JANUARY 29-31,2026: STOCKTON UNIVERSITY, GALLOWAY, NJ
Since 2013, the Metro Classic Basketball Showcase has brought together the highest profile national and regional High School basketball teams to compete and provide a framework to give back to our communities.
The Metro Classic is designed to utilize basketball as an agent for community involvement. We seek to foster values such as responsibility, respect, leadership, integrity, competition and service to others. Over the years, the Metro Classic sponsors and teams have touched the life of so many by donating funds and their time to outstanding community service organizations such as Warfighter Sports, Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County, Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference Collegiate Scholarship Fund, and the Neonatal Unit of the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, NJ Police Surgeons and Night to Shine.
Previous sponsors have included:
EII, Summit Information Systems Paragon Marketing, Mcdonald’s, Nike, UBS, Chik fil a, Chrysler Jeep, Wells Fargo, Investors Bank, Holiday Inn, RJ Barnabas and SOMOS
The event, televised in previous years on ESPN, MSG Varsity and NJ 12, has sold out since its inception. Participants have included National and Local powers: Montverde Academy, Sierra Canyon, Camden, Christ the King, Long Island Lutheran, Oak Hill, Roselle Catholic, St. Benedict's Prep, St. Anthony’s, St. Thomas More (CT), Imhotep (PA) Rutgers Prep, St. Joseph's Metuchen, First Love(PA) Academy, Ranney, Linden, The Patrick School, LincolnSince 2013, the Metro Classic Basketball Showcase has brought together the highest profile national and regional High School basketball teams to compete and provide a framework to give back to our communities.
The event, televised in previous years on ESPN, MSG Varsity and News 12 New Jersey, has sold out since its inception. Participants have included national and local powerhouses such as Montverde Academy (FL), Sierra Canyon (CA), Camden, Christ the King (NY), Long Island Lutheran (NY), Oak Hill (VA), Roselle Catholic, St. Benedict's Prep, St. Anthony’s, St. Thomas More (CT), Imhotep Charter(PA) Rutgers Prep, St. Joseph's Metuchen, First Love Christian (PA) Academy, Ranney, Linden, The Patrick School, Lincoln (NY), Newark Eastside, Pope John, Gill St. Bernard, Hudson Catholic, Hunterdon Central, Union Catholic, and Rumson Fair Haven.
Current NBA standouts Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), R.J. Barrett (Toronto Raptors), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Gradey Dick (Toronto Raptors), VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers), Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks), Brandon Ingram (Toronto Raptors), Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors), Naz Reid (Minnesota Timberwolves), D’Angelo Russell (Dallas Mavericks), Karl Towns, Jr. (New York Knicks), and more have shown of their skills at the Metro Classic.
The Metro Classic has also been a must-see event for numerous collegiate coaches including John Calipari, Arkansas; Ed Cooley, Georgetown, Mick Cronin, UCLA; Hubert Davis, North Carolina, Shaheen Holloway, Seton Hall, Steve Pikell, Rutgers and Bill Self, Kansas;
The Metro Classic High School Basketball Showcase organizers and sponsors are delighted to announce this year’s event is scheduled from January 29th through January 31st at Stockton University in Galloway, NJ.
This year’s Classic has two teams in the top five nationally. Ten Top-20 Teams in the Metro Area, seven preseason HIGH SCHOOL ALL-AMERICANS and Over 20 ESPN TOP-100 PLAYERS
Highlight of 1/29 (Thursday) Matchups include:
Elite Junior and top NJ PG Micah Gordon (No. 34 in SportsCenter Next class of 2027) of Plainfield takes on Scotch Plains
Nationally-Ranked Spire Academy (National Team) led by several top-25 players such as Georget Commit Alex Constanza (No. 29 in SportsCenter Next class of 2026), King Gibson (No. 27 in SportsCenter Next class of 2027) and Central Jersey native & Providence signee Aiden Derkack (No. 45 in SportsCenter Next class of 2026) take on one of New Jersey’s top teams in Bergen Catholic featuring Michigan State signee Julius Avent (No. 70 in SportsCenter Next class of 2026).
New Jersey’s top 20 teams Rutgers Prep and Seton Hall Prep are featured in an out-of-conference tilt.
Nationally-ranked prep powerhouse St. Thomas More (CT) with top-ranked Patrick Otey (No. 55 in the SportsCenter Next class of 2027) and Greyson Pierce take on PA’s Inter-AC powerhouse Penn Charter.
Highlights of 1/30 (Friday):
Nationally-ranked Blair Academy led by Top National Point Guard Deron Rippey, Jr., Takes on Prep Power St. Thomas More (CT).
NBA Legend Tim Thomas’s Paramus Catholic takes on Top 20 NJ Ranked Gill St. Bernard;
Nationally ranked Girl power DME Academy from FL, led by NJ native Gigi Battle takes on PA Power and Nationally-ranked Westtown School.
Top 20 NJ team College Achieve Charter School (Asbury Park, NJ) takes on Spire Academy National Team;
Canada’s Crestwood Prep with top-five rated sophomore Isiah Hamilton (No. 2 in 24/7 Sports class of 2028) take on St. Joseph-Metuchen led by Coach Mark Taylor
1/31/26 (Saturday)
Boasts 11 Total Games
Including Colonia v. Rahway; Blair Girls v. Westtown Girls; Spire Academy International (OH) v. Gill St. Bernard; DME Academy (FL) Girls v. Bullis (MD)
CBA v. Middle Township of Cape May; Atlantic City v. Roselle Catholic;
Paramus Catholic v. College Achieve Charter; Union Catholic v. Plainfield; Westtown School (PA) v. Patrick School; Spire National (OH) v. Linden; Crestwood Prep (CAN) v. Blair Academy
Tickets ARE AVAILABLE NOW
This year’s elite matchups include:
1/29/26
St. Thomas More (CT) v. Penn Charter (PA)
Hudson Catholic v. Spire Academy International (OH)
Scotch Plains v. Plainfield
Rutgers Prep v. Seton Hall Prep
Bergen Catholic v. Spire Academy EYBL Scholastic (OH)
1/30/26
Hudson Catholic v. Jackson;
Hill School (PA) v. Spire Academy International Team (OH)
Paramus Catholic v. Gill St. Bernards
Westtown School Girls (PA) v. DME Academy (FL)
St. Thomas More School (CT) v. Blair Academy
College Achieve Charter v. Spire Academy EYBL Scholastic (OH)
Crestwood Prep (CAN) v. St. Joseph Metuchen
1/31/26
POINT PLEASANT BOROUGH v. Rahway
Blair Academy Girls v. Westtown School Girls (PA)
Spire Academy International v. Gill St. Bernard
DME Academy Girls (FL) v. Bullis School (MD)
Christian Brothers Academy v. Middle Township of Cape May
Atlantic City v. Roselle Catholic
Paramus Catholic v. College Achieve Charter School
Union Catholic v. Plainfield
Westtown School (PA) v. Patrick School
Spire Academy EYBL Scholastic (OH) v. Linden
Crestwood Prep (CAN) v. Blair Academy
NOTABLE PLAYERS:
Boys
Class of 2026
Deron Rippey, Jr., 6-1, Point Guard, Blair Academy (ESPN No. 18)
Alex Constanza, 6-8, Forward, Spire Institute (OH), Committed to Georgetown (ESPN No. 29)
Tarris Bouie, 6-6, Forward, Spire Institute (OH), Committed to Alabama (ESPN No. 33)
Aidan Derkack, 6-5, Shooting Guard, Spire Institute (OH), Committed to Providence (No. 45)
Julius Avent, 6-8, Forward, Bergen Catholic, Committed to Michigan State (ESPN No. 70)
Kasey Fleming, 6-3, Shooting Guard, Penn Charter (PA)
A.J. Williams, 6-8, Forward, Hudson Catholic
Elijah Williams, 6-1, Point Guard, Hudson Catholic
Nicholas Nsenkyrie, 6-1, Shooting Guard, Rutgers Prep
Logan Franz, 6-11, Forward, Rutgers Prep, Committed to Marist
Jaden Brown, 6-4, Shooting Guard, Committed to Fairfield
Dorsett Mulcahy, 6-6, Shooting Guard, Gill St. Bernard, Committed to Canisius
Prosper Highlander Sonkua, 6-5, Forward, Gill St. Bernard
Jaen Chatman, 6-1, Point Guard, Blair Academy, Committed to Rhode Island
Isaiah Carroll, 6-6, Forward, Blair Academy, Committed to Penn
Coleman Elkins, 6-10, Forward, Blair Academy, Committed to Texas
Al-Tariq Reevey, 6-10, Forward, College Achieve Charter
Tobe Nwobu, 6-2, Shooting Guard, College Achieve Charter
Sami Uraz, 6-6, Shooting Guard, Crestwood Prep
Khalik Thomas, 6-5, Forward, Roselle Catholic
Trey Lewis, 6-3, Shooting Guard, Roselle Catholic
Tyrease Hunter, 6-2, Point Guard, Roselle Catholic
Jaren Barnett, 5-11, Point Guard, Linden
Jayden Holman, 6-0, Point Guard, Linden
Jekhi Burnam, 6-6, Forward, Linden, Committed to Caldwell University
Deng Deng, 6-10, Forward, Linden
Eric Hillsman, 6-8, Forward, The Patrick School
Kenneth Bartlett, Jr., 5-10, Point Guard, The Patrick School
Dior Anderson, 6-3, Point Guard, The Patrick School
Adam Walker, 6-11, Forward, Westtown School (PA)
Hermon Hailemichael, 7-0, Forward, Spire Academy International (OH)
Class of 2027
Jaylan Mitchell, 6-7, Forward, Spire Institute (OH) (ESPN No. 19)
King Gibson, 6-5, Point Guard, Spire Institute (OH) (ESPN No. 24)
Micah Gordon, 5-11, Point Guard, Plainfield (ESPN No. 34)
Greyson Pierce, 6-7, Forward, St. Thomas More School (CT)
D.J. Hawkins, 6-8, Shooting Guard, St. Thomas More School (CT)
Bentley Shelton, 6-4, Shooting Guard, St. Thomas More School (CT)
Dillon Callahan, 6-5, Shooting Guard, St. Thomas More School (CT)
Ashton Graves, 6-3, Shooting Guard, Hudson Catholic
Rocco Loomis, 5-10, Point Guard, Rutgers Prep
Anthony Gonzalez, 6-1, Shooting Guard, Seton Hall Prep
Alex Mazzella, 5-11, Shooting Guard, Bergen Catholic
Darrell Davis, 6-1, Point Guard, Spire Institute (OH)
Charles Pur, 6-9, Forward, Spire Institute (OH)
Yu Lyu, 6-8, Forward, Paramus Catholic
Kamsi Awaka, 6-9, Forward, Blair Academy
Andrew Kretkowski, 6-8, Forward, St. Joseph Metuchen
Kyle Dixon, 6-2, Point Guard, The Patrick School
Jeffrey Reynolds, 6-9, Forward, Spire Academy International (OH)
A.J. Polk, 6-1, Point Guard, Spire Academy International (OH)
Class of 2028
Malik Moore, 6-2, Point Guard, Union Catholic (ESPN No. 19)
Carter Smith, 6-3, Point Guard, Penn Charter (PA)
Daniel Gilhool, 6-10, Forward, Penn Charter (PA)
William Brunson, 6-4, Shooting Guard, Rutgers Prep
Infinite Sincere Amen-Ra, 6-0, Point Guard, Seton Hall Prep
Sean Forbes, 5-10, Point Guard, Bergen Catholic
Connor Junker, 5-11, Point Guard, Gill St. Bernard
Ian Archbold, 6-4, Shooting Guard, Blair Academy
Isaiah Hamilton, 6-7, Shooting Guard, Crestwood Prep (CAN) (24/7 Sports No. 2)
Aidan Carter, 6-5, Shooting Guard, St. Joseph Metuchen
Joel Patrick, 6-10, Forward, St. Joseph Metuchen
Jayden Opoku, 6-4, Shooting Guard, Linden
Rowan Phillips, 6-5, Shooting Guard, Westtown School (PA)
Victor Lagerkvist, 6-6, Shooting Guard, Westtown School (PA)
Anthony Goring, 6-9, Forward, Spire Academy International (OH)
Class of 2029
Bryce McCray, 5-8, Point Guard, Seton Hall Prep
Dominic Mauro, 6-2, Shooting Guard, College Achieve Charter
Javion Chappell, 6-5, Forward, Roselle Catholic
Flory Kuminga, 6-7, The Patrick School
Class of 2030
Jackson Boyd, 6-1, Point Guard, Penn Charter (PA)
Girls
Class of 2026
Sophia Hickey, 6-2, Forward, DME Academy (FL), Committed to Iona
Tessa Gladieux, 5-10, Guard, DME Academy (FL), Committed to UMass
Gigi Battle, 5-11, Guard, DME Academy (FL), Committed to Indiana (ESPNW No. 32)
Chikae Desdunes, 5-9, Guard, DME Academy (FL), Committed to Penn State
Atlee Vanesko, 5-10, Guard, Westtown School (PA), Committed to Ohio State (ESPNW No. 74)
Pryianka Ponnam, 6-2, Forward, Blair Academy, Committed to Arizona
Isabela Grant, 6-2, Forward, Blair Academy, Committed to Navy
Lena Rodriguez, 5-10, Guard, Blair Academy, Committed to Emory
Ava Fajardo, 5-4, Guard, Blair Academy, Committed to Drexel
Class of 2027
Jordyn Palmer, 6-1, Forward, Westtown School (PA) (ESPNW No. 6)
Jada Lynch, 5-11, Guard, Westtown School (PA)
Lara Csapalar-Nagy, 6-3, Forward, Westtown School (PA)
Timani Harris, 5-9, Guard, DME Academy (FL), (ESPNW No. 54)
Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka, 6-2, Guard, Bullis School (MD) (ESPNW No. 2)
Class of 2029
Katherine Ross, 5-9, Guard, Bullis School
For sponsorship opportunities and group tickets of 10 or more please contact:
Mukesh Roy
Metro Classic Director
Metroclassic2015@gmail.com
Metroclassicbasketball.com
Tickets ARE AVAILABLE NOW
This year’s PARTICIPATING TEAMS include:
ATLANTIC CITY
BERGEN CATHOLIC
BLAIR ACADEMY
BLAIR ACADEMY (GIRLS)
BULLIS
CBA
COLLEGE ACHIEVE
CRESTWOOD PREP
DME ACADEMY (GIRLS)
GILL ST BERNARDS
HILL SCHOOL
HUDSON CATHOLIC
JACKSON
LINDEN
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP
PARAMUS CATHOLIC
PENN CHARTER
PLAINFIELD
RUTGERS PREP
ROSELLE CATHOLIC
SCOTCH PLAINS
SETON HALL PREP
SPIRE ACADEMY (NATIONAL)
SPIRE INTERNATIONAL
ST JOES METUCHEN
ST THOMAS MORE
THE PATRICK SCHOOL
UNION CATHOLIC
WESTTOWN
WESTTOWN (GIRLS)
Metro Classic Alumni
Kyrie Irving (2010) – St. Patrick (NJ), Duke, Brooklyn Nets
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2011) – St. Patrick (NJ), Kentucky, Charlotte Hornets
Ben McLemore (2011) – Oak Hill Academy (VA), Kansas, Houston Rockets
Andre Drummond (2011) - St. Thomas More (CT), Connecticut, Detroit Pistons
Kyle Anderson (2012) – St. Anthony (NJ), UCLA, Memphis Grizzlies
TJ Warren (2012) – Brewster (NH), North Carolina State, Indiana Pacers
Tyler Ennis (2013) – St. Benedict’s Prep (NJ), Syracuse, Los Angeles Lakers
Karl-Anthony Towns (2014) – St. Joseph (NJ), Kentucky, Minnesota Timberwolves
D'Angelo Russell (2014) – Montverde Academy (FL), Ohio State, Golden State Warriors
Ben Simmons (2015) – Montverde Academy (FL), LSU, Philadelphia 76ers
Donovan Mitchell (2015) – Brewster Academy (NH), Louisville, Utah Jazz
Malachi Richardson (2015) – Trenton Catholic (NJ), Syracuse, Toronto Raptors
Jordan Poole (2017) – La Lumiere School (IN), Michigan, Golden State Warriors
Billy Preston (2017) – Oak Hill Academy (VA), Kansas, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jaren Jackson (2017) – La Lumiere School (IN), Michigan St, Memphis Grizzlies
Bruno Fernando (2017) – IMG Academy (FL), Maryland, Atlanta Hawks
Mohamed Bamba (2017) – Westtown School (PA), Texas, Orlando Magic
RJ Barrett (2018) – Montverde Academy (FL), Duke, New York Knicks
Cam Reddish (2018) – Westtown School (PA), Duke, Atlanta Hawks
Andrew Nembhard (2018) – Montverde Academy, Gonzaga, Indiana Pacers
Keldon Johnson (2018) – Oak Hill Academy (VA), Kentucky, San Antonio Spurs
Cole Anthony (2019) - Oak Hill Academy (VA), UNC, Orlando Magic
Josh Green (2019) - IMG Academy (FL), Arizona, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks
Isiah Stewart (2019) - La Lumiere (IN), University of Washington, Detroit Pistons
Scottie Barnes (2020) - Montverde Academy (FL), Florida State, Toronto Raptors
Cade Cunningham (2020) - Montverde Academy (FL), Oklahoma State, Detroit Pistons
Caleb Houstan (2020) – Montverde Academy (FL), University of Michigan, Orlando Magic
Evan Mobley (2020) – Rancho Christian School (CA), USC, Cleveland Cavaliers
Zaire Williams (2020) – Sierra Canyon School (CA), Stanford, Memphis Grizzlies
Derick Lively (2022) - Westtown- Duke, Dallas Mavericks
Keyonte George (2022) – IMG Academy (FL), Baylor University, Utah Jazz
Dariq Whitehead (2022) – Montverde Academy (FL), Duke, Brooklyn Nets
Jordan Walsh (2022) - Link Year Prep (MO), Arkansas, Boston Celtics
Kyle Flipowski (2022) - Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Duke, Utah Jazz
Chris Livingston (2022) - Oak Hill - Kentucky, Milwaukee Bucks
Julian Phillips (2022) - Link Year Prep - Tennessee, Chicago Bulls
Jalen Hood-Schifino (2022)- Montverde - Indiana - Los Angeles Lakers
Gradey Dick (2022) – Sunrise Christian Academy (KS), Kansas, Toronto Raptors
Rasheer Fleming (2022)- Camden High School (NJ), St. Joseph University, Phoenix Suns
Justin Edwards (2023) - Imhotep Institute Charter High School, Kentucky, Philadelphia 76’ers
Matas Buzelis (2023) - Sunrise Christian Academy (KS), Chicago Bulls
Bronny James (2023) - Sierra Canyon School (CA), University of Southern California, Los Angeles Lakers
Ja’Kobe Walter (2023)- Link Academy (MO),
Cooper Flagg (2024) – Montverde Academy (FL) - Duke- Dallas Mavericks
Derik Queen (2024)- Montverde Academy (FL), University of Maryland, New Orleans Pelicans
Asa Newell (2024)- Montverde Academy (FL), University of Georgia, Atlanta Hawks
Liam Mcneeley (2024)- Montverde Academy (FL), University of Connecticut, Charlotte Hornets
Will Riley (2024)- The Phelps School (PA), University of Illinois, Washington Wizards
Tre Johnson (2024)- Link Academy (MO)- University of Texas- Washington Wizards
VJ Edgecomb (2024)- Long Island Lutheran (NY), Baylor University, Philadelphia 76’ers
A high school basketball showcase like no other
PRESENTED BY
