News Release
Native American Basketball Invitational
Today, the Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI) presented by Ak-Chin Indian Community announced a partnership with Phoenix Indian Center (PIC) for its annual youth summit and college and career fair. The 2023 NABI Educational Youth Summit powered by PIC is scheduled for July 18 to 19 at Phoenix College, with the NABI College & Career Fair powered by PIC taking place on July 17. As part of the new partnership, Native American Basketball Invitational donated $50,000 to Phoenix Indian Center, in addition to naming PIC the beneficiary of the 2023 NABI Founders Golf Classic taking place on Monday, April 10, at Whirlwind Golf Course in Chandler, AZ.
“NABI is the largest and most prestigious all-Native American basketball tournament in North America,” said GinaMarie Scarpa, CEO of NABI. “We are happy to collaborate with Phoenix Indian Center on the NABI College & Career Fair and NABI Educational Youth Summit to show our student-athletes the opportunities available to them.”
Native American Basketball Invitational was founded in 2003 and is celebrating its 20th year of serving Native youth. Basketball unites thousands of Native/Indigenous youths, inspiring them to continue developing their athletic skills, use their talents to pursue higher education, and strive to become tomorrow’s leaders. During NABI week, more than 450 basketball games are played in Phoenix-area gyms, featuring 132 teams of male and female athletes, ages 14-19, representing tribal communities from all over North America.
“Phoenix Indian Center has enriched the lives of urban American Indian people by collaborating to provide educational, cultural enrichment, and community engagement services. The funds raised through the golf tournament will help us to realize our vision of a healthy and thriving Indian Country,” said Jolyana Begay-Kroupa, CEO of Phoenix Indian Center. “We are grateful to partner with NABI and for the opportunity to engage with these student-athletes at the youth summit and college and career fair.”
Founded in 1947, the Phoenix Indian Center is the oldest American Indian non-profit organization in the United States. Each year, the Center directly serves more than 7,000 individuals — and more than 20,000 through related outreach by providing job readiness, cultural enrichment, youth services, and prevention programs.
To learn more about the Native American Basketball Invitational or Phoenix Indian Center, please visit:
www.nabination.com
www.phxindcenter.org
