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The11met State Champions Invitational completes a busy couple of weeks for boys' high school basketball that included the McDonald's All American Game and the Geico Nationals, the results of which resulted included a new No. 1 in the SCNext Top 25.
Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) is the only team returning from last year's inaugural four-team tournament. Sidwell lost to eventual champion Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) in the opening game.
The boys' and girls' SCI tournaments, at Georgetown University, will be available on ESPN+, ESPNU and ESPN2. Both tournaments expanded to six teams this year.
The boys' tournament gets underway Thursday with games at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET. Friday's boys' semifinals are 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. with the championship game at noon on Saturday (ESPN2/ESPN App).
Here are five things to know ahead of tipoff:
The six-team tournament comprises state champions in both boys' and girls' basketball, is in its second year. Putting title winners together is another measuring stick to see how competitive the basketball landscape has become. It is a new and unique event that will determine who is the best of the best - those whose state associations allow participation -- among National Federation High School state winners. Current state associations are Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Hawai'i, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Utah, Washington and Washington, D.C.
Zoom Diallo, our ESPN 60 No. 36-ranked player, will make his debut on ESPNU with Curtis High School (Washington). He has a list of six schools: Arizona, Gonzaga, Washington, USC, Florida State and Kansas.
"That is not my final list," Diallo told ESPN. "Kentucky and Duke have been recruiting me and I am interested. Kentucky will be at my games here at SCI."
Diallo is a super combination of power and finesse. His size (6-foot-3, 190) and strength at a youthful age stand out. Skill-wise, his instincts to score with a balanced jumper and from reading ball screens is evident. He's an electrifying prospect with the ability to finish plays with body control or bounce. His ability to find others has been impressive.
Simeon Wilcher of Roselle Catholic (New Jersey), a UNC signee ranked No. 27, has major transition ability in the open court. He brings a highly competitive edge and will push the pace when needed. This is an ideal spot for him to show his leadership abilities.
Wheeler (Georgia) High's Arrinten Page, ranked No. 57, is heading west to play at USC. The developing big man (6-9) has all the physical tools and touch to dominate. Keep an eye on four-star Caleb Williams from Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.). The forward has taken official visits to Michigan, Villanova and Indiana and unofficial visits to Maryland, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.
"I'm also looking forward to meeting the new staff at Georgetown," Williams said Wednesday.
Wheeler currently sits at No. 21 in the SCNext Top 25. The Wildcats had an extremely challenging schedule playing in the City of Palms, Chick-fil-A and Hoophall East classics. They have played ranked opponents and finished No. 1 in the highest classification in Georgia. With a convincing showing at the SCI, they could move up and finish inside the top 20.
Sidwell Friends is at No. 25 and with a championship here could make a final jump. Roselle Catholic is outside the rankings in the next tier of teams. The Lions started 0-3 with losses to Duncanville, Sunrise and Gonzaga. They just won the non-public B title in New Jersey. Curtis is being evaluated for a spot as they won their second consecutive Class 4A Washington state title.
Each team has a clear identity and brings a different flare and style to the court. Like any major one-and-done tournament the style of play and the matchups will have a big say in the outcome. When you play against Curtis High School, you better not be casual with the ball.
"We turn people over," Curtis coach Tim Kelly said. "We play team defense, and everyone is on the same page. That our strength."
The combined record of the six teams participating is 131-25.
This will be the final time these teams travel and compete together. We saw the faces and body language at Geico Nationals of the players who lost and the jubilation of the winners and eventual champion Luke Academy. Teams practice for a couple of weeks and will be well rested. The question is, what type of physical condition they will be in? How will the rhythm of finishing the season strong change?
While it's a basketball business trip, all the coaches will take their teams for some sightseeing or an educational experience. Wednesday, Corner Canyon practiced at the Washington Wizards facility and toured the White House.
"After our last game we will go and see the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian Institute," Wheeler coach Larry Thompson said. "We want to expose our players to as much as possible while keeping the focus on the games."
