LEE COUNTY, Fla. — For decades, Southwest Florida has been the hot spot for future college and NBA stars to showcase their talents. This week marks a huge milestone for the tournament – the 50th year of the annual City of Palms Classic featuring the best high school basketball players in the country.
“It’s got a great reputation,” said Matt Herting, Bishop Verot’s head coach. “It’s one of the best tournaments in the country. The people in the area turn out in droves to see it.”
Hoops fans have flocked to Suncoast Credit Union Arena at FSW to watch games featuring superstars in the making.
“This is a great tournament,” said Montverde forward Cooper Flagg. “Really well put together and really good vibes, you know, everybody just coming out and supporting good basketball.”
This classic features names like Flagg, the Duke commit, and the top recruit in the nation. For the first time ever, scouts have been allowed to attend to see players like Cameron and Cayden Boozer, the twin sons of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, Dylan Harper, the son of Ron Harper, and Kiyan Anthony, the son of Carmelo Anthony.
“Most of the players playing here, they eventually go and make it to the NBA,” said Fort Myers forward Alex Thelusma. “After they see who plays here every year, a new generation of stars come to play.”
Teams have traveled from all over, honored to play in the coveted classic.
“Being able to play in a tournament like this with your guys from your hometown is really neat,” said Lyon County (Kentucky) guard Travis Perry. “Lyon County has never been in the City of Palms. This is big-time for us. So we’re really just enjoying it, soaking it up.”
“Growing up, I’ve always wanted to play in it,” said Bishop Verot guard Leroy Roker.
Four teams from Southwest Florida made the bracket — including Charlotte, Mariner, and a big cross-town showdown between Fort Myers and Bishop Verot.
“That was our huge rival for so long, and to kind of rekindle that brought back a lot of great memories, a great game and great players and great coaches and great fan bases and everything else,” said Herting.
“[The] energy was great,” said Roker. “We’re not really used to that. So it was a good feeling.”
The energy is still high, as the City of Palms continues this weekend with the championships on Saturday.