{"id":581224,"date":"2026-04-02T18:35:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T18:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/581224\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T18:35:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T18:35:09","slug":"capital-classic-continues-legacy-of-showcasing-future-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/581224\/","title":{"rendered":"Capital Classic continues legacy of showcasing future stars"},"content":{"rendered":"

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LeBron James and Shannon Brown hold the MVP Trophy after the Capital Classic in April 2003 in Washington DC.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 53rd Annual Hoop Culture Capital Classic<\/a> All-American Game tips off this weekend in Washington, D.C., showcasing some of the nation\u2019s top high school prospects. Established in 1974 by the late grassroots basketball promoter and pioneer Bob Geoghan, the event became the first national high school basketball all-star showcase, serving as a launching pad for future NBA All-Stars and Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The teams will be split between the United States All-Stars and the Capital All-Stars (DMV), with the Vicki Brick-Zupancic DMV Girls All-Star Game (10:30 p.m. ET) set to precede the boys\u2019 tipoff (12 p.m. ET) at Capital One Arena.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud to once again bring the energy and tradition of the Hoop Culture Capital Classic to fans throughout the DMV,\u201d said <\/a>Friday Abernethy<\/a>, General Manager of Monumental Sports Network. \u201cThis event is our commitment to celebrate and highlight our local talent, and the role basketball plays in our community. It reflects our ongoing dedication to telling meaningful sports stories and highlighting the next wave of stars. We\u2019re excited to deliver an engaging broadcast and honor the legacy of this iconic game.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Notable Alumni<\/p>\n

Here are some notable Capital Classic alumni<\/a> over the last five decades:<\/p>\n

Moses Malone \u2013 1974
\nMagic Johnson \u2013 1977
\nDominique Wilkins \u2013 1979 MVP
\nRalph Sampson \u2013 1979
\nMichael Jordan \u2013 1981
\nPatrick Ewing \u2013 1981 MVP
\nGrant Hill \u2013 1990
\nJason Kidd \u2013 1992
\nCarmelo Anthony \u2013 2002
\nAmare Stoudemire \u2013 2002
\nJ.J. Reddick \u2013 2002
\nLeBron James \u2013 2003 MVP
\nChris Paul \u2013 2003
\nKlay Thompson \u2013 2008<\/p>\n

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LeBron James scored 34 points to secure the Capital Classic MVP award in 2003.<\/p>\n

Future Stars Take Stage<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s game looks to carry on that tradition, once again spotlighting some of the nation\u2019s top high school talent. Here\u2019s a closer look at a few elite prospects headlining Saturday\u2019s action.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jordan Smith Jr.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jordan Smith Jr. captured three consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships and four straight Virginia Independent School Athletic Association Division I titles. The Arkansas commit earned both the 2025-26 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year and 2026 Naismith High School Player of the Year honors after averaging 25.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.3 apg and 3.0 spg during his senior season. Smith Jr. is ranked the No. 1 player in Virginia and the No. 2 overall recruit in the country in the SC Next 100<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Baba Oladotun<\/p>\n

Baba Oladotun is a 6-foot-9 forward with a 7\u20194\u201d wingspan who possesses size and guard skills. The future Maryland Terrapin averaged 22.5 ppg during his senior season, leading James Hubert Blake High School to a 4A state title. Oladotun was originally the No. 1 player in ESPN\u2019s class of 2027 before reclassifying to 2026 at just 16 years old. He is now No. 8 overall in the SC Next 100<\/a> and ranks as the No. 3 power forward in the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Beyond the on-court talent, the Capital Classic continues to make a difference in the community. The Girls All-Star Game will benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, while the Boys Game will support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. Through the Capital Classic Youth Foundation, the event also helps expand access and opportunities for young athletes, reinforcing that the showcase values building futures.<\/p>\n

The Capital Classic can be watched on monumentalsportsnetwork.com<\/a> and on the Monumental+ app. Highlights from the game will be available on Future Starts Now<\/a> platforms across NBA digital and social channels<\/a>.<\/p>\n