Sunday, December 11, 2022

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Completes Successful Pair of Events in London

Kentucky-Michigan Matchup Highlighted Sunday’s London Showcase in the First-Ever College Basketball Games at the Famed O2 Arena

Springfield, Mass. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame recently held a pair of events in London, a two-day Hoophall International high school tournament at Copper Box Arena (December 2-3) and the London Showcase at The O2 Arena (December 4), a double-header of college basketball games: Maine vs. Marist (aired on ESPNU) and Kentucky vs. Michigan (ABC).

“The goal of this inaugural event was not only to bring the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame brand from the birthplace of basketball to the international stage, but to expose London to elite college basketball and grow the appreciation of the sport overseas, said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “We certainly feel we accomplished that.”

On December 2, Chelsea Football Club welcomed Kentucky and Michigan to Stamford Bridge. Coach John Calipari and Coach Juwan Howard participated in a jersey exchange with Chelsea President of Business Tom Glick and Doleva. Both schools toured the facility, including stopping in Chelsea’s dressing room, where the players were able to hoist one of soccer’s most sought-after prize, the UEFA Champions League trophy.

In addition to the scheduled games and tour, the Hall of Fame hosted a pair of basketball clinics for the London community at East London University and Copper Box.

“It was extremely important for the Basketball Hall of Fame to embed itself in the London community while we were overseas,” said Doleva. “We hope our trip to London left as many memories for the English basketball fans as we took back home.”

The historic venture was captured by LEARFIELD Studios in a one-of-a kind docuseries that will air as a 30-minute show encompassing Kentucky and Michigan’s London Showcase experience on December 15 (5:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU). Brief episodes can be found here: EPISODE 1 | EPISODE 2 | EPISODE 3.

 

QUOTES FOLLOWING THE LONDON SHOWCASE

 

John Calipari, University of Kentucky men’s basketball head coach

The first thing is to be the first college teams to play and oh to come on, man. This is like the venue in the world...world. Everybody wants to play here and we're the first college teams to do it.

 

Any way that we can help the Hall of Fame in their mission, we help. John (Doleva) and (Scott Zuffelato) and the boys have done great work.

 

Juwan Howard, University of Michigan men’s basketball head coach

It was a great experience for our guys to get a chance to showcase their basketball skills and show it to the world because this is a great opportunity. Basketball has opened up so many doors, not only for myself but for our players to get a chance to see the world and then more importantly identify with who they are all the way in London, England.

 

At Michigan, we love to do cool things and we love to give our student athletes an opportunity to see the world and enjoy experiences. This was a wonderful experience. I really applaud for Basketball Hall of Fame for putting on this event. Also, I'm very thankful and grateful for the invitation for us to be a part of it. This is an experience that all our young men, including myself and staff, will always remember and take with us for a lifetime.

 

John Dunne, Marist University men’s basketball head coach

I just don't think you'd take the position you're in lightly. I think there's a lot of athletes out there that would love to be in this position. And sometimes, as college athletes and as college coaches, you can take it for granted. 

 

This has been a great opportunity, and I have a pretty, pretty mature group that I think has really appreciated, not just the win (Sunday), but every moment of this trip. As for a coach, win or lose, it's really satisfying to spend time with guys that are really appreciative and, and we've been. London is has made it easy for us.

 

Chris Markwood, University of Maine men’s basketball head coach

Obviously, the (Basketball) Hall of Fame has done everything for the game of basketball. I've been fortunate to go down there to the Hall of Fame a bunch, both as a kid and as we've grown up as a coach. We've taken multiple teams there. I was there when J.J. Barea received an award on one of the induction ceremonies when I was coaching at Northeastern. Extremely thankful, it means the world.

 

The Hall of Fame is a tremendous organization. They do a lot for the for the sport of basketball, and they have been doing it for a long time. So, for them to be the first ones to kind of breakthrough over here and open up this door, I think is a big deal. 

 

Gedi Juozapaitis, University of Maine basketball player and London native

I went to the (Basketball) Hall of Fame with my prep school. Growing up as a kid, you wished to be in the Hall of Fame. Being somehow tied to it is definitely a special feeling. 

 

EVENT SCHEDULE RECAP (winning team in ITALICS)

 

Friday, December 2 – Copper Box Arena

- Clinic at University of East London

- Chelsea Football jersey exchange and tour of Stamford Bridge

- High School Game #1 - Mater Dei vs. Pace Academy

- High School Game #2 - Christ the King vs. Paul VI

 

Saturday, December 3 – Copper Box Arena 

- Clinic at Copper Box Arena 

- High School Consolation Game (Pace Academy vs. Christ the King)

- High School Championship Game (Mater Dei vs. Paul VI)

            

Sunday, December 4 - The O2 Arena

- Maine vs Marist

- Kentucky vs Michigan

 

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 400 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, follow @hoophall and or call 1-877-4HOOPLA