High school basketball: "Club teams" compete in inaugural 16-team The Throne event

By Jordan Divens Mar 15, 2023, 12:30pm

John Marshall, Camden, Columbus, Centennial among high school teams posing as club teams in the postseason exhibition.

The NBPA and Gold Level Sporting Events have partnered to roll out the inaugural The Throne postseason tournament, a 16-team single-elimination event that features club teams competing in exhibition games from March 29 through April 1 at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga. All games are expected to be streamed on NBATV, Fox Sports 1 or Fox.

In the current landscape, it is becoming more common for high school basketball programs to masquerade as club teams and compete in club-equivalent events prior to or following their official high school season.

No games from the newly-established postseason event will count toward the 2022-23 season and results will not be considered an extension of the high school basketball season in any way in regards to rankings, records or postseason accolades.

Although numerous highly-regarded prospects are expected to participate in the tournament, Isaiah Collier, Jared McCain, D.J. Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw are competing at the McDonald's All-American Game on March 28 with their availability for the event being unknown given such a quick turnaround for first-round contests.
Top-ranked senior Isaiah Collier and Wheeler were invited to the event to participate as the Wildcats. (Photo: Cecil Copeland)
Top-ranked senior Isaiah Collier and Wheeler were invited to the event to participate as the Wildcats. (Photo: Cecil Copeland)
Despite the tournament being designed to establish a national championship event for high school basketball, no state associations have approved their members to compete in the tournament.



GEICO Nationals, the State Champions Invitational and the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament are the only three official postseason events for high school basketball with approved members from state associations. The Throne more closely resembles a club event based on its current construction.

The Throne: 16-team field

Justices
Seed: No. 1

Hoop Nation
Seed: No. 2

Explorers
Seed: No. 3

Beaumont Elite
Seed: No. 4



Second II None
High school: Simeon (Chicago)
Seed: No. 5

Longhorns
Seed: No. 6

Camden Avalanche
High school: Camden (N.J.)
Seed: No. 7

Dorman
Seed: No. 8

N.C. Vikings
Seed: No. 9

Wildcats
Seed: No. 10



Rams
Seed: No. 11

Oak Cliff Elite

The 'Ville
High school: Centerville (Ohio)
Seed: No. 13

The Tribe
Seed: No. 14

Queens Royals

Golden Eagles
Seed: No. 16