SUPER-CHARGED FIELD: Nine teams from Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings earn invites to Chipotle Nationals; Nike Hoop Summit World Select roster reveal

BENSALEM, Pa. – The Hoosier State will host the 16^th CHIPOTLE High School Nationals for the second straight year and nine teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings.

Coincidentally, seven play in the Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference, including tournament champion and No. 4 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), which earned the automatic bid. Three interlopers from Florida, Texas and California round out the 10-team field that will congregate at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana from April 2-5.

All 10 games will be available across ESPN platforms, including the boys’ championship game airing on ESPN.

The four-day tournament begins Wednesday April 2 with the boys’ opening round starting at 6:15 p.m. EDT. The boys’ quarterfinals follow on Thursday, April 3 starting at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.

The girls’ semifinals are set for Friday, April 4, starting at 10:30 a.m. on ESPNU and the boys’ semifinals starting at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The tournament culminates on Saturday, April 5 with both championship tilts.

For the brackets, teams and more information click here. We will preview this event on Tuesday, April 1.

World Select Rosters

Nike announced the World Select men’s and women’s rosters for the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit.

The World’s top talent will join forces to face USA teams, which include several members who won gold medals last summer at the FIBA U17 World Cup and FIBA U18 AmeriCup and represent the high school graduating classes of 2025.

The World team features elite talent with players ages 19 and younger across six continents. The event will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, and will be live on USA Network and Peacock. Tickets are here.

The 2025 World Select men’s roster includes Ikenna Alozie, Kiyan Anthony, Tajh Ariza, Dash Daniels, Bogoljub Marković, Omer Mayer, Jaion Pitt, Eric Reibe, Michael Ružić, Dame Sarr, Tounde Yessoufou and Boyuan Zhang. The men’s team will be led by coach Marshall Cho.

The men’s roster features Basketball Without Borders MVP Alozie (Nigeria) and defensive MVP Daniels (Australia) who is also the younger brother of NBA first-round pick Dyson Daniels. The NBA pedigree continues with Anthony (Puerto Rico), the son of 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame finalist Carmelo Anthony; and Ariza (Japan), the son of NBA champion Trevor Ariza.

Yessoufou (Benin) joins the team after being top 10 in points per game in the EYBL this past season with Pitt (Canada) a ferocious rebounder in the conference.

Additionally, the roster consists of Marković (Serbia), Mayer (Israel), UConn-bound Reibe (Germany), Ružić (Croatia), Sarr (Italy) and Zhang (China).

Once again there are no additions to the Elite 25 boys rankings but there are three weeks left. There will be a reshuffling before and after CHIPOTLE Nationals. Three teams moved up this week, two dipped and 20 remained in the same position. Elite 25 teams have annexed 10 postseason championships and nine of the 12 teams looking to add a title this season compete in the Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference and off to CHIPOTLE in April.

Kudos to No. 2 Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.), which won the California Interscholastic Federation Open Division state championship. The Mustangs went 35-2, capping a championship season with one of the nation’s top chips. This week several Midwest states wrap up their postseasons with a few playing out on the final weekend of March.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings return on Tuesday, March 25. We sincerely hope you celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day with zest, gusto and verve.

Finally, things are starting to take shape in southern California. Since the wildfires ravaged the surrounding Los Angeles area in early January, the locals have been displaced and are picking up the pieces of their lives.

We’ve vetted a few places that will make a difference.

Consider donating here to the Red Cross to assist the relief efforts or to The Salvation Army. No dollar amount is too small and prayers are always welcome. Here’s another one called Fire Aid.

Stay strong California.

March Madness

Earlier this evening, the NCAA Men’s Selection Show aired on CBS. Of course, there were teams that made it and others that felt slighted. Happens each year, so get used to it. We recall when the tournament was only 32 teams with one team per conference qualifying. One! And then several at-large teams when independents were prevalent mostly in the East and Midwest.

Well, at first glance it’s too SEC heavy. That’s 14 teams, really? After that it’s eight from the Big Ten and seven in the Big 12. Honestly, no way an SEC team wins it all.

There are a few opening round games that are deemed assignment viewing: Louisville-Creighton; Texas A&M-Yale; Mississippi State-Baylor; Saint Mary’s-Vanderbilt; Clemson-McNeese; UCLA-Utah State; Missouri-Drake; Kansas-Arkansas and Memphis-Colorado State.

The upset specials from the first round are Yale, Drake, McNeese, Colorado State and Arkansas. Keep an eye on Texas Tech and Maryland.

 Final Four: Duke (from East Region), St. John’s (West), Michigan State (South) and Tennessee (Midwest).

Teams such as Xavier, North Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi State have no business receiving bids. All will be done quickly. Total waste off of time.

 Mark it down … at least for now. We’ll update our bracket weekly through the Final Four in San Antonio.

Bye for now.

Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, March 18, 2025

1. Columbus, Miami (27-3)*

Previous rank: 1.

The Lowdown: Idle. After winning a fourth consecutive FHSAA Class 7A state championship, the top-seeded Explorers will rest up for the CHIPOTLE Nationals in April.

2. Roosevelt, Eastvale, Calif. (35-2)*

Previous: 2.

The Lowdown: Won the CIF Open Division state championship, defeating Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco), 80-60, in the final. Brayden Burries, an unsigned McDonald’s All-American guard, concluded a brilliant career with an Open Division record 44 points and 12 rebounds. Burries drained 15-of -22 shots, including four 3-pointers, and hit was four of six from three-point range and made 10-of-12 free throws. In the SoCal Region Open Division final, the Mustangs defeated No. 16 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 79-76. Burries had 37 points and Isaac Williamson added 21. Myles Walker posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists. Season complete.

3. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (32-5)

Previous: 3.

The Lowdown: Advanced to the Grind Session World Championships by defeating Academy of Central Florida (Orlando, Fla.), 95-74, in the quarterfinals. Darryn Peterson had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 steal. In the first round, Niko Bundalo had 18 points and 17 rebounds during a 94-90 victory over Minnesota Prep (Long Lake, Minn.). Up next is the semifinals in Kansas this weekend. The Crew also will play in the CHIPOTLE Nationals in two weeks.

4. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (21-7) +

Previous: 4.

The Lowdown: Idle. The Lions get the automatic bid to the CHIPOTLE Nationals and play again on April 3 in Fishers, Ind.

5. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (31-3)

Previous: 5.

Lowdown: Advanced to the CIF-SoCal Region Open Division semifinals. Season complete.

6. Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N.H. (27-4)

Previous: 6.

The Lowdown: The Bobcats will play in the CHIPOTLE Nationals, April 2-5, in Fishers, Ind.

7. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (21-6)

Previous: 7.

The Lowdown: The Crusaders will play in the CHIPOTLE Nationals, April 2-5, in Fishers, Ind.

8. CIA Bella Vista Prep, Phoenix (21-5)

Previous: 8.

The Lowdown: It’s a good time for the Bears, who will play in the CHIPOTLE Nationals.

9. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (19-7)

Previous: 9.

The Lowdown: The Eagles have the opportunity to defend their CHIPOTLE Nationals championship in April.

10. Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (22-1)*

Previous: 10.

The Lowdown: Won the FHSAA Class 3A state championship. Season complete.

11. St. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (27-6)*

Previous: 11.

The Lowdown: Won Washington Catholic Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships. Season complete.

12. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (29-5)*

Previous: 12.

The Lowdown: Won the District of Columbia State Athletic Association Class AA championship. Season complete.

13. Hoover, Ala. (35-0)*

Previous: 13.

The Lowdown: Won the Class 7A state championship for the third consecutive year. Season complete.

14. Wheeler, Marietta, Ga. (29-3)*

Previous: 14.

The Lowdown: Won the Class AAAAAA state tournament. Season complete.

15. Perry, Gilbert, Ariz. (27-2)*

Previous: 15.

The Lowdown: Won the Arizona Open Division state championship for a fourth straight title. Season complete.

16. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (28-8)

Previous: 16.

The Lowdown: Tyran Stokes provided 23 points and 14 rebounds and NaVorro Bowman Jr. added 19 points but the Knights lost to No. 2 Roosevelt (Eastvale), 79-76, in the CIF-SoCal Region Open Division final. Season complete.

17. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (25-4)*

Previous: 17.

The Lowdown: Idle. The Crusaders face PSAL 4A championship Thomas Jefferson (Brooklyn) in the city championship on Sunday, March 23 in Brooklyn.

18. Fishers, Ind. (28-0)

Previous: 20.

The Lowdown: Defeated Harrison (West Lafayette), 89-39, in the Class 4A regional final.

19. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (22-5)

Previous: 21.

The Lowdown: The Tigers will participate in the CHIPOTLE Nationals.

20. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (21-7)

Previous: 22.

The Lowdown: The Ascenders are invited to CHIPOTLE Nationals.

21. Dynamic Prep School, Irving, Texas (31-4)

Previous: 19.

The Lowdown: Up next is the CHIPOTLE Nationals on April 2 in Indiana.

22. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (26-7)

Previous: 18.

The Lowdown: Advanced to CIF-SoCal Region Open Division playoffs. Season complete.

23. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (19-8)

Previous: 23.

The Lowdown: Season complete.

24. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (28-3)

Previous: 24.

The Lowdown: Won GHSA Region 4-AAAAAA tournament and regular season titles. Advanced to Class AAAAAA state semifinals. Season complete.

25. San Antonio (Texas) Brennan (33-3)

Previous: 25.

The Lowdown: Advanced to UIL Class 6A, Division I semifinals. Season complete.

Dropped out: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Mount Carmel, Baltimore (34-4)**
2. Imhotep Institute Charter, Philadelphia (26-5)*
3. Father Judge, Philadelphia (22-7)*
4. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (24-5)
5. Highland School, Warrenton, Va. (38-5)**

Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.

Midwest

1. Kenwood, Chicago (31-2)*
2. DePaul Prep, Chicago (33-4)*
3. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (16-7)
4. Oak Park, Kansas City, Mo. (29-1)
5. Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul, Minn. (27-1)

Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Southland

1. Reidsville, N.C. (31-0)*
2. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (30-2)*
3. St. Xavier, Louisville, Ky. (31-2)
4. Dallas (Texas) Kimball (28-5)*
5. Christ School, Arden, N.C. (28-3)*

Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Far West

1. Utah Prep Academy, Hurricane, Utah (22-11)
2. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (27-7)*
3. Archbishop Riordan, San Francisco (29-2)
4. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (24-5)*
5. St. Joseph, Santa Maria, Calif. (31-2)

Geography: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Records through Sunday

* Won state, national or conference postseason tournament championship

[Editor’s note: Each asterisk represents a separate postseason title]

 + Nike EYBL Scholastic Champions

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ High School Basketball Rankings are released weekly from December until the conclusion of the high school season in April. Criteria considered are the quality of the team and its players, strength of schedule, tradition, and quality of the team’s league, conference, region or district. The rankings are compiled by Blue Star Media’s Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released at the conclusion of the season. Follow him on X at @clawlor.