A Nationwide Talent Feast: Thanksgiving Invitational Player Profiles, November 20-22
On November 20-22, Rob Johnson of IX International is hosting the 2026 Thanksgiving Invitational Tournament in the Atlanta suburb of Austell, GA. It will bring together high level prep programs from California, Minnesota, Tennessee, Georgia, West Virginia, South Carolina, Florida and New York for 20 games. The tournament teams' rosters are heavily laden with high school post grads who are on their way to college basketball careers next year. The event also includes some non-tournament showcase games.
The holiday break periods during the season open a window for teams to make longer distance trips to these multi-game events. These opportunities expose the players to college scouts in a new region that would never be able to see them in person otherwise.
By the way, another benefit arising from having high level teams from various parts of the country gather to play each other, the data used in the National Prep Team Computer Rankings algorithm gets a big boost in its ability to pull the entire nation onto one objectively calibrated rankings scale. Every year, its rankings get a lot more statistically valid after the holiday season events report their regional cross-over game results.
Below are links to the player profiles for each of the participating teams, i.e., a detailed description for college scouts "to see what's on the menu" at this year's tournament.
Opening Round Schedule for Friday, November 20
12:00 pm
Middle Georgia Prep, from Stockbridge, GA
Head Coach: Aaron Tribbey, (706) 741-5575
2026-27 game schedule and results
Apex Prep Academy Post Grad, from St. Paul, MN
Head Coach: Quincy Caldwell
Executive Director: Donnell Bratton, (651) 468-8024
2026-27 game schedule and results
1:45pm
IX International, from Atlanta, GA
Head Coach: Rob Johnson, (470) 328-4347
2026-27 game schedule and results
PURE Academy Royals, from Memphis, TN
Head Coach: Eric "Cowboy" Robinson (901) 864-0415
2026-27 game schedule and results
3:30pm
Southeastern Prep Academy Post Grad National, from Orlando, FL
Head Coach: Jordan Martz, (717) 698-2244
Link to player profiles (coming soon)
2026-27 game schedule and results
Golden State Prep Black, from Napa, CA
Head Coach: Humphrey Jackson, (510) 269-3763
Assistant Coach: David Stinson, (708) 646-2883
2026-27 game schedule and results
7:00 pm
Golden State Prep Grey, from Napa, CA
Head Coach: Humphrey Jackson, (510) 269-3763
Assistant Coach: David Stinson, (708) 646-2883
2026-27 game schedule and results
Expression Prep United, from Huntington, WV
Head Coach: Stacy Shannon (304) 437 7457
2026-27 game schedule and results
8:30 pm
CP Next Level Academy, from Alpharetta, GA
Head Coach: Chuck Person (678) 387 7505
Assistant Coach: Jamal McClure (404) 960 6756
2026-27 game schedule and results
Believe Prep Basketball Academy, from Rock Hill, SC
Head Coach: Doudmy "Coach Saint" Saint Hilaire (917) 603 6864
Program Director: Kevin Jackson (646) 645 1173
2026-27 game schedule and results
Showcase Game Teams
Redemption Christian Academy High School National, from Troy, NY
Head Coach: Tristan Wilchcombe (518) 221 1310
2026-27 game schedule and results
Apex Prep Academy High School National, from St. Paul, MN
Head Coach: Quincy Caldwell
Executive Director: Donnell Bratton, (651) 468-8024
New Rock Prep from Milledgeville, GA
Head Coach: Anthony Ivory (678) 215 2802
2026-27 game schedule and results