nj
Two notable figures from New Jersey's basketball scene are set to participate in a pioneering international high school basketball league. On Thursday, World Stage Sports introduced ATLAS, a league that will bring together 11 top high school and academy basketball programs from across the globe.
Among the founding members is SPIRE Academy (OH), which is led by former St. Patrick's coach Kevin Boyle. One of Boyle's standout players at SPIRE is Creighton commit Micah Gordon. Gordon, a 4-star guard, earned NJ.com Player of the Year honors last season after guiding Plainfield to consecutive Group 4 championships. He made the move to SPIRE during the offseason.
Boyle, 63, guided St. Patrick's to five New Jersey Tournament of Champions titles and mentored stars such as Kyrie Irving, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Al Harrington, and Shaheen Holloway. He was at the Union County school from 1989 to 2011, before departing to become the coach at Montverde Academy (FL). At Montverde, Boyle coached No. 1 NBA Draft picks Ben Simmons, Cade Cunningham, and Cooper Flagg. He led the national powerhouse for 14 years before moving to SPIRE in 2025.
In a statement, Boyle expressed his enthusiasm: "ATLAS is building what I believe is the first truly elite international youth basketball league, bringing together top programs from North America and Europe. Through world-class competition, coaching, and exposure to different styles of play and cultures, we are preparing the next generation for high-level college basketball, the NBA, and Europe's premier professional leagues."
The 11 teams competing in ATLAS's inaugural season are: DME Academy (Florida, USA), IMG Academy (Florida, USA), Mega Basket (Serbia), Orange1 Bassano (Italy), OrangeAcademy Ulm (Germany), Orangeville Prep (Ontario, Canada), Pallacanestro Varese (Italy), Prolific Prep (Florida, USA), SPIRE (Ohio, USA), Sunrise Christian (Kansas, USA), and Žalgiris (Lithuania). According to Forbes, ATLAS is financially backed by individuals, venture capital, and private equity.
The regular season will take place in both North America and Europe from November through February, with the playoffs commencing in March. American teams in the ATLAS league will retain eligibility to compete in the prestigious Chipotle Nationals. The league's inaugural season will tip off at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, on Nov. 11.
Key Analysis
The formation of ATLAS represents a significant shift in high school basketball, creating a global platform for young athletes. With Boyle's extensive experience and Gordon's rising star, the league aims to provide unparalleled exposure and development opportunities. This initiative could reshape the landscape of youth basketball, bridging the gap between high school and professional careers both in the U.S. and abroad.
Originally reported by nj.