FIBA & the Grind Session Announce a Strategic Partnership

MIAMI (United States) – FIBA, the world governing body of basketball, through its Youth Development Program (YDP), and The Grind Session, the first-ever and longest-running winter circuit of elite high school basketball events have struck a multi-year partnership that will expand and accelerate youth development in the USA and globally.

The new collaboration will be highlighted by co-branded experiential activations, content production, and large-scale of exchange initiatives. Other highlights of the partnership will include co-branded youth development programs, elite showcase events, and FIBA inclusion in The Grind Session’s weekly events across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico from late November until early March.

The partnership will officially commence in January 2024 with the first activation taking place during The Grind Session’s Puerto Rico showcase in early February.

“FIBA and The Grind Session share a common commitment to delivering unique memories and opportunities to youth basketball players and fans across the world,” said Executive Director of FIBA in the Americas, Carlos Alves. “This partnership will allow us to expand our YDP with great scale. Through some key activations we will give international players a pathway to playing in the USA and vice-versa. This is an elite high school league, and we are honored to join the GS as one of their key partners."

The Grind Session’s Chief Brand Officer, Cesar Vizcarrondo, added, “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with FIBA on this long-term, ground-breaking partnership. The Grind Session has achieved a lot and seen incredible development and expansion over the past several years. Now, the time has come to take the next step in seeing our circuit and sport reach new heights.”

The partnership announcement comes amid The Grind Session’s historic 10th season that will include 17 events and nearly 250 action-packed games across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

The 2023-2024 season will feature a long and impressive list of the nation’s top prospects, including Class of 2024 standouts Derrion Reid (ESPN #9) and Aiden Sherrell (ESPN #21), as well as ESPN's #1 prospects in the 2025 and 2026 classes in AJ Dybantsa and Tyran Stokes, respectively.

These hoopers look to become the latest of nearly 3,000 Grind Session players who have gone on to play collegiate or professional basketball. Some of the circuit’s more notable alumni include Jason Tatum (Boston Celtics), LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets), DeAndre Ayton (Portland Trail Blazers), Paolo Banchero (Orlando magic), Jalen Green (Houston Rockets), and Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), among numerous others.

“Over the course of the past 10 years, the Grind Session has made great strides in solidifying a presence on the North American hoops scene,” said Vizcarrondo. “The launch of this new partnership is another step in our evolution as we continue to serve the elite prep landscape by helping the best compete against the best and pushing the boundaries of elite amateur sports.”

About The Grind Session
Formed in 2014, The Grind Session is the first-ever and longest-running winter circuit of elite high school basketball events. Widely recognized as the place where future stars are found, The Grind Session has produced more than 2,800 players who have gone on to play collegiate or professional basketball. Over the past 10 years, nearly 100 players from the Grind Session have gone on to play in the NBA, including more than 20 who were chosen in the first round of the past two NBA drafts alone. For more information, visit www.thegrindsession.com.

About FIBA
FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 212 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For further information about FIBA, visit fiba.basketball or follow FIBA on facebook.com/fiba, twitter.com/fiba, instagram.com/fiba and youtube.com/fiba.

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