August 17-18, 2025
The summer recruiting circuit is relentless. Month after month, elite prospects bounce from tournament to showcase to camp, each appearance carrying the weight of rankings, college offers, and future opportunities. In an era where NIL deals can materialize or vanish based on a single highlight reel, every dribble matters.
These young athletes live under constant evaluation. Coaches watch every possession. Scouts dissect every decision. Social media amplifies every moment. The pressure never stops, and neither do they.
But for one magical weekend in New York City, SLAM Summer Classic Volume 7 hit the reset button. This wasn’t about impressing college coaches or climbing recruiting boards.
Whether Tyran Stokes was flying through the air at Rucker Park, Anderson Diaz was mastering NBA 2K26, or Jaxon Richardson was electrifying the dunk contest, something beautiful happened: they were just teenagers having the time of their lives.
In a sport that’s become increasingly businesslike at younger ages, the SLAM Summer Classic created space for pure basketball bliss. No rankings. No recruiting implications. Just 28 of the country’s best young players getting to be exactly what they are – kids who happen to be incredible at basketball.
“The SLAM Summer Classic, now in its 7th year, is a must play game for the elite boys and girls high school players in America. It’s right up there with the McDonalds and Jordan Brand Classic games. You have to be at Rucker Park to believe it”. – Dennis Page – SLAM Founder / NBA Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Operations of the event are run by MADE Hoops and leb by Vice President of Operations & Administration Jordan Tillotson who said, “The SLAM Summer Classic is the capstone to a busy summer of grassroots basketball. It is a tremendous honor to have our operations team play a role in the execution of this premier event, and is one that we look forward to each and every summer.”
“Nothing beats the energy and thrill of a late summer night under the lights at Rucker Park surrounded by the best up and coming basketball talent and basketball royalty from the past.
Our reward after months of planning and organizing the SLAM Summer Classic is seeing the joy on the athletes faces as they partake in a one of one basketball experience in New York City.”
The Adventure Begins
Picture this: kids rolling into Manhattan Saturday night, eyes wide with excitement, knowing they’re about to experience something special. After getting settled and a quick rundown of the weekend from MADE Hoops‘ CEO Chad Babel who runs operations of the event, plus some fresh Dame Lillard Oakley shades to kick things off, the event was just beginning.
Sunday – Nike HQ
Nike HQ Takeover First stop? The iconic Nike headquarters, where these future stars got the full VIP treatment. Between the photo shoots in their crisp game uniforms and endless TikToks, the energy was already electric.
The players headed down on Nike’s headquarters court, where Morgan Stanley dropped some serious knowledge about financial wellness. These aren’t just ballers; they’re learning to be smart about their futures too.
“The opportunity to spend time with these incredibly talented young men and women was truly inspiring. With the evolving NIL landscape, these young athletes are getting amazing opportunities, and it’s important for them to understand the financial responsibilities that come with it. Our goal is to help them ask the right questions to set themselves up for long-term success. We’re extremely grateful for our partnership with SLAM and MADE Hoops and we’re excited for future opportunities to continue building together.” – Eamon Dworkin, Senior Vice President, Global Sports & Entertainment Director, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.
2v2 Battles at Nike HQ
After the Morgan Stanley presentation, it was time to compete. The Nike headquarters court became the stage for intense 2v2 action as elite prospects paired up and went head-to-head.
The standout moment came when Anderson Diaz and his partner Morgan Stewart took on the powerhouse duo of #1 ranked Tyran Stokes and Jerzy Robinson. In a clutch moment, Diaz hit a smooth stepback three that had everyone in the building buzzing and sent the favored pair packing.
Diaz and Stewart rode that momentum all the way to the championship, with the shifty New York guard’s handles and shot-making leading the charge. It was pure, competitive basketball that perfectly set the tone for what would become Anderson’s breakout weekend in his home city.
Dunk Contest at Nike HQ
The energy reached a fever pitch when it was time for the dunk contest. One by one, these elite athletes stepped up to showcase their most creative and explosive throws, but it was Jaxon Richardson from Columbus, Florida who truly stole the show.
Richardson, the No. 20 player in the Class of 2026, brought that rare combination of power and creativity that dunk contests live for. His extraordinary athleticism was perfectly suited for this moment, and he delivered with dunks that had the entire Nike headquarters buzzing.
The crowd was going wild with each attempt, but Richardson’s winning dunk sealed the deal and brought home the victory, using his brother Jase – who plays for the Orlando Magic – as a prop.
Gaming Like Pros
The night wrapped up at a gaming studio where these competitors got their hands on NBA 2K26 before literally anyone else on the planet. Anderson Diaz – the shifty lefty from New York – took home the gaming crown. Kid was basically unstoppable all weekend in his home city. Not only did this year’s SLAM Summer Classic crew get to be the first people to play NBA 2K26, but they also got these crazy exclusive varsity jackets to celebrate the moment
Monday Morning – Future Visionaries
META’s offices became the next playground, where these young stars dove into personal branding and got their minds blown by VR tech. The green screen sport card station had everyone feeling like they were already pros.
Player were surprised at the end of the office visit with Oakley Meta HSTN glasses.
Rucker Park – Where Dreams Come True
The Girls Brought the Energy At 5 PM, some of the most talented young women in basketball put on a clinic. Players like Jerzy Robinson, Olivia Vukosa, and Trinity Jones showed why they’re the future of the game, each bringing their own flavor to the court. Both game were streamed on NBA channels.
A Historic Moment Then something incredible happened – for the first time ever at a SLAM Summer Classic, McDonald’s All American alumni stepped onto the court. Brandon Jennings, Te’a Cooper, Deja Kelly, and Lou Williams reminded everyone why they’re legends, with Te’a and Lou taking home the W in a game that had the crowd absolutely losing it.
The Main Event When 7:45 rolled around, Tyran Stokes put on an absolute masterclass. This kid is ranked #1 for a reason – 27 points of pure artistry, including dunks that had people questioning the laws of physics.
But it wasn’t just the Tyran show. Brandon McCoy Jr. was throwing down thunderous jams that shook the whole park. Christian Collins at 6’9″ was handling the rock like a point guard. Nasir Anderson was flying through the air like gravity was optional. And Anderson Diaz? The hometown hero had his people going crazy with those silky smooth handles.
The Perfect Ending
Picture 28 young stars cruising through NYC on a double-decker bus, city lights reflecting their smiles, phones buzzing with highlight clips already going viral. The night ended at Dave and Busters with good food, good vibes, and the kind of memories that last forever.
To see these young stars light up the city and then finish the weekend with us at Dave & Buster’s was truly special. This event wasn’t just about basketball, it was about joy, friendship, and creating memories that will last far beyond Rucker Park. We’re proud to have been part of that perfect ending.” – Robert Jenkins, VP of Sales and Local Strategy, Dave & Buster’s
More Than Just Basketball
This wasn’t just about hoops – though Tyran taking home that Terrence Clarke MVP award (honoring the late Kentucky star) was deeply meaningful. This was about young athletes getting a taste of what their futures could look like, surrounded by brands and partners who believe in their potential.
From Nike to Morgan Stanley to META to Oakley and NBA2K, everyone came together to create something special. These kids didn’t just play basketball; they got educated, inspired, and treated like the stars they’re destined to become.
And honestly? Watching the next generation of basketball greatness come together in the city that never sleeps, on the most famous court in streetball history? That’s the kind of magic you can’t script.
The legacy continues, and these 28 young stars just added their own chapter to the SLAM Summer Classic story.
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