What rules are used at the National Prep Tournament?

All games are played under NCAA men's basketball rules with two 20-minute halves, four timeouts per game, and a 30-second shot clock.

How is the bracket determined?

Pool play on Friday seeds teams into the championship or consolation bracket. Tiebreakers are head-to-head, point differential (capped), and points allowed.

What awards are given out?

Game MVPs every game, an All-Tournament Team of 5-7 players per division, a Tournament MVP per division, and championship trophies.

Format • Rules • Awards

Format & Rules

Three days of basketball under NCAA rules. Each team plays three games. Games are live streamed on YouTube.

How the Tournament Works

The National Prep Tournament runs three days of pool play and bracket competition, March 5-7, 2027 at FCP Sports in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Each team plays three games over the tournament weekend. The final matchups and game times are shared after the field is set.

The tournament opens Friday. Divisions and matchups are set after team registration closes. Teams receive their three-game schedule before the event.

Day-by-Day Structure

Friday: Pool Play

Opening games begin at FCP Sports. The full matchup list and tip-off times will be shared with registered teams.

Opening games
Scores and standings recorded
Games live streamed

Saturday: Bracket Round 1

Division play continues. Teams follow their assigned three-game schedule. Game MVPs are selected for each game.

Division games
Updated standings
MVP recognition each game

Sunday: Championship

Final scheduled games and division awards close the weekend. The All-Tournament Team is announced on Sunday.

Final games
Trophy presentation
All-Tournament Team named

Game Format

All games run under NCAA rules with two 20-minute halves, four timeouts per game, and a 30-second shot clock. Overtime is 5 minutes if needed.

Two 20-minute halves
NCAA rules
Professional referees

Tournament Rules

Game Rules

The National Prep Tournament uses NCAA men's basketball rules with minor adjustments for tournament play. Games are 40 minutes (two 20-minute halves). Each team is allotted four timeouts per game (three full, one 30-second). The shot clock is 30 seconds per possession. Halftime is 10 minutes. Overtime periods are 5 minutes.

Eligibility & Rosters

Maximum roster size is 15 players. All players must appear on the official roster card submitted at check-in. Mid-tournament roster changes are not permitted. High School Division players must be enrolled in grades 9-12. Post-Grad Division players must be high school graduates who are not yet enrolled as full-time college student-athletes.

Conduct & Sportsmanship

Two technical fouls in a single game result in player ejection. Coach ejections (two technicals or one flagrant) may carry over to the next game at the tournament director's discretion. Fighting results in immediate dismissal from the tournament with no refund. Bench decorum is enforced strictly.

Awards & Recognition

Game MVP every game (announced and posted)
All-Tournament Team (5-7 players per division)
Tournament MVP (one per division)
Championship trophies for both brackets

Tiebreakers & Seeding

Pool play tiebreakers are decided in the following order: head-to-head result, point differential (capped at +/- 15 per game), points allowed, and finally a coin flip. The seeding committee uses pool finish, regular-season record, and historical program strength to seed the championship bracket.

For the full division breakdown, see the divisions page. Ready to compete? Register your team or check the live tournament schedule.

Compete at the Highest Level

Limited spots available for March 5-7, 2027. Reserve your team's place at the National Prep Tournament at FCP Sports in Fort Walton Beach, FL.