NBA player's association-backed tournament 'The Throne' featuring some of nation's top high school prospects announces 2023 field

No. 1 prospects in the nation DJ Wagner (2023) and Cameron Boozer (2025) are among the top prospects in a field that also includes five-star prospects (per On3) Jared McCain, Aaron Bradshaw and Isaiah Collier.

The Throne, a four-day, 16-team national postseason tournament in Atlanta, Georgia featuring many of the nation's top high school prospects unveiled its field, which consists of players from 16 elite high schools across the country that will compete under club team names and bear no official school affiliation. 

The tournament takes place March 29 through April 1 — the same weekend as GEICO Nationals — at Morehouse College and will crown a de-facto national champion. Games will be streamed on the FOX Sports network, NBATV and the NBA App.

Round 1 will tip on Wednesday, March 29 with the quarterfinals on March 30, semifinals on March 31 and the championship game on Saturday, April 1. Matchups and a live bracket can be found on the tournament website. 

Teams were fielded and seeded based on resume by a selection committee that includes former NBA 6th Man of the Year Jamal Crawford, 247 Sports Director Eric Bossi, high school news personality Samad Hines and several figures in Adidas grassroots basketball, among others. Duncan said teams that won a state championship were seeded higher.

Players from top high school teams will compete together on "club teams" not affiliated with their respective high schools in order to comply with state association bylaws, according to Gold Level Sports & Entertainment CEO Darren Duncan. GLSE was co-founded by NBA veteran guard Danny Green.

Many state associations do not allow its member schools to compete in an official capacity outside of the designated season. 

But fans watching will recognize some of top lineups in the nation, playing under team names inspired by their high schools.

Camden High School (Camden, New Jersey), who have players competing under the Camden Avalanche name, was banned from the NJSIAA state tournament in the wake of an on-court brawl that ended a county championship game.

Duncan said the decision to launch a started from a desire to impact youth basketball players with resources similar NBA rookies have access to through the player's association. The NBPA will hold financial literacy workshops for teams at the tournament.

Duncan himself played at Christ the King in the 2000s before going on to be a Division II All-American at Merrimack College and played professionally internationally for eight years.

"With NIL and everything happening now, it's even more important for kids to get information from people who have no agendas," Duncan said. "The NBPA has no agenda, their purpose is to help put athletes in position to be successful."

Due to the unofficial nature of each team, tournament results are not NFHS-affiliated games and will not count toward the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25, which ranks the top teams in the country each week regardless of size or affiliation.

Athletics associations from 10 states currently allow official out-of-season play: Arizona (AIA), Florida (FHSAA), Georgia (GHSA), Hawaii (HHSAA), Mississippi (MHSAA), Nevada (NIAA), New Jersey (NJSIAA), Utah (UHSAA), Washington (WIAA) and Washington D.C. (DCSAA).

The field

Beaumont Elite (Texas)

Players from: Beaumont United High School (Beaumont, Texas)

Wesley Yates III (2023), Clarence Payia (2024), Kayde Dotson (2024)

Power 25 ranking: Bubble

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Camden Avalanche (New Jersey)

Players from: Camden High School (Camden, New Jersey)

DJ Wagner (2023), Aaron Bradshaw (2023), Billy Richmond (2024)

Power 25 ranking: No. 10

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Dorman Cavaliers (South Carolina)

Players from: Dorman High School (Roebuck, South Carolina)

Power 25 ranking: Not ranked

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Explorers (Florida)

Players from: Columbus High School

Cameron Boozer (2025), Cayden Boozer (2025)

Power 25 ranking: No. 7

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Golden Eagles (Georgia)

Players from: Eagle's Landing (Mcdonough, Georgia)

David Thomas (2023)

Power 25 ranking: Not ranked

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HoopNation (California)

Players from: Corona Centennial (Corona, California)

Jared McCain (2023), Devin Williams (2023)

Power 25 ranking: No. 8

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Longhorns Basketball Club (Georgia)

Players from: Kell High School (Marietta, Georgia)

Peyton Marshall (2024)

Power 25 ranking: Not ranked

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North Carolina Vikings (North Carolina)

Players from: North Mecklenberg (Huntersville, North Carolina)

Power 25 ranking: 

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Oak Cliff Select (Texas)

Players from: Faith Family Academy (Oak Cliff, Texas)

Doryan Onwuchekwa (2024), Jadyn Toppin (2023)

Power 25 ranking: Not ranked

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Queens Royals (New York)

Players from: Christ The King (Queens, New York)

Brandon Williams (2023), Dwayne Pierce (2024), Qin Pang (2024), Brandon Gardner (2023)

Power 25 ranking: Not ranked

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Rams Basketball Club (Georgia)

Players from: Grayson High School (Loganville, Utah)

Gicarri Harris (2023)

Power 25 ranking: Not ranked

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Richmond Justices (Georgia)

Players from: John Marshall (Richmond, Virginia)

Power 25 ranking: No. 13

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Second II None (Illinois)

Players from: Simeon High School (Chicago, Illinois)

Miles Rubin (2023)

Power 25 ranking: Bubble

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The Ville (Ohio)

Players from: Centerville High School (Centerville, Ohio)

Gabe Cupps (2023), Jonathan Powell (2024)

Power 25 ranking: Not ranked

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TRIBE Basketball (California)

Players from: St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California)

Elzie Harrington (2025), Brandon McCoy (2026)

Power 25 ranking: Not ranked

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Wildcats Basketball Club (Georgia)

Players from: Wheeler (Marietta, Georgia)

Power 25 ranking: No. 25

Isaiah Collier (2023), Arrinten Page (2023)