete for ultimate glory.
Elite players, elite games, and elite referees—the Grind Session delivers the pinnacle of high school basketball.