Leading boys and girls grassroots and high school basketball events provider in the mid-Atlantic joins the the nation's largest and most connected youth sports organization.
July 7, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOBURN, MA – JULY 7, 2026 – 3STEP Sports, the nation’s largest and most connected youth sports organization, today announced the acquisition of Premier 1 Events, the leading boys and girls grassroots and high school basketball events provider in the mid-Atlantic.
Founded by Vinny Lasorsa, Premier 1 has earned a reputation as a leading national basketball event organization, serving more than 55,000 athletes across 27 tournaments and events annually. Known for delivering high-quality competitive experiences, Premier 1 has built lasting relationships with coaches, athletes, and families throughout the mid-Atlantic.
Premier 1 strengthens 3STEP Basketball, the nation’s largest and most connected grassroots basketball platform, which serves more than 815,000 athletes through 630+ events and leagues and supports more than 560 club teams nationwide. The platform includes nationally recognized powerhouse brands such as Zero Gravity Basketball, Select Events Basketball, Hoop Group, BigFoot Hoops, Ohio Basketball and Run 4 Roses, along with the Under Armour Association (UAA) and Girls Under Armour Association (GUAA) circuits.
“Premier 1 has built something special in the mid-Atlantic — real credibility with coaches, players, and families who trust their events and trust their staff,” said Chad Gruen, CEO of 3STEP Sports. “As we continue building the nation’s largest and most connected youth basketball platform, we’re proud to partner with Vinny and the Premier 1 team. Together, we’ll continue empowering athletes through sport while creating even more opportunities to young people to compete, develop, and thrive.”
“3STEP shares our commitment to the athletes and communities we serve, and their support gives us the ability to keep building without losing what makes Premier 1, Premier 1,” said Vinny Lasorsa, Founder & Director, Premier 1 Events. “Our mission has always been to help athletes improve their skills and fulfill their dreams, and we are excited to continue that work alongside the 3STEP team”.
Premier 1 will continue operating under its trusted regional brand while benefiting from 3STEP’s national platform, operational resources, and shared commitment to empowering athletes through sport. Fall registration is now open. For more information, visit Premier1Events.com.
About 3STEP Sports
3STEP Sports is the nation’s largest and most connected youth sports club and event organization, serving more than 2 million athlete participants across seven sports in more than 40 states. By connecting the athlete journey through competitive clubs, elite events, and its proprietary PlayerFirst™ platform, 3STEP is building a more connected and modern foundation for youth sports. To learn more, visit threestep.com.
About Premier 1 Events
Premier 1 Events is the leading boys and girls grassroots and high school basketball events provider in the mid-Atlantic, serving more than 55,000 athletes across 27 tournaments and events annually. For more information, visit Premier1Events.com.
