Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Invites the World of Basketball to a Week of Festivities & Honors for Enshrinement 2010

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced a weeklong "Celebration of Basketball" festival leading up to Enshrinement 2010, scheduled Saturday, August 7 through Saturday, August 14, 2010. This year's enshrinement will include the largest number of Hall of Famers to ever be assembled in Springfield, MA. The sport of basketball will call Springfield home as this world premiere basketball event stages celebrations and attractions devoted to the sport, the players and the exact location where the "first basketball game" was played on December 21, 1891. For a complete list of all Enshrinement 2010 events, to purchase tickets or to take advantage of all summer events and activities, visit www.hoophall.com

Highlights of the week include: a monument unveiling at Springfield's "Mason Square" where the first game of basketball was played; the inaugural "Hoops & Heroes" Tournament -- a 'first responders' tournament with local and regional representation from police, fire and other agencies benefiting Special Olympics Massachusetts; a Wheelchair Basketball Celebration at the Hall featuring the USA Gold Medal winning Wheelchair Paralympics Team; a "Children's Day" featuring basketball clinics with NBA and collegiate players; a 96 team AAU National Tournament presented by the Chris Paul Foundation; and many other public events surrounding the induction of the Class of 2010.

"We enthusiastically welcome the world of basketball to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and to the city of Springfield to honor the game and its most elite participants. This is an event fans of all ages will want to attend," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "The 'Celebration of Basketball' week has more than doubled in size and scope from last year which will allow for more fan interaction and provide greater economic impact to the surrounding region."

The Enshrinement Class of 2010 consists of eight individuals and two teams. The inductees include: Jerry Buss, Cynthia Cooper, Bob Hurley, Sr., Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen, along with two celebrated teams: the 1960 USA Men's Olympic team and the 1992 USA Basketball "Dream Team." The Class of 2010 also includes three legendary players: Dennis Johnson, Gus Johnson and international star Maciel "Ubiratan" Pereira, all of whom will be honored posthumously.

With plans to continue the weeklong celebration for future years, the Basketball Hall of Fame has been able to partner with NIKE, as the presenting sponsor for all of this year's events, including additional premium sponsorships from the Chicago Bulls and MassMutual Financial Group.

The Basketball Hall of Fame's Facebook and Twitter pages are great ways to stay informed about Enshrinement Week and all of this summers news and events happening at the Hall. Follow HoopHall on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Springfield-MA/Naismith-Memorial-Basketball-Hall-of-Fame/71673815971?ref=ts and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/hoophall

ABOUT THE NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME:

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, men and women.  For more information on upcoming events, please visit our website at www.hoophall.com, call 1-877-4-HOOPLA  or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame