Major change announced for Chick-fil-A Classic basketball tournament
The Chick-fil-A Classic, one of the top high school basketball tournaments in the country, announced a major change on Thursday afternoon.
Tournament organizer Gary Fulmer announced the Midlands Chick-fil-A restaurants have decided to end their run as title sponsor of the event. Midlands Chick-fil-A restaurants have been the title sponsor for the event since its inception 22 years ago.
Since the beginning of the tournament, proceeds have provided more than $230,000 in scholarships through the Greater Columbia Educational Advancement Foundation.
Fulmer and the GCEAF in a statement said they are “exploring the possibility of a new sponsor” and thanked Chick-fil-A Classic for its partnership over the years.
“The Chick-fil-A Classic had an awesome run and I am forever grateful to the Chick-fil-A operators of the Midlands for their support and their commitment of making the dream of the national boys level basketball tournament in the Midlands of South Carolina a reality,” Fulmer said in a statement.
Fulmer also went on thank the tournament’s other sponsors, volunteers and media for their support over the years.
Fulmer told The State he isn’t sure about a new sponsor yet but added they would need to have one by end of March or early April to have this year’s annual event in December.
The tournament has been held at River Bluff High School in Lexington the last three years and has been destination for the top teams in the country each year. The event was held at Richland Northeast High School in its inception until the move to Lexington.
The tournament has attracted some of the top programs and players in the country over the years including Steph Curry, Zion Williamson, Anthony Edwards, GG Jackson and Jalen Green among others.
The event also has had a girls showcase event the past two years and featured future South Carolina player MiLaysia Fulwiley, Gamecocks signee Joyce Edwards and Sarah Strong, the No. 1 girls prospect in the country.
Ridge View and Dynamic Prep won the championships in this year’s event.
This story was originally published February 1, 2024 at 5:55 PM.
