A matchup with Bronny James headlines the 90-game 2022-23 schedule Overtime Elite unveiled in advance of its second basketball season in existence, the league introduced Monday.
OTE has expanded its three-team league to 6 this season, incorporating prep faculties Hillcrest Academy from Phoenix, Word of God Academy from Raleigh, North Carolina, and Our Savior Lutheran from New York City, which can embody house and away video games at these college’s places.
Many eyeballs shall be on OTE Arena opening evening in Atlanta for the preseason match Oct. 20 and 21, which can embody video games in opposition to a number of well-regarded groups.
California Basketball Club will characteristic Bronny and Bryce James, sons of LeBron James. While the Explorers boast ESPN’s No. 1 participant in the 2025 recruiting class, Cam Boozer, the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer. Cam Boozer is taken into account by some as the most effective prospect in highschool basketball, whereas his twin brother, Cayden Boozer, can also be extremely regarded and shall be taking part in as properly. Also anticipated to play is Hoop Nation, which options Duke-commit and five-star recruit Jared McCain, and UCLA-commit Devin Williams, the No. 41 prospect in the category of 2023.
OTE presently has 30 gamers below its umbrella, together with Amen and Ausar Thompson, projected top-five picks in the 2023 NBA draft, who will play collectively this season on the City Reapers squad.
A shift in technique, providing OTE gamers the choice of forgoing a wage whereas nonetheless being eligible for identify, picture and likeness (NIL) alternatives, has allowed this system to forged a wider internet in recruiting highschool gamers who wish to preserve their NCAA eligibility .
OTE added the Nos. 3 and 6 prospects in the ESPN 2024 recruiting rankings in Naasir Cunningham and Jayden Williams, in addition to the No. 5 recruit in 2025, Bryson Tiller. Four-star prospects Kanaan Carlyle, ZZ Clark, Tremayne Parker, Jahki Howard and Somto Cyril are additionally new additions.
OTE returns two of the highest European prospects in Spanish massive man Izan Almansa, who gained MVP honors on the FIBA U17 World Cup and U18 European Championship, and French massive man Alex Sarr, a possible first-round choose. Former five-star recruits Jalen Lewis, Tyler Smith and Bryson Warren return for a second season as properly, together with final 12 months’s head coaches, Ryan Gomes, Dave Leitao and Tim Fanning, who will direct the Cold Hearts, City Reapers and YNG Dreamerz squads , respectively.
After an inaugural season in which this system was unable to schedule marquee opponents outdoors of OTE league video games, matchups with top-shelf recruits resembling Elliot Cadeau (No. 11 recruit in 2024), Isaiah Elohim (No. 14 in 2024) Jason Asemota (No. 22 in 2024), Freddie Dilione (No. 27 in 2023), Aidan Sherrell (No. 35 in 2024) and others ought to assist reply questions relating to the extent of competitors the gamers confronted final 12 months. Sixty-one of the 90 video games shall be performed at their house area in Atlanta, whereas the rest shall be unfold out throughout Phoenix, Raleigh, New York City and Roselle, New Jersey. All video games shall be broadcasted on YouTube.
OTE may also conduct a Pro Day for NBA groups Oct. twenty fifth in Atlanta.