NEW YORK, NY, May 3, 2023 – Gold Level Sports & Entertainment (GLSE), in partnership with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), created history in Atlanta earlier this spring at the highly anticipated event, The Throne.

A vision of Gold Level Sports & Entertainment’s founders Darren Duncan and Danny Green, The Throne was a four-day single-elimination bracket tournament that took place from March 29 - April 1, 2023, and brought together sixteen of the top high school teams in the country to compete for the highest title, a National Championship. Created in partnership with NBPA and with the guidance of GLSE’s player advisory board, comprised of current NBPA members Danny Green, Harrison Barnes, Fred VanVleet, Rudy Gay, and Dwight Howard, The Throne provided a one-of-a-kind, curated experience, developed with the expertise of current NBA athletes, to build an event “for the players, by the players”.

The Throne kicked off away from the hardwood with a welcome dinner hosted by the NBPA Foundation. The dinner featured a panel of current and former NBA players, including Baron Davis and Lou Williams, who discussed the importance of brand and character development. Athletes also attended learning and development sessions hosted by Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment designed to teach the importance of financial literacy. NBPA staff and former players Purvis Short, Mario West, Josh Powell and Jeff Lamp also assisted with development sessions, preparing the participants for the next phases of their careers.

Hosted at Morehouse College in Atlanta, The Throne celebrated the rich culture and history of the prestigious institution throughout the week and held a “career in sports” panel for local HBCU students from Morehouse, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University. The panel featured Que Gaskins, President of THINK450, the innovation and partnership engine of the NBPA, Ron Thomas, Director, Journalism & Sports Program at Morehouse College, Jason Pace, Senior VP, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor and Global Sports & Entertainment Director at Morgan Stanley, and Rashida Gayle, Founder/CEO of Twenty Six Entertainment (TBC).

The Gold Level Sports team created a unique in-arena experience for fans and players alike. On the court, it was a battle all four days, full of upsets, buzzer-beaters and intense matchups. The tournament bracket featured state champions, several McDonald’s All-Americans, and the Gatorade Player of the Year, Cameron Boozer.

The final two teams standing on Saturday were The Explorers (FL) and the North Carolina Vikings (NC). The game stayed close throughout, but ultimately it was the Explorers that came out victorious, winning by a final score of 65-57. The team was led by #1 ranked player in the class of 2023, Cameron Boozer, alongside his twin brother, Cayden Boozer.

Appearances throughout the tournament by current and former players included: Bruno Fernando, Trent Forrest, Jalen Johnson, Tyrese Martin, Dejounte Murray, Onyeka Okongwu, Noah Vonleh, Kemba Walker, Donovan Williams, Carlos Boozer, Baron Davis, Casey Jacobsen, Glenn Robinson, Damien Wilkins, Lou Williams, and Marcus Williams.

The tournament games were broadcast on NBATV, FOX, and FS1, with the championship airing on FOX and averaging 360,000 viewers. The broadcasts made history in the high school sports realm, with this event being the first live high school basketball game on NBATV, the first high school national championship on broadcast television on FOX, and the most watched high school post-season event.

The Throne was made possible with support from its esteemed event partners JBL, Mabï Artisanal Tea Ⓡ, the NBPA Foundation, NBA All-World, PUMA, Southern Company, and Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment.

For additional information about The Throne, please contact: info@goldlevelse.com.

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 National Basketball Players Association (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 Mabï Artisanal Tea Ⓡ

Mabï 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 Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, a global leader, provides access to a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses, and institutions, including brokerage and investment advisory services, financial and wealth planning, cash management and lending products and services, annuities and insurance, retirement, and trust services.

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in 41 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions, and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

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.

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