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)
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
Explorers
Beaumont Elite
Second II None
Longhorns
Camden Avalanche
Dorman
N.C. Vikings
Wildcats
Rams
Oak Cliff Elite
The 'Ville
The Tribe
Queens Royals
Golden Eagles
