Jordan Brand Classic International Team Announced

Sixteen players will travel to the U.S. to play in inaugural International game

NEW YORK, NY (April 14, 2008) – Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, Inc., announced today that in conjunction with this year's Jordan Brand Classic, it will hold its inaugural International Game at Madison Square Garden featuring sixteen of the top rising basketball stars throughout the world. Thirteen of the players were selected through the Jordan Brand International tour which was held from February 23 through March 2 at regional sites in Vilnius, Lithuania; Rome, Italy; and Athens, Greece. These camps featured 96 of the top 15-16 year old players from all over Europe. The European players will be joined in New York by two players from Africa and one from Australia.

During each of the European camps, the players were taken through training sessions with some of the top coaches and instructors from both the United States and Europe. Invited participants concentrated on skill development, strength and conditioning and full-court competition. The most valuable players were chosen at the conclusion of all on-court activities.

"The Jordan Brand will give the most talented young players from around the globe the opportunity to play in the world's most famous arena," said Garry Cook, President of Jordan Brand. "As our brand continues to grow globally, we are excited to have the world's best talent participate in the inaugural Jordan Brand Classic International Game."

The International roster is comprised of Ethasor Raphael A. (Nigeria), Evaldas Aniulis (Lithuania), Tomer Bar Even (Israel), Perica Bobic (Serbia), Miguel Cervera (Spain), Vytenis Cizauskas (Lithuania), Joan Creus (Spain), Hugh Greenwood (Australia), Enes Kanter (Turkey), Baye Moussa Keita (Senegal), Petar Lambic (Serbia), Fabio Mian (Italy), Joan Tomas (Spain), Amaury Gorgemans (Belgium), Edgaras Ulanovas (Lithuania) and Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania).

The Jordan Brand Classic International Game provides these players with the opportunity to come to the United States to not only experience American basketball, but American culture at the same time. During the week, they will visit attractions around New York City including the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, attend the Jordan Brand Classic awards dinner and hold team practices to prepare for the game on Saturday, April 19.

The Jordan Brand Classic tripleheader will begin with the International Game at 4:00 p.m. and the Regional Game at 6:30 p.m., followed by the National Game at 9:00 p.m. Recent Jordan Brand All-Americans have included NBA stars Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Kevin Durant as well as current NCAA standout Tyler Hansbrough from North Carolina.

Tickets are now on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, the Madison Square Garden box office, online at ticketmaster.com or by calling 212-307-7171.

LIVE Webcast of the International & Regional Games will be available.

The Jordan Brand Regional game features stars such as Kevin Jones, Erving Walker, Quintrell Thomas, Travon Woodall, Jordan Theodore & Patrick Jackson.

For a limited time New Subscribers to NYCHoops.net will automatically gain access to the live web cast of both the regional and international Jordan Brand Classic All-Star Games on Saturday April 19, 2008 at 4:00pm EST & 6:30pm EST.

Just Sign up at NYCHoops.net using Promo Code: Jordan and enjoy the Jordan Brand Classic All-Star Games for FREE.

For more info about the Jordan Brand Classic Go to JordanBrandClassic.TV