EDISON, NJ (June 1, 2022) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and Inspirus Sports Management today announced the inaugural London Basketball Classic. The event is set to be held Thanksgiving weekend, from Thursday, November 24 through Saturday, November 26 in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, The GLL, Copperbox Arena -- the London 2012 Olympic basketball venue.
 
The four-team men's basketball field will feature Manhattan College representing the MAAC, Northeastern University of the Colonial Athletic Association, Princeton University of the Ivy League, and a to be determined fourth team.
 
The tournament format will consist of two semi-finals games, a third-place consolation contest and a championship game. Manhattan will play Northeastern in one semi-final game, while Princeton will take on the TBD team in the other semi-final. The two winning teams will advance to play in the championship game and the two other teams will meet in the third-place game.
 
“The MAAC membership is pleased to serve as the London Classic’s sponsor and have Manhattan College represent the conference in the event. The MAAC is committed to providing its student-athletes with opportunities to experience international travel and competition as we seek to introduce local basketball fans to NCAA Division I college hoops.”
    -    Rich Ensor, MAAC Commissioner 

“We are excited to announce NCAA Division I collegiate basketball at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London’s Copperbox Arena on this Jubilee week. The legacy of basketball at the 2012 Olympic Copperbox Arena, home of the BBL London Lions, is a perfect setting for us to host our first London international basketball event. This will be a Thanksgiving to remember for our teams and their fans.  We hope to celebrate in style with the support of the great British basketball fans on November 24th and 26th.”
    -    Marc Mulholland, Executive Director of the London Basketball Classic, Inspirus Sports 

“Inspirus Sports has always been focused on building strong foundations for our international student recruitment portal through Inspirus Global Education. Our goal is to help U.S. institutions expand their reach to a global audience, which in turn, helps provide life-changing opportunities to prospective students. We are so thankful to these four prestigious institutions who understand the importance of winning both on the court and in the classroom. We are honoured to have them in our inaugural event, the London Basketball Classic.”
    -    Gareth Maguire, Chairman and Founder of Inspirus Sports and Inspirus Global Education, CEO of Sport Changes Life Foundation
 
“It is a momentous day for Inspirus Sports as we take yet another step in growing our international sporting events portfolio. With today’s announcement, we continue our mission to use sport to nurture relationships across the Atlantic as we reconnect the world through sport, education and business.”
    -    Scott McCarthy, CEO of Inspirus Sports 

HEAD COACHES QUOTES BELOW
 
“Anytime there is an opportunity to travel internationally for the game of basketball, it is a tremendous honor. We are incredibly excited about it, and we are humbled to be chosen for this event. We can’t wait to go to London, learn about their culture, and play two terrific games. We are looking forward to Jasper Nation traveling and supporting us as they did in Belfast. We want this to be not just a basketball experience but a Manhattan College community experience.”
    -    Steve Masiello, Manhattan Men’s Basketball Head Coach 

“As a program, we are always looking to play a competitive non-conference schedule that prepares our team for the rigors of league play,” said head coach Bill Coen. “To have the opportunity to do that at the 2022 London Basketball Classic, as well as provide our student-athletes with a once-in-a-lifetime global experience, is an opportunity that they will never forget.” 
    -    Bill Coen, Northeastern Men’s Basketball Head Coach 

“We are thrilled to be one of the four teams to participate in the London Classic this year. It is an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes to play in front of an international audience while representing Princeton University. We are thankful for this opportunity and excited to compete with the other teams in London.”
    -    Mitch Henderson, Princeton Men’s Basketball Head Coach 

Ticket on sale information, game times and the broadcast schedule will be announced at a later time.
 
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 41st year of competition during the 2021-22 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
 
Stay up to date with the MAAC on social media by following @MAACSports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit MAACSports.com for all the latest MAAC news.
 
About Inspirus Sports Management: The mission of Inspirus Sports is to connect the world through innovative global sporting events that are underpinned by community engagement and educational initiatives.
 
With basketball as the foundation, we’ve established strong commercial relationships which have benefitted commerce, education, travel, tourism and media.  Our objective is to grow these commercial relationships, allowing us to expand our global event portfolio resulting in a broader global impact.
Stay up to date with Inspirus Sports on social media by following @InspirusSports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit InspirusSports.com for all the latest Inspirus Sports news and follow our event on news @LondonBasketballClassic Instagram.