The wait is finally over. Although the RUMBLE in the BRONX officially kicked off last weekend as boys 9u - 14u and girls 13u - 16u competed, much of the focus is on what is in store this weekend. Boys 15u - 17u will converge upon New York City to determine not only who is the best in New York but the entire country. Friday and Saturday's action will take place at Baruch College, Basketball City, Hooperstown and House of Sports. All three age groups will crown a champion on Sunday at House of Sports in Ardsley, New York.

Like always, all three fields are loaded. New Heights, who is currently ranked 20th in the nation by indihoops.com, will compete in the 15u bracket. Sports U's 15u, who has been ranked #1 all season by indihoops com, will play up an age group and take on the 16u field. In addition Sports U's #1 ranked 15's, the 16u field will include the 12th ranked River City Reign and 18th ranked Team Final. Albany City Rocks, who was ranked #1 in the nation earlier in the season, will also compete in the 16u bracket.

The 17u field features We R1, who is currently ranked 11th by indihoops.com but spent much of the season in the number one spot. The 20th ranked New heights squad will also be vying for a 17u championship as well as River City Reign's 17u, who has received Honorable Mention votes in the latest rankings.

Not only is the tournament full of elite programs but elite players as well. Competing in the 2015 RUMBLE will be 8 players ranked in ESPN's Top 100, including #22 Rawle Alkins, #26 Mustapha Heron, #52 Tony Carr, #67 Shamorie Ponds, #73 Kevin Huerter, #74 Lamar Stevens, #83 Sedee Keita and #98 Mamadou Diarra and that is just the class of 2016. Trevon Duval #13 and Hamidou Diallo #30 in ESPN's 2017 rankings will be competing in the RUMBLE as well. Nazreon Reid, who is ranked #7 in the class of 2018 by ESPN, will be playing for Sports U.

To stay up to date with all of the action visit www.rumbleinthebronx.net.

x Paul Johnson