SPOKANE, Wash. — Setup crews worked throughout Riverfront Park on Monday as organizers prepare for Spokane’s annual Hoopfest tournament, with both participants and officials expressing excitement for this year’s event.
The 2025 tournament will feature 4,730 teams, matching last year’s numbers, but organizers report a significant increase in youth participation.
“Our youth teams are way up, which is great too. So be fun to see a lot more kids on the court this year as opposed to previous years,” said Riley Stockton, Hoopfest’s executive director.
The surge in younger players adds to the tournament’s community atmosphere, something that draws repeat participants like Josh Streeter, who is competing for the second consecutive year with friends from high school.
“I think it’s just a fun experience. I did it last year, and it was, like, one of the most fun things. I like the community, and, it’s really fun playing in the game with some of my friends,” Streeter said.
This year’s Hoopfest introduces a significant new attraction with a women’s professional tournament taking place Friday, featuring elite talent fresh from the WNBA draft.
“We have a women’s professional tournament on Friday as well. Where I think about 25% of the WNBA draftees from this year will be here to play in it,” Stockton said.
Tournament brackets will be released Wednesday at 5 p.m., followed by team packet and T-shirt pickup on Thursday and Friday.
“By Wednesday, at 5 p.m., our brackets will be released at that point. So then you can go see where your court is, what time you play, who you play. All that sort of thing,” Stockton explained.
Basketball hoops will move from warehouse storage to downtown Spokane locations later this week as final preparations continue for the tournament that combines competitive basketball with community celebration.
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