THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
London’s Copper Box has a huge Thanksgiving weekend coming up when it hosts elite basketball talent from the USA in the London Basketball Classic featuring four teams from the NCAA Division I.
The four invited teams are the Manhattan College Jaspers, who will play the Northeastern University Huskies, and the Princeton University Tigers who take on the Army West Point Black Knights. The semi-finals will take place on Thursday November 24, with the third/fourth place game and the Final being played two days later.
Marc Mulholland, Executive Director of the event for the organizers Inspirus Sports, was overjoyed at this opportunity: “The legacy of basketball at the 2012 Olympic Copper Box Arena, home of the BBL London Lions, is a perfect setting for us to host our first London international basketball event. This will be a Thanksgiving to remember for our teams and their fans. We hope to celebrate in style with the support of the great British basketball fans on November 24 and 26.” For Inspirus Sports it provides a fantastic weekend to highlight its sister company Inspirus Global Education, which specializes in international student recruitment. Gareth Maguire, Chairman and Founder, and CEO of Sport Changes Life Foundation said, “Inspirus Sports has always been focused on building strong foundations for our international student recruitment portal through Inspirus Global Education. Our goal is to help U.S. institutions expand their reach to a global audience, which in turn helps provide life-changing opportunities to prospective students. We are so thankful to these four prestigious institutions who understand the importance of winning both on the court and in the classroom.”
Likewise, the head coaches of the four teams were equally excited. Steve Masiello from Manhattan College: “Anytime there is an opportunity to travel internationally for the game of basketball, it is a tremendous honor. We are incredibly excited about it, and we are humbled to be chosen for this event. We can’t wait to go to London, learn about their culture, and play two terrific games.” His rival coach in the opening semi-final, Northeastern’s head coach, Bill Coen was also thrilled, “As a program, we are always looking to play a competitive non-conference schedule that prepares our team for the rigors of league play. To have the opportunity to do that at the 2022 London Basketball Classic, as well as provide our student-athletes with a once-in-a-lifetime global experience, is an opportunity that they will never forget.”
Princeton’s Mitch Henderson said, “It is an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes to play in front of an international audience while representing Princeton University. We are thankful for this opportunity and excited to compete with the other teams in London.” Lastly, James Allen of Army West Point: “It will give our players the unique experience of interacting with the community as well as an opportunity to enjoy the culture and sights. On the court, it will be a chance to compete against top programs from three great conferences in the Northeast that will help prepare us for Patriot League play. We are extremely excited about this experience and appreciate the opportunity.”
The Copper Box Arena, in the heart of London’s East End and a lasting part of the 2012 Olympics legacy, normally hosts the British Basketball League’s London Lions. The Lions have built a solid fan base, and over the course of the summer off-season have built a roster that are heavily favored to win a lot of silverware and also challenge in the Euro Cup, one of the prestigious competitions across the continent.
Inspirus Sports has been created to build on the success of the first ever NCAA Collegiate basketball Tournament in Europe, the “Basketball Hall of Fame Basketball Classic” 2017 and 2018 in conjunction with the Sport Changes Life Foundation. Inspirus has one clear mission, to bring this event series to a global audience to inspire communities through the power of sport. CEO Scott McCarthy said, “It is a momentous day for Inspirus Sports as we take yet another step in growing our international sporting events portfolio. With today’s announcement, we continue our mission to use sport to nurture relationships across the Atlantic as we reconnect the world through sport, education, and business.”
Ticket information for this event can be found at: www.inspirussports.com/london-basketball-classic-tickets
