Top Flight Invite – How to watch key recruits (like Bronny)
The third annual Top Flight Invite will feature eight elite club basketball teams vying for a tournament championship in Las Vegas.
This year’s tournament could feature the strongest group of star power and talent with 28 candidates ranked in the 2023 ESPN 100, 2024 ESPN 60 or 2025 ESPN 25, including signings for Kentucky, Duke, Oregon, Kansas and UCLA, as well as the non-signing Bronny James, the senior at No. 34, and Cameron Boozer, the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer and the No. 1 sophomore.
Each team plays three times, starting with four quarterfinal games on Friday. The two consolation games and semi-finals will be played on Friday, and three showcase games will lead up to the championship on Sunday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN App).
The schedule (all times ET):
Friday October 14 (all games on ESPN+)
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#7 Explorers (Florida) vs. #2 AZ Compass (Arizona): 7:15 p.m
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No. 8 Air Nado (Nevada) vs. No. 1 Florida Eagles (Florida): 9 p.m
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#5 Donda (California) vs. #4 Hoop Nation (California): 10:45 p.m
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No. 6 LV Orange (Nevada) vs. No. 3 CBC (California): 12:30 a.m. Saturday
Saturday October 15 (all games on ESPN+)
Sunday October 16 (all games on ESPN2/ESPN App)
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Showcase Game 1:15 p.m
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Showcase Game 2: 5 p.m
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Showcase Game 3: 7 p.m
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Championship: 9 p.m
We select 10 big prospects to keep an eye on, including at least one from each team in the field, and break down each of their games.
2025 ESPN 25 Ranking: 1 | Unbound
With a powerful and sturdy 6-foot-8, 215-pound frame, Boozer scores, rebounds and blocks shots. He has impressive footwork. Son of former Duke and NBA star Carlos Boozer, Cameron plays an mature game of physicality, skill and energy. He makes contact in the air and then reliably lands in traffic with both hands. Boozer dominates his age group and has opened the eyes of older prospects. He’s established himself as one of the better prospects in the high school game.
2023 ESPN 100 Rank: 15 | obligate Oregon
Cook’s versatility is extremely appealing and his game and potential to be a senior full-back is evident. Offensively he can take it off the glass and go, hit the corner 3 and play over the edge. He put on some muscle on his 6-7, 210-pound frame to bulk up. One of the most talented players in the senior division, Cook has developed into a vocal leader.
2023 ESPN 100 Ranking: Four Stars | Not binding
Mack is a gifted goalscorer – he led the Nike EYBL with 21.0 points per game – who comfortably puts down 3s. He finds the open gaps, reads the defense and chooses his spots. He can maneuver with the ball as a space-maker and is balanced on the edge while being adept at creating fouls. At 6-2, 170 pounds, he’s recovering very well for a guard. Mack is the son of Sam Mack, who played seven seasons in the five-team NBA. Sebastian is in the final stages of his recruitment to Oklahoma and Florida State.
2023 ESPN 100 Ranking: 7 | oblige duke
When it comes to sheer rush and relentlessness, Stewart is at the forefront of his class. He defends and rebounds with power, and he has an impressive vertical jump if he hits within 15 feet. As he begins to throw in his short open jumper and works to develop a capable 3-point shot, the 6-8, 230-pound Stewart has demonstrated his ability to make winning plays without having to score . His skills are reminiscent of NBA first-round draft pick Tari Eason in 2022.
2025 ESPN 25 Ranking: 2 | Not binding
Flagg is an impact player with promising long-term upside potential. At just 15, he opened eyes at international level when he led USA Basketball to win the gold medal at the FIBA U17 World Championship in Spain, sometimes showing he can be the best hooper on the court while playing against older players plays. The 6-7, 200-pound Flagg has veteran-like instincts in crunch times with big ground awareness and hustles. “You would be doing his game a disservice if you pigeonholed him,” said Maine United manager Andy Bedard.
2023 ESPN 100 Ranking: 8 | obligate Kentucky
Dillingham will be one of the more dynamic and exciting players at the event. His game revolves around putting the ball in the basket with pretty much any type of shot that is needed. Clever with his grip, quick with his speed and bounce, the 6-1, 170-pound Dillingham finds space and acts with scoring instincts. It’s easy to overlook his passing ability due to his strong playmaking abilities, but his vision and willingness to find the open teammate is beginning to show.
2023 ESPN 100 Rank: 16 | oblige duke
At 6-3, 195 pounds, McCain is poised to lock himself in and prioritize victory down his stat line. With the ball in hand, he can take shots or slow down and read the ground at high levels. He manipulates and influences his opponents into saves, putting pressure on the defense to push through. If he doesn’t score, he can bounce back, defend and make any play to help his team. He has shown that he can lead unselfishly.
2023 ESPN 100 Rank: 40 | UCLA Commitment
The 6-10, 205-pound Williams is one of the more experienced and running big men in the class with impressive soft hands. Last summer, he proved his skills as a vertical lob catcher, shot blocker, and skilled 3-point shooter. As he enters his senior year, he needs to focus on his overall physical strength, play lower in his stance and commit to an easier post-up game. William’s advantage is appealing.
2024 ESPN 60 Ranking: 51 | Not binding
Mobley is one of the best pure shooters in the high school game regardless of class. Not only does he have an NBA reach behind the line, but his decision making is impressive. He reads his defender, works to open up and shoots with confidence. He’s also shown he can score via floaters or jump stops and provide an assist on the lane. With a game reminiscent of Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young, the 6-2, 156-pound Mobley is considering Arizona State, Creighton, LSU, Ohio State, USC and Xavier.
2023 ESPN 100 Ranking: 34 | Unbound
The son of four-time NBA Finals MVP LeBron, James has continued to forge his own path and grow into his own game. He recently showed how his vertical jump and increased speed work. During the Ax European Tour in August, he made two swing-changing plays: a thunderous coast-to-coast transition dunk down the left side of the hoop with his right hand, and a chase-down block that he turned into a fast-break assist . James is a consistent shooter, dedicated defender, and assist-maker who uses basketball acumen to find the right play. Now that he’s a senior, he needs to use his voice more during games to continue developing as a leader. His recruitment is taking shape, with Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan and USC among teams showing interest.