Taking place from March 29-April 1, 2023, at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, The Throne is a one-of-a-kind platform that will bring a single elimination, bracket-style basketball tournament to the high school ranks

Games will be broadcast on FOX Sports networks and NBA TV

Key partners for the event include JBL, Mabi Artisanal Tea, Midas, the NBPA Foundation, NBA All-World, PUMA, and Southern Company

NEW YORK, NY, March 15, 2023 – Gold Level Sports & Entertainment and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) are pleased to formally announce the team selections and key partners for The Throne, a one-of-a-kind platform bringing a bracket-style basketball tournament to the high school ranks.

Sixteen of the top programs in the country will compete at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, in this four-day single-elimination basketball tournament, with the winning team garnering the highest title, National Champions.

The teams that will compete are as follows:

• Beaumont Elite (TX)

• Camden Avalanche (NJ)

• Dorman Cavaliers (SC)

• Explorers (FL)

• Golden Eagles (GA)

• HoopNation (CA)

• Longhorns Basketball Club (GA)

• North Carolina Vikings (NC)

• Oak Cliff Select (TX)

• Queens Royals (NY)

• Rams Basketball Club (GA)

• Richmond Justices (VA)

• Second II None (IL)

• The Ville (OH)

• TRIBE Basketball (CA)

• Wildcats Basketball Club (GA)

*Some participating programs have opted to play as designated club programs. Though they are playing under their club program name, the players are all students at the same high school.

These 16 teams have been selected by The Throne’s Selection Committee, which is comprised of eight individuals with diverse experience in the grassroots sports realm. The tournament bracket features state champions, several McDonald’s All-Americans, and the Naismith High School Player of the Year, Isaiah Collier. 

The round of 16 will kick off on March 29 and feature a battle of the top two ranked guards in the country as Isaiah Collier and the Wildcats Basketball Club of Georgia take on DJ Wagner and the Camden Avalanche out of New Jersey. 

Created in partnership with NBPA and under the direction of GLSE’s player advisory board, comprised of current NBPA members Danny Green, Harrison Barnes, Fred VanVleet, Rudy Gay, and Dwight Howard, The Throne will be a unique experience curated “for the players, by the players” for these elite high school athletes. 

In addition to the competition on the court, player participants will attend education and financial literacy workshops led by NBPA staff. The tournament will kick off on March 28 with a welcome dinner for all teams presented by the NBPA Foundation.

Taking place at the prestigious Morehouse College, The Throne will aim to drive awareness and support for HBCUs by highlighting the college’s rich culture and history. As part of the event, the NBPA will also host a career panel for local HBCU students before the championship game on Saturday, April 1.

“We are honored to have Forbes Arena as the venue for some of the best basketball programs in the country to compete and crown a national champion,” said Morehouse Director of Athletics, Curtis Campbell.

The Throne will be supported by a diverse set of sponsors and partners including JBL, Mabi Artisanal Tea, Midas Platform, the NBPA Foundation, NBA All-World, PUMA, and Southern Company.

The games will be showcased by FOX Sports across FOX, FS1, FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App as well as NBA TV and the NBA App. The Championship game on Saturday, April 1 will air on the FOX broadcast network, the first-time high school basketball will air on a broadcast network in over twenty years. This will also be the first time that NBA TV will be broadcasting high school basketball live.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are now on sale at TheThroneHoops.com/tickets. More information can also be found at TheThroneHoops.com including team selections, the full bracket and broadcast and streaming schedule. Follow along with all the action @TheThroneHoops social media channels and on the @theNBPA.

WHO: Nationally Ranked Prospects 

• Beaumont Elite - Wesley Yates III (2023), Clarence Payia (2024), Kayde Dotson (2024)

• Camden Avalanche - DJ Wagner (2023), Aaron Bradshaw (2023), Billy Richmond (2024)

• Explorers - Cameron Boozer (2025), Cayden Boozer (2025)

• Golden Eagles - David Thomas (2023)

• HoopNation - Devin Williams (2023), Jared McCain (2023)

• Longhorns - Payton Marshall (2024) 

• Oak Cliff Select - Doryan Onwuchekwa (2024), Jadyn Toppin (2023)

• Queens Royals - Brandon Williams (2023), Dwayne Pierce (2024), Qin Pang (2024), Brandon Gardner (2023)

• Rams Basketball Club - Gicarri Harris (2023)

• Richmond Justices - Dennis Parker Jr (2023), Jason Rivera Torres (2023), Latrell Almond (2025)

• Second II None - Miles Rubin (2023)

• The Ville - Gabe Cupps (2023), Jonathan Powell (2024)

• TRIBE Basketball - Elzie Harrington (2025), Brandon McCoy (2026)

• Wildcats Basketball Club - Isaiah Collier (2023), Arrinten Page (2023)

WHEN: March 29 - April 1, 2023

Full game schedule can be found here.

WHERE: Morehouse College

830 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30314   

MEDIA: Those available for interview include the Throne President Darren Duncan, Vice President Jackie Nunes, THINK450 President Que Gaskins, and current NBA Player Danny Green.

For additional information about The Throne or to request an interview, please contact: info@goldlevelse.com.

Media members must fill out the application here in order to request a credential to attend the event. All requests must be received by March 24th. 

About Gold Level Sports & Entertainment 

Gold Level Sports & Entertainment (Gold Level) is a brand marketing firm with expertise in creating sporting opportunities for the next generation of athletes. Gold Level specializes in event operations, television productions, digital engagement, media relations, and developing marketing strategies for brands to increase their sales revenue. Gold Level shares their love for sports with the youth of tomorrow. Gold Level was founded by Danny Green (NBA Champion and current player) and Darren Duncan (former professional international basketball player) – both of whom are actively involved in coaching, training, and youth development through basketball. 

About the NBPA

The National Basketball Players Association is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA’s mission is to protect and support the rights and talents of our players, magnify the power of their collective will, and amplify their voices as leaders who will transcend sport and society globally.

The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the filing of grievances on behalf of the players, or counseling players on benefits, educational and post-NBA career opportunities. Business opportunities are generated by THINK450, the for-profit subsidiary of the NBPA charged with managing the players’ group licensing rights.

Dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members, the NBPA Foundation provides support and assistance to persons, communities, and organizations around the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need. 

About THINK450

THINK450 is the innovation and partnership engine of the NBPA, dedicated to uncovering shared interests between the 450 players and leading brands to build more engaging partnerships. Together with its partners, THINK450 creates innovative ideas that engage fans, stir them to action, and earn brands the right to participate in cultural conversations. For more information, visit THINK450.com.

About the NBPA Foundation

Established in 1997, the National Basketball Players Association Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members and providing support and assistance to persons, communities, and organizations throughout the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need. Through grants that match players’ philanthropy and charitable giving, the Foundation highlights and accelerates the real and collaborative work that basketball players do worldwide to build their communities and create meaningful change.

About JBL

For over 75 years, JBL has shaped life’s most memorable moments at the intersection of music, lifestyle, gaming and sports. JBL elevates listening experiences with superior audio quality and product designs that encourage individuality and self-expression. With unmatched professional credentials and industry-leading innovation, JBL is a trailblazer in the audio industry because of passionate and talented engineers and designers around the globe. JBL Pro Sound is the foremost technology pushing culture forward through major pop culture events and partnerships with the world’s top talent across music, sports and esports.

About Mabi Artisinal Tea

Mabi Artisanal Tea Seeks to create healthy beverages steeped in both flavor and tradition. The company wants every can, every sip, to send positive vibes, decrease stress, and increase naturopathic benefits throughout the body. Their beverages are low in sugar but full of healthy benefits and packed with the taste of the Caribbean. You can purchase their functional, plant-based hydration teas at www.MabiTea.com

About MIDAS

Midas Platform is a global content streaming platform established in 2021 with the goal of helping filmmakers, content creators, artist, musicians and creative service providers amplify and monetize immediately. Subscription plans, pay-per-view, on-demand and live streaming services are all available on the Midas Platform and can be utilized by creators at all levels. Sign up at MidasPlatform.tv, “Where Your Content is King.”™

About NBA All-World 

NBA All-World is an officially licensed geolocation basketball game where players can find, challenge, and compete against today’s NBA ballers in their neighborhoods, then recruit them to their team before proving themselves on the court. NBA All-World extends the world of basketball into new augmented reality territory and is free to play globally on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

###