The wait is almost over for one of the nation’s best high school basketball showcase events in one of the top high school basketball facilities – the Marshall County Hoopfest. The 21st year of the event which began at Massac County, IL in 1996 then moved to Marshall County in 2000, begins Thursday, November 30th and ends Tuesday, December 5th. The Hoopfest takes place the first three days followed by three days of The Grind Session presented by Tanager Sports Sunday then two days of games Monday and Tuesday presented by World Post Graduate Association.
This year, the Hoopfest will feature over 130 players with Division I offers. Players who will no doubt join the ranks of the over 75 professional players that have played in the Hoopfest.
A few recent Hoopfest players now in the pro ranks include Jayson Tatum (2015) who played for Duke and now is with the Boston Celtics, Josh Jackson played for Kansas and is now with the Phoenix Suns, Jamal Murray (2014) went to Kentucky and now a part of the Denver Nuggets, Devin Booker (2013) played for Kentucky and is currently a member of the Phoenix Suns, Trey Lyles (2013) played for Kentucky and currently with the Denver Nuggets, Andrew Wiggins (2012) played for Kansas and is now a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the list goes on and on… Otto Porter (Washington Wizards) Michael Beasley (New York Knicks), Shaun Livingston (Golden State Warriors), Derrick Rose (Cleveland Caviliers), Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors), Tyler Hansbrough (Charlotte Hornets) and Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Caviliers).
A few of this year’s Hoopfest players have already made commitments including Oak Hill Academy players Keldon Johnson (Kentucky), Keyontae Johnson (Florida), David McCormack (Kansas) and Will Richardson (Oregon), Huntington Prep’s Kenny Nwuba (UCLA), Orangeville Prep-Athlete Institute players Luguentz Dort (Arizona State) and Ignas Brazdeikis (Michigan), Aspire Academy’s Ousmane Ndim (LIU Brooklyn), Hillcrest Prep’s Dischon Thomas (University of Nevada), Findley Prep players Reggie Chaney (University of Arkansas), Bol Bol (Oregon) and Jamie Lewis (Wake Forest).
The best girl’s game of the Hoopfest will feature #1 Riverdale, TN against #7 Mercer County. Riverdale’s Brinae Alexander has verbally committed to Vanderbilt and Mercer County’s Seygan Robins has committed to Louisville. Murray High will play Tennessee Prep Sunday at 3:00 and the Lady Tigers have three players who have committed to Murray State – Macey Turley, Lex Mayes and Alexis Burpo.
Marshall County’s girls will kick off the Hoopfest in the first game on Thursday against Massac County, IL followed by the Marshals and Massac County. The Lady Marshals will play again on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. against Carterville, IL and the Marshals Saturday evening at 5:15 against Lexington Catholic.
CLICK HERE for the 2017 Hoopfest schedule of games, Sunday’s Grind Session and Monday and Tuesday’s World Post Graduate Association games.