Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Thousands Traveling to Springfield, Mass. for Basketball Weekend

 

Springfield, Mass. – Now in its 17th year, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Spalding Hoophall Classic has cemented itself as one of the top high school basketball showcases of the season. Hosted at Springfield College’s Blake Arena, the competition features the best teams in the nation and dozens of players considered to be at the top of their classes. Hoping to catch a glimpse of the next generation of stars, fans, scouts and media members make the trip to the Birthplace of Basketball in droves. For Springfield, the event has a tremendous economic impact during the course of the 5-day event, which will run from January 11-15 this year. The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitor’s Bureau has valued the economic impact of the event at $4.19 million.

 

2018 Hoophall Classic Statistics

Spalding Hoophall Classic (high school showcase)

  • · Expected Attendance: 10,000+
  • · 60 Participating Schools from 17 States
  • · 800+ players including the top 4 in the Class of 2018 and 7 of the top 8
  • · 600+ hotel room nights booked by teams 
  • · 50+ ESPN crew will produce 5 games over a three-day period

Jr. Hoophall Classic (5th – 8th grade tournament)

  • · Operated by Hall of Fame partner BasketBull
  • · 80+ Participating Teams
  • · Traveling from New England plus NJ, NY, PA, MD and DC
  • · 1,000+ players
  • · 300+ hotel room nights booked by teams

MADE Hoops (6th – 8th grade tournament)

  • · 50+ Participating Teams
  • · Traveling from Toronto, MA, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, DC, VA, NC, GA
  • · 500+ players
  • · 250+ hotel room nights booked by teams

Media Coverage

  • · 75+ Credentialed Media Members
  • · National Media: ESPN, Associated Press, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, SLAM Magazine, Yahoo Sports, NBC Sports, Bleacher Report
  • · Local Coverage: MassLive, The Republican, Berkshire Eagle, New Haven Register, Turley Publications

 

“The Spalding Hoophall Classic is a one of a kind basketball event. It brings in the top high school basketball teams and the future stars in the college game and the NBA, as well as regional teams and talent for exciting head-to-head competition among local school,” said Paul Biancardi, National Director of Recruiting and Player Rankings for ESPN. “The fan bases travel far and wide to support their teams and bring a vibrancy to Springfield during MLK weekend. Through national media and local media outlets both digital and linear, the event receives tremendous coverage. Above all, the teams and travel parties enjoy the one in a lifetime opportunity of playing at the birthplace of basketball, Springfield College, and visiting the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.”

 

Over 75 players who have competed in the Spalding Hoophall Classic have gone on to be drafted in the NBA. Notable alumni of the Spalding Hoophall Classic include Lonzo Ball (2016, LA Lakers), DeMarcus Cousins (2009, New Orleans Pelicans), Anthony Davis (2011, New Orleans Pelicans), Andre Drummond (2011, Detroit Pistons), Kevin Durant (2006, Golden State Warriors), Kyrie Irving (2010, Boston Celtics), Ben Simmons (2015, Philadelphia 76ers), Jayson Tatum (2016, Boston Celtics), Tristan Thompson (2010, Cleveland Cavaliers), Karl-Anthony Towns (2014, Minnesota Timberwolves) and Andrew Wiggins (2013, Minnesota Timberwolves).

A limited number of tickets for the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic are still available.  To purchase tickets, log onto tickets.hoophall.com.


 

About Spalding


Spalding® is the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world with a long-standing heritage in quality and innovation. Spalding is the official basketball of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as well as the official backboard of the NBA and NCAA.  Spalding also produces softball equipment under the Dudley® brand. The SPALDING® and DUDLEY® trademarks are owned by Russell Brands, LLC. For more information, visit www.spalding.com. 

 

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame


Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate and high school, for both men and women on the global stage.

For more information:

Visit us online: www.hoophall.com or www.thehoophallclassic.com


… on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BBHOF


… on Twitter/Instagram: @hoophall @hoophallclassic #HHClassic


… or call 1-877-4-HOOPLA