Future Starts Now

The Throne National Championship: Frequently Asked Questions

Catch all the action from The Throne Tournament on the NBA App from March 27-30.

Evan Orris, NBA.com

March 27, 2024 4:16 PM

Cam Boozer and Columbus High School are one of 16 men’s teams in attendance for The Throne Tournament.

As a part of the NBA App’s Future Starts Now initiative, the next generation of hoopers look to make their mark during The Throne Tournament from March 27-30.

Sponsored by Gold Level Sports & Entertainment and the National Basketball Players Association, the tournament will showcase elite talent in women’s and men’s high school basketball.

How does it work?

The four-day event takes place at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, N.J. The action starts on March 27, with the two championship games March 30.

There will be two brackets. On the women’s side, six high school teams — including the No. 7 ranked high school in the nation, Morris Catholic High School and Hebron Christian Academy (No. 11) — will compete in the single elimination tournament.

On the men’s side, 16 teams battle to raise the trophy. Nationally ranked Columbus High School (No. 1), Plano East (No. 3), Team Brotherhood (No. 4) and Grayson (No. 6) will all participate in the tournament. The N.J. state champions, Camden, will also be in attendance.

Click here to see both the women’s and men’s brackets.

Players to watch

Four players with NBA bloodlines will be in the tournament. Cameron and Cayden Boozer are the twin sons of two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer. Per ESPN, Cameron is the No. 2 recruit in the nation for the Class of 2025, while Cayden is No. 14. They are both committed to their father’s alma mater, Duke, next season.

Then there are the Richardsons. Jace and Jaxson Richardson are the sons of two-time NBA Slam Dunk winner Jason Richardson. Jace ranks No. 23 in the Class of 2024 and is committed to playing at his dad’s alma mater, Michigan State. Jaxson is among the graduates in 2026, but already has offers from Alabama, Arizona State and Michigan.

Words from the wise… NBA players’ advice to their sons that hoop ✍️ pic.twitter.com/Opc9XPvvzq

— NBA Future Starts Now (@nbafuturenow) March 15, 2024

Meanwhile, Mia Pauldo and Kennedy Umeh highlight the Women’s bracket. Pauldo was the 2023-24 Max Preps High School Player of the Year for Morris Catholic. Per ESPNW, She is the No. 7 recruit in the Class of 2025.

Umeh is a four-star Stanford commit playing for McDonogh High School. Umeh earned the 2023-24 Gatorade Maryland Girls Basketball Player of the Year for her stellar performance this season.

Here are some other key players to watch on the Men’s and Women’s side: