Jersey Mike's Jamaica Classic returns to Montego Bay, Jamaica this November 18-20, featuring an all-star line-up of college basketball teams. Eight teams from eight conferences will go head-to-head in this early season Round Robin tournament at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The 2022 roster includes the return of Georgetown and Loyola Marymount University, and new additions Wake Forest, LaSalle, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Morgan State, Utah Valley, and Queens University.
"We are thrilled the tournament is back in arguably the most iconic destination in the Caribbean – beautiful Montego Bay, Jamaica," said Jacob Ridenhour, Jamaica Classic Executive Director. "Soaking in all that paradise offers – 85-degree sunshine, great basketball, the sounds of reggae music and the aroma of the jerk pit grilling – there's no better destination for a college fan to enjoy a basketball getaway. Come find out why they call Jamaica the heartbeat of the world."
Georgetown University men's team returns this year, led by Jamaican-American head coach and former NBA star Patrick Ewing. Ewing had a seventeen-year NBA career, predominantly playing for the New York Knicks, where he was an eleven-time all-star and named to seven All-NBA teams. He played center for Georgetown for four years—in three of which the team reached the NCAA Championship Game and was named one of the "greatest college basketball players of all time".
"It's exciting to be part of the return of the Jersey Mike's Jamaica Classic and I look forward to the competition at the Montego Bay Convention Centre," said Patrick Ewing, Head Coach of Georgetown Men's Basketball. "Basketball has given me many opportunities in life and this is a great way to help grow the game in my home country and make a positive impact on the community and youth of Jamaica."
Returning teams, Georgetown and Loyola Marymount, will be joined by several new entrants, including Wake Forest's Demon Deacons who finished fifth in the ACC 2021-22 regular season.
The Jamaica Tourist Board and Jamaica's Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport welcome the return of the annual event and traveling fans which contribute greatly to the local economy. "Jamaica has become one of the Caribbean's foremost convention destinations and we are pulling out all the stops to have an exciting and seamless experience for visitors and fans," said Donovan White, Director of Tourism. "The staging of a basketball tournament of this magnitude sends a strong signal to the world that Jamaica is growing as a prime sport tourism destination. Not only will guests witness extraordinary college basketball, but they'll also have the opportunity to experience everything Montego Bay has to offer in terms of incredible weather, food, beaches, attractions, and activities for every type of traveler."
"We look forward to welcoming these exceptional student-athletes and their fans to Jamaica for the tournament this Fall. Over the years, our island has been home to extraordinary athletes who got their start in youth sports, trained hard, and grew-up to compete on some of the greatest athletic fields and courts around the world," said Hon. Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport. "We know that to compete at this level of college basketball it requires hard work, determination, and an invincible spirit, all of which will be on display when these teams play here at the Montego Bay Convention Centre."
