The Grind Session wrapped up its season with a two-weekend tournament packed with intensity and high-level battles in every round. The championship matchup between Prolific Prep and Southeastern Prep was loaded with talent, arguably the two most talented teams in the country, and it’s hard to imagine a better head-to-head even at Chipotle Nationals.
Grind Session Season Awards:
MVP
Caleb Holt – Prolific Prep 2026 (Arizona)
Offensive Player of the Year
Beckham Black – Southeastern Prep 2027
Defensive Player of the Year
Marcis Ponder – Gillion Academy 2026 (Florida State)
Underclassman Player of the Year
Kenyon St. Louis – Winston Salem Christian 2028
Coach of the Year
Marcus Wilson – Academy of Central Florida
Champions
Alex Smith 6’10, 195 PF – Prolific Prep (2026, Ohio State)
Smith was named MVP of the championship game against Southeastern Prep for his clutch shooting to score 15 points (5-9 FG, 5-8 3PT) in the 68-62 win. He was big in the first half to help erase a double-digit deficit to knock down a few 3s in a row. He only took 6 2PT shot attempts over 4 games but his value comes in knowing his role, spacing the floor and letting it fly from deep. He didn’t hesitate or show any wasted motion in his shot, combined with his size to shoot over defenders. He also showed he can shoot on the move on a few plays. He did struggle at times on the defensive end when getting switched on quicker guards on the perimeter but played within himself offensively. Smith averaged 11.3 points (51.7% FG%, 60.9% 3PT%) and 3.8 rebounds per game over the tournament.
Caleb Holt 6’5, 205 SG – Prolific Prep (2026, Arizona)
Holt shot well from 3PT (40% 3PT% on 3.8 3PTA). He shoots with minimal dribbles to step into his shot, squaring up quickly when shooting on the move, and his form looks great as his body doesn’t waste motion while getting perfect arc and ball rotation. He had some strong drives to the rim, penetrating well with triple threat or off the dribble while initiating contact in the paint to shoot 7.3 free throws per game. He plays big for his position on both ends and grabbed 7.5 (2.5 offensive) rebounds per game. He was very good defensively as well, utilizing his quickness and physicality to disrupt his man and defend bigger players when needed, coming away with 1.8 steals per game. Holt averaged 20.3 points per game on 45% FG%.
Bruce Branch 6’7, 195 SF – Prolific Prep (2026, BYU)
Branch displayed his natural scoring ability with 16.5 points per game on an efficient 48.9% FG%. There are times when he shoots that you know it’s off as he’s releasing, so there’s room for a more consistent release, but he still shot a high clip at 46.2% 3PT% on 3.3 attempts per game. He created for himself well and has a nice midrange game, also utilizing his size near the basket. There’s still room for his offense to develop and he already has the physical makeup for a top-level wing. He did a good job passing with 3 assists to 1.2 turnovers per game and rebounded well on both ends, securing with two-hands in the crowded paint to end up with 8 (3.5 offensive) rebounds per game. He was also good on the defensive end, jumping passes (2.5 steals) and averaging a block per game thanks to his length and instincts.
Davion Adkins 6’9, 210 C – Prolific Prep (2026, Kansas)
Adkins’ impact can vary quite a bit depending on the game. He’s capable facing up and shows touch on his jump hook to score in the low post. He had some big dunks and is an athlete but also missed a few unnecessarily trying to throw it down too hard. He struggles to catch the ball too often, with some scoring opportunities turning into turnovers. He averaged 8 points per game on 46.2% FG% and 3.8 rebounds per game. The area where Adkins was the most consistent was protecting the paint, with 1.5 blocks per game
Nasir Anderson 6’4, 215 PG – Prolific Prep (2026)
Anderson showed impressive burst as well as ball-handling. Despite being left-hand dominant, he gets where he wants with the ball. He’s strong, explosive, and has good body control taking it to the basket, sometimes whipping an impressive pass off the attack. He can set-up teammates well when creating offense, which can also bring turnovers but the good outweighs the bad with 5 assists to 2.8 turnovers per game. He rebounds well for a point guard (5.5 per game) and was quick to put back a few offensive boards into baskets. He competed and disrupted on the defensive end, defending full court to create havoc, and deflected a lot of passes. His shooting and scoring efficiency needs to improve, even floaters and other shots around the basket lacks consistent touch. Andeson scored 9.5 points per game on 42.1% FG%. He also shot 1-7 3PT a 5-12 FT over the 4 games.
Runner Up
Jaxon Richardson 6’5, 205 SG – Southeastern Prep (2026, Alabama)
Richardson was effective off the ball, cutting and crashing the glass, scoring on multiple tip dunks over the tournament. His jump shot can improve consistency, going 2-10 from 3PT range over 4 games. He makes the extra pass and can make an impressive read mid-drive. While he had a limited scoring output at 7.8 points per game, he was efficient at 56.5% FG% and stood out more on the defensive end; harassing the ball, jumping passes (1.8 steals), and quickly elevating for blocks (2 per game). He’s also a strong rebounder for his position with 6.5 per game.
Toni Bryant 6’9, 215 PF – Southeastern Prep (2026, Missouri)
Bryant scored in the paint and showed some touch within close. He can typically stretch the floor well but only shot 1-9 from distance for the tournament. He was alert for the pass and effective cutting to the rim but mishandled some alley-oops and other passes despite getting two hands on them. He blocked 1.5 shots per game but can be tougher when defending the interior as well as going up stronger when scoring down low, seeming to second guess himself when he has the ball at times. Bryant was solid overall in Southeastern’s tournament run with 10 points on 46.7% FG%, along with 6 rebounds per game.
CJ Rosser 6’10, 195 PF – Southeastern Prep (2027)
Rosser was best slashing to the rim where he can utilize his long strides, length, and overall athleticism. While bothered by contact, he can still make his way to the rim to finish over defenders. He shot very well in the second game against Huntington, scoring 19 points in the first quarter. When he’s consistently hitting from the outside, he’s too hard to stop. However, he can settle for quick contested 3s, ultimately shooting 26.9% 3PT% on 6.5 attempts per game. Continuing to add consistency to his outside shooting as well as his fadeaway will be important moving forward. His free throw shooting can also improve at 66.7% but he does a great job drawing fouls, shooting 6 free throw attempts per game. He blocked 2 shots per game and can impress on the defensive end. Rosser averaged 19.8 points on 46.7% shooting and grabbed 7.5 (2.8 offensive) rebounds per game.
Beckham Black 6’3, 180 PG – Southeastern Prep (2027)
Black (pictured) was great picking apart the defense in the half-court and leading in transition. His cross-court passing is fantastic, and he hit shooters in the pocket numerous times over the course of their 4 games. He’s poised and responsible for creating much offense for his team, averaging 10 assists to 3.8 turnovers per game. His ability to impact the game without scoring is incredible but his scoring efficiency can improve, shooting 36.4% FG% on his 16.3 points per game. He has a good low center of gravity and handles contact well, as a ball-handler and scoring underneath the basket on a few occasions. He shot a reliable 26-29 total from the foul line. His 3PT shooting can improve consistency at 33.3% on 5.3 attempts per game but he’s capable from the perimeter. Black also rebounds very well for his position, pulling down 7 boards per game (more than big men teammates Bryant and Ekezie).
Obinna Ekezie Jr. 7’0, 220 C – Southeastern Prep (2027)
Ekezie was best scoring in the paint, and he draws a lot of attention from the defense, scoring 13.3 points per game on 47.5% FG%. He had some dunks and plays within close to the basket. He needs some work offensively, turning it over at times (2.5 per game), traveling or picking up offensive fouls at times. He isn’t consistent with his faceup game (2-7 3PT) or free throw shooting (13-22) but shows a foundation to work with. He rebounded decently well with 6 per game and kept a lot of possessions alive with 3 offensive per game. He provides the most value right now protecting the paint, blocking 2 shots per game.
Final Four
Ryan Hampton 6’6, 190 SG – DME Academy (2027)
Hampton flashed ability and was solid in the first 2 games, but his best game was in the Final 4 loss to Prolific Prep 91-80. He still needs some work cleaning up his half-court offensive game and he can go through stretches without a touch while standing on the perimeter but showed some offensive capability. With long strides and arms, he has the tools, scoring at the rim some and even handled contact to finish after bumping the defender’s chest on a few plays. He wasn’t real turnover prone but can tighten up offensively, recording only 1 assist and 5 turnovers total over the 3 games; getting loose with his handle, passing, or getting caught in traffic. Hampton averaged 16 points on 54.1% FG% and 5.3 (2 offensive) rebounds per game.
K'Majay Jenkins 6’6, 180 SF – DME Academy (2028)
Jenkins had a very strong performance in DME’s Final Four run on an incredibly efficient 18.7 points per game on 67.7% FG%. He has a good physical profile and played like a senior. He had some strong takes to the rim and had some impressive finishes on tough layups with either hand. He also stood out defensively, with his versatility to guard a few different positions while coming away with a total of 5 steals and 5 blocks in 3 games, very impressive for a perimeter player. He also rebounded well with 7 per game, 2 offensively. Jenkins showed plenty capability as a shooter, making 4 of his 6 attempts from the perimeter, but didn’t fall in love with settling from outside and was best attacking the rim.
Martay Barnes 6’2, 170 PG/SG – Academy of Central Florida (2026, Florida State)
Barnes is a nice two-guard, playing well off the ball but can serve as a secondary ball-handler. He made some nice passes in the half-court as well as on the break but also recorded a few turnovers as well with 4.3 assists to 3.3 turnovers per game. Central Florida gets a lot of fastbreak opportunities, as they consistently put pressure on the ball, trap, and push the ball as often as possible; Barnes is great in the defensive scheme with 3 steals per game. He has some quickness and is a solid athlete in the open floor with a few transition dunks. He’s a high-volume shooter and scorer with 16.7 (11.3 3PT) shots per game but he had a highly efficient tournament with 24.3 points per game on 52% FG% and shot very well from the perimeter at 47.1% 3PT%.
Marlon Martinez 6’5 180 SG – Academy of Central Florida (2027)
Martinez started slow with a 4-point game to open the tournament but would showcase his scoring in the later rounds. He typically plays off the ball and is a high-level shooter, knocking down 46.2% of his 3PT attempts while shooting 8.6 per game. He can pass a bit but isn’t a heavy playmaker with 4 assists to 7 turnovers total. He probably could have looked to attack the rim more, only shooting 1 free throw in 4 games but he has an understanding of playing well within the flow and didn’t hunt his scoring opportunities. He hit some big shots against Southeastern Prep in the Final Four but couldn’t come away with the win. Martinez averaged 16.3 points while shooting 51.4% from the floor.
Second Round
Willie Burnett 6’5, 175 PG/SG – Gillion Academy (2026, Mississippi State)
Burnett showed his big-time scoring ability, hitting shots from all over the court. He used his crossover, hesitations, and pivots well to create offense. He made plenty of pull-ups in the face of the defender as well as fadeaways from deep in the midrange. He can be loose with the ball and shot selection will need to be better at the next level, but he is plenty talented offensively. Burnett scored 28 points (12-23 FG, 3-9 3PT), pulled down 9 (4 offensive) rebounds, and used his long arms to record 3 steals in the 81-74 win over Royal Crown, and scored 17 points (5-13 FG, 4-9 3PT) in the 2nd round loss to Prolific Prep 76-67.
Hendrik Pertel 6’7, SG – Huntington Expression Prep (2028)
Pertel was very impressive in the 98-63 win against Mt. Zion Prep with 27 points (10-18 FG). He stood out as an athlete, taking it hard to the rim and elevating well off one foot to finish with a few dunks. He spaced the floor when appropriate and showed a nice 3PT shot, going 2-4. He can add more to his midrange, and he tends to play at one speed, picking up charges at times. He was active on the boards as well with 8 rebounds, 4 coming on the offensive end. He didn’t get the same looks in the second game against Southeastern Prep, losing 90-53. Everything was more contested and he had fewer opportunities with their size and overall talent, with only 5 points (2-11 FG, 1-6 3PT).
First Round
Hugo Facorat 6’10, 200 C – Legacy SSS (2026)
Facorat scored 17 points in the first round 85-61 loss to Southeastern Prep. He flashed some moments as a shooter and an athlete at the rim. He’s not very strong but he played hard. His shot selection isn’t very good, predetermining his shot regardless of how the defender guards him. Despite his forced offense, he shot 5-11 from the floor and 2-6 from 3PT. He has a hitch in his shot, which was more evident on free throws, where he shot 5-9. Facorat didn’t contribute much outside of scoring with 1 rebound and 2 steals.
Zion Green 6’9, 190 SG – Mt. Zion Prep (2027)
Green had plenty of impressive moments with 23 points (12-23 FG) in the loss to Huntington Expression Prep. Despite only 1 assist and 5 turnovers, he has an eye for the court, making some good reads and passes throughout the game. He did lose the ball at times and needs to get stronger to handle contact better, sometimes picking up his dribble early. His shot doesn’t look bad, but he only shot 1-4 from 3PT. He was active and did a good job crashing the offensive glass, where he came away with 4 of his 7 total rebounds.
