BENTON, Ky.—The Grind Session will take a historic leap forward this week when it tips off the 2025-2026 campaign with its first-ever international regular-season event—Bridge of Hoops Invitational— at the Pala Angarano sports arena in Bassano del Grappa, Italy.
Co-hosted by The Star Alliance, a European basketball collective dedicated to connecting elite academies and fostering global opportunities for young athletes, the four-day event (October 22-25) will feature eight elite teams from the United States, Italy, Lithuania, and the United Arab Emirates.
“This event is about more than competition—it’s about connection,” said Brian L. Clifton, Director of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships for the Grind Session. “We’re building an international bridge where players, coaches, and fans from both sides of the world meet through basketball.”
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
- The Star Alliance (Italy)
- Armani Milano (Italy)
- Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
- BC Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
- Prolific Prep (United States)
- Southeastern Prep Academy (United States)
- DNA Prep (United States)
- Academy of Central Florida (United States)
“This trip is an incredible opportunity for our players and program,” said Prolific Prep head coach Ryan Bernardi. “Competing against European teams will expose us to a different style—more spacing, movement, and physicality—which will really help our guys grow.”
DNA prep head coach Frank Robinson added, “Playing abroad is a career-altering experience for young athletes—from adapting to new rules to different officiating styles. We have one of the youngest teams on the circuit, so this trip will accelerate their development.”
OFFICIAL EVENT SCHEDULE
Wednesday, October 22
- 7:30 p.m. – The Star Alliance vs. Prolific Prep
Thursday, October 23
- 1:15 p.m. – BC Dubai vs. Academy of Central Florida
- 3:30 p.m. – Zalgiris Kaunas vs Prolific Prep
- 5:45 p.m. – The Star Alliance vs Southeastern Prep Academy
- 8:00 p.m. – Armani Milano vs DNA Prep
Friday, October 24
- 1:15 p.m. – The Star Alliance vs Academy of Central Florida
- 3:30 p.m. – BC Dubai vs DNA Prep
- 5:45 p.m. – Zalgiris Kaunas vs Southeastern Prep Academy
- 8:00 p.m. – Armani Milano vs Prolific Prep
Saturday, October 25
- 10:00 a.m. – The Star Alliance vs DNA Prep
- 12:15 p.m. – Armani Milano vs Southeastern Prep Academy
- 4:45 p.m. – Zalgiris Kaunas vs Academy of Central Florida
- 7:00 p.m. – BC Dubai vs The Star Alliance
COMMUNITY YOUTH CAMP
In addition to the main event, the Grind Session and The Star Alliance will host a Youth Basketball Camp on Saturday, October 25th. Open to local and regional players, the camp will offer skill instruction, mentorship, and the chance to learn directly from visiting coaches and athletes.
BROADCAST & MEDIA COVERAGE
All games from the Bridge of Hoops Invitational will be streamed live on the Grind Session’s official YouTube channel, with additional coverage from international broadcast and media partners. Fans, scouts, and media outlets from around the world will be able to access full game replays, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content throughout the week.
A GLOBAL BRIDGE OF DREAMS
“The Bridge of Hoops Invitational isn’t just an event—it’s a cultural exchange, a celebration of sport, and a shared dream,” said Grind Session co-founder and CEO Scott Waldrop. “As the Grind Session continues to grow into a truly global platform, this Italian debut stands as a symbol of what basketball does best: unite people, inspire youth, and tell stories that cross borders.”
Since its inception in 2014, the Grind Session has solidified its reputation as the premier winter circuit of high school basketball events, consistently showcasing and elevating some of the nation’s top teams and talent. To date, more than 3,000 Grind Session 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), just to name a mere few.
For more information about the Grind Session, visit www.thegrindsession.com and follow them on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
