City of Palms Classic airs on ESPN for the first time in 12 years. GEICO Nationals return to Fort Myers for his third straight year
Tournament Director Donnie Wilkie is thrilled that ESPN is back in Fort Myers to air the City of Palms Classic.
After a 12-year hiatus, the network will air the game again in tournaments. All games will be on his ESPNU, starting Tuesday night with his two semifinals for Paul VI Columbus and Wheeler Imhotep Charter. The network will also air the championship and his third-place match on Wednesday.
ESPN previously televised the game in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Moving ESPN+ to become the company’s focus in the long term could result in a large number of games being streamed and televised on the network in the future.
“I think 10 or 15 years ago you were aspiring to be on ESPN, so it’s kind of weird in a way.” Now I feel like if you weren’t on board, you wouldn’t have made it. It feels like a prerequisite if you want to call it a decent basketball event.
“…I think more than anything else, it opens us up in terms of exposure. It doesn’t matter if it’s open to the public, it just makes our tournaments that much more special.”
The deal between City of Palms Classic and ESPN is for 20 years. It was not disclosed if the contract includes opt-outs or renewals.
“I’m not 100% sure about this, because I would like to know as well,” says Wilkie. “Because it could mean I live another 20 years. I think that’s the part I’m most excited about. For me, it’s breaking news.”
Wilkie has known Rashid Ghazi, president of Paragon Marketing, for over ten years. Wilkie was the one who suggested to Ghazi to bring the GEICO Nationals to Fort Myers. The tournament was previously held at Christ the King High School in Queens, NY, but the 2020 tournament has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the tournament taking place in late March/early April, coupled with a phased reopening being delayed in New York City, Ghazi was forced to make a decision. He followed Willkie’s advice and moved the GEICO Nationals to Fort His Myers. This spring, the tournament will be held for the third consecutive year.
“I was at the GEICO Nationals early in Bethesda, Maryland, where the GEICO Nationals just started,” added Wilkie. “I’ve known Rashid for a long time. We probably went to New York City in 2019. I loved Christ the King High School there. When the pandemic hit, things in Florida opened up faster.” Of course 2020 was out of the question. All the way into 2021, I’m telling Rashid. And look down, we’ll end up in the same building.
“As a matter of fact, with the City of Palms, GEICO Nationals and Fort Myers Tip-Off all in the same building, I don’t think you’ll ever wonder where the capital of basketball is.”
Carlos Boozer watches twin sons win City of Palms opener
With dad Carlos prominently cheering them on from Center Court, Miami’s Cayden and Cameron Boozer of Christopher Columbus sent the Explorers to the semifinals of the City of Palms with a 65-56 win over Myers Park, NC on Monday. I helped guide you to
A standout on Duke’s 2001 NCAA National Championship team and an NBA All-Star forward, Carlos didn’t get the chance to play for the City of Palms. He won back-to-back state titles in the late 1990s, winning back-to-back state titles in the late 1990s when he was named All-His American in his two parades at Juneau Douglas High, Alaska.
The only high school in Alaska to have played in the City of Palms. That was Anchorage East in 1992 and 1995. In its first appearance, Anchorage, led by another future Duke star at guard Trajan Langdon, lost to Washington (DC) Dunbar in the tournament final.
Canterbury’s Leroy Roker played two games without substitutions
The Cougars’ dual sports star has done everything for Canterbury in the City of Palms. Roker hasn’t left the court since the tournament began, playing 64 minutes in both games for the Cougars.
Watch: Tampa Catholic vs Canterbury City of Palms Classic
Highlights of Tampa Catholic’s 58-47 victory over Canterbury in the City of Palms Classic
Fort Myers News Press
Roker played a key role in Monday’s game against the Tampa Catholics. In 32 minutes played, he had 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Of his 22 turnovers for losing Canterbury, Roker took charge of his only one.
“When [Roker] Canterbury head coach Mike Hibbs said. “He’s the guy that runs everything for us offensively and defensively. He does everything for us and I wouldn’t take him out of the game even if he asked. Can not.
