by TOURNAMENT FEATURING MORE THAN 1,400 ATHLETES AND A HIGHLY SOUGHT DIVISION I PROSPECT
Maricopa, Ariz. – The 14th Annual Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI), presented by the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Nike N7 and Seminole Tribe of Florida, will kick off Sunday, June 26 and showcases athletes representing tribal communities from across the US and Canada, competing for the prestigious NABI National Championship trophy and an opportunity to shine in front of college scouts.
Games start Monday, June 27 in the Ak-Chin Indian Community and surrounding gyms in and around Maricopa, Ariz.
“The Ak-Chin Indian Community has been a proud supporter of the NABI tournament since its founding in 2003,” said Robert Miguel, chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community. “We are thrilled that the teams will be playing this year in Maricopa and look forward to showing off all our Community has to offer.”
This summer’s tournament will feature more than1,400 talented Native American athletes including a Division 1 prospect, 16-year-old, Kamaka Hepa, a 6-foot-9 young man from Barrows, Alaska.
More than 250 games will be played over five days and will include a College and Career Fair, “Team Meet & Greet” Party and Educational Seminars. Scheduled to speak to the athletes will be AC Green, an NBA “Iron Man” and former LA Laker.
The NABI Gold Division Championship games will be played at Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown Phoenix, the home of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, on Saturday, July 2. Doors open at noon. Tickets are $10 for general admission and all of the proceeds benefit the NABI Foundation.
For more information about the NABI Invitational, game schedules and gym locations log on to the NABI official website www.nabifoundation.org or contact info@nabifoundation.org
Supporting sponsors of NABI include: Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, JP Business Solutions, Gila River Indian Community, Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe, PENTA Building Group, Northwest Indian College, National Indian Gaming Association, Miccosukee Tribe of Florida, Seneca Nation of Indians, Soboba Foundation, First Western Trust, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, NCNACPS and BEARD.
About NABI Foundation
The NABI Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization created to inspire Native American athletes to use sports as a tool to secure higher educational opportunities. Since its inception, NABI has served over ten thousand youth through programs such as NABI Basketball Invitational, NABI Baseball & Softball Invitational and the NABI Physical Education Program/YPEP. For more information, visit www.NABIFoundation.org
NABI Foundation, Tax ID# 43-1967299
About Ak-Chin Indian Community
The Ak-Chin Indian Community is nestled into the Santa Cruz Valley of Southern Arizona. The Community lies 35 miles south of Phoenix in the northwestern part of Pinal County. Ak-Chin is an O’odham word translated to mean “mouth of the wash” or “place where the wash loses itself in the sand or ground.” Ak-Chin has an enrollment of more than 1,022 tribal members and a land base of just over 22,000 acres. The Ak-Chin Indian Community has a variety of business enterprises including Harrah’s Ak-Chin, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, Vekol Market, UltraStar Multi-tainment Center and Santa Cruz Commerce Center. For more information, visit www.ak-chin.nsn.us/.
