Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy is proud to announce the return of the 8th Annual Beach & Ball Classic, one of Florida’s premier winter basketball events, taking place December 4–7, 2025, on the DME campus.
This year’s tournament will feature teams across three divisions — Post Grad, High School National, and High School Regional — with each program guaranteed three competitive games over the four-day showcase. Returning programs, college coaches, and fans can expect another year of high-level basketball in one of the most exciting and scenic sports environments in the country.
All participating teams will receive the official 2025 Beach & Ball Classic Tournament T-shirt, provided that the traveling party books accommodations at one of DME’s approved Tournament Hotels.
Known for its competitive matchups, player exposure, and signature Daytona atmosphere, the Beach & Ball Classic has grown into a staple winter event drawing programs from across the Southeast and beyond. This year’s edition is expected to be the biggest yet.
A full event schedule, game times, brackets, and more are available at: dmeacademy.com/beach-and-ball-classic
DME Academy looks forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, and fans for another unforgettable weekend of basketball at the 2025 Beach & Ball Classic.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – DME Academy’s National Girls Basketball Team delivered a statement performance at Grind Session Stop #2, defeating No. 11 nationally ranked Legion Prep (TX) by a commanding 66–46 margin.
GiGi Battle was unstoppable, earning Player of the Game honors after posting a dominant 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 assist, setting the tone on both ends of the floor. Sara Okeke added a powerful double-double, finishing with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
It was a complete team win, with Timani Harris providing a major spark off the bench, adding 11 points.
The victory further solidifies DME Academy’s standing as one of the premier national programs in girls’ basketball and highlights the depth, talent, and competitive fire within the roster.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy is proud to announce that Sther Ubaka, a standout 6’1” forward in the Class of 2026, has officially signed with Vanderbilt University, securing her future at one of the nation’s premier academic and athletic institutions.
Originally from Brazil, Ubaka has emerged as a dynamic presence for DME Academy, pairing size, mobility, and skill with an elite motor that consistently makes her one of the most impactful players on the floor. Her ability to defend multiple positions, finish through contact, and stretch the floor made her one of the most sought-after forwards in her class.
Ubaka’s signing with Vanderbilt, a program competing in the prestigious Southeastern Conference (SEC), marks another major milestone for DME’s thriving girls basketball program and continues the academy’s track record of sending student-athletes to top NCAA Division I programs.
DME Academy congratulates Sther Ubaka and her family on this tremendous achievement and looks forward to watching her continue her academic and athletic success as a Commodore.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – DME Academy is proud to host Grind Session Stop #2 beginning today (Nov. 24) and running through Wednesday (Nov. 26), bringing some of the nation’s top girls basketball programs to campus for three days of elite competition.
DME’s National Girls Team will headline the event, with the Regional and Prep Girls Teams also competing on Court 2 throughout the showcase.
Grind Session is the first-ever winter circuit dedicated to elite high school basketball, featuring more than 400 action-packed games from November through March across top venues in the U.S., Canada, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. The circuit provides athletes with premier competition, national exposure, and a powerful platform to prepare for the next chapter of their basketball careers.
DME Academy is excited to welcome teams, coaches, and fans to Daytona Beach for an event that continues to elevate girls’ basketball on the national stage.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
Daytona Beach, Fla. – The DME Academy National Boys Basketball Team delivered another strong showing on the national stage, finishing 1–1 at Grind Session Stop #2 in a highly competitive weekend that featured late-game drama and standout individual performances.
In the opening matchup, DME fell in a heartbreaking one-point loss, where a last-second game-winner was waved off, ending a back-and-forth battle that showcased the team’s toughness and ability to execute under pressure.
The group responded with authority in Game Two, sailing past Hamilton Heights in a dominant performance fueled by high-level scoring, defensive intensity, and impressive ball movement. Nate Kirk delivered a breakout game and was named Player of the Game, continuing his upward trajectory this season.
Through two Grind Session stops, DME’s National Team has continued to prove why it remains one of the top prep programs in the country, competing against elite national talent, demonstrating depth across the roster, and establishing a foundation for another high-impact season.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
Daytona Beach, Fla. – Led by a trio of nationally ranked stars, the DME Academy Girls’ Basketball Team has been ranked No. 4 in the country in the SportsCenter Next Top 25 Preseason Rankings.
DME’s team strength is anchored by standout players Sara Okeke, GiGi Battle, and Chikae Desdunes, all ranked inside the top ten of the Prep Girls Hoops Florida Class of 2026 rankings. Read the full article here.
Earlier this week, the girls opened Grind Session conference play with a dominant 83–52 victory over Grind Prep, powered by 21 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks from Sara Okeke.
DME Academy’s reputation as a premier destination for developing top-tier talent, through world-class coaching, elite facilities, and national-level competition, continues to grow with this latest ranking. The team now looks ahead to building another banner season for the program.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
Daytona Beach, Fla. – Ryan Hampton, a 6’7” guard/wing and five-star prospect in the Class of 2027, has been named to the prestigious Naismith High School Boys Player of the Year Watchlist, recognizing the nation’s top high school basketball players.
Hampton, ranked No. 5 nationally in the Class of 2027, joins an elite group of players being recognized for their skill, production, and impact at the highest level of high school competition. He will compete for DME Academy in Daytona Beach for the next two seasons, continuing his development within one of the country’s top basketball programs.
Last season, Hampton earned Underclassman Honorable Mention on the Naismith list, and since then, he’s elevated his game to new heights. On the Nike EYBL circuit with Drive Nation, Hampton established himself as one of the most efficient and dynamic scorers in the country — averaging more than 25 points per game this summer against elite national competition.
Being named to the Naismith Watchlist solidifies Hampton’s standing as one of the premier young talents in the nation.
The inclusion of Hampton on the boys’ side and GiGi Battle on the girls’ watchlist reinforces DME Academy’s growing reputation as a national powerhouse for player development, competition, and college preparation.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy proudly congratulates GiGi Battle, a standout 5’11” guard in the Class of 2026, on being named to the 2025–26 Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year Watchlist, one of the most prestigious honors in high school basketball.
Battle, who is ranked No. 32 nationally in the ESPNW Class of 2026 rankings, has become one of the premier players in the country and a cornerstone of DME Academy’s elite girls basketball program. Known for her versatility, elite scoring ability, and leadership on both ends of the floor, Battle has continued to shine against national competition.
Earlier this year, Battle earned Offensive MVP honors at the Adidas All-American Camp, where she dropped 22 points, five rebounds, and two assists in her opening game, earning recognition as one of the event’s top performers. Her continued growth and consistency have now earned her a place among the nation’s best high school players.
Being named to the Naismith Watchlist places Battle among an elite group of athletes projected to compete at the highest levels of college and professional basketball. Her recognition further solidifies DME Academy’s reputation as a premier destination for developing top-tier talent through world-class coaching, facilities, and competition.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
Daytona Beach, Fla. – It was a banner week for DME Academy Boys Basketball, as the program combined for an undefeated 11–0 record across all levels of play. From the middle school through the national teams, each squad showcased the depth, talent, and development that define DME basketball.
The High School National Team led the way, going 3–0 behind standout performances from Patrik Birmingham and Ryan Hampton. The team now turns its focus to opening Grind Session Conference play this weekend in Boca Raton, where they’ll look to continue their hot start against some of the nation’s top prep programs.
Meanwhile, the Prep Team added two more wins to their record, finishing the week 2–0 behind impressive leadership and scoring from Luke Melbiczak, who earned DME Player of the Week honors for his standout play.
In total, DME’s Middle School, White, Regional, Prep, National, and Blue Teams all secured victories, highlighting the collective strength and alignment across the program.
With every level contributing to the perfect week, DME continues to reinforce its reputation as one of the nation’s premier basketball academies, developing complete student-athletes who are prepared to compete and succeed at the next level.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
Daytona, FL. At DME Academy, the trio of girls’ basketball stars Sara Okeke, GiGi Battle, and Chikae Desdunes is paving the way.
Prep Girls Hoops has released its latest Florida rankings for the Class of 2026, and three DME athletes headline the list: Sara Okeke at No. 1, GiGi Battle at No. 3, and Chikae Desdunes at No. 6.
Sara Okeke: Ranked No. 1
Sara takes the top overall ranking thanks to her dominant two-way presence, athletic versatility, and continued growth. Her ability to impact the game inside and out has drawn national attention, and she enters the season poised for a breakout year
GiGi Battle: Ranked No. 3
GiGi comes in at No. 3 statewide and is officially committed to Indiana University. A 1,000+ point scorer with over 500 rebounds, she brings strength, poise, and consistency to every matchup. Her ability to finish through contact, control pace, and lead in big moments makes her a perfect fit for the Big Ten.
Chikae Desdunes: Ranked No. 6
Chikae lands at No. 6 in the state and is committed to Penn State. Having already surpassed 2,000 career points, she’s one of the most dynamic scorers in Florida. Her creativity, scoring range, and competitive fire give her the tools to make an immediate impact at the next level.
A Big Year Ahead
With Sara, GiGi, and Chikae all ranked among the state’s best, DME enters the season with experience, depth, and real championship potential. The schedule is national, the expectations are high, and this group has the talent to make noise well beyond Florida.
Ready to take the next step?
DME Academy helps serious athletes train with purpose, compete against high-level programs, and build a path to the next level. With year-round structure, national exposure, and a staff that understands what it takes, we prepare players to perform when it counts.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.