SPRINGFIELD — Kaden and Kalek House competed and lost at the Hoophall Classic in 2025 against Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.).
This year at the event, with a rematch on the schedule, the brothers didn’t let the opportunity pass them by.
Arizona Compass (Ariz.) defeated Long Island Lutheran, 59-58, on Saturday in Blake Arena on the campus of Springfield College. Kaden scored 12 points and had four rebounds, while Kalek had six points, three rebounds and five assists.
Kalek and Kaden are the sons of former Boston Celtic Eddie House. House played in Boston from 2007-2010 and was a key role player during the team’s run to a NBA title in 2008.
Kaden is committed to play college basketball at the University of Maryland and is the No. 37 overall recruit in the Class of 2026, according to 247sports. Kalek is committed to Xavier and is the No. 141 recruit in his class.
Kaden, Kalek House compete at Hoophall Classic
Kalek House, son of former Boston Celtic and NBA Champion Eddie House, competes at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts on Jan. 17, 2026.Gage Nutter
The brothers signed their national letters of intent in November 2025, making this their only season of high school basketball where they didn’t have to worry about taking calls and responding to texts from dozens of coaches across the country after games.
Although that weight is lifted off their shoulders, their process has stayed the same.
“It doesn’t feel any different,” Kalek House said. “Just when I’m not on the court I don’t have a lot of coaches to talk to, I just have one. My mentality is the same as last year: do what I can do to win.”
The only college coaching staff Kalek is worried about communicating with this year is the staff at Xavier led by Richard Pitino.
Pitino previously served as the head coach at New Mexico where he coached Kalek and Kaden’s older brother Jaelen.
When Pitino and his staff started showing interest in Kalek, he went to his brother Jaelen and asked him if they were men of their word.
The answer he got was all he needed.
“He said yes,” Kalek House said. “That led me to the decision.”
Kaden, Kalek House compete at Hoophall Classic
Kaden House, son of former Boston Celtic and NBA Champion Eddie House, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts on Jan. 17, 2026.Gage Nutter
Kalek and Kaden finished strong for Arizona Compass on Saturday, impacting the game with their defense.
A key play from Kaden late in the fourth quarter helped Arizona Compass seal the win. Dribbling down the right wing with a little under a minute to go, Kaden House got forced down near the baseline and lost the ball, turning it over.
The senior was upset for a moment, but locked back in on defense, quickly forcing a turnover on the other end and sending a pass forward for a slam dunk by a teammate to put Arizona Compass ahead by two possessions.
Kaden and Kalek have different personalities, but their tenacity on defense is one thing that binds them together.
“If you think about it, that was a crucial moment,” Arizona Compass coach Pete Kaffey said. “He turned the ball over and he could’ve went back pouting, but … the kid is a competitor, that’s one thing I love about him and his brother. They’re two of the best competitors I’ve ever coached.”
Playing together for most of their lives has been a special experience for Kalek and Kaden. It will be different next year when they are competing at different schools in different conferences.
Kalek will miss his brother off the court, but will especially miss having brotherly privileges when they play on the court.
“It’ll be my last time playing with a dude like him,” Kalek said about his eventual final game with his brother. “Sometimes he looks for me more than other people since he’s my brother, so that’s the only thing. Not much else will change or be different.”