- Morgan Stanley’s Global Sports & Entertainment Division will Return to Host Financial Education Programming Onsite During Hoophall Classic in 2025 and 2026 -
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and LEARFIELD have announced that Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment (GSE) will return as the prestigious Army National Guard Hoophall Classic presented by Spalding, high school showcase’s Financial Education Sponsor through 2026. Morgan Stanley GSE will continue to develop and present tailored financial education programs, tools, and resources for some of the nation’s top prep basketball student-athletes while leading in-person programming for each year’s participants in Springfield, Massachusetts, on select days throughout the event.
"We are proud to continue our partnership with Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment for every Hoophall Classic through 2026," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "At the Hall of Fame, we are committed to enriching the Hoophall experience for the next generation of basketball talent. Our collaboration with Morgan Stanley extends beyond the game, focusing on equipping young athletes with critical life skills. In an era where financial literacy is essential, we strive to provide these future stars with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate their careers with confidence and success."
Morgan Stanley GSE returns as the Hoophall Classic’s Financial Education Sponsor for the third consecutive year. Additionally, the leading financial services firm will again honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the Basketball Hall of Fame, paying tribute to his life and legacy across all five nationally televised (ESPN) Hoophall Classic games on Monday, January 20.
“We are pleased to continue our sponsorship of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s renowned Hoophall Classic as its Financial Education Sponsor since 2023, building on our tutelage of some of America’s best young basketball talent over the past couple of years,” said Sandra L. Richards, Head of Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment and Segment Sales & Engagement. “The sessions and candid conversations that we have had the pleasure of hosting with the next generation of basketball talent in Springfield are critical elements of aiding them each year toward empowered and sound financial decisions that we trust will serve foundational to their success, both on and off the basketball court for many years to come.”
This year will mark the 23rd year of the Hoophall Classic. This event will feature 33 games played over five days throughout Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. This year’s star-studded field, which boasts teams from 18 states and Washington, D.C., will feature 45 total players in ESPN’s Top 100 from the Class of 2025 (33 boys and 10 girls), including eight of the boy's top 10 ranked players. Additionally, both the No. 1 ranked boys recruits in the 2025 (AJ Dybantsa) and 2026 (Tyran Stokes) classes are scheduled to participate.
Since 2015, 63 Hoophall Classic participants have gone on to play in the NBA, including Jaylen Brown (2015), Jamal Murray (2015), Bam Adebayo (2016), Jayson Tatum (2016), Zion Williamson (2018), Cade Cunningham (2020), and Reed Sheppard (2023). NBA superstars Kevin Durant (2006), Kyrie Irving (2010), Anthony Davis (2011), and Karl-Anthony Towns (2014) have also participated in the event. For a complete list of alumni, please visithoophall.com/events/spalding-hoophall-classic/alumni/.
Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment is a division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management dedicated to serving the unique and sophisticated needs of elite and professional athletes, entertainers, executives, creators, and other top professionals in the business of sports and entertainment. The division consists of over 300 Financial Advisors who are Global Sports and Entertainment Directors, Global Sports and Entertainment Associate Directors and/or NFLPA Registered Institutional Player Financial Advisors; several of whom are former professional and collegiate athletes. January 2025 marks the eleventh year of the Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment division’s business. For more information, please visitwww.morganstanley.com/gse.
LEARFIELD is dedicated to representing the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame by developing and managing sponsor relationships with brands looking to align with Basketball Hall of Fame events and programs.
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors—both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophall.
About Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, a global leader, provides access to a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses, and institutions, including brokerage and investment advisory services, financial and wealth planning, cash management and lending products and services, annuities and insurance, retirement, and trust services.
About Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management, and investment management services. With offices in 41 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions, and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, visitwww.morganstanley.com.