Philadelphia will be the epicenter of the high school basketball world this weekend when rising hoops superstar AJ Dybantsa headlines a three-day Grind Session showcase at School of the Future (4021 Parkside Avenue) from Friday through Sunday.
Dybantsa is the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Known for his scoring ability, athleticism, and high basketball IQ, the 6-foot-9 forward recently committed to play his college ball at BYU and already has major NIL deals with Nike and Red Bull. The presumptive first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, his one-and-done path to the NBA is all but certain. Coming off of 49-point and 38-point games against Prolific Prep and Iowa United, respectively, Dybantsa currently plays for Utah Prep, one of 15 boys’ teams participating in this weekend’s event.
The showcase will also feature four girls’ teams, highlighted by Class of 2025 sensation Cearah Parchment. The highly recruited University of Illinois commit plays for Canada’s Fort Erie International.
The action starts with six games on Friday, continues with eight games on Saturday, and concludes with six games on Saturday.
Here’s the full schedule:
Main Gym
Friday, February 21
3:15 p.m. – Legion Prep (TX) vs. Bond Academy (ON, CAN) women
5:00 p.m. – The Fort (ON, CAN) vs. Utah Prep (UT)
6:45 p.m. – Iowa United (IA) vs. Fort Erie International (ON, CAN)
8:30 p.m. – Fort Erie International (ON, CAN) vs. St. Jude’s Academy (ON, CAN) women
Saturday, February 22
12:00 p.m. – MN Prep (MN) vs. Tri-City Prep (ON, CAN)
1:45 p.m. – Accelerated Prep (CO) vs. Iowa United (IA)
3:30 p.m. – St. Jude’s Academy (ON, CAN) vs. Bond Academy (ON, CAN) women
5:15 p.m. – Legion Prep (TX) vs. Fort Erie International (ON, CAN) women
7:00 p.m. – Utah Prep (UT) vs. Huntington Expression Prep (WV)
Sunday, February 23
9:00 a.m. – Fort Erie International (ON, CAN) vs. Bond Academy (ON, CAN) women
10:45 a.m. – Fort Erie International (ON, CAN) vs. Accelerated Prep (CO)
12:30 p.m. – St. Jude’s Academy (ON, CAN) vs. Legion Prep (TX) women
2:15 p.m. – Tri-City Prep (ON, CAN) vs. Skyline Prep (OH)
Auxiliary Gym
Friday, February 21
5:15 p.m. – PDI Prep (OH) vs. MN Prep (MN)
7:00 p.m. – Huntington Expression Prep (WV) vs. The Patrick School (NJ)
Saturday, February 22
12:15 p.m. – Skyline Prep (AZ) vs. The Fort (ON, CAN)
2:00 p.m. – Downey Christian (FL) vs. Taylor Made Prep (AZ)
3:45 p.m. – Bond Academy (ON, CAN) vs. PDI prep (OH)
Sunday, February 23
9:15 a.m. – Bond Academy (ON, CAN) vs. Downey Christian (FL)
11:00 a.m. – Taylor Made Prep (AZ) vs. TBD
To put into perspective how good the Grind Session is: the circuit has produced over 3,000 players who have gone on to play collegiate or professional basketball, including more than 20 first-round NBA draft picks. That list includes Philadelphia 76ers stars Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, as well as Boston Celtics star and reigning NBA champion Jayson Tatum.
Admission is $15/day. Children 6 and under are free.
The games will be live streamed on Tanager Sports.
