Hoop Scoop

VOLUNTEERS HONORED WITH MVP AWARDS AT HOOPLANDIA

The byways and buildings at Eastern States Exposition (ESE) came alive with competitive game play at Hooplandia, the basketball beast of the Northeast. On Sunday, June 22, amidst the sound of sneakers slapping pavement and bouncing basketballs, two standout volunteers, Kaily Godek and Phil Dumond, were recognized by ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy with MVP Awards for their exemplary efforts. READ MORE

BRIAN SCALABRINE OF THE BOSTON CELTICS SITS DOWN WITH HOOP SCOOP

One of the highlights of Hooplandia, the Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival, which set Eastern States Exposition and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame ablaze with feisty, fiery competition, June 20-22, was a visit from Brian Scalabrine. The former Boston Celtics player and current analyst hosted a clinic that catered to all types of players on Saturday, June 21, followed by a midday meet and greet. READ MORE

JOHN DOLEVA OF THE NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME RECOGNIZE WITH LEADERSHIP AWARD

It has become an annual tradition that Bulkley Richardson sponsors the Hooplandia Leadership Award during the tournament, and this year’s recipient is none other than John Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. Mark Cress of Bulkley Richardson, the sponsor of the award presented Doleva with this honor at a midday reception on Saturday, June 21, amidst gameplay. READ MORE

Friday Night Hooptacular: Rivalry Recap

Opening day of Hooplandia got off to a thrilling start with Friday Night Hooptacular, a high-energy celebration of basketball, community and competition, hosted at the ESE complex in West Springfield. Top boys and girls players from neighboring high schools and local city officials joined us for a night of intense rivalries. READ MORE

FOOD VENDORS ANNOUNCED FOR FAST-APPROACHING TOURNAMENT WEEKEND

When the courts heat up for Hooplandia, June 20-22, so do the griddles; event organizers at Eastern States Exposition have confirmed all their new and returning food vendors for the tournament, and this starting lineup can’t be beaten. READ MORE

WHAT TO EXPECT AT HOOPLANDIA 2025

Hooplandia, powered by Hoop It Up and presented by Explore Western Mass., begins Friday, June 20, with a festive Hooptacular, followed by tournament play Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22. Admission is free for attendees throughout the weekend, and on-site parking is free on Friday and $10 on Saturday and Sunday. Hooplandia will take place rain or shine. READ MORE

FORMER BOSTON CELTIC PLAYER, BRIAN SCALABRINE, JOINS STARTING LINEUP

Hooplandia, powered by Hoop It Up and presented by Explore Western Mass, has just announced that Brian Scalabrine, former Boston Celtics player and current analyst for the team, will be in attendance at the Northeast’s Ultimate Basketball Tourney + Festival on Saturday, June 21, to host a clinic and participate in a meet and greet from 11am-2pm. READ MORE

The Ball Rolling: Boots on the Ground for Bueckers's Return

Former UConn Huskies player and the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, Paige Bueckers, surely felt that the pressure was on when she returned to the Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday, May 27. The Hooplandia Street Team was in attendance for work purposes, but they were grateful to witness her triumphant homecoming! READ MORE

SEEKING SCOREKEEPERS AND TIMEKEEPERS

Hooplandia is just around the corner! The Northeast's Ultimate Basketball Tourney + Festival is in search of scorekeepers and timekeepers for its diverse divisions. As a volunteer, you will be in the heart of the action and contribute to the seamless flow of the tournament to guarantee a positive experience for players... plus you enjoy some great perks! READ MORE

SEE SHOWBOAT JACKSON AT HOOPLANDIA!

This June, the one and only Kevin “Showboat” Jackson of the Harlem Triksterz returns to Hooplandia, powered by Hoop It Up, to take the event to new heights—no, really, he’s six feet and six inches tall! READ MORE

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: YOUR FORD DEALERS OF NEW ENGLAND

With just under 50 days until Hooplandia, powered by Hoop It Up, things are really revving up! Hooplandia event organizers recently visited a few of the sponsors that make the weekend-long tourney and festival possible, including Your New England Ford Dealers. READ MORE

PAINTING THE TOWN: ARCY RETURNS TO HOOPLANDIA

ARCY, a skilled street artist who has been mastering his craft for more than two decades, will return to Hooplandia to produce a commemorative mural for this year’s event. READ MORE

NEW CASH PRIZES AND PRO-AM DIVISION POWERED BY KEVIN GARNETT'S HOOP IT UP

Hooplandia is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Kevin Garnett’s Hoop It Up, made possible by the Western Mass. Sports Commission and the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB), that will make the 2025 tournament the most competitive installment so far. For the first time in event history, players have access to a pro-am division for professional ballers, powered by Hoop It Up, with a $2,500 cash prize for the top-ranking mens and womens teams on the line. READ MORE

THE BALL ROLLING: DISTRICT ATTORNEY GULLUNI'S HOOP UP SPRINGFIELD

This past weekend brought the 9th annual installment of Hoop Up Springfield to Western Mass. The innovative basketball tournament turned summer job fair sponsored by the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office took place at American International College, and the Hooplandia Street Team was thrilled to participate. READ MORE

Hooplandia's Wall of Champions Unveiled at Basketball Hall of Fame

On Friday, April 11, the Hooplandia team invited our 2024 champions to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for an unveiling of a wall dedicated to the top-scoring teams from the Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival, including a local student athlete, Alejandro Recca, who is now featured among the best in the game. READ MORE

FINAL FOUR: GEITNER REFLECTS & FUDD IS MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER

College basketball has wrapped for the season, and the mens Florida Gators and womens UConn Huskies are the last teams standing now that the confetti from the NCAA National Championships has settled. Many of the same hands that have touched Hooplandia made their way to both sites this past weekend, including Azzi Fudd of the UConn Huskies and ESE's own Brian Geitner. READ MORE

HOOPLANDIA DONATES TO THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF WEST SPRINGFIELD & WESTFIELD

At Hooplandia, a love for basketball meets a commitment to community impact. On Wednesday, April 2, the Hooplandia team presented the Boys & Girls Club of Westfield and West Springfield with a $1,000 check on our home court. READ MORE

HOOPLANDIA’S 2024 CHAMPIONS SPOTLIGHTED AT ESE NIGHT AT THE THUNDERBIRDS

The Hooplandia team attended Eastern States Exposition Night at the Springfield Thunderbirds game on Saturday, March 29. They brought the best of the Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival to the MassMutual Center by inviting some of Hooplandia’s 2024 champions to accompany them on the ice for the evening’s puck drop. READ MORE

THE BALL ROLLING: BRIAN VISITS THE THUNDERBIRDS

Eastern States Exposition's Group Sales and Promotional Outreach Intern, Brian Geitner, visited the Springfield Thunderbirds at MassMutual Center and brought the excitement of the Northeast's Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival to the ice. READ MORE

WHY JOLENA CRUZ PARTICIPATES IN HOOPLANDIA

Jolena Cruz, of Springfield, Mass., is a Head Start teacher with a passion for volunteering. She might not be much of a basketball player, but that does not mean that she's content to sit on the sidelines when Hooplandia's in town. Learn more about how she gets in on the action! READ MORE

WHY JESS GARDNER PARTICIPATES IN HOOPLANDIA

Continuing our conversations with volunteers, employees and guests of honor who are passionate about Hooplandia, our Hoop Scoop writer interviewed Jessica “Jess” Gardner, a fifth-year student at Westfield State University (WSU) who has left her mark on the event through her commitment and vigor. READ MORE

100 Days to Hooplandia: Texas Takeover

Hooplandia’s courts are a welcome mat laid for every kind of baller, drawing players from New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and well beyond the East Coast. In honor of 100 days to Hooplandia, our Hoop Scoop reporter chose to spotlight a team that has well over 100 miles worth of reasons to sign up for the Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival: ATX. READ MORE

HOOPLANDIA ANNOUNCES $1,000 CASH PRIZES ANNOUNCED FOR FOUR DIVISIONS

Hooplandia just gave select players 1,000 more reasons to register! For the first time in the event’s history, first-place winners from paid adult divisions are eligible for $1,000 cash prizes. READ MORE

LAST CHANCE: EARN 3-POINT PERKS WHEN YOU REGISTER BY MARCH 10

It pays to plan your playtime! Early registrants enjoy 3-Point Perks, which includes a ticket to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, a ticket to The Big E and a gift card to Hot Table for each player on your team—but they aren't around for much longer! READ MORE

The Ball Rolling: Meet Isaiah Gomez

The Hooplandia Street Team’s event calendar keeps growing, so they have recruited some additional helping hands! Meet their newest member, Isaiah Gomez! READ MORE

Why ARCY Participates in Hooplandia

It takes a skilled hand to capture the lively energy of Hooplandia in a commemorative mural, which is why the task has been given to the talented Ryan “ARCY” Christenson for the last two years. However, ARCY is driven by more than mastery of his craft—he is compelled by his love of basketball. READ MORE

Where to Eat and Stay While You Play

The Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival is a premiere event unlike anything east of the Mississippi. That’s why Hooplandia is a destination, and teams travel from all over to play on its courts. But where should tourists dine and lodge while they play? READ MORE

Why The Street Team Participates in Hooplandia

Eastern States Exposition’s full-time staff is hard at work planning Hooplandia, which is why our Hoop Scoop reporter sat down with members of the street team, Sam Roberts and Brian Geitner, who work ‘round the shot clock to get the word out about Hooplandia, and found out what makes them so passionate about the sport. READ MORE

ANSWER THE CALL: 2025 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Eager to get involved in The Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Tourney + Festival? Consider volunteering at this year’s event! There are numerous positions available throughout the fun-filled weekend, and all volunteers receive numerous perks. READ MORE

The Ball Rolling: Street Team to Attend Hoophall Classic and Invitational

Mark your calendars! The Hooplandia street team is rolling out to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2025 Army National Guard Hoophall Classic and the 2025 Army National Guard Hoophall Invitational, presented by Spalding, January 16-20 in Springfield, Mass. READ MORE

The Ball Rolling: Meet the Street Team

Meet the street team that tables local events and games to promote Hooplandia by networking with athletes, engaging potential sponsors, distributing branded merchandise and generating community awareness. Each ambassador receives exclusive perks as they tour now through early June, spreading the scoop on Hoop! READ MORE

Hooplandia 2025 Registration Tips Off December 2

The third annual Hooplandia, the Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival, tips off June 20-22 at Eastern States Exposition (ESE) and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Its rapid growth has made Hooplandia a destination for ballers from all over the United States, and the upward trend continues as registration opens on December 2 at Hooplandia.com. READ MORE

Save the Date: June 20-22 2025

Mark your calendars, basketball fans—Hooplandia is back and bigger than ever. Get ready to hit the courts June 20-22, 2025, for the Northeast's Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival. READ MORE

Hooplandia Day at The Big E Was a Slam Dunk

The Big E stepped up its game with Hooplandia Day. Thousands of fairgoers came out and enjoyed the hustle and energy of a basketball court blending with the excitement of New England’s biggest Fair. Whether you are a diehard hoops fanatic or someone who just loves a good time, Hooplandia Day certainly delivered something for everyone—minus the courtside seats. READ MORE

HOOPLANDIA 2024 WRAP UP

Hooplandia, the Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival, wrapped up Sunday afternoon following a successful weekend of fun and competitive tournament play, instructional clinics and festival activities at the Eastern States Exposition (ESE) complex in West Springfield, Mass. Select youth division championship games were played on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams” at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. READ MORE