Key Takeaways
- 70 players participated in OT Select’s second season, with 57 ranked in the top 100 of their respective classes
- Championship game featured USC commit Saniyah Hall (No. 2, class of 2026) and top 2027 player Kaleena Smith
- Players receive PR training, mental health resources, financial literacy education through Chase Bank partnership
- Five participants earned spots through tryouts rather than invitations from league recruiters
- Advisory group includes WNBA players Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and college players Paige Bueckers, JuJu Watkins
Second Season Championship Features Top-Ranked Players
OT Select concluded its second season in Atlanta with a championship game between highly ranked high school players. USC commit Saniyah Hall earned MVP honors with 28 points and 12 rebounds as her All Knighters team defeated ISO WRLD 87-71.
Hall holds the No. 2 ranking in the class of 2026 according to 247Sports. Her opponent, Kaleena Smith, ranks as the top player in the class of 2027. This marked Smith’s second consecutive runner-up finish at the event.
“What a game,” Hall said after the title game. “I was honestly nervous.”
Of the 70 total participants this season, 57 hold top-100 rankings in their respective graduation classes. The first season included 11 McDonald’s All-Americans, among them current college players Aaliyah Chavez at Oklahoma, Jazzy Davidson at USC, and Sienna Betts at UCLA.
Players Access Professional Development Resources
Participants receive services that extend beyond basketball competition. The program includes PR and media training, mental health resources, and financial literacy education provided through a partnership with Chase Bank. Players receive prepared meals from dietitians and have access to multiple practice courts at OTE Arena for additional training.
League director Sascha Malas described the research process behind the program’s development. “We spent countless hours listening and learning. We were speaking to parents, agents, grassroots consultants, WNBA players, legends in this space, NCAA athletes, the list goes on and on.”
Malas noted the different path to professional basketball for women compared to men, with the NBA allowing players to turn professional at younger ages. “How does Overtime benefit these kids and create a holistic experience that helps them be the next Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Caitlin Clarks of the NCAA?” Malas said she asked her team.
Brand Partnerships Include Adidas, Gatorade, Invisalign
The league maintains partnerships with major brands including Elf, Invisalign, Gatorade, and Adidas. Adidas created a purple colorway of Anthony Edwards’ AE 1 shoe specifically for Overtime Select participants.
Kate Harpring, last year’s MVP who recently committed to North Carolina, described the media experience. “We do all the media stuff, which is really helpful for my personal brand, like how much it has helped me grow on the social media side of things,” Harpring said. “Basketball-wise, I’ve never really played in something where there’s so many cameras, and there’s literally people following you around.”
Harpring holds the No. 1 ranking in the class of 2026 according to 247Sports. “I just really like the competitiveness in Overtime,” Harpring said. “You’re playing against the best girls in high school, so you’re going to a game knowing that’s going to be a hard game, knowing that everyone’s going to give you their best shot.”
Tryout Process Expands Access Beyond Standard Recruitment
While most players received invitations from league recruiters, five participants earned spots through tryouts. Cece Dennis, currently ranked No. 29 by 247Sports, was among those selected through the tryout process.
Dennis led all scorers in the championship game with 29 points while playing defense against Smith. “When I heard I got [a spot] I was shocked because I’m an underdog,” Dennis said. “Nobody really knew my name and now I’m playing with elite girls. I was ready.”
Dennis noted increased social media attention following her performance. “It’s been hectic. A lot of people have been following me [on social media] but I just love it. It keeps me going. I love the support. A lot of people ask for pictures and I love that.”
WNBA and College Players Serve as Program Advisors
The program includes advisors from professional and college basketball. WNBA players Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier serve as advisors, along with college players JuJu Watkins, Paige Bueckers, and Flau’jae Johnson.
Players interact with advisors through podcasts, which provide interview experience alongside the advisor relationships. Hall described the overall experience: “It’s such a great experience. You get so much support in this building. There are just so many resources to take advantage of. We’ve got like five or six courts in here. You can get up shots any time you want. Tons of gear, tons of things to heal after you’re done playing.”
Smith, who has competed in both seasons of OT Select, found the nutritional education particularly valuable. Smith said the lesson she found most beneficial “was about healthy eating habits and taking care of her body through recovery and rest.”
via: CBS Sports
YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.
About Youth Sports Business Report
Youth Sports Business Report is the leading source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. We deliver comprehensive coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.
Our expert team provides in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:
- Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
- Youth Sports events
- NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments
- Youth sports coaching and sports recruitment
- Sports technology and data analytics
- Youth sports facilities and management
- Sports content creation and digital media
Whether you’re a sports industry professional, Youth sports parent, coach, or youth sports enthusiast, we deliver the sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.
Stay connected with the pulse of the youth sports business – where industry expertise meets actionable intelligence.
