The Geico Top Flight Invite is a great early-season evaluation opportunity for some of the nation’s best college basketball and next-level prospects to go head-to-head in an eight-team tournament. The field will include eight elite club teams from five states competing in a three-day tournament at Coronado High School in Las Vegas.
ESPN networks will air eight games, with coverage beginning Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+ with second round and semifinal action. The final round and the championship game are scheduled to air on ESPNU on Sunday, Oct. 17, beginning at 3 p.m. For complete TV times and channels for the 2021 Geico Top Flight Invite, follow this link.
Below, we offer a quick guide to each of the field’s eight teams, including the top prospects and other players to watch in the event. Bronny James and top-seeded CBC will undoubtedly receive a great deal of attention, but a number of committed college players will challenge James & Co. for the title in Las Vegas. Team ranks below reflect seeding for the event, and player ranks reflect positions in the latest ESPN 100, ESPN 60 and ESPN 25 rankings:
No. 1 CBC (Calif.): With No. 4 senior Amari Bailey (committed to UCLA) out with a toe injury, all eyes will now shift to Bronny James. Look for James to run the offense, create for others and be a steady presence. James is best known for being fundamentally sound and making the game easy for his teammates and for himself. When points are needed, his jumper has improved, especially in catch-and-shoot scenarios. No. 37 Kijani Wright (USC) is one of the most physically imposing prospects in the game and will have to assert himself in the paint all weekend by scoring, defending and rebounding.
No. 2 Virginia Gold (Va.): This team has star power. No. 12 Chris Livingston (Kentucky) can be a difference-maker with his long frame, open-floor speed and a high energy style of play as slasher, rebounder and finisher. No. 43 Judah Mintz (Pittsburgh) is a terrific triple-threat player who frequently takes on the challenge of guarding the opposing team’s star. Livingston and Mintz will be a potent pair on the wing. Caleb Foster (Duke), No. 13 in the Class of 2023, has changed his body — he’s now stronger and faster, which will allow him to defend better and finish through physicality. He will be the setup man and smooth shot-maker for this club.
No. 3 Prolific (Calif.): No. 15 prospect Dior Johnson (committed to Oregon) will have an opportunity to show his talent and his impact on winning. Johnson is a scoring point guard who knocks down open 3s and midrange jumpers and is also secure with the ball. He can make the simple play or the highlight play.
No. 17 senior Adem Bona is a marvel at 6-10 with a 7-4 wingspan, and he impacts the game on the glass and as a rim protector. The nonstop energy he competes with is amazing. No. 20 senior M.J. Rice (Kansas) has been playing at a high level and is shooting the ball extremely well. He takes contact and finishes 3-point plays with regularity. No. 35 Tre White is one of the most versatile guards in the country with an aggressive game and major explosiveness at the rim.
No. 4 Dream City Christian (Ariz.): No. 1 Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky), who recently revealed he may enroll early at Kentucky, is an outstanding shooter and scorer with superior touch and range. He can produce big points not only with his shot but his ability to create fouls and convert from the line. Sharpe’s body balance, shot preparation and shot quality work in harmony. Look for him to take over games.
Beyond Sharpe, No. 29 Yohan Traore made a huge jump in our most recent rankings because he has asserted himself as one of the best scoring big men in the country. He’s a modern-day big with legitimate range and above-average handle for his size. No. 52 prospect Milos Uzan is a pure point guard who can be trusted to lead any team and understands how to make others better. Uzan will also make his college decision on Sunday — his finalists are Cal, Oklahoma, UNLV and Utah.
No. 5 Vertical (N.C.): No. 11 2023 prospect Mikey Williams‘ M.O. is to put buckets on opponents, and he does it best when attacking the basket in the open floor. Williams can make momentum-changing dunks at a moment’s notice and is learning to separate from defenders for his deep-range 3, midrange pull-ups, and his floater. His passing ability in traffic or in the open floor does not get mentioned enough. Also, 2023 prospect Tremayne Parker is a name to keep an eye on. As teams give Williams their full attention, Parker complements him with natural scoring instincts that include making shots beyond the arc or finishing at the rack with explosiveness.
No. 6 Hoop Nation (Calif.): No. 29 Jared McCain is a highly competitive player who thrives in fast-paced settings. He has the moxie to take shots from deep range or to navigate pull-up jumpers in space, and penetrates into the paint for floaters. McCain is a sharpshooter who demonstrates a cerebral understanding of how to involve his teammates, thanks to his passing vision and unselfishness. He is coming off a 16U Peach Jam Championship for Team Why Not and should be one of the top shot-makers at the event.
No. 7 LV Orange (Nev.): This club has two underclassmen who could have breakout performances over the weekend: 2024 prospect Jase Richardson and 2025’s Chris Nwuli. The left-handed Richardson — son of former NBA player and Michigan State star Jason Richardson — runs the offense and still finds ways to score. He’s a nice combination of a playmaker and a scoring presence. The 6-8 Nwuli is naturally gifted with good instincts and a developing touch.
No. 8 Air Nado (Nev.): No. 78 senior Rickie Isaacs (Texas Tech) has a strong ball-screen game because his handle is tight and under control, with the court awareness of where he wants to go. Isaacs keeps a defense off balance because he is clever with the ball with his probing style on the fast break or in the halfcourt. His jumper and running floater are major weapons. A true point guard who has added strength and maturity.