Nov. 13, 2008

SPRINGFIELD, MA (November 13, 2008) - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced its field today for the 8th annual Spalding Hoophall Classic presented by Big Y World Class Markets to be held at Springfield College's Blake Arena from January 16-19, 2009 during Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. Over 40 teams - representing 15 states and the District of Columbia - will be competing this year, including 14 from the ESPN RISE top 50 national rankings. Five of those schools are ranked in the top 10. All games from the 2009 Spalding Hoophall Classic will be broadcasted live via national television outlets, regional television outlets and online distribution.

2009 nationally ranked teams participating include #2 Mater Dei H.S. (Santa Ana, CA), #4 St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, NJ), #5 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA), #7 Wheeler H.S. (Marietta, GA), #8 Lincoln H.S. (Brooklyn, NY), #12 LeFlore H.S. (Mobile, AL), #13 DeMatha Catholic H.S. (Hyattsville, MD), #16 South Atlanta H.S. (Atlanta, GA), #20 St. Anthony H.S. (Jersey City, NJ), #22 Whitney Young H.S. (Chicago, IL), #24 Putnam City H.S. (Oklahoma City, OK), #32 Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL), #40 Neumann-Goretti H.S. (Philadelphia, PA) and #48 Gonzaga H.S. (Washington, DC). Also in attendance will be American Heritage (Plantation, FL), Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, NH), Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, VA), Hillhouse H.S. (New Haven, CT), Hotchkiss School (CT), Mount Vernon H.S. (Mount Vernon, NY), The Patterson School (Patterson, NC) and the Tilton School (Tilton, NH).

"Over the seven-year history of the Spalding Hoophall Classic we have celebrated high school basketball with a prominent list of alumni," said John L. Doleva, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "This year's event is no different as the top teams and elite players in the country will once again visit Springfield to be a part of the Hall of Fame experience."

The 2009 event will feature numerous ESPNU Top 100 players including #1 Xavier Henry (Putnam City/Putnam City, OK), #2 Derrick Favors (South Atlanta/ Atlanta, GA), #4 DeMarcus Cousins (LeFlore/Mobile, AL), #7 Lance Stephenson (Lincoln/Brooklyn, NY), #11 Dominic Cheek (St. Anthony's/Jersey City, NJ) and #13 Kenny Boynton (American Heritage/Plantation, FL).

Recent participants of the Spalding Hoophall Classic include 2008 NBA Rookie-of-the-Year Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Jerryd Bayless (Portland Trailblazers), Michael Beasley (Miami Heat) and O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies).

"Spalding is honored to be a partner with the Basketball Hall of Fame and the title sponsor of the Hoophall Classic, the top high school basketball invitational in the country," said Wendy Unger-Moore, Manager of Consumer Marketing at Spalding. "We are proud to be associated with the top teams in the country."

In addition to the game, Spalding also sponsors the Spalding Skills Challenge. The Skills Challenge features three events including the Spalding Half-Court Hustle, Spalding 3-Point Shootout and the Spalding Celebrity Slam Dunk Contest. The event takes place on Saturday, January 17 at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Spalding has been the Official Ball of the Basketball Hall of Fame since 2005.

Tickets are currently on sale and will be available by calling the Basketball Hall of Fame Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm at (413) 781-6500. Tickets for the High School Invitational (Friday, Saturday & Monday) are $10 adult and $8 students. Tickets for Sunday are $13 adult and $11 students. For more information, please visit the official web site, www.thehoophallclassic.com.

Springfield College " Springfield, MA " January 16-19, 2009