SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts ― Former Boston Celtic and NBA champion Brian Scalabrine was in attendance on Sunday for the highly-anticipated showdown between Cooper Flagg and Montverde Academy (Florida) against AJ Dybantsa and Prolific Prep (California).
Flagg, a Maine native, is currently the highest rated recruit in the United States and is verbally committed to Duke. Dybantsa, a Brockton native, is the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2025.
Coming into this week, Montverde Academy was the No. 1 ranked high school boys basketball team in the country, while Prolific Prep was ranked No. 7.
“First of all, [this is] not high school basketball,” Scalabrine said during the game. “This is so elite. From the guard play to the contact, playing through contact … This is so impressive to watch.”
Scalabrine highlighted the importance of high-level competition and how playing in these games helps elite young athletes prepare for playing on a national stage.
“Whatever they are doing now will translate in college or G-League Ignite,” Scalabrine said. “The path that these guys are on is more suited to making the NBA [than before].
“Whoever decided to organize [the Hoophall Classic] or whoever decided to put these high schools together, it was the greatest idea for the players. What we are going to benefit from that is [when they reach] the NBA eventually, seeing these great players play.”
Flagg finished the game with 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks as Montverde took a 76-71 victory over Prolific Prep.
Scalabrine has worked out with Flagg a few times since being introduced to him four years ago, shortly before the latter began his freshman year at Nokomis Regional High School in Maine.
“It was good to just being able to meet somebody like [Scalabrine], get that connection at a young age and getting in the gym with high-level players … it was a great experience,” Flagg said after his game against Brewster Academy on Saturday.
Dybantsa impressed as well in Sunday’s game, scoring a team-high 21 points and adding five rebounds and four assists to his tally.
Born in Brockton, Dybantsa transferred to Prolific Prep over the summer after playing last year at Saint Sebastian’s School. After reclassifying to the class of 2025, Dybantsa entered this season as the No. 1 ranked prospect of his class, according to ESPN.
“I went to about 30, maybe 35 games of [Dybantsa’s] because Saint Sebastian is about 15 minutes from my house,” Scalabrine said.
“[Dybantsa] has improved so much from going to Prolific. [Dybantsa] was a guy that liked to play in space — now, he’s playing through space. I feel really proud that guys are taking those necessary steps to try and accomplish their dreams.”
Story by Kenneth Manoj, MassLive.com.