Team registration is now underway for the third annual Native American Basketball Invitational/NABI, a high school basketball tournament being held in Phoenix, Arizona, in June.

Comprised of 48 Native American teams from throughout the United States and Canada, first rounds of play begins June 22-24 and will be held at local reservation and high school gyms. The tournament will move to the America West Arena for the semi-finals and the live telecast of the championships games on June 25. The championship games will be aired on AZ TV.

To qualify, team members must be enrolled in high school and be Native based on their tribal guidelines. Graduating seniors, community teams and all-star teams are eligible.

�Once registration opens the tournaments fills up quick, we had 16 teams on the waiting list last year� says Gina Marie Scarpa-Mabry, managing partner of the invitational.

Since its inception, NABI has created opportunities for 15 college scholarship to be awarded to Native American athletes. It has become one of the biggest all Native tournaments in the country.

Sponsors of NABI 2005 include the Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation, Ak-Chin Indian Community, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Nike, KAZTV, Arizona Republic, 21Native.com, Native Voice, Hyatt Regency & Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort.

Teams wishing to register should log on to NABIHOOPS.COM. or call 602-265-2770.

Relevant Links:
Native American Basketball Invitational - http://www.nabihoops.com

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Basketball a sense of pride, honor on reservations (07/26)
Phoenix Suns to host Native basketball tourney (02/04)