TORONTO (April 24, 2023) – Canada Basketball, in partnership with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), announced today that the Kentucky Wildcats (Men) and Louisville Cardinals (Women) will represent the United States July 12-16 at GLOBL JAM.
Fans looking to cheer on Kentucky and Louisville can secure a Team USA Gold Pack, which include access to all six Team USA men’s and women’s round robin games, as well as the gold medal championship game. GLOBL JAM tickets are now on sale via Ticketmaster starting at less than $20 per session for two games.
The Wildcats will make the trip north for GLOBL JAM after the team made their 60th NCAA Tournament appearance, extending their national record. Kentucky went 22-12 on the season and as a six seed, advanced to the second round of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Canadian connection to the Wildcats runs deep as several players have attended the University of Kentucky, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2017-18), Jamal Murray (2015-16), Mychal Mulder (2015-17), Trey Lyles (2014-15), Kyle Wiltjer (2011-13), and Jamaal Magloire (1996-2000).
Louisville finished the 2022-23 season with a 26-12 record and advanced to the fifth-straight Elite Eight and eighth overall in program history. They are the only program in the country that has advanced to each of the last five Elite Eights. The Cardinals have advanced to the Sweet 16 or further for six-straight tournaments, the third longest active streak in the country. Louisville reached the ACC Tournament Championship game for the fourth time in program history.
GLOBL JAM, the world-class international basketball showcase, returns to Toronto this summer and will feature women’s and men’s Under-23 teams from around the world taking to the court at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre and broadcast nationally across Sportsnet platform.
In addition to Canada and USA, GLOBL JAM will also feature African Continent U23 Select Teams, as well as Germany on the men’s side and Puerto Rico rounding out the women’s field.
The GLOBL JAM FIVES tournament will see teams compete in round robin action July 12-15, followed by the men’s and women’s bronze and gold medal championship games on Sunday, July 16.
For more information on GLOBL JAM, visit globljam.ca or click here.
QUOTES
“We’re so appreciative of the NABC and Canada Basketball for the invitation to participate in the GLOBL Jam. They have put together a field full of talented and tough teams that will begin to help us prepare for the upcoming season, while also providing us with another special trip for not only our team but for our fans as well. On behalf of everyone at the University of Kentucky and our team, we’re honored to represent the United States and we’re excited to get to Toronto and take part in this terrific event.” - John Calipari, Head Coach, Kentucky’s Men’s Basketball
“Very excited to play in the GLOBL JAM Tournament in Toronto. It is a great opportunity for our team to gain valuable experience this summer and face some challenging national team squads.” - Jeff Walz, Head Coach Louisville Women’s Basketball
“The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville are undeniably two of the top college basketball programs in the United States, and we’re looking forward to welcoming both teams and their fans to Toronto this summer. On behalf of Canada Basketball, I’d also like to extend my appreciation to both coaches associations, the WBCA and NABC, for not only their ongoing support of the event, but their tireless work over the next few months to bring the Wildcats and Cardinals to GLOBL JAM. - Michael Bartlett, President & CEO, Canada Basketball
“The WBCA is excited to once again partner with Canada Basketball to globally showcase women’s basketball. We are equally excited to announce the University of Louisville Cardinals women’s basketball team under the leadership of head coach Jeff Walz as the WBCA’s representative to this outstanding international event. Last summer’s inaugural GLOBL JAM was a tremendous success. We eagerly await the 2023 event.” - WBCA Executive Director, Danielle Donehew
“The NABC is committed to elevating the game of basketball across the globe, and we’re thrilled to partner once again with Canada Basketball in support of GLOBL JAM. Kentucky is among the most storied programs in men’s college basketball history, and will serve as a fitting representative for our country and our sport on this prominent international stage.” - NABC Executive Director, Craig Robinson
About the NABC
The National Association of Basketball Coaches was founded in 1927 by Phog Allen, the legendary coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. Guided by the core values of leadership, advocacy, service, education and inclusion, the NABC works to further the best interests of the game of basketball and the players and coaches who participate in the sport. Nearly 5,000 coaches representing all levels of collegiate, scholastic and youth basketball hold NABC memberships. For more information about the NABC, visit nabc.com.
About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.