On Saturday, it was announced that the 44th Annual Capital Classic would be returning to the Verizon Center. The event will take place on April 8th 2017. Hoop Culture and Monster Product played roles in having the game moved back to a pro arena.
The Capital Classic is the first and longest running high school all-star game in the country. The game has featured NBA players and future Hall of Famers:
Moses Malone
Magic Johnson
Ralph Sampson
Dominique Wilkins
Michael Jordan
Patrick Ewing
Grant Hill
Jason Kidd
Carmelo Anthony
LeBron James
Chris Paul
Dwight Howard
Klay Thompson
Capital Classic founder, Bob Geoghan, was on hand for the festivities and was very happy about the game being moved back to the Verizon Center. “I am extremely excited and energized by the return of the Capital Classic to the Verizon Center” said Geoghan.
Geoghan also had high praise for Tom Doyle (CEO of Hoop Culture) and Pete Deoudes (Capital Classic CFO). “The game’s return could not be possible without Tom Doyle and Pete Deoudes who now ow the right to the Capital Classic and the Washington Metropolitan Basketball Hall of Fame. They were my personal choice to continue the legacy I began in 1974 and I’m convinced they have the same passion, dedication, and integrity to take these events back to the prominence they deserve.”
The game started in 1974 with Moses Malone being the signature player in the game. Malone was being heavily recruited by Lefty Driesell and the University of Maryland. Malone decided to forego his college eligibility and became the first player to go straight from High School to the NBA.
One of the unique features of the Capital Classic is that it has two all-star games. The first game pits the all-stars from the District of Columbia against and all-star team from the suburbs. That is followed by the national game where the United States All Stars square off against the Capital All Stars.
The Capital Classic has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. The partnership will provide game alumni and other celebrities as educators and mentors.
Marcus “Mook” Washington is the host of Making The Cut. Follow Mook on Twitter: @mtcwithmook and IG: MTCWithMook
