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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The future of men’s basketball will be on display in April.
Pay close attentions because, USA Basketball, Nike, the Portland Trail Blazers and Portland Arena Management today announced today that the 2014 Nike Hoop Summit will return to the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., and be held on April 12.
The Nike Hoop Summit, the country’s premier annual basketball game for high-school-age boys, features America’s top seniors playing against a World Select Team comprised of elite international players age 19 years old or younger.
“Portland has been a great home for the Nike Hoop Summit, and we look forward to another chance to stage the event at the Moda Center in 2014,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO/Executive Director. “This game is very competitive every year, and both rosters will be loaded with talent once again. I know basketball fans will be treated to a fantastic showing.”
“We consider it an honor to have the Nike Hoop Summit return to Portland. It’s become a great tradition that rewards the passionate basketball fan base in our region,” said Chris McGowan, president & CEO of the Portland Trail Blazers and Moda Center. “It’s really enjoyable to see so many Nike Hoop Summit alums playing in the NBA, including our own Nicolas Batum, Meyers Leonard and Will Barton. We are all excited to see this year’s crop of talent playing in the Moda Center.”
“Each year the Nike Hoop Summit showcases some of the best basketball talent on the planet,” said Lynn Merritt, V.P. of Nike Global Basketball Sports Marketing. “We’re excited to be a part of basketball’s continued global expansion.”
The Americans hopes to erase the two most recent performances.
The USA will be looking to earn a win in 2014 after having fallen to the World Select Team in 2012 and 2013 – marking the first time the World Team has recorded consecutive wins.
Held annually from 1995-2000, the Nike Hoop Summit was resumed in 2004 after a three-year hiatus. The game was held in the city hosting the men’s NCAA Final Four in 1998 (San Antonio, Texas), 1999 (Tampa, Fla.), 2000 (Indianapolis, Ind.) and 2004 (San Antonio, Texas), In 2005-2007 the game was staged at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
The 2014 USA Basketball Junior National Select Team roster will be selected by the USA Basketball Men’s Developmental National Team Committee and is expected to be announced later in January, with the 2014 World Select Team to follow in March.
The USA Junior National Select Team is expected to consist of 10 to 11 players, a head coach and an assistant coach, while the World Select Team will consist of 11 players age 19 years old or younger from FIBA’s five geographic zones: FIBA Africa, FIBA Americas, FIBA Asia, FIBA Europe and FIBA Oceania, with the approved sanctioning of FIBA, the governing body of international basketball.
Tickets for the 17th annual Nike Hoop Summit will go on sale at 10 a.m. (PST) on Friday, Jan. 17, with reserved courtside seats for $25 and $50 and general admission tickets $5 in advance and $10 on game day. Tickets will be available through the Rose Quarter Ticket Office, by calling 877-789-ROSE (7673) or by visiting www.rosequarter.com.
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