Hooplandia, powered by Hoop It Up and presented by Explore Western Mass, has just announced that Brian Scalabrine, former Boston Celtics player and current analyst for the team, will be in attendance at the Northeast’s Ultimate Basketball Tourney + Festival on Saturday, June 21, to host a clinic and participate in a meet and greet from 11am-2pm.

Often referred to as “The White Mamba,” Scalabrine was one of the more popular players throughout his NBA career, especially while wearing the Celtic’s signature green.

Scalabrine was born on March 18, 1978, in Long Beach California as one of four children. He grew up in Enumclaw, Wash., and eventually graduated from Enumclaw High School. After high school, he attended and played basketball at Highline College in Des Moines, Wash. He transferred to the University of Southern California in 1998 after redshirting his sophomore year.

Scalabrine made a huge impact his first two years, leading the Trojans in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage. He also received the 1999 Pac-10 newcomer of the Year Award and was named to the All-Pac 10 first team, NABC All-District 15 first team and Sporting News All-American Honorable Mention. In 2001, during Scalabrine’s senior season, he led the Trojans to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament where they lost to Duke.

The New Jersey Nets selected Scalabrine 34th overall in the 2001 NBA draft. He played four seasons with the Nets until he signed with the Boston Celtics in 2005. While Scalabrine averaged 12.9 minutes and 2.7 points per game during his time with the Celtics, he was incredibly popular and loved by Boston fans. He was also a part of the 2008 NBA Finals Champion team and the 2010 NBA Finals Runner-up team.

Scalabrine left the Celtics and played for two years with the Chicago Bulls before officially retiring in 2012.  After a stint with the Golden State Warriors in 2013 as an assistant coach, he announced his return “home” to Boston to become a Comcast SportsNet announcer.  He currently is an analyst for the Boston Celtics and lives in Boston with his wife, Kristen, and their three children.

During The Big E 2024, Scalabrine visited the I Love Boston Sports in the Massachusetts Building on Massachusetts Day. He spent time talking with fans and snapping photos and donned a Hooplandia jersey. It seems that day at the Fair was only foreshadowing; now, Hooplandia event organizers, volunteers and players look forward to welcoming him back to Western Mass. to see how we ball.

What are you waiting for? Lace up your high tops and register your team at Hooplandia.com before registration closes on Monday, June 9, to meet “Scal” himself!

About Eastern States Exposition

It’s always showtime at Eastern States Exposition (ESE), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation located in West Springfield, Mass. ESE is committed to excellence in providing opportunities for the development and promotion of agriculture, industry, education and family entertainment while preserving our New England heritage. The 175-acre campus holds five exhibition buildings, equivalent to 355,000 square feet of ground level indoor space. Their year-round, on-site dining and entertainment locations include Storrowton Village Museum, Eastern States Farmers Market & Wine Café, Storrowton Tavern & Carriage House. The facility also hosts more than 120 shows and events annually, such as The Big E, America’s only multi-state fair, and Hooplandia, the Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival. For more information, check out EasternStatesExposition.com, or find us on social media.

About Hooplandia

Hooplandia, The Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival, is a celebration of basketball’s history in Greater Springfield, its birthplace. As the premiere 3x3 basketball competition on the East Coast, Hooplandia is presented by Eastern States Exposition and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Hooplandia is more than just a tournament; it pays homage to the sport’s roots and pioneers its future by creating an all-inclusive environment that cherishes basketball’s athleticism, culture and, most importantly, fun. Eager to learn more? Head to Hooplandia.com or follow the event on social media!