A matchup with Bronny James headlines the 90-game 2022-23 Overtime Elite schedule unveiled ahead of its second basketball season in existence, the league announced Monday.
OTE has expanded its three-six-team league this season, incorporating prep schools Hillcrest Academy in Phoenix, Word of God Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Our Savior Lutheran in New York, which will include home and away games. outdoors in these schools. Locations.
Many eyeballs will be in attendance on the opening night of the OTE Arena in Atlanta for the preseason tournament on October 20-21, which will feature matches against several high-profile teams.
The California Basketball Club will feature Bronny and Bryce James, sons of LeBron James. As the Explorers boast ESPN’s No. 1 player in the 2025 recruiting class, Cam Boozer, the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer. Cam Boozer is considered by some to be the hottest prospect in high school basketball, while his twin brother Cayden Boozer is also highly regarded and will play as well. Hoop Nation, which includes Duke-signed five-star rookie Jared McCain and UCLA-signed Devin Williams, the Class of 2023’s 41st prospect, is also expected to play.
OTE currently has 30 players under its umbrella, including Amen and Ausar Thompson, projected among the top five picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, who will play together this season on the City Reapers team.
A shift in strategy, offering OTE players the option to forgo salary while still being eligible for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, has allowed the program to cast a wider net in the recruitment of high school players who wish to retain their NCAA eligibility. .
OTE added prospects No. 3 and 6 in the ESPN 2024 recruiting rankings in Naasir Cunningham and Jayden Williams, as well as No. 5 recruit in 2025, Bryson Tiller. Four-star prospects Kanaan Carlyle, ZZ Clark, Tremayne Parker, Jahki Howard and Somto Cyril are also new additions.
OTE fires two of Europe’s top prospects in Spaniard Izan Almansa, who won FIBA U17 World Cup and U18 European Championship MVP honors, and French big man Alex Sarr, a potential pick at the first round. Former five-star signings Jalen Lewis, Tyler Smith and Bryson Warren also return for a second season, along with last year’s head coaches Ryan Gomes, Dave Leitao and Tim Fanning, who will lead the Cold Hearts, City Reapers and YNG Dreamerz. , respectively.
After an inaugural season in which the program was unable to schedule marquee opponents outside of OTE league games, clashes with top rookies such as Elliot Cadeau (rookie #11 in 2024), Isaiah Elohim (#14 in 2024) Jason Asemota (#22 in 2024), Freddie Dilione (#27 in 2023), Aidan Sherrell (#35 in 2024) and others should help answer questions regarding the level of competition the players faced last year. Sixty-one of the 90 games will be played at their arena in Atlanta, while the rest will be split between Phoenix, Raleigh, New York and Roselle, New Jersey. All matches will be streamed on YouTube.
OTE will also host a pro day for NBA teams on October 25 in Atlanta.