High School Basketball

The top high school boys basketball teams in the country are forming the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference as an elite national league to begin the 2021-22 season, according to Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi of ESPN.

The initial six teams include Oak Hill Academy (Virginia), Montverde Academy (Florida), IMG Academy (Florida), La Lumiere School (Indiana), Sunrise Christian Academy (Kansas) and Wasatch Academy (Utah). Two more teams are expected to join.

The teams will play a 10-game regular season with a postseason tournament plus special NIBC events.

"The games will be intense because of the talent level, the national platform, as well as the scouting and preparation that goes into each game," Sunrise Christian coach Luke Barnwell said. "The standings keep everything competitive, and having a postseason championship will make it even more competitive."

Several of these teams have competed at the GEICO national tournament in recent years, with Montverde winning five titles since 2013. including its 2021 win over Sunrise Christian. Montverde also beat Sunrise Christian in the first-ever NIBC title game last season.

The Florida powerhouse has consistently been one of the top basketball programs in the country in recent years with NBA alumni like Ben Simmons, D'Angelo Russell and RJ Barrett plus potential future stars like Cade Cunningham and Moses Moody. Rising senior Jalen Duren is rated the No. 2 overall player in the 2022 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

Montverde's Dariq Whitehead, IMG's Jarace Walker and Jaden Bradley, and Oak Hill's MJ Rice will also be among the big names to watch in next year's inaugural season.

These games could serve as a showcase for the top prospects against elite competition, likely drawing plenty of college coaches and NBA scouts to each game.

Twin brothers Matt Bewley and Ryan Bewley, both 5-star prospects in the 2023 recruiting class, have reportedly signed two-year, seven-figure contracts with the new Overtime Elite professional league.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported details of the first-of-their-kind deals:

The deals for Matt and Ryan Bewley are expected to top seven-figures over the two years, sources tell ESPN. The OTE is planning a September 2021 start-up with Kevin Ollie as the head coach. Matt Bewley is the No. 3-rated prospect in ESPN's Class of 2023; Ryan is ranked 12th. https://t.co/LapOobF6uW

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 21, 2021

In March, OTE executives announced their plan to create a league for players between 16 and 18 years old who are looking for a professional option that covers their final high school years and the one-year wait period between high school and the NBA draft without having to leave the United States.

"This offering and opportunity not only gives you pro-caliber training and development in a facility that models and starts to simulate what life will be like in the NBA ... but it also provides a six-figure salary," OTE president and commissioner Aaron Ryan told Martenzie Johnson of The Undefeated.

The league is set to launch in September and will also provide players with "financial literacy, media training and social justice advocacy" instead of a traditional school curriculum.

Ryan told Johnson that OTE represented a new route for "athletes trying to hack the system to find a way to really address ... preparing themselves for a pro path and a pro career."

The success of Overtime Elite is likely dependent on the ability to land top prospects like the Bewley twins to attract attention and make the league financially viable over the long haul.

Matt (No. 2 prospect in 2023, per 247Sports) and Ryan (No. 16) had both attracted interest from high-profile Power Five college basketball programs, including Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Miami, before opting for the pro route.

The 6'9" twins played high school basketball at West Oaks Academy in Orlando, Florida. They are on path for eligibility as part of the 2024 NBA draft.

Allen Iverson's Iverson Classic High School All-American Game will be held in 2021, the only All-American game to be played this season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Neither the McDonald's All-American Games nor the Jordan Brand Classic will be played this year. 

On Monday, Iverson officially announced the event, which will consist of the Iverson Games—a showcase of players from across classes, a dunk contest, three-on-three games and more—on May 7 followed by the All-American Game on May 8. 

The event will take place at Bartlett High School in Bartlett, Tennessee.

A group of former NBA stars will serve as coaches for the game. 

Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes will coach Team Loyalty, which is headlined by the nation's No. 3 recruit in power forward Paolo Banchero, a Duke commit who will play alongside his future teammate in No. 7-ranked A.J. Griffin.

The consensus top player in the Class of 2021, 7'0" star Chet Holmgren, will be the star of Team Honor, coached by Rasheed Wallace and Bonzi Wells. Kentucky-bound power forward Daimion Collins, the No. 11 player in the class, will join him.

While the star-studded slate will include possibly soon-to-be NBA talent, a potential future WNBA star will also be in the mix for the weekend. Raven Johnson, the 2021 Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year, will play on the team coached by Jackson and Barnes as the first girl in a boys All-American Game, according to a release. 

Johnson, who will play at South Carolina, led her Westlake (Georgia) High School team to four state championships. She averaged 15.1 points, 5.1 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game for her 22-0 squad. 

        

Rankings via 247 Sports.

Barney Dale Harris, who worked as the head coach for the boys' varsity basketball and track and field teams at Union Academy Charter School in Monroe, North Carolina, was shot and killed during an alleged shootout with the Sinaloa New Generation Cartel.

According to WBTV, the shooting took place at a mobile home park in Green Level, North Carolina, which is located in Alamance County, just before 1 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 8.

Terry Johnson, the Alamance County Sheriff, released information about the alleged shootout during a news conference with reporters on Wednesday.

The Alamance County Sheriff's Office alleges that Harris and his brother-in-law, 32-year-old Steven Alexander Stewart Jr., went to a stash house with the intent to steal drugs and money from the cartel, per Hank Lee and Briana Harper of WCNC Charlotte.

The Sheriff's Office alleges that Harris and Stewart Jr. broke into the home and waited for someone to arrive before the robbery, per Joe Marusak of the Charlotte Observer. 

Alonso Beltran Lara, an 18-year-old who allegedly worked as a drug runner for the cartel, then walked inside where Harris and Stewart allegedly bound and gagged him before shooting him twice in the back of the head outside the house.

Stewart has since been arrested and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to WBTV.

Per Marusak, Johnson said that an "old Western shootout" soon erupted between "two criminal enterprises," one represented by Harris and Stewart Jr. and the other being the cartel. Harris was shot and killed during that gunfire and was found dead inside a bedroom in the house.

Juan Daniel Salinas Lara is wanted in connection with the case, per WBTV. He also has active warrants for cocaine trafficking.

Per Lee, investigators discovered 1.2 kilograms of suspected cocaine, five guns and roughly $7,000 in cash at the scene.

Union Academy released a statement in the wake of further news emerging about Harris' death:

"Union Academy’s first priority is caring for and protecting our students and staff. Earlier today, law enforcement released details about last week’s death of one of our teachers, Barney Dale Harris II. The Union Academy family was shocked and devastated to hear the information and will continue to focus on supporting our students and families. Any questions about the investigation should be directed to law enforcement."

Harris, who also taught high school Spanish at Union Academy, had been employed by the school since July 2017. He was married with three children.

Minnehaha Academy basketball star Chet Holmgren is already a well-known name among recruiting aficionados, but the nation's best prospect figures to become a mainstream superstar very soon. 

Holmgren is already listed at 7'0" and is regarded as the nation's best recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. 

Before Holmgren decides on his future, he sat down with B/R for an AMA to discuss being a top recruit, his all-time starting five and much more!

The following is the full transcript from the AMA session.

---

@Steve_Perrault: How does it feel to be named McDonald’s All American Player of the Year?

Definitely a great honor. Lot of great basketball players have been on that list. But at the same time, I know it's not an end goal. A lot of those guys achieved great things, and I hope to do the same. 

---

@Cade_Shoemaker: Personal all-time NBA starting 5?

Shaq at the 5, KD at the 4, MJ at 3, Kobe at the 2 and LeBron at the 1.

---

@fitchkarma66: What’s the hardest part about being the top recruit?

Trying to manage so many things at once makes for a busy schedule. It can almost feel overwhelming at times knowing you have so much to do. Never feels like 24 hours in a day is enough. It’s definitely more good than bad though.

---

@Almighty_Honcho: Do you have a date when you’ll announce your commitment?

Not a specific date, but looking to secure one soon. 

---

@DekeGeek: Do you have any school preferences yet?

I put out my top 7 last summer, and I'm not going to trim it down at all. 

---

@jake_stoops: Who was your basketball role model growing up?

It's hard to pick one. Definitely between LeBron and KD. 

---

@FatherOfGiannis: How tall are your parents?

My dad is 6'11" and my mom is 5'10’".

---

@CJshoe: Funniest chirp you’ve heard on the court?

There’s been a few. Usually the silly stuff, I can’t really remember one though.

---

@BayLegend: How did it feel to cross up Steph Curry?

Definitely a great experience to be able to play against him and showcase my abilities. I feel like it was a little overplayed because of who he is, and my kind of stature. I want to accomplish something more than just that one play.

---

@jdjordan13: What’s one thing about your game you want to improve most on going into college?

Definitely want to get stronger, more explosive and quicker. On top of that, improve my decision-making.

---

@vinsanity123: What are you looking forward to most in your career?

There are so many great experiences that I see myself going through so it’s hard to pick just one.

---

@NoahAkinnsola: How is it watching Jalen Suggs in March Madness?

We’ve been teammates since 3rd grade. Watching his success didn’t surprise me one bit. He’s been doing this forever, now it’s just at a bigger stage with brighter lights.

---

@tennsecondhooper: Favorite pair of Jordans and what colorway?

Every sneakerhead needs the Jordan bred 11s.

---

@CoachMike65: What is your favorite video game?

CoD Black Ops 2. That was the peak of Black Ops.

---

@TGlines4: Toughest player you have personally played against?

I had to guard Steph Curry haha, so that’s one!

---

@Lindon: Favorite school subject?

I’m taking a leadership class this year, and it’s definitely interesting.

---

Brandon Jenkins of 247Sports reported that Holmgren's finalists include Georgetown, Gonzaga, Memphis, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina and Ohio State.

No matter which school Holmgren ends up picking, he's got the ability to elevate them to being a national title contender on his own. 

Members of the Norman High School girls basketball team held a press conference Monday to address commentator Matt Rowan's use of a racial slur to describe its players. 

One player said the broadcaster "should be held accountable so something like this doesn't happen in the future" (via TMZ).

Norman High players chose to kneel for the national anthem prior to an Oklahoma 6A tournament quarterfinal game as part of a widespread movement to protest racial and social injustice.

While speaking on a hot mic during a break in the broadcast, Rowan criticized the players for kneeling and called them "f--kin n----rs."

Rowan subsequently released a statement, saying he suffers from Type 1 diabetes and claiming he "become[s] disoriented and often say[s] things that are not appropriate as well as hurtful" when his blood sugar spikes:

The announcer who made the racist statements is partially blaming it on low blood sugar. pic.twitter.com/6cTwIZdJZI

— Dylan Goforth (@DGoforth918) March 12, 2021

NFHS Network, which was broadcasting the game, said it would be launching an investigation:

Norman Public Schools superintendent Dr. Nick Migliorino also addressed the matter on Friday:

"Last night during the Norman High School girls' basketball game versus Midwest City in the Oklahoma 6A State Basketball Tournament, National Federation of High School (NFHS) Network announcers on a live stream broadcast made racist and hateful comments targeted at our Norman High student athletes. The announcers were contracted by OSSAA for the state tournament. 

"We condemn and will not tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes of these announcers. This type of hate speech has no place in our society and we are outraged that it would be directed at any human being, and particularly at our students. 

"We fully support our students' right to freedom of expression and our immediate focus is to support these girls and their coaches and families, particularly our Black students and coaching staff. It is tragic that the hard work and skill of this team is being overshadowed by the vile, malignant words of these individuals. We will do everything in our power to support and uplift our team and everyone affected by this incident."

Norman went on to lift the state title for the sixth time, taking down Bixby High School 48-37 in the championship game on Saturday.

Days after their quarterfinal victory was overshadowed by racist comments made on-air by a broadcaster, the Norman High School girls basketball team completed its perfect season and won the Oklahoma 6A state title. 

The 19-0 Tigers defeated Bixby 48-37 on Saturday.

On Thursday, Matt Rowan, who was broadcasting the game on the NFHS Network livestream, criticized the team for kneeling during the national anthem during the pregame ceremony.

"They're kneeling? F--k them," Rowan said (h/t ESPN). "I hope Norman gets their ass kicked. ... F--king N-words."

The team knelt for the anthem again before their victory, wearing t-shirts that said "THIS IS WHY WE KNEEL." 

Here for some state championship girls basketball between Norman High and Bixby.
Noteworthy: the @gonormantigers girls wore “This is why we kneel” shirts pregame. pic.twitter.com/y78dw0TgI7

— Morgan Beard (@morganbeard) March 13, 2021

Rowan apologized a day later, saying that he thought the microphone was off and noting that his Type 1 Diabetes may have played a role in his outburst. 

"While not excusing my remarks, it is not unusual when my sugar spikes that I become disoriented and often say things that are not appropriate, as well as hurtful," he said. "I do not believe that I would have made such horrible statements absent my sugar spiking."

The NFHS Network and the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association also made statements apologizing for the comments, while Norman superintendent Nick Migliorino said he supported the students' decision to kneel for the anthem. 

"We condemn and will not tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes of these announcers," Migliorino said Friday, per ESPN. "We will do everything in our power to support and uplift our team and everyone affected by this incident."

The win was the program's second straight state title, having won in 2019. The 2020 game was canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Matt Rowan, an announcer from the National Federation of High Schools Network contracted by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association to broadcast a girls quarterfinal playoff game between Norman High School and Midwest City High School on Thursday used a racial slur caught on a live microphone. 

Cameron Jourdan of The Oklahoman reported Friday that Rowan reacted when members of the Norman squad took a knee for the U.S. national anthem.

"They're kneeling. F--kin [inaudible]. I hope Norman gets their ass kicked," Rowan said (warning: video contains profanity and racial slurs). "F--k them. I hope they lose. C'mon Midwest City. They're going to kneel like that? Hell no. ... F--kin n----rs."

Rowan provided a statement on his conduct, via Dylan Goforth of The Frontier:

The announcer who made the racist statements is partially blaming it on low blood sugar. pic.twitter.com/6cTwIZdJZI

— Dylan Goforth (@DGoforth918) March 12, 2021

Norman Public Schools superintendent Dr. Nick Migliorino released a statement about Rowan's use of the slur:

"Last night during the Norman High School girls' basketball game versus Midwest City in the Oklahoma 6A State Basketball Tournament, National Federation of High School (NFHS) Network announcers on a live stream broadcast made racist and hateful comments targeted at our Norman High student athletes. The announcers were contracted by OSSAA for the state tournament.

"We condemn and will not tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes of these announcers. This type of hate speech has no place in our society and we are outraged that it would be directed at any human being, and particularly at our students.

"We fully support our students' right to freedom of expression and our immediate focus is to support these girls and their coaches and families, particularly our Black students and coaching staff. It is tragic that the hard work and skill of this team is being overshadowed by the vile, malignant words of these individuals. We will do everything in our power to support and uplift our team and everyone affected by this incident."

The NFHS Network also released a statement condemning Rowan's actions and committing to an investigation:

We have been made aware of the racist and hateful remarks made during a broadcast of the OSSAA Quarterfinals last night. We completely condemn these acts and are investigating the matter and the individuals involved.

See our complete statement attached. pic.twitter.com/c0r0YVhvIC

— NFHS Network (@NFHSNetwork) March 12, 2021

Top-seeded Norman posted a 53-40 victory over Midwest City to advance. The Tigers improved to 17-0 on the season with the win.

They will face Tulsa's Union High School in Friday's state 6A semifinal.

Bronny James' basketball season may be over.

According to Tarek Fattal of the Los Angeles Daily News, the Sierra Canyon sophomore underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee he suffered approximately three weeks ago. While he is expected to fully recover, the injury is likely season-ending unless California pushes competition back far enough because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bronny is the son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

While Bronny was often the headline-maker given his family ties when Sierra Canyon played last season, he was more of a secondary contributor as a freshman.

The team also featured McDonald's All-Americans Ziaire Williams and Brandon Boston Jr., although James scored 15 points and the game-winning basket in a victory over his father’s alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary.

While prep basketball has not yet been cleared in California due to the pandemic, Sierra Canyon has played as a club team at times this season. 

James is a 5-star prospect and the No. 25 player, No. 5 combo guard and No. 2 player in the state of California from the 2023 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.