Posted April 11, 2023 in Press Releases
Three-day tournament expected to generate $2 million in economic impact to Northeast Ohio
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CLEVELAND - Greater Cleveland Sports Commission will host Dru Joyce Classic, a premier U.S. travel basketball tournament, on April 14-16 at the International Exposition Center (I-X Center). This three-day basketball competition will feature over 300 boys and girls in 2nd to 11th grades competing as basketball teams for a championship in their age group.
Dru Joyce launched the tournament in summer 2003 to help Ohio athletes see increased recruitment. Formerly, having coached LeBron James and Dru Joyce III, Joyce’s son, at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School basketball team, he decided to create an event in Ohio that would allow sanctioned travel tournaments for college coaches to attend.
Previously hosted in Akron, this tournament was named the King James Shooting Stars Classic and boasted 318 teams at over 30 venues across the area in its first year. Now in its 20th year, this year marks the second time all 28 courts will be under the same roof near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
The event showcases each athlete’s ability to compete at a higher level while gaining exposure to college coaches who travel to this tournament.
Additionally, Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine is the official healthcare provider throughout the tournament and will provide athletic trainers to all participating athletes.
Spectator passes for Friday night will be available at the door for $15 and weekend passes for $40. Children 8 years and younger are free. The tournament schedule can be found online.
This event is projected to provide an estimated $2 million in economic impact for Northeast Ohio.
Media interested in attending the tournament should RVSP to info@neobasketball.com by 5 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 13.
In conjunction with Dru Joyce Classic, GCSC will host a Basketball & Life Skills Clinic through its Youth Education Through Sports Program (YES) presented by The Sherwin-Williams Company and The MetroHealth System on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Frederick Douglass Recreation Center.
WHERE: International Exposition Center, 1 I-X Center Drive, Cleveland, OH 44135 (6200 Riverside Drive in GPS)
WHEN:
- Friday, April 14 from 7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Saturday, April 15 from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 16 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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About Greater Cleveland Sports Commission: Since 2000, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is responsible for attracting over 210 sporting events which provide more than $860 million in economic activity to Northeast Ohio. GCSC serves to measurably improve the economy of Greater Cleveland and enrich the community by attracting, creating, managing and enhancing significant sporting and competitive events. For more information, visit clevelandsports.org.