Phoenix’s Footprint Center to Host Fourth Annual Jerry Colangelo Classic on December 10 and 21

Phoenix, AZ – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the field of teams for the fourth annual Jerry Colangelo Classic, a premier college basketball showcase hosted at Footprint Center on Saturday, December 10, 2022 and Wednesday, December 21, 2022.

The two-day event will feature the following games:

Saturday, December 10

Grand Canyon University vs. University of North Texas

San Diego State University vs. Saint Mary’s College

Wednesday, December 21

Saint Mary’s College vs. University of Wyoming

USC vs. Colorado State University

UC Santa Barbara vs. Appalachian State University

“We look forward to returning to beautiful Footprint Center in Phoenix for this special collegiate event and to honoring Jerry Colangelo, a man who has done so much for basketball and the state he calls home,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “This two-day event will be a unique opportunity for fans to come out and take in five great games while enjoying the beautiful desert climate this holiday season.”

The Jerry Colangelo Classic is one event in the Hall of Fame’s series of collegiate events, which continues to grow in an effort to celebrate the game outside the museum walls. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to continue its relationship with LEARFIELD for sponsorship representation of its portfolio of collegiate events.

Tickets for the 2022 Jerry Colangelo Classic will go on pre-sale on Monday, July 25 and will be on-sale on Tuesday, July 26. Tickets will be available to purchase online at ticketmaster.com and in-person at the Footprint Center Box Office. Game times and television broadcast details will be released at a later date. For more information, please visit hoophall.com.

Quotes from Participating Head Coaches

“We are extremely thankful to Mr. Colangelo for helping bring such a great day of college basketball to Phoenix. It is a great honor to play in his event versus a great opponent in North Texas. We’re excited to bring our program to Downtown Phoenix and the home of the Suns once again. It’s a tremendous opportunity for our fans to watch us play a quality opponent in our own backyard and to showcase our unbelievable Havocs student section on a big stage.” – Bryce Drew, Grand Canyon

“We are thrilled to be playing in the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Jerry Colangelo Classic in December. It’s a tremendous showcase for college basketball. We are honored to be a part of it and share the court with these exceptional programs. It will be a great experience and opportunity for our team and our fans to see North Texas in an NBA arena on the national stage.” – Grant McCasland, North Texas

“It is always an honor to participate in any Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame event, and especially one connected with Jerry Colangelo. Jerry has had such a profound impact on our game, and we are looking forward to renewing our rivalry with Saint Mary’s College in Phoenix in the 2022 Jerry Colangelo Classic.” – Brian Dutcher, San Diego State

“We are excited about returning to the Jerry Colangelo Classic in 2022. Neutral-site games at venues like Footprint Center are great experiences for our players, and help prepare us for where we want to be in March. It will be a good test for our team." – Randy Bennett, Saint Mary’s

"We are excited to play in the Basketball Hall of Fame's Jerry Colangelo Classic. The Basketball Hall of Fame’s Jerry Colangelo Classic is a tremendous showcase of college basketball. It will be a great opportunity for our players and fans.” – Jeff Linder, Wyoming

“We are excited to participate in the Hall of Fame Jerry Colangelo Classic for a second consecutive season. It is a terrific, well-run event which provides a quality non-conference opponent. Playing in an NBA arena is always exciting for our student-athletes and fans.” – Andy Enfield, USC

“This is a great opportunity to play against a terrific program. These games are critical for us to build our non-conference resume.” – Niko Medved, Colorado State

"We are very grateful to be participating in this special event sponsored by the Basketball Hall of Fame.” – Joe Pasternack, UC Santa Barbara

“Our program is honored to play in such a prestigious event in the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Jerry Colangelo Classic. Jerry is arguably one of the most influential people in the game of basketball and steered the rebuild of USA Basketball. It’s always a welcomed experience to play in an NBA arena. Events like these are tremendous showcases for college basketball and we are thrilled to be a part of it.” – Dustin Kerns, Appalachian State

About Footprint Center

Located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, for more than 30 years Footprint Center has been the home of the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Rattlers and a multitude of live concerts and events each year. Following a $250 million transformation, Footprint Center is the preeminent destination for sports and entertainment in the southwest. The reimagined arena features state-of-the-art improvements that offer a world-class experience to all who step inside the doors. For more information, visit FootprintCenter.com. 

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame


Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial 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 www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall #ColangeloClassic or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.