The wait is finally over.
This weekend, the basketball world once again turns its attention to Mesa, Arizona, as the 7th Annual Tribe Athletics Native American Junior Nationals tips off at the world-class Arizona Athletic Grounds. What has grown from a premier Indigenous event into a global showcase now welcomes an incredible 580 teams, making it the largest Indigenous basketball tournament in the world. The event brings together Native American, Polynesian, and Indigenous athletes from across North America and beyond to celebrate culture, community, and elite competition.
For the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of evaluating talent and providing media coverage at this incredible event. Every year the tournament continues to grow—not only in size, but in the level of competition. Players who have competed on these courts have gone on to earn college scholarships, national recognition, and establish themselves as some of the top Indigenous prospects in the country.
This year’s tournament may feature the deepest field I’ve ever seen.
While every division is packed with talent, the Varsity Girls Division is absolutely loaded with high-level athletes, future college players, and championship-caliber programs. Every game has the potential to be a showcase matchup, and there will be very little room for error once bracket play begins.
Several teams have positioned themselves as legitimate title threats, but four programs stand above the rest entering the weekend.
Team Stronghold
A battle-tested program that consistently competes at the highest level. Their physicality, discipline, and championship experience make them one of the toughest outs in the tournament. Here are a few players to watch:
Tamia Pietila
Teriise “Risi” Lancaster
Lana Shirley
Rezbombers
Year after year, Rezbombers produce elite talent and play with tremendous pace and confidence. Their ability to score in bunches and compete on both ends of the floor always makes them a dangerous championship contender. Here are a few of their players to watch:
Kayden Tsosie
Kjani Anitielu
Suri Gourd
Legendary Elite
One of the premier names in Indigenous girls basketball, Legendary Elite has built a reputation for toughness, athleticism, and winning. They know what it takes to make deep tournament runs and will once again be in the championship conversation. They always have talent and here are some of the players to keep an eye on:
Dvdaya Swimmer
Jaslene Garcia-Howell
Joscelyn Stamper
GC3 Stars
Representing Polynesian athletes, the GC3 Stars enter the tournament with one of the most talented rosters assembled in the event. Featuring high-level prospects from Hawaiʻi and the mainland, this group combines skill, versatility, size, and athleticism. While many of these athletes are playing together for the first time, their overall talent gives them every opportunity to compete for a championship. Here are the players to keep on eye on this weekend:
Tailele Wily-Ava
Tylaiah Wily
Tehya Richardson
After evaluating the tournaments and program history, my prediction for the final four is:
- Team Stronghold
- Rezbombers
- Legendary Elite
- GC3 Stars
With so much talent throughout the bracket, there will undoubtedly be surprises along the way, but these four teams have the experience, depth, and firepower to make a run to Championship Sunday.
The Tribe Athletics Native American Junior Nationals is about far more than wins and losses. It is a celebration of Indigenous excellence, culture, family, and opportunity. For four days, Arizona becomes the home of the world’s best Indigenous basketball players as hundreds of teams proudly represent their tribes, communities, and cultures on one stage.
As someone who has covered this event for the last five years, I can confidently say there is nothing else like it in grassroots basketball. The atmosphere is unmatched, the talent continues to rise each year, and the future of Indigenous basketball has never been brighter.
The stage is set.
Now it’s time to find out who will be crowned the 2026 Tribe Athletics Native American Junior Nationals Champions.
