February 18, 2016. Louisville, KY. – Tickets for the 44th annual Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic presented by Papa John’s go on sale tomorrow for the high school all-star game set for Friday, April 15, at Freedom Hall. This year’s roster will include players ranked in the Top 50 nationally by recruiting services Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247sports.com.
“It is a testament to the college basketball fans of this area that we are able to recruit the highest level of players each year,” said Mike Gandolfo and Keith Conrad, the event’s co-recruiting chairs. “Our attendance is one of the main recruiting tools that resonate with players and their families. These guys can’t wait to play in front of the most dedicated fan bases in college basketball. This roster has names you may not recognize now, but they will dominate college basketball’s headlines next season.”
Tickets, which cost $18 in advance ($20 at the door) and $50 for VIP Courtside seating, are available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com and by phone through TicketMaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets for the game will allow for free admission to the Horseshoe Foundation Derby Festival Night of the Future Stars, which will be held on Thursday, April 14, at New Albany High School.
The Basketball Classic is presented by Papa John’s, with Contributing Sponsor Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County. Media Sponsors are 99.7 DJX, B96.5 FM, Old School 105.1 and SLAM Magazine.
First held in 1973, the Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic has featured such players as Jamal Mashburn, Moses Malone, Rex Chapman, Pervis Ellison, Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, Darrell Griffith, Derek Anderson, Anfernee Hardaway and Michael Beasley, among many others.
Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
