SPRINGFIELD — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and LEARFIELD announced that Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment (GSE) will return, and continue through 2026, as the financial-education sponsor of the Army National Guard Hoophall Classic, presented by Spalding.
Morgan Stanley GSE will continue to develop and present tailored financial-education programs, tools, and resources for some of the nation’s top prep basketball student-athletes while leading in-person programming for each year’s participants on select days throughout the event in Springfield.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment for every Hoophall Classic through 2026,” said John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “At the Hall of Fame, we are committed to enriching the Hoophall experience for the next generation of basketball talent. Our collaboration with Morgan Stanley extends beyond the game, focusing on equipping young athletes with critical life skills. In an era where financial literacy is essential, we strive to provide these future stars with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate their careers with confidence and success.”
Morgan Stanley GSE returns as the Hoophall Classic’s financial-education sponsor for the third consecutive year. Additionally, the financial-services firm will again honor the late Martin Luther King Jr. with the Basketball Hall of Fame, paying tribute to his life and legacy across all five nationally televised (on ESPN) Hoophall Classic games on Monday, Jan. 20.
“We are pleased to continue our sponsorship of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s renowned Hoophall Classic as its financial-education sponsor since 2023, building on our tutelage of some of America’s best young basketball talent over the past couple of years,” said Sandra Richards, head of Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment and Segment Sales & Engagement. “The sessions and candid conversations that we have had the pleasure of hosting with the next generation of basketball talent in Springfield are critical elements of aiding them each year toward empowered and sound financial decisions that we trust will serve foundational to their success, both on and off the basketball court for many years to come.”
This year will mark the 23rd year of the Hoophall Classic. This event will feature 33 games played over five days throughout Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend at Springfield College. This year’s field, which boasts teams from 18 states and Washington, D.C., will feature 45 players in ESPN’s top 100 from the class of 2025 (33 boys and 10 girls), including eight of the boys’ top 10 ranked players. Additionally, both the top-ranked boys’ recruits in the 2025 (AJ Dybantsa) and 2026 (Tyran Stokes) classes are scheduled to participate.
