The Grind Session has long provided a platform for the nation’s best players to play against one another in a central location. It is no different this year. The nation’s top two ranked seniors (who double as ESPN’s top 2 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft), A.J. Dybantsa of FAB 50 No. 28 Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah) and Darryn Peterson of No. 11 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), led an already legendary game in high school and grassroots lore in Atlanta earlier this year. Peterson went for 61 points and Prolific Prep got the 88-86 “W”, while Dybansta lived up to his hype as well, posting 49 points. The Grind Session has rode that wave all year long, and the Napa 2 event this past weekend in NorCal was no different.
Held at gorgeous Napa Valley College, you feel like you’re in a movie rolling up from the Bay. The three days also provided a homecoming for Prolific Prep, who had yet to play a home game this season due to all of the travel. Players were honored for accolades, families came out for senior night, and the Napa community came out and showed love throughout the weekend in what was a legit event with the host team making a clean 3-0 sweep.
Here are some of the top performers from the Grind Session Napa 2 event:
Darryn Peterson, 6’5, SG, Prolific Prep (CA), 2025The projected No. 1 pick in ESPN’s most recent 2026 NBA Mock Draft lived up to the billing, capping off the final home games of a legendary high school career with another quality performance. The Northeast Ohio product is an effortless three level scorer, blending a number of deep jumpers off the bounce with pull-ups and finishes through contact at rack. Most impressively, Peterson is starting to utilize his size in the paint to punish smaller defenders. Peterson has already signed a lucrative NIL deal with adidas, is signed with adidas power Kansas, and attends adidas’ flagship high school program in Prolific Prep. I think it’s pretty clear who the three stripes are betting on to become the next face of the brand.
Hunter Carter, 6’6, SG/PG, Rosemary Anderson (Ore.), 2026One of the more interesting seniors in the Northwest lived up to his reputation at The Grind Session Napa. The 6-foot-6 guard is most comfortable with the ball in his hands, can create for himself or others, and is really solid when he gets going downhill. Carter’s 39-point showing on Saturday night against Trinity International (Nev.) served as proof as to why Hawaii got themselves a good one.
Niko Bundalo, 6’10, PF, Prolific Prep (Calif.), 2025Prolific Prep’s other McDonald’s All American from Ohio put on a show on Sunday in front of his family, who made the journey cross country from Northeast Ohio to be there. He showed the total package with his 22-point, 11-rebound performance against a super tough group from Accelerated Prep. The lefty is quick enough to beat opposing bigs off the bounce, shoots it well enough to keep you honest, and is learning how to utilize his size more on the block to create mismatches. The five-star recruit is the centerpiece of Washington’s recruiting class.
Obe Ezekiel, 6’9, C, Accelerated Prep (Col.), 2025Following an outstanding career in Africa playing in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Ezekiel made his way to the states and is showing that he can undoubtedly hold his own. The Nigerian-born center is a super strong kid, is a pogo stick getting off floor in a hurry, and is a huge presence on the glass. He exhibited some potential facing up with quick drives to rack, and looks to be the next talented African big man out of Accelerated Prep, following the likes of Baye Fall, Assane Diop, and Aliou Dioum.
Chidera Ukachukwu, 6’5, SG/SF, Prolific Prep Green (Calif.), 2026Originally a member of the class of 2025, there have been mumblings that this late blooming sleeper from Texas will be joining the class of 2026 ultimately. Constantly in attack mode, “Chi” was constantly looking for contact, used his length on the defensive end, and consistently produced at a high rate. In fact, “Chi” played point guard for quite a bit and left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he can really go after his 39-point, 8-rebound, 4-assist performance in a win over Phhoenix Prep on Saturday.
Jayden Robinson, 6’2, PG, DNA Prep (Calif.), 2028One of the more productive freshmen in the Grind Session, Jayden Robinson held it down for DNA Prep throughout the weekend. He was outstanding playing out of pick and roll play, got to the line at will, and made some high level passes to open shooters. His 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists against national power Prolific Prep certainly stamped him as one to remember in the 2028 class.
Xaviel Rodriguez, 6’5, SG, Accelerated Prep (Col.), 2025Arguably the best shooter in the Grind Session, Rodriguez showed that he could hold his own against national power Prolific Prep. The bigger guard is a super confident shooter, has deep range, and really filled it up in the second half. Still wide open in terms of his recruitment, the Puerto Rican product has made a number of D1 visits, but is still open to all suitors.
