Iconic basketball brand, AND1, has partnered with The Ballin’ HBCU High School Premier Basketball Showcase aiming to bring together talented youth basketball players from across the country in an invitation-only basketball tournament. This unique opportunity allows young athletes to showcase their skills and connect with the academics and athletic programs of HBCUs.
The basketball apparel and sneaker brand was launched back in 1993 in Philadelphia owned and operated by Galaxy Universal. AND1’s main focus is to focus on those who are passionate about basketball and use the game as a metaphor for success in everything they set out to do in life. This specific showcase is one of the ways AND1 connects with the next generation of greats and provides opportunities for athletes to expand their college options.
AND1 also added Pro Basketball Hall of Famer A and Virginia Union alum, Ben Wallace, to the mix to give extra encouragement to the young players. Wallace has been a longtime supporter of AND1 since he wore the AND1 Chosen One Shoes during his time as a player in the NBA. “It’s important to me to come back and support events like these because I was in the same spot, playing on the same stage and it worked for me. It’s important to come back, show support, and let these players know anything is possible,” Wallace said. Wallace attended Virginia Union Alum back in 1995 to 1997.
The tournament included a girls game and a boys game with many incentives including giveaways, a youth band performance, and players got a chance to meet AND1 Mixtape OGs. Five women who participated in the showcase received full scholarships from the Women’s Head Basketball Coach at Benedict College.
You can catch another installment of the AND1 Open Run Tour on June 23rd in Coney Island, NY and for more on AND1, you can visit their website at https://and1.com/.
