Largest NCAA-certified boys basketball tournament brings more than 500 teams to Atlanta

Best of the South basketball tournament

Atlanta welcomed HoopSeen’s 2021 Best of the South boys basketball tournament to Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) July 8-11, becoming the largest NCAA-certified boys event ever run under one roof. During the competition, 517 teams combined to play in more than 1,400 games across 38 courts in the center of Downtown’s convention and entertainment district.

“As a lifelong native of Atlanta, it’s a thrill to bring basketball teams and college recruiters from around the nation to our city. Atlanta is an ideal location for running one of the largest travel basketball events in the country,” said Mike Eddy, president of HoopSeen. “The ease of travel to Atlanta, both regionally and nationally, the hotel inventory and a tremendous venue in Georgia World Congress Center all help to ensure a great experience for our teams, parents and coaches.”

With more than 5,000 athletes participating, GWCC offered an ideal venue as it sits within walking distance of 12,500 hotel rooms, restaurants and world-class attractions. Best of the South will return to Atlanta in 2022 and 2023.

The basketball tournament adds to the list of youth sporting events Atlanta has hosted this year including volleyball and cheerleading competitions. The combination of GWCC’s ability to transform its conventions halls into competitive fields of play and Atlanta’s accessibility makes it a hub for youth sports in the Southeast.

“Atlanta provides the total package for families traveling here for sports competitions with so many amenities within close proximity of Georgia World Congress Center,” said William Pate, president and CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. “These guests provided a boost to our economy throughout the first half of the year, and we look forward to continuing to welcome them for years to come.”

In addition to youth sports, Atlanta will see several large events return in 2021 with 75 percent of the destination’s citywide conventions scheduled for the back half of the year.

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