Two of the country's top high school basketball teams—Prolific Prep and Southeastern Prep Academy—are set to meet in Owensboro this week for an early-season clash of national powerhouses. (Grind Session Photo)
By MICHAEL MISETIC, Grind Session
Basketball fans across Western Kentucky are in for a rare treat this week when two of the country’s top high school programs — Prolific Prep and Southeastern Prep Academy — meet in Owensboro for an early-season clash of national powerhouses.
The Grind Session, the longest-running winter circuit of elite high school basketball events featuring top prospects from across the U.S. and Canada, will host the marquee matchup at the Owensboro Sportscenter on Thursday, December 4. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:15 PM.
Prolific Prep’s Bruce Branch III leads a field loaded with future college and NBA talent. The five-star forward — formerly the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2027 class who reclassified to the senior class last week — is now one of the most coveted players in the country. Many analysts project him as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Joining Branch in this highly anticipated clash are:
Caleb Holt (’26), Prolific Prep — ESPN #6, 247Sports #5, Rivals #2
Jaxon Richardson (’26), Southeastern Prep — ESPN #11, 247Sports #20, Rivals #23
Davion Adkins (’26), Prolific Prep — ESPN #46, 247Sports #34, Rivals #32
CJ Rosser (’27), Southeastern Prep — ESPN #4, 247Sports #2, Rivals #1
Obinna Ekezie (’27), Southeastern Prep — ESPN #5, 247Sports #3, Rivals #2
Beckham Black (’27), Southeastern Prep — ESPN #9, 247Sports #19, Rivals #18
Nasir Anderson (’27), Prolific Prep — ESPN #11, 247Sports #8, Rivals #6
Griffin Starks (’27), Southeastern Prep — 247Sports #80, Rivals #82
Marri Wesley (’27), Southeastern Prep — 247Sports #100, Rivals #95
“This is exactly the kind of matchup that defines what the Grind Session is all about,” said Grind Session co-founder and CEO Scott Waldrop. “Bringing two powerhouse programs like Prolific Prep and Southeastern Prep to a community like Owensboro gives fans a front-row seat to the future of basketball. These are the games where stars are made, and we’re thrilled to deliver this level of talent to Kentucky.”
In addition to the game between Prolific Prep and Southeastern Prep, fans can look forward to 19 other games taking place Thursday through Sunday, featuring 22 men’s and women’s teams from 10 states and Canada. These contests will showcase a host of other top-ranked prospects, including Marcis Ponder and Willie Burnett III of Gillion Academy, Ryan Hampton of DME Academy, and Martay Barnes III of Academy of Central Florida, and more.
To put into perspective how good the Grind Session is: over 3,000 of the circuit’s alumni have gone on to succeed at the collegiate and professional levels, with approximately 100 NBA players and more than 20 first-round NBA draft picks emerging from its ranks. That list includes recent NBA champions Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder).
