2014 Spalding Hoophall Classic Teams Unveiled

Nation’s top teams travel to Springfield for the 2014 Spalding Hoophall Classic

SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the high school teams today for the 2014 Spalding Hoophall Classic. Springfield College will host the games at Blake Arena from January 16-20 during Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. The nationally renowned event will once again showcase the top high school basketball teams from across the country. This year’s elite matchups include Huntington Prep (Huntington, WV) vs. Prime Prep Academy (Dallas, TX), Wilbraham & Monson Academy (Wilbraham, MA) vs. Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, NH) and Wesleyan Christian School (High Point, NC) vs. Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV).

Numerous games from the 2014 Spalding Hoophall Classic will be televised nationally. Information on these broadcasts will be available shortly. Other legendary programs scheduled to participate include St. Benedict’s Prep (Newark, NJ), Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL), Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA), Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, CA) and St. Anthony High School (Jersey City, NJ), coached by 2010 Hall of Fame inductee Bob Hurley, Sr.

The 2014 Spalding Hoophall Classic continues its tradition of talented players by featuring several of ESPNU’s Top 100 in the class of 2014, including top 10 standouts Jahlil Okafor (Whitney Young High School/Chicago, IL), Cliff Alexander (Curie High School/Chicago, IL), Emmanuel Mudiay (Prime Prep Academy/Dallas, TX), Karl Towns Jr. (St. Joseph High School/Mutuchen, NJ), Stanley Johnson (Mater Dei/Santa Ana, CA) and Kelly Oubre (Findlay Prep/Henderson, NV).  A total of 32 players out of the ESPNU Top 100 in the Class of 2014 will participate.

“Year after year, the Spalding Hoophall Classic continues to bring out the best high school basketball programs in the country and this year will be no different,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “Over the last 12 years we have witnessed an extraordinary amount of talent from several young student athletes. We are look forward to seeing the next generation of superstars this January at Springfield College.”

Last year’s games were highlighted by Andrew Wiggins (Kansas), Jabari Parker (Duke), Julius Randle (Kentucky), Noah Vonleh (Indiana) and Dakari Johnson (Kentucky). Spalding Hoophall Classic alumni made their mark in this year’s 2013 NBA draft including No. 2 draft pick Victor Oladipo (Orlando Magic), Nerlens Noel (Philadelphia 76ers), Ben McLemore (Sacramento Kings), Michael Carter-Williams (Philadelphia 76ers) and Shabazz Muhammad (Memphis Grizzlies).  Nine former Hoophall Classic participants wound up being selected in the first round last June.

“Spalding is honored to be the title sponsor of the Hoophall Classic, which is one the nation’s premier high school basketball events,” said Gary Barfield, EVP of Russell Brands, LLC. “We are proud to be associated with this event and look forward to another great year.”

In addition to the games, Spalding also sponsors the Spalding Skills Challenge which features two events including the Spalding 3-Point Shootout and the Spalding Slam Dunk Contest at Blake Arena on Sunday, January 19th.  

An associated youth tournament, the Junior Hoophall Classic, will return this year with details located at www.basketbull.org.  Last year, more than 60 youth teams from around New England competed in this two day addition to the Hoophall Classic weekend.

MassLive.com, the online home of the Republican, will provide extensive coverage of the 2014 Hoophall Classic including game stories, videos, stats, photos and player interviews. Log on to MassLive.com/HoophallClassic for complete coverage.  

Supporting sponsors for the Hoophall Classic are Nike, MassMutual, Springfield College and Florence Savings Bank.

Tickets for the 2014 Hoophall Classic are now on-sale. To purchase tickets, log onto tickets.hoophall.com or call the Hall of Fame during business hours (413-781-6500).  For more information on the 2014 Spalding Hoophall Classic, please visit the official web site, www.thehoophallclassic.com.  

About Spalding
Division of Russell Corporation, the Spalding Group is now the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world. Spalding is the official basketball of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the official backboard of the NBA and NCAA, the official volleyball of the King of the Beach Volleyball Tour and the official football of Pop Warner. In addition to being the leading producer and marketer of basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls, Spalding produces softballs under the Dudley brand. For more information, visit www.spalding.com.

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the birthplace of basketball, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, men and women.  For more information on these and other upcoming events, please visit our website at www.hoophall.com or call 1-877-4-HOOPLA.

Springfield College  Springfield, MA  January 16-20, 2014

www.thehoophallclassic.com

Thursday, January 16, 2014 (Hall of Fame Challenge Games)

Friday, January 17, 2014 (Hall of Fame Challenge Games)

Saturday, January 18, 2014 (Hall of Fame Challenge Games)

Sunday, January 19, 2014 (Hall of Fame Showcase Games)

Monday, January 20, 2014 (Hall of Fame Challenge Games)

*=Designated Hall of Fame Showcase Game for Sanctioning Purposes