PICTURED: Uber-athletic ALL-GymRat selection HAILEY BENBOW rises up for Jersey GEMZ EYBL. The 6’0″ Rutgers Prep star is ranked by ESPN as the #13 prospect in the class of 2028 and is weighing early offers from North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Penn State, Texas A&M, Arizona State, Maryland, and Miami among others (Photos, Miles Knussman, GymRat Event Staff)

There are few guarantees in life….death, taxes, and the GymRat CHALLENGE WILL SELL OUT EVERY YEAR as one of the most ICONIC events in the history of grassroots basketball where more players are recruited than any other event in the nation. Registration begins annually on November 1st with the restricted EARLY REGISTATION period (Returning Teams and teams from the previous year’s Waiting List only) and continues with the beginning of unrestricted National Registration on January 1st with pricing as shown below. For more information, be sure to follow @TheREALGymRatCHALLENGE on Instagram, and @GymRatCHALLENGE on X. We look forward to seeing you in 2026, so get in EARLY….or somebody else WILL have your spot!

EARLY REG (Returning Teams & 2025 Waiting List Teams ONLY): November 1st through December 31st

• $425 for teams in the 8th through 11th Grade divisions
• $325 for teams in the 12U & 13U divisions

UNRESTRICTED NATIONAL REG: January 1st & beyond

• $525 for teams in the 8th through 11th Grade divisions
• $425 for teams in the 12U & 13U divisions

MULTI-TEAM DISCOUNTS. Call 1-888-7-GYMRAT (1-888-749-6728) for details

• 3-4 teams from the same program = 10% discount
• 5-9 teams from the same program = 15% discount
• 10+ teams from the same program = 20% discount
• NOT available in combination with EARLY REG discounts\

MORE PLAYERS ARE RECRUITED OUT OF THE GymRat CHALLENGE THAN ANY OTHER EVENT IN THE NATION. The GymRat CHALLENGE is one of the most iconic events in the history of grassroots basketball and a true test of both basketball skill and will where today’s NCAA and NBA, stars have come to earn their reputations over the past four decades….and where thousands of others have come to compete against them to see how they measure up against the best in the nation. From McDonald’s All-Americans to Gatorade National High School Players of the Year to NCAA National Champions, All-Americans & Naismith National Players of the Year, to WNBA All-Stars, MVPs & Champions to Olympic Gold Medalists, since 1998, some of the greatest players on the planet have arrived in Albany, NY to compete at GymRat, and exited the GymRat CHALLENGE having catapulted themselves to the top of recruiting boards across the country.

With unparalleled coverage from college coaches, scouting services, and basketball publications, as well as the most comprehensive & credible evaluation services in grassroots basketball, more players are recruited out of the GymRat Events than any other events in the nation. With team and individual national notoriety on the line, those that perform well in this high visibility event receive an unparalleled boost in recruiting exposure. Each year several ALL-GymRat selections are tabbed by the legendary GymRat CHALLENGE Evaluation Team as rising members of their classes both nationally as well as regionally in their home areas of the country. All of this, combined with a reputation as the best organized event in the nation, makes the GymRat CHALLENGE one of the most complete and competitive stops on the summer basketball schedule

The EXCLUSIVE Early Registration period for the 2026 GymRat CHALLENGE begins on November 1st and continues through December 31st with returning teams having access to exclusive discounts and special promotions during that period including a $100 per team discount for the first 100 teams to complete their registrations. DON’T BE LATE!

Ahead of the beginning of unrestricted National Registration that opens on January 1st, the EARLY REG period allows returning programs to register for the GymRat CHALLENGE and lock in their spots to compete where yesterday, today, and tomorrow’s NCAA, NBA, and WNBA stars have come to EARN their basketball reputations since 1998. The EARLY REG period also allows returning teams to guarantee their spots before the floodgates open with teams from Miami to Montreal rushing to claim a spot in the GymRat CHALLENGE field. 

EARLY REG RATES (Returning Teams ONLY): November 1st through December 31st….$100 PER team discount for the FIRST 100 TEAMS to complete their registrations.

• $425 for teams in the 8th through 11th Grade divisions
• $325 for teams in the 12U & 13U divisions

UNRESTRICTED NATIONAL REG RATES: January 1st & beyond

• $525 for teams in the 8th through 11th Grade divisions
• $425 for teams in the 12U & 13U divisions

• THREE game guarantee with additional games for Championship Round qualifiers
• THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE & CREDIBLE EVALUATION SERVICES IN GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL GymRat Evaluation Team on hand throughout the weekend for talent evaluation & selection of All-GymRat CHALLENGE team and MVPs in each age division for inclusion in the GymRat REPORT that is available to every college coach in the nation.
• Potential for MAXIMUM of 6 games over the event weekend
• POOL PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT
• POOL PLAY concludes at 11:15 AM on the final day of competition
• Pool Champions & potential Wildcard teams advance to the CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND beginning at 1:35 PM on the final day of competition
• CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND format includes
  • Bracket play based on POOL PLAY performance and resulting CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND seed
  • Single elimination with MAXIMUM of three games in CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND play
  • Champions awarded in each CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND bracket
  • This three-game maximum CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND formatreduces fatigue and results in higher quality performance in all brackets of the CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
  • This format allows all CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND qualifiers to play a minimum of one and a maximum of three games in this highly competitive round.
  • This format preserves the legendary trademark Championship–style of the GymRat CHALLENGE, allows for national recognition for winners in all brackets, and allows for early conclusion times for all teams.
• Certified referees for all games.
• Athletic Trainers on site

THE GymRat CHALLENGE IS A STAY TO PLAY EVENT. ALL TEAMS NEEDING HOTEL SPACE ARE REQUIRED TO BOOK THROUGH THE GymRat CHALLENGE’S HOTEL LOGISTICS PARTNER HALPERN TRAVEL. TEAMS BOOKING HOTEL SPACE OUTSIDE OF THIS SYSTEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE EVENT SCHEDULE.

Because of the size and scope of the GymRat CHALLENGE events, All of the discounted hotel rates are contractually GUARANTEED to be the lowest available at any hotel property during GymRat event weekends. View hotel requirements & options at http://gymratchallenge.com/girls-event/team-hotel-requirements/

In accordance with USA Basketball’s Grade and Age Eligibility Requirements, the following competition divisions will be offered at the GymRat CHALLENGE. These Age Eligibility Requirements are the same for ALL participants and participating teams regardless of whether those teams are based in the United States or internationally. NO EXCEPTIONS are allowed for teams based outside of the United States.

• 11th Grade– Athletes must be enrolled in the 11th grade or below (as of October 1, 2025) AND cannot turn 19 prior to September 1, 2026
• Players that are in 12th Grade as of October 1, 2025 and are attending Prep School in the Fall of 2026 must be able to provide an Admissions Department letter verifying they’re acceptance into a Prep School for the Fall of 2026. Players that are in 12th Grade as of October 1, 2025 and cannot provide an Admissions Department letter verifying their acceptance into a Prep School for the Fall of 2026 are INELIGIBLE to compete at GymRat Events.
• Regardless of “committed” status, players that will be attending college in the Fall of 2026 are INELIGIBLE to compete at GymRat Events.
• In order to be eligible to compete in 2026 GymRat Events, players must have remaining high school eligibility and must be exercising that remaining high school eligibility in the Fall of 2026,
• 10th Grade– Athletes must be enrolled in the 10th grade or below (as of October 1, 2025) AND cannot turn 18 prior to September 1, 2026
• 9th Grade– Athletes must be enrolled in the 9th grade or below (as of October 1, 2025) AND cannot turn 17 prior to September 1, 2026
• 14U– Athletes cannot turn 15 prior to September 1, 2026 (age division, no grade exceptions)
• 13U– Athletes cannot turn 14 prior to September 1, 2026 (age division, no grade exceptions)
• 12U– Athletes cannot turn 13 prior to September 1, 2026 (age division, no grade exceptions)

It is the responsibility of the head coach to provide age and grade (if applicable) verification for players at any time throughout the tournament. Permitted forms of player age verification include birth certificates, passports and government-issued IDs (originals, hard copies or digital copies). Permitted forms of player grade verification include school-issued report cards or school administrator confirmation of grade issued on school letterhead (originals, hard copies or digital copies).

USA BASKETBALL COACH LICENSE INFORMATION

The USA Basketball Coach License program focuses on educating coaches while ensuring the safety of those with whom the coach may come in contact. The program is designed to develop an inclusive basketball community of credible, qualified and dedicated coaches and administrators who serve the game.

There are two USA Basketball Coach License types: gold and associate. Both licenses require successfully passing a background check and completing online courses. The gold license provides additional benefits and coaching resources, but either license type is permitted for all coaches and bench personnel participating in Alliance Tournaments.

* While either license type is permitted for Official Qualifiers, coaches and event operators participating in NCAA-Certified events are still required to obtain a USA Basketball Gold Coach License, as mandated by the NCAA. More information can be found at https://www.usab.com/youth/development/coach/coach-license.aspx

COACH LICENSE SEASON

All licenses are valid from completion date through August 31st of the license year.

PROCESS TO OBTAIN A COACH LICENSE

• Step 1: Go to https://community.usab.com/
• Step 2: Select PROCEED under Coach Registration.
• *If you had an account in the previous season, click LOGIN in the top right corner and follow the prompted steps to renew your license.
• Step 3: Enter your account information, select your license type and pay the corresponding fee.
• Step 4: On your dashboard, select the BACKGROUND SCREENING bubble to begin your check through our screening partner Verified Volunteers.
• Step 5: On your dashboard, select the COURSES bubble and complete the required courses in your account.

Once your background check is clear and you have completed your courses, you will become licensed for the season and receive the benefits associated with your license level. Once licensed, set your online coach account profile to “public” view to allow for real-time verification of licensure.