Back at It: ACES Elite Classic at the Legendary Gaucho’s Gym

There are games… and then there’s the ACES Elite Classic — an annual showdown at the legendary Gaucho’s Gym in the Bronx that consistently brings Division 1-level talent to the hardwood.  This isn’t just another high school event — this is where future NCAA standouts and NBA stars get their start, and I’ve been blessed to cover it for the past four or five years.

Hosted by the incredible Brian Kortovich, ACES isn’t just a game — it’s a proving ground. The players here aren’t just talented — they’re next level. Men’s and women’s programs across the NCAA — the top ones — know to keep an eye on this game. And year after year, they’re right to.

None of this would be possible for me without the strength of my relationship with Brian.  His trust in my work and consistency in bringing me back each year has been a true pillar of my business. In this industry, relationships are everything.  Without them, I’m just a person with a camera. With them? I get the chance to document greatness in the making.

Shoutout to sponsors like Nomadic and Flerish for keeping the players fueled and the atmosphere elite.  And of course, a huge thank you to Gaucho’s Gym — a building that feels more like a cathedral when it’s filled with this much talent and heart.

ACES Elite Classic isn’t just an event I shoot — it’s part of my story, part of my growth, and part of my why.  Already counting down to next year.

– Burnell Branch