In its 43rd year, America’s premiere boys’ basketball tournament adopts a polished new image and online presence to grow with the excitement
Basketball enthusiasts around the nation are already looking forward to the Culligan City of Palms Classic with great anticipation, and they can now see the down-to-the-minute countdown at a new website for the nation’s number-one high school basketball tournament, cityofpalmsclassic.com. A sleek, modern logo has been unveiled to position the 43-year-old institution for the next half-century of thrilling athletics, camaraderie and celebration of the competitive spirit. The City of Palms Classic has also launched a new eNewsletter filled with valuable information and updates.
Executive Director John Naylor, now in his second year, has spearheaded the improvements in response to an extensive survey of the tournament’s vast base of supporters. The survey provided feedback that will assist the tournament continue to deliver the best high school basketball experience in the world, and exceed expectations as the tournament steadily grows.
At press time, the online clock shows 222 days 
and counting until tournament time, but it’s not too early to get in on the excitement of this not-for-profit tournament featuring the top-ranked players and teams. The dynamic new website provides easy navigation for visitor information, ticket sales (available starting Oct. 1), schedule, team information, history, sponsors and sponsorship opportunities, booster club information, eNewsletter signup, a tournament bracket, scores and stats and much more.
Culligan returns for its third year as Title Sponsor, and Enterprise is Presenting Sponsor for the second year. Official apparel & game ball provider, Nike, has given the City of Palms Classic its blessing to integrate its iconic “swoosh” into the tournament’s elegant new logo.
The City of Palms Classic runs December 18 through 23 at the beautiful 2,300-seat gymnasium at Bishop Verot Catholic High School, a 21-year partner for the tournament. No fees are collected from players and teams, and Classic Basketball Inc., a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation that acts as a foundation for the tournament, covers all expenses for the players. For many of the players, the tournament represents their first opportunity to travel outside their own city.
More than 530 City of Palms players have advanced to NCAA Division I competition, with more than 60 advancing to play professionally in the NBA. Hundreds of coaches and scouts at every level use this venue for recruiting.
About the Culligan City of Palms Classic
Founded in 1973, the City of Palms tournament began, like so many tournaments today, as a simple, local, holiday basketball tournament. Over the years, the tournament grew and expanded its scope to include the nation’s finest athletes and teams, and over the past 22 years, has set the standard by which all tournaments are compared. Classic Basketball Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation created for the purpose of managing the City of Palms Classic. For more information and to sign up for the eNewsletter, visit cityofpalmsclassic.com.
