The Hoophall Classic schedule is out and loaded once again. pic.twitter.com/GpSGPPahiT
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) October 24, 2017
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the field of teams and game schedule for the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic, an annual basketball showcase now in its seventeenth year at Springfield College. Games will be played at Blake Arena on the campus of Springfield College January 11-15, during Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend.
The nation’s premier basketball event will once again showcase the top high school basketball teams from across the country. This year’s elite matchups include Montverde Academy (FL) vs. Mater Dei (CA), Westtown School (PA) vs. IMG Academy (FL), and Roselle Catholic vs. Oak Ridge. Other exciting matchups will feature Spartanburg Day School (SC) vs. Chino HIlls (CA), Oak Hill Academy (VA) vs. University School (FL), and Archbishop Molloy (NY) vs. DeMatha Catholic (MD). Complete broadcast information will be released at a later date.
“The Basketball Hall of Fame is honored to continue its seventeen-year tradition of hosting the top players and programs in the country,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “We look forward to the many thrilling matchups and expect the student-athletes will thoroughly enjoy their visits to the Birthplace of Basketball and the Hall of Fame.”
Echoing this sentiment, Kenyatta Bynoe, VP of Global Marketing and Partnerships at Spalding added, “as a leader in the basketball category we are thrilled to serve as the official basketball for the Spalding HoopHall Classic. We continue to relish in the opportunity to partner with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to elevate the game of basketball and bring forward the nation’s elite high school basketball talent in this dynamic showcase event.
Last year’s Spalding Hoophall Classic games were highlighted by DeAndre Ayton (Arizona), Marvin Bagley (Duke), Mohamed Bamba (Texas), Wendell Carter (Duke), Trevon Duval (Duke), and Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri). Fans can expect to see more rising stars with this year’s contest featuring seven of the top eight seniors as ranked by ESPN including: R.J. Barrett (Montverde, FL), Zion Williamson (Spartanburg Day School, SC), Cam Reddish (Westtown, PA), Bol Bol (Mater Dei, CA), Simisola Shittu (Vermont Academy, VT), Keldon Johnson (Oak Hill Academy, VA), and Anfernee Simons (IMG Academy, FL). A total of 31 players out of the ESPN Top 100 in the Class of 2018 will participate. Standouts in the Class of 2019 include Vernon Carey Jr. (University School, FL), Chol Marial (IMG Academy, FL), Cole Anthony (Archbishop Molloy, NY) and Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis (Ranney School, NJ).