The Grind Session coming to Hilo
Some of the best high school basketball players from throughout the United States and Canada will hit the hardwood in Hilo this weekend.
The Grind Session, a winter circuit of elite high school basketball events featuring top boys and girls hoops prospects, is hosting a 2-day showcase Friday and Saturday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, located at 323 Manono St., in Hawaiʻi County’s Hoʻolulu Complex.
Five high school basketball programs from Hawaiʻi are competing in the showcase, including 2 from the Big Island:
- Hilo High School; Hilo.
- ʻIolani School; Honolulu.
- Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama High School; Honolulu.
- Kohala High School; Kapaʻau.
- Seabury Hall; Makawao, Maui.
Hilo High School and Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama tip off the event at 12:30 p.m. Friday.
“The Grind Session has taken high school basketball to new heights, becoming the home and proving ground for the nation’s best prospects and teams,” said The Grind Session co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Scott Waldrop. “It’s more than just great games. It’s an opportunity to prepare for the next chapter of your basketball career.”
AJ Dybantsa, the class of 2025 top-rated prospect and presumptive 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, which is No. 13 in the ESPN High School Basketball Top 25.
Darryn Peterson, the country’s No. 3 senior, will also be featured during this weekend’s event. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard is a recent University of Kansas commit plays for Prolific Prep in Napa, Calif., the nation’s No. 2 team in the ESPN poll.
The 2-day showcase opens Friday with 5 games and concludes Saturday with another 5 games.
AJ Dybantsa, center, is the the top-rated basketball prospect in the class of 2025 and presumed to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. (Photo Courtesy)- Darryn Peterson, the nation’s consensus No. 3-ranked senior high school boys basketball player. (Photo Courtesy)
Full Schedule of The Grinds Session Games
Friday
12:30 p.m.: Hilo High School vs. Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama High School
2:15 p.m.: Seabury Hall vs. ‘Iolani School
4 p.m.: Kohala High School vs. Salesian College Prep (Calif.)
6 p.m.: Utah Prep (Utah) vs. Elite Prep (Wash.); G7
8 p.m.: Albuquerque Prep (N.M.) vs. Prolific Prep (Calif.); G8
Saturday
10 a.m.: ‘Iolani School vs. Hilo High School
11:45 a.m.: Salesian College Prep vs. Seabury Hall
1:30 p.m.: Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama High School vs. Kohala High School
4 p.m.: Winner G8 vs. Winner G7
6 p.m.: Loser G7 vs. Loser G8
To put into perspective how good The Grind Session is, the circuit has produced nearly 3,000 players who went on to play collegiate or professional basketball, including more than 20 first-round NBA draft picks.
That list includes two recent NBA champions: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.
“We’re excited about bringing the action to Hilo and look forward to an exciting weekend of elite prep basketball,” said Waldrop.
Admission is $15 per day. Children 6 years old and younger are free.
The games can also be viewed on the Bleacher Report app (available on Google Play and at the Apple Store) or at the House of Highlights YouTube channel and Tanager Sports.
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