The NBA is taking a bold step by allowing scouts to observe elite high school prospects, including Cooper Flagg, during the In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas. This move, revealed in a memo obtained by ESPN, is part of the NBA’s growing partnership with Nike. NBA teams will have the opportunity to attend five Nike EYBL Scholastic Showcase Games on Dec. 8-9, which includes a game between Montverde Academy and Link Academy, set to be broadcast on ESPNU. This game will feature the highly anticipated matchup between Flagg, the top-ranked prospect committed to Duke, and Tre Johnson, the fourth-ranked prospect in the 2024 class, who has committed to the University of Texas.
In a memo sent to all NBA teams on Nov. 20, the league certified several high school events, signaling the NBA’s commitment to evaluating prospects before they enter college. These events include the Sunshine Prep Showcase at IMG Academy, the Tarkanian Classic, the City of Palms Classic, the HoopHall Classic, the Throne National Championship, and the High School Boys Basketball Nationals (formerly known as the Geico Nationals). By allowing NBA teams to attend these events, the league is acknowledging the importance of giving front offices expanded access to elite high school players.
Traditionally, NBA teams were prohibited from attending high school team events due to the “no-contact” rules implemented in the David Stern era. Stern, back in 2005, believed that NBA scouts being present at high school gyms sent the wrong message and questioned where it would stop. However, the rules have gradually been loosened, driven in part by players like Shaedon Sharpe, Mitchell Robinson, and Darius Bazley who decided to forego playing competitive basketball between high school graduation and NBA draft eligibility. This left NBA teams with incomplete scouting information and made draft night decisions more challenging. Additionally, players such as James Wiseman and Darius Garland played minimal college games due to eligibility concerns or injury, further limiting NBA teams’ ability to evaluate them. The NBA recognizes that these restrictions hindered teams’ ability to make informed decisions and has responded by allowing greater access to high school prospects.
Over the past year, the NBA has made significant strides in the youth basketball market. Through the NBA App, the league has established partnerships with the Nike EYBL Peach Jam and Nike Nationals, offering fans and scouts unprecedented access to games and prospects. The NBA’s involvement also extends internationally, as seen with the broadcasting of Victor Wembanyama’s games in France, who is projected as the top pick in the 2023 NBA draft. With four of the five EYBL Scholastic Showcase Games streamed on the NBA App, and three games re-airing on NBATV, the league is amplifying the reach of high school basketball. Furthermore, the participating teams at the In-Season Tournament, including AZ Compass, IMG Academy, Veritas Academy, Orangeville Prep, Montverde, and Link Academy, will take part in various NBA life skills seminars, coaching development sessions, and NBA Cares community outreach activities. This comprehensive approach aims to create a nurturing environment for both players and teams.
Nike has joined forces with the NIBC to form the EYBL Scholastic, a highly competitive high school basketball superconference. This collaboration merges Nike’s grassroots EYBL platform, commonly referred to as AAU, with the NIBC, resulting in a conference featuring 14 top prep schools across North America. The season will comprise 84 games and 15 events, with 30 games scheduled for broadcast on ESPN platforms. The culmination of this exciting season will be the High School Boys Basketball Nationals, set to take place in early April.
The NBA’s decision to grant scouts increased access to high school prospects during certified events marks a significant shift in the league’s approach. By recognizing the limitations of past rules, the NBA is providing teams with the necessary tools to make well-informed decisions on draft night. Moreover, the NBA’s commitment to youth basketball and partnerships with organizations like Nike further demonstrate the league’s desire to nurture and promote talented players at all levels. With the introduction of the EYBL Scholastic Superconference, the future of high school basketball looks brighter than ever before.
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