It was a beautiful, entertaining, and cooperative weekend in Brooklyn, NY for Under Armour’s 2013 Elite 24. As the name implies, Elite 24 showcases the skills and talent of 24 of the country’s top high school basketball players. In addition, Automotive Rhythms refereed the interaction of Cadillac’s squad of SUVs and sedans – featuring the all-new XTS – with former Elite 24s and current NBA players including Kemba Walker, Brandon Jennings, Kent Bazemore, and Greivis Vásquez. Actress Taraji P. Henson actor Michael Rapaport, author and motivational speaker Eric Thomas, and Under Armour VPs also received ball play from Cadillac’s starting five.
From Texas to New York, these young guns brought their A-game to the Mecca of streetball and gave fans a taste of their future skills. Games at the legendary Rucker, a Dunk Contest, a Skills Competition and the 12 on 12 game finale kept the weekend’s energy alive and at heightened levels. Especially when Tarheels recruit Theo Pinson jammed over his mother under the Brooklyn Bridge to take home the Slam Dunk Contest trophy. Held at the Tobacco Warehouse in DUMBO, Brooklyn (Brooklyn Bridge Park, Water Street at New Dock Street), the custom court and arena was a spectacle in its own right. The rosters included six of the top 10 players in the ESPN 100, and the top two ranked players in the ESPN 60. Tyus Jones, ranked No. 3 in the ESPNU 100, leads the class of 2014 players. Emmanuel Mudiay, ranked No. 5 in the ESPN 100 and Chris McCullough ranked No. 7 and committed to play at Syracuse University next year are also included in this year’s game.
ESPNU was on deck to capture all the action while entertainment and apparel partners included EA SPORTS NBA LIVE 14 and CHAMPS Sports, a first this year. “We’re thrilled to partner with Under Armour on such a unique event. Under Armour represents the future of athletic performance apparel and equipment, the Elite 24 represent the future of basketball, and the NBA LIVE franchise represents the future of video game technology. It’s a perfect combination,” said Anthony Stevenson, senior director of Marketing for EA SPORTS.
