The Paideia School (in blue) played the Shiloh High School Generals during the fifth annual Hawks-Naismith Tip Off Classic, presented by Adidas on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta VoiceThe Atlanta Hawks Basketball Academy and Atlanta Tipoff Club hosted the fifth annual Hawks-Naismith Tip Off Classic, presented by Adidas on Saturday. The one-day basketball showcase took place at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School and featured 12 high school basketball teams in six matchups.Game Lineup:Marist vs. North Paulding (Girls) Paideia vs. Shiloh (Boys) Marietta vs. Holy Innocents (Girls) Wheeler vs. Gainesville (Boys) Pace vs. Holy Innocents (Boys) Decatur vs. McEachern (Boys)Prior to the start of the tournament, the Hawks hosted a free Jr. Hawks Youth Basketball Clinic, sponsored by Attorney Ken Nugent.Chris Jacobs, Senior Director of the Hawks Basketball Academy, who has been with the Hawks for the last six years, emphasized the academy’s mission, “Our goal is to build generational fans for the Hawks by giving kids a basketball journey—whether they play in junior high, high school, or college, or simply become fans of the game. Basketball teaches life skills like leadership and teamwork.”Jacobs explained that the clinic, which allowed approximately 100 kids to participate in an hour-long session led by youth basketball coaches and featuring Hawks alumni Mario West and Cedric Tony, serves an important purpose, “This event is focused on high school teams, but the clinic ensures we touch younger athletes, exposing them to the Hawks Basketball Academy and the sport itself,” Jacobs said.Quinton Stephens, Manager of Basketball Programs, the man on the ground with the young attendees, spoke about the impact of moments like these, “I grew up going to the YMCA, and now I get to give back to kids who aspire to play at different levels. We can challenge them and give them a blueprint on how to get there,” Stephens told The Atlanta Voice.A highlight of the day for Stephens was the arrival of former Hawks player Joe Johnson, whose presence inspired excitement among clinic participants. Stephens recalled, “One of the kids said, ‘Hey, that’s Joe Johnson!’ and Joe gave him a high five. It was pretty cool.”“We aim to replicate the State Farm Arena experience at the high school level. From the LED boards and DJ to the entertainment between quarters, we create lifelong memories for players, coaches, and spectators alike.”He also shared details about the meticulous planning behind the event, which begins nearly a year in advance, “We collaborate with schools, identify teams across Georgia, and curate a day that celebrates the state’s rich basketball talent,” Jacobs explained.Nichole Dixon, the head girls varsity basketball coach for Holy Innocents, has been with the school for nine years and spoke about the home-team advantage and the privilege of hosting the event for the third year, “We’re honored to be a part of one of the best events in our state. Every detail is top-notch, and it’s inspiring for our players to see what it takes to create something of this caliber. It shows them how teamwork and diverse talents come together to achieve success.”For Dixon, the event embodies the values of collaboration and growth—principles she hopes her team will carry forward in life as well as in sports, “This event is so much more than basketball—it’s about exposing our young athletes to excellence, both on and off the court,” Dixon stated.Dixon’s aspirations for her players included learning from the high-level organization of the event and appreciating its diversity, “We talk a lot about using a diverse group of people with unique talents to achieve goals, and that’s exactly what this event demonstrates,” she said.Nugent’s Scores for Scholarships initiative added another layer of purpose to the event, donating $1 for every point scored to the Atlanta Hawks Foundation. These funds will support youth participating in Hawks Basketball Academy programs.As the day unfolded, Jacobs and Stephens hoped participants left with more than just basketball skills, “We want kids to see how fun basketball can be and inspire a love for the game that lasts generations,” Stephens said.The post Atlanta Hawks host fifth annual Hawks-Naismith Tip Off Classic, promoting basketball and community appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.