National
Phoenix Suns to host Native basketball tourney


Phoenix, Arizona - Team registration is now underway for the second annual Native American Basketball Invitational, a high school basketball tournament sponsored by the Phoenix Suns comprised of Native American student/athletes from throughout the United States and Canada.

In response to the overwhelming number of teams that have expressed interested in participating in this year's tournament, event organizers (POD Productions) have expanded the field to include 28 teams. To accommodate more teams, the first rounds of play July 21-23 will be held on the Salt River Indian Reservation with the tournament moving to the America West Arena for the semi-finals and finals July 24.

Teams wishing to register should call POD Productions managing partner GinaMarie Scarpa-Mabry at 602-265-2770 or visit NABIHOOPS.COM.

"The national exposure of this event for our first year was overwhelming," says Scarpa-Mabry. "One of NABI's biggest successes came in the form of four college scholarships being awarded. This was one of NABI's future goals, and to have it happen in our first year tells us we need to keep the tournament growing."

The tournament will again provide participants with a first-class tournament experience, including having the Hyatt Regency Phoenix as the host hotel, as well as an official Nike uniform for each participant.

Sponsors of NABI include the Suns, Phoenix Mercury, America West Arena, Nike, Native Voice, Hyatt Regency & AlterNative Marketing.