**UPDATED DEC. 11, 2020**
On Sunday, Dec. 6, Pit Boss Grills Holiday Hoopsgiving presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors will tipped-off with Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky. On Saturday, Dec. 12, there will be a quadruple-header including Clemson vs Alabama, Mississippi State vs. Dayton, LSU vs. South Florida, and Auburn vs. Memphis.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only limited friends and family will be allowed to attend Hoopsgiving 2020, however fans can still have a ‘”virtual” presence by purchasing cutouts that will be in the stands during game play. The popular trend in COVID-era sports lets would-be attendees submit personal photos that become 2-dimensional seat-fillers within the venue. Pricing starts at $70 and purchasers will have the option of placement around the arena bowl or courtside. Along with personalized cutouts, fans can also purchase Hoopsgiving t-shirts in the school colors of their favorite competing team. Fans can go to http://theviigroup.net/ for more information.
**END UPDATE**
Holiday Hoopsgiving announces its 2020 event will include five college neutral-court games at the award-winning State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA. Some of the nation’s top collegiate basketball programs are scheduled to participate.
Holiday Hoopsgiving has historically showcased many of the top high school basketball programs in the country for the past six years and is listed as one of the top five Thanksgiving basketball showcases in the country by USA Today. The event consists of top-tiered talent and the who’s who of high school basketball in the country from the likes of Wendell Carter Jr, Collin Sexton, and RJ Barrett.
“Our goal is to highlight the top basketball talent in the country on both the high school and college levels to show the future of basketball. We are elated to be able to bring this experience to Atlanta,” says Christopher Williams, CEO/Founder of The VII Group, the creator of the Holiday Hoopsgiving event.
On Friday, November 27, Holiday Hoopsgiving will take off with Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky. On Saturday, December 12, there will be a quadruple-header including Clemson vs Alabama, Mississippi State vs. Dayton, LSU vs. South Florida, and Auburn vs. Memphis. These games will take place in State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks.
Three of the participating teams finished in the AP Top 25 rankings (Dayton, Kentucky, Auburn). Dayton is coming off a great year with Obi Toppin awarded National Player of the Year and Anthony Grant Coach of the Year for both Naismith and Associated Press (AP). Kentucky, Auburn, and LSU also bring a strong presence with top tier star-studded recruiting classes for 2020.
The weekends will include the high school showcase and charitable events benefiting charities and local students at various locations throughout the city. All travel packages and game tickets will be available at a later date. Fans can stay up to date on information at http://theviigroup.net
“We always strive to have a mission driven sporting event that’s highly entertaining and competitive. I think this new slate contributes to those goals. Also, State Farm Arena is a great venue that was ranked No. 1 for in-game fan experience and has been an excellent partner in creating a good event,” says Christopher Williams.
From our Coaches:
Bruce Pearl, Auburn
“We are very excited about playing in State Farm Arena in Downtown Atlanta, home of the Atlanta Hawks. What a great opportunity for our student athletes to compete against a top program in Memphis. We have so many great fans and alumni in Atlanta, and I’m challenging them to sell the place out. Congratulations to Chris Williams, The VII Group and his team for putting on what promises to be a great event. We are also pleased with the event’s support of the Mike Slive Foundation for prostate cancer research.”
Penny Hardaway, Memphis
“I’m looking forward to playing in the Holiday Hoopsgiving put on by Chris Williams and his team The VII Group. We are playing an awesome opponent in The Auburn Tigers who are well coached by coach Bruce Pearl. And to top it off by playing this event in Atlanta. Which is like a second home.”
Josh Pastner, Georgia Tech
“We are so excited to be playing in the event against Kentucky at State Farm. This gives everyone in the city an opportunity to see two outstanding basketball teams compete at the highest level.”
Will Wade, LSU
“We are excited to bring our team to Atlanta to play in the Holiday Hoopsgiving. This will be a great day of high level basketball that also benefits children diagnosed with leukemia. LSU is thrilled to be a part of this first-class event that The VII Group is putting on!”
Anthony Grant, Dayton
“We are excited to be a part of the 2020 Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta. It will be a great test for our guys against an always talented Mississippi State program led by Coach Howland. We are looking forward to playing in front of our fans in Atlanta and the Southeast region.”
THE PEACH REVIEW® 