Date: Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002

Time: Doors open at 8 a.m.

Location: Battelle Hall located at the Columbus Convention Center, 400 N High St.

Purpose: The 8th Annual National Hoops Classic provides an opportunity for the public to see the best high school basketball in Ohio and the United States. Funds raised benefit various athletic programs in Ohio.

History: Founded in 1988, The Classic was held for six years on the campus of Ohio University before moving to Columbus in 1995. The move was necessary to accommodate the rapid growth of the event. Wellston High School continues to serve as the host school of the National Hoops Classic, which is recognized as one of the most prestigious high school basketball events in the country. The event is sanctioned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

Organization: The event is organized by Big W Basketball Club, Inc., produced by Clear Channel Entertainment and hosted by Wellston High School.

Program: The Classic features some of the most outstanding high schools in the United States with over 9 pre-season All Americans and some of the most outstanding coaches in the history of high school basketball.

The national field includes national powerhouses Midwest City (OK), Montrose Christian (MD), Bonner Academy (NC) and St. Patrick’s (NJ).

The Ohio field includes powerhouses Brookhaven, Zanesville, Chesapeake, Willard, Wheelersburg and host Wellston.

Admission: Tickets for this event are on sale now through Ticketmaster and participating Ohio schools.

2002 Game Schedule:

More History: American Family Insurance National Hoops Classic is recognized by Street and Smith Magazine, Basketball Weekly, and USA Today as one of the premier high school basketball tournaments held annually in the United States.

The American Family Insurance National Hoops Classic has been held in Columbus, Ohio at Battelle Hall since 1995. During this time, the Classic has come to feature some of the most highly acclaimed high school teams and coaches in the nation. In fact, since the American Family Insurance National Hoops Classic arrival in Columbus in 1995, it has featured the #1 ranked high school team in the country every year during this stretch.

The concept of the American Family Insurance National Hoops Classic pits out of state teams against teams from Ohio. This has made for some intense action as perennial powerhouse teams such as Oak Hill Academy (VA), DeMatha (MD), Dunbar (DC), St. Anthony (NJ), St. Johns at Prospect Hall (MD), and Martin Luther King (IL) have displayed their talent and skills. In doing so, these schools and others have put not only their reputations, but their rankings on the line as they play in this event.

At the 2002 American Family Insurance National Hoops Classic, nine preseason All-Americans will participate. This year, three out of the top twenty four preseason nationally ranked teams will participate in the event.

Listed below are a few National Hoops Classic alumni that were NBA draft picks:

· Jalen Rose, Indiana Pacers

· Vashon Lenard, Denver Nuggets

· Gary Trent, Minnesota Timberwolves

· Lawrence Funderburke, Sacramento Kings

· Alvin Williams, Toronto Raptors

· Ron Mercer, Chicago Bulls

· Tim Thomas, Milwaukee Bucks

· Jason Collier, Houston Rockets

· Loren Woods, Minnesota Timberwolves

· Stephen Jackson, San Antonio Spurs

· William Avery, Minnesota Timberwolves

· Michael Miller, Orlando Magic

· Sagana Diop, Cleveland Cavaliers

· Joseph Forte, Boston Celtics

· Richard Jefferson, New Jersey Nets

· Rodney White, Detroit Pistons

And the No. 1 pick of the NFL Cleveland Browns, Tim Couch.