April 12, 2017. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival’s two-day basketball event tips off Friday night at 7 p.m. with the Horseshoe Foundation Night of the Future Stars. Hosted at a new location, the Indiana University Southeast Activities Building, admission will be free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin or a ticket to Saturday night’s Basketball Classic, at Freedom Hall.
Friday’s event is comparable to the NBA All-Star weekend, with players showcasing their special skills. Some of the nights most exciting moments have occurred during the Slam Dunk, 2-on-2 and 3-Point Shooting competitions. There will also be a one-hour autograph-signing session following the event, with a two-item limit for signing.
Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County is title sponsor of Friday’s event, joining Contributing Sponsors Papa John’s and SoIN. Supporting Sponsor is Dick’s Sporting Goods and Media Sponsors are B96.5 FM and SLAM Magazine.
The 44th annual Basketball Classic presented by Papa John’s begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday night at Freedom Hall. This year’s game features several new recruits for the Cats, Cards and Hoosiers.
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE: Basketball Classic Reserved Tickets $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets on sale at all TicketMaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com or call (800) 745-3000 or the Freedom Hall box office at (502) 367-5144 (Includes facility fee).
First held in 1973, the Derby Festival Basketball Classic is the oldest high school all-star game in the nation. The game has featured such players as Jamal Mashburn, Rex Chapman, Moses Malone, Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, Eric Bledsoe, Deron Williams and Nolan Smith, among many others.
The Basketball Classic is presented by Papa John’s, with Contributing Sponsor the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County and Supporting Sponsor Dick’s Sporting Goods. Media Sponsors include 99.7 DJX, B96.5 FM and SLAM Magazine. The event will be broadcast live on WDRB.
