Top Teams Clash at Chipotle Nationals High School Basketball Tournament

10 of the nation's best boys basketball teams compete for the national championship

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:09am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Chipotle Nationals high school boys basketball tournament has arrived, featuring 10 of the top-ranked teams in the country. The event will determine the national champion, with No. 1 Dynamic Prep, No. 2 AZ Compass Prep, No. 3 Prolific Prep, and No. 4 Paul VI all having a chance to claim the title. Other top teams competing include No. 7 CIA-Bella Vista Prep, No. 8 SPIRE Academy, and No. 9 Wasatch Academy.

Why it matters

The Chipotle Nationals is the premier postseason event in high school basketball, with the winner claiming the national championship. This year's tournament features an exceptional field of teams, with four squads ranked in the top four nationally. The outcome will have a major impact on the final national rankings and determine which program can claim the title of best team in the country.

The details

The tournament begins on Wednesday, April 1, with two opening-round games. No. 7 Wasatch Academy will face No. 10 Link Academy at 6 p.m. EST, followed by No. 8 SPIRE Academy against No. 9 Archbishop Stepinac at 8 p.m. The quarterfinals are set for Thursday, the semifinals on Friday, and the championship game on Saturday.

  • The Chipotle Nationals tournament begins on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
  • The opening-round games will tip off at 6 p.m. EST and 8 p.m. EST on April 1.
  • The quarterfinal matchups are scheduled for Thursday, April 2.
  • The semifinal games will be played on Friday, April 3.
  • The championship final is set for Saturday, April 4 at 12 p.m. EST.

The players

Dynamic Prep

The No. 1-ranked team in the country, based in Dallas, Texas.

AZ Compass Prep

The No. 2-ranked team in the nation, located in Chandler, Arizona.

Prolific Prep

The No. 3-ranked team, hailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Paul VI

The No. 4-ranked team, based in Chantilly, Virginia.

Montverde Academy

A basketball powerhouse making its 14th straight appearance at the Chipotle Nationals.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This year's Chipotle Nationals features an incredible field of teams. It's going to be must-see basketball.”

— Kendall Webb, Sporting News High School Basketball Analyst

What’s next

The opening-round games on Wednesday will determine the matchups for the quarterfinals on Thursday. The winners of those games will advance to the semifinals on Friday, setting up the championship final on Saturday.

The takeaway

The Chipotle Nationals is high school basketball's premier postseason event, and this year's tournament promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. With four of the top five teams in the country competing, the national champion will have to navigate a gauntlet of elite programs to claim the title.