One of New England's crown jewel basketball events returns this weekend.
The Hoophall Classic, held at Springfield College's Blake Arena, repeatedly gives basketball fans a glimpse at the stars of tomorrow. The schedule began on Thursday with notable local teams, but the action really picks up Friday through Monday, when powerhouse high schools and prep schools from around the country flock to basketball's birthplace.
It's a rare hoops convergence in New England. The reserved baseline seats are typically a who's-who of college basketball coaches and NBA scouts. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, for example, attended last year. NBA players are common spectators too; LeBron James came out in 2019-20 to watch his son, Bronny, then a freshman at Sierra Canyon (Calif.). And though there are fewer girls games, some superstars have played in this showcase, including JuJu Watkins two years ago.
Several dozen future NBA, WNBA and college talents will take the floor during the next four days — and New England Basketball Journal will be in attendance Saturday through Monday. This list provides the 10 absolute must-see games if you make the trip (see the full schedule and list of notable names here).
Friday, Christ the King (N.Y.) vs. Ontario Christian (Calif.) girls, 3:00 p.m.
I will not be attending this one since it conflicts with our marquee NEPSAC girls showdown of the season, but this is a fantastic matchup in a poor time slot. Ontario Christian sits atop ESPN's national high school team rankings. They boast Kaleena Smith, the top-ranked 2027 player and one of the biggest bucket-getters in high school regardless of class, as well as potential top 2028 prospect Sydney Douglas. Christ the King is led by 6-foot-4 center Olivia "Big O" Vukosa, the fifth-ranked player by ESPN in the 2026 class.
Friday: Sidwell Friends (D.C.) vs. Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) girls, 4:30 p.m.
We get back-to-back stellar girls games Friday with a meeting of two ESPN top-10 squads. Sidwell Friends has come to Hoophall the previous two years; this winter's roster features ninth-ranked 2026 prospect Jordyn Jackson. Just ahead of her in the ESPN rankings is McKenna Woliczko (sixth) on Archbishop Mitty.
Saturday Session 1: Brewster Academy (N.H.) vs. IMG Academy (Fla.) boys, 12:00 p.m.
New England's best boys basketball team no longer competes in NEPSAC; instead Brewster is a national top-five program on the Nike EYBL Scholastic circuit. Sebastian Wilkins (Canton, Mass.) is the headline player as a four-star 2026 wing with dozens of high-major college offers. Though star Arizona commit Dwayne Aristode is sidelined with an injury, Brewster's roster is loaded around Wilkins, including locals Preston Fowler (Vernon, Conn.), Ebuka Okorie (Nashua, N.H.) and Antonio Pemberton (Lawrence, Mass.).
Brewster has its work cut out against ESPN's No. 1 high school team. IMG Academy churns out NBA prospects. This year, the big names include seventh-ranked senior Darius Acuff (committed to Arkansas), No. 16 senior Sadiq White (Syracuse) and top-50 juniors Chase Foster, Felipe Quinones-Garcia and Jermal Jones.
If you miss Brewster Saturday, the Bobcats play Oak Hill (Va.) Sunday at 1 p.m., and IMG plays earlier Friday (6:00 p.m.) against Wasatch (Utah).
Saturday Session 1: Morris Catholic (N.J.) vs. Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) girls, 1:30 p.m.
Here's another chance to watch Woliczko and Archbishop Mitty, as well as an opportunity to see high-profile Morris Catholic twins Mia and Mya Pauldo. They're Hoophall veterans committed to Tennessee and two of the country's most exciting guards. Mia is ranked 11th in the senior class and Mya is 56th.
Saturday Session 2: Christopher Columbus (Fla.) vs. Notre Dame (Calif.) boys, 5:30 p.m.
Speaking of siblings — Cameron and Cayden Boozer (technically not twins) return for a third consecutive Hoophall Classic. Cameron is ranked third in the Class of 2025, a powerful, versatile forward who fits the modern game. Cayden, ranked 17th, is a smart and savvy point guard. They're the sons of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer and both Duke commits. On the other side is top-ranked 2026 prospect Tyran Stokes, another powerful forward who can throw down monster dunks.
Sunday Session 2: Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) vs. IMG Academy (Fla.) girls, 5:00 p.m.
Like their boys counterparts, these girls teams are consistently stacked. Long Island Lutheran fields four top-50 juniors: Savvy Swords (13th), Olivia Jones (22nd), Sanai Green (27th) and Zaniyah Williams (45th). Swords is the younger sister of Syla Swords, who is averaging 15.6 points per game at Michigan as one of the nation's top freshmen.
Meanwhile, IMG's lineup includes a stellar group of seniors: Deniya Prawl (ranked 14th, Tennessee commit), Lara Somfai (16th, Stanford), Kelis Fisher (27th, UConn) and Nylah Wilson (28th, Auburn). Kelsi Fisher, ranked 19th in the 2026 class, is another top prospect.
Sunday Session 2: Montverde Academy (Fla.) vs. Utah Prep (Utah) boys, 7:00 p.m.
Brockton's A.J. Dybantsa makes his Hoophall Classic return. The 6-foot-9 wing has had a huge senior season, cementing himself as the top high school player in the country and making a statement commitment to BYU. For all we know, this could be Dybantsa's last game played in his home state before he reaches the NBA (presumably following the 2026 NBA Draft). Blake Arena will be most packed for this contest.
FEATURE: Brockton’s AJ Dybantsa is taking flight, and bringing his family along for the ride
Utah Prep actually just made a midseason coaching change, bringing in former NBA coach Keith Smart to helm the team. They'll be facing one of the most reputable high school teams in recent years in Montverde Academy. Montverde is once again filled with nationally-ranked talent and is led by Cornelius Ingram Jr. (ranked 32nd in 2025) and Hudson Greer (33rd).
Sunday Session 2: Highland (Va.) vs. Prolific Prep (Calif.) boys, 8:45 p.m.
We'll get to see two more uber-elite prospects right after Dybantsa. Highland's Nate Ament is ranked fourth in the country and the top uncommitted senior; you may remember him from when Dybantsa and Utah Prep played Highland at Emmanuel College in November. Facing Ament is second-ranked star Darryn Peterson, a gifted combo guard and Kansas commit, as well as No. 25 senior Niko Bundalo (committed to Washington). Prolific Prep also has two of the 2027 class's early stars in Gabe Nesmith (eighth) and Obina Ekezie (10th).
Monday: Incarnate Word (Mo.) vs. Etiwanda (Calif.) girls, 9:00 a.m.
Etiwanda is a frequent Hoophall participant and basketball factory. This year, they're led by sixth-ranked senior Grace Knox (LSU commit), No. 24 senior Aliyahna Morris (Cal) and No. 53 junior Arynn Finley. Incarnate Word has No. 67 senior Nevaeh Caffey (Indiana) as its biggest name.
Monday: Christopher Columbus (Fla.) vs. Perry (Ariz.) boys, 1:00 p.m.
This is a second opportunity to see the Boozer brothers. We should also mention Columbus' 2026 stars Caleb Gaskins (ranked ninth) and Jaxson Richardson (27th). Richardson is the son of former NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner Jason Richardson. Opposing Columbus is another dynamic forward in Koa Peat, who dominated at Hoophall last winter. He's a top uncommitted senior ranked eighth nationally and should make for a great individual matchup against Cameron Boozer.
