College Hoops Event Returns to AmericanAirlines Arena on December 1
MIAMI, FL – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the matchups for the fourth annual Hoophall Miami Invitational presented by Citi, a premier college basketball showcase held in conjunction with AmericanAirlines Arena on Saturday, December 1.
The one-day quadruple-header event will feature University of Miami (Atlantic Coast) versus Yale University (Ivy League); Georgia Tech (Atlantic Coast) versus St. John’s University (Big East); North Carolina State University (Atlantic Coast) versus Vanderbilt University (Southeastern); and Texas Tech University (Big 12) versus University of Memphis (American Athletic).
“We look forward to once again teaming up with the Miami HEAT and AmericanAirlines Arena to host the fourth annual Hoophall Miami Invitational, now presented by Citi,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Our participating teams and their traveling fans are sure to have a fantastic experience in Heat’s world-class arena in such a beautiful city.”
Leading up to the Hoophall Miami Invitational, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will host several community events and social functions including a basketball skills clinic at Overtown Youth Center and a high school basketball showcase at AmericanAirlines Arena.
ESPN has partnered to televise the event, with game times and tune-in information to be released at a later date. Tickets for the 2018 Hoophall Miami Invitational will go on-sale to the general public on Monday, June 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. ET via via Ticketmaster.com or by contacting the AmericanAirlines Arena box office. Citi Pre-Sale will be available June 5 to 10.
"We are looking forward to playing in the Hoophall Miami Invitational downtown at AmericanAirlines Arena for the third straight season. This is a great opportunity for Hurricanes fans to get an early look at our 2018-19 team on a neutral floor against a very solid Yale program, which is one of the top teams in the Ivy League. We have several players back and welcome in some exciting newcomers and are looking forward to the challenge as we aim for our fourth straight NCAA Tournament bid.” – Jim Larrañaga, University of Miami
“Over the years, our program has played in many historic and well-known basketball tournaments and arenas. We’re excited to add the Hoophall Miami Invitational and AmericanAirlines Arena to that list. It should be a tremendous experience for our student athletes.” – James Jones, Yale University
“We’re excited and happy to bring Georgia Tech’s basketball team to Miami to compete in the Hoophall Miami Invitational and support the Basketball Hall of Fame. This is fast becoming one of the premier events in the country, and it will be a great test for our young team as we continue to build our program.” – Josh Pastner, Georgia Tech
“We are excited to compete in the Hoophall Miami Invitational next season. It is an honor to be part of another first-class event hosted by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This presents an opportunity for our team to face a top-tier opponent at a premier basketball venue before the conference season opens.” – Chris Mullin, St. John’s University
"We are thrilled to be taking part in the Hoophall Miami Invitational. This event has become one of the nation's premiere one day invitationals and we are excited to play a very good Vanderbilt team in December.” - Kevin Keatts, N.C. State
“We are excited to participate in the Hoophall Invitational in Miami against a quality ACC opponent in N.C. State. We are anxious to begin the 2018-19 season, and this game and this location adds to that anticipation. We can’t wait for December 1!” – Byrce Drew, Vanderbilt University
"Our program is looking forward to competing in and being associated with an event run by the Basketball Hall of Fame for the second straight season. Memphis is a talented program from the American Conference, and we look forward to the matchup in Miami, which will help us prepare for our Big 12 schedule." - Chris Beard, Texas Tech
"I'm really excited to have our team be a part of the Hoophall Miami Invitational. To be able to play such a great team like Texas Tech is the icing on the cake. Our program is really looking forward to it.” - Penny Hardaway, University of Memphis
About AmericanAirlines Arena: Since its opening on December 31, 1999, the 19,600-seat AmericanAirlines Arena has proudly hosted megastars such as Adele, Marc Anthony, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Drake, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Pearl Jam, Madonna, Maná, Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars to name a few. In addition, AmericanAirlines Arena is home to family shows such as the Harlem Globetrotters and Disney on Ice. AmericanAirlines Arena has also played host to several live televised events including annual award shows such as Univision’s Premio Lo Nuestro and Telemundo’s Premios Tu Mundo, and five NBA Finals, each placing Miami in the international spotlight. Private events have included product launches, corporate basketball tournaments, gala dinners and a host of meetings, large and small. For more information, please visit AAArena.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.