Although the NBA Finals may have concluded, basketball fans from across the United States will have another opportunity for a unique, compelling basketball experience this summer. Nike today announced that it was joining the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury and AZ United Tribes in renewing its sponsorship of the Native American Basketball Invitational.
Produced by POD Productions and reflecting the overwhelming popularity of organized and grassroots basketball on Native lands throughout the United States, this year's tournament will feature 50 teams of male and female Native American high school student-athletes.
“NABI will provide the Native American community a great opportunity to showcase their passion for the sport of basketball,” said Sam McCracken, Native American business manager for Nike. “Through Nike's support of this tournament and the talented Native American student/athletes who will be participants, we hope NABI to be catalysts for both athletic and academic achievement via basketball.”
While at the tournament, participants will attend seminars with a variety of speakers that focus on the importance of getting a good education. From last year's tournament, several of the student/athletes were discovered by recruiters and offered scholarships to compete at the collegiate level and further their educational goals. A portion of proceeds from tournament ticket sales will be donated to the NABI Foundation to support the athletes through the NABI College Mentoring Program.
Nike footwear and apparel retailer “Clothing City” will once again be the venue for a pre-tournament kick off party. A live radio broadcast by 104-7 KISS FM DJ SuperSnake drew listeners and basketball players to the store location to hone their basketball skills for prizes and to meet Phoenix Suns greats Connie Hawkins and Mark West.
Support of the tournament is one pillar within Nike's overall engagement with Native American nations and peoples. To address concerns about declining physical activity and the resulting adverse health effects, McCracken directs Nike's Native American Diabetes Program that interacts with and supports some 60 tribes across the United States. Earlier this year, Nike signed an agreement with the Indian Health Service to better promote healthy lifestyles. Nike also has developed working relationships with the Bureau of Indian Affairs School Program.
