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The Capital Classic is an annual American all-star game featuring high school basketball players. It is the country's longest-running high school all-star basketball game. The game pits a team of all-stars from the Washington, D.C., area against stars from around the United States. In its prime in the late 1970s and 1980s, the game drew star players such as Patrick Ewing, Grant Hill, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Ralph Sampson, and Dominique Wilkins.

History

The Capital Classic was started in 1974 by Bob Geoghan, and was originally sponsored by local McDonald's franchises. The inaugural game was held at the new Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, and drew over 11,000 fans. Moses Malone was the big draw. Officials expected a smaller crowd. They had only planned for one ticket window to be open. However, around 7,000 walk-up tickets were sold, and three more windows were opened. Cars were backed up, reportedly for five miles (8.0 km), and the game was delayed by a half hour.

In 1977, Geoghan wanted to create a national game with the East versus the West, but McDonald's rejected the idea. Instead, their national office asked him to select their first All-American team. Fifteen players—including future NBA players Gene Banks, Magic Johnson, and Albert King—were named to the inaugural McDonald's All-American Team to play in the Capital Classic; twelve were placed on the U.S. team, while three local players were added to the team of Washington, Maryland, and Virginia players. With McDonald's backing in 1978, Geoghan started the national all-star game, the McDonald's All-American Game. Sonny Vaccaro, founder of the rival Dapper Dan Roundball Classic, accused the Capital Classic of telling some players that they needed to compete in their game if they wanted to be selected to the McDonald's All-American Team, which Geoghan denied.

McDonald's stopped sponsoring the Capital Classic after the 1991 contest. The game's appeal fell in the late 1990s, losing players to the McDonald's All-American Game and the Roundball Classic. Since 1982, the NCAA limited high school seniors to playing in only two all-star games. The Capital Classic regained its stature after partnering with Nike in 2002. The event was renamed to the Jordan Brand Capital Classic, after Nike's separate label endorsed by Michael Jordan, who was playing with the Washington Wizards at the time. With Jordan Brand, practically all of the top players in the Classic were from Nike programs or teams they sponsored. In 2003, LeBron James committed to play in the game, citing his relationship with Michael Jordan as a motivation. After Jordan was fired from his executive position with the Wizards, he attempted to move the event from the D.C. area to New York. However, Geoghan refused, and Nike's sponsorship of the Classic ended as Jordan started the Jordan Brand Classic in New York's Madison Square Garden in 2005. The Capital Classic competed with the new Jordan game for players. Since the 2003 game featuring James drew a crowd of 18,424, the attendance fell to an average of about 3,000.

References

1. Waters, Mike (April 22, 2013). "Syracuse recruit B.J. Johnson to play in Capital Classic on April 28". Syracuse.com. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
2. Taylor, Scott (March 26, 1990). "UTAH PREP PAIR WILL COMPETE AGAINST THE BEST". Deseret New. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
3. ^ Temkin, Barry (April 17, 1988). "The High School All-Star Tug-of-War". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
4. Lee, Michael (May 15, 2020). "'Basketball is different where we're from: New KD doc examines PG County hoops". The Athletic. Retrieved April 3, 2023. During the Classic's heyday in the late '70s through the '80s, the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Patrick Ewing, Grant Hill, Dominique Wilkens, Ralph Sampson and other superstars came to PG.
5. Stanton, Barry (April 4, 2002). "High school game has grown up". The Journal News. pp. 3C. Retrieved April 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
6. Rhoden, William C. (April 11, 1983). "School All-Star Games Give Many Assists". The New York Times. p. C9. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
7. ^ Krider, Dave (March 24, 2010). "McDonald's All-America Game has grown, evolved". MaxPreps. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
8. Farabaugh, Mike (March 26, 1974). "Super Talent Display in Capital Classic". The Evening Sun. p. C9. Retrieved April 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
9. ^ "Before they were stars". Sports Illustrated. March 24, 2008. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
10. "The Origin of the McDonalds All American Game". ESPN. February 26, 2003. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
11. "Prep All-America revealed". The Herald Journal. March 20, 1977. p. 14. Retrieved April 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Tennesseans Left Off Prep All-American Team". Kingsport Times. March 11, 1977. p. 4B. Retrieved April 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
13. Lawlor, Christopher (March 26, 2009). "'79 contest showcases legends". ESPN. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
14. McMullen, Paul (April 8, 1993). "Strutting your stuff with best makes for Classic memories". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
15. ^ El-Bashir, Tarik (April 22, 2005). "Capital Classic Has Big Shoes to Fill". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
16. ^ Palmer, Chris (April 12, 2002). "Brand Jordan". ESPN the Magazine. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
17. ^ Goldenbach, Alan (April 16, 2011). "Capital Classic struggles to attract top players despite historic importance". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
18. Evans, Judith (February 5, 2002). "Local Event Gets Make-Over". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
19. Zrebiec, Jeff (March 5, 2003). "On Capital Classic, James in game". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
20. Parker, Brandon (April 9, 2015). "Capital Classic high school basketball showcase hangs on despite challenges". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
21. Henry, Marcus (April 17, 2005). "Lessons learned on/off court". Newsday. p. B22. Retrieved April 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Jordan Brand Classic". BallIsLife.com. Retrieved April 3, 2023.

External links

• Official website

• Basketball all-star games
• Basketball competitions in Washington, D.C.
• High school basketball games in the United States
• Recurring sporting events established in 1974
• 1974 establishments in Washington, D.C.