This week, our very own Bethel High School will be hosting the Iverson Classic, an annual showcase for the top 25 senior up and coming high school basketball players.

In its 8th year, the Iverson Classic gives All-American players a chance to demonstrate their talent and skill while being coached by former NBA talent. This year is the first time the Classic is taking place in Hampton, VA where Allen Iverson grew up.

“It’s an honor to finally bring the Iverson Classic back to where it all started for me,” Allen Iverson stated in the official press release. “This is more than a game; it’s a celebration of the future of basketball, right here in Hampton.”

Securing Bethel’s chance to host the Iverson Classic in 2024 has been a years’ long process. According to DeRocke Croom, Bethel’s Athletic Director, the process started with the Iverson Showcase, a holiday basketball tournament for local high schools. Craig Brehon, Bethel’s Varsity Basketball coach, worked with Iverson and his team to turn the Showcase into an annual Bethel tradition.  The success of the Showcase in turn set the stage for this year’s Classic.

“When it comes to this Classic, they [Iverson’s team] asked…,” Croom stated. “They already had the venue at the Coliseum setup, so that was that. Chuck [Iverson] wanted to make sure that we brought it back to Hampton.”

This week, the Classic will end with two major events: the first on May 2nd at Bethel and the second on May 4th at the Coliseum. Why Bethel? Bethel is Iverson’s Alma Mater, and according to Croom, it was very important to all involved that the Classic “benefit the kids here.”

Live at Bethel this Thursday, May 2nd, the Allen Iverson Gym doors will open at 5pm for The 24K Showcase. This game features the 26-50th ranked senior players in the country. In addition, spectators will also get to watch other games, including a Dunk contest, a 3 point shootout and a 1-on-1 contest.

On Saturday, the Classic will end with the All-American game at the Hampton Coliseum. Doors will open at 7 PM, and this game will feature 17 of the top 25 players in the country.  Included in this stellar group are Cooper Flagg, the #1 player in the country committed to Duke University, and Ace Bailey, the #2 ranked player in the country committed to Rutgers University.

Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to see the best of the best right here at Bethel! For the Bethel event on Thursday evening, tickets are still being sold for as little as $20 here.  For the Saturday game at the Hampton Coliseum, tickets are being sold separately starting at $25 here.