Spokane, WASH. — Thousands of basketball players, fans and coaches from across the country and around the world gathered in downtown Spokane this weekend for Hoopfest, the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
Participants made the trip from Alaska, Minnesota, Oregon and beyond each with their own reason for making Spokane their destination this weekend.
For Barrett Woods, Hoopfest fit into something much bigger. The player is currently four months into a cross-country road trip, living out of a camper van after leaving his job to pursue the journey.
“I’m on a four-month road trip right now. I’m driving across the country. I bought a camper van. I quit my job for it. So I’m playing out here at Hoopfest with some of my boys — gotta love it,” Woods said.
For others, the tournament represents an annual reunion. Evan Powell and his teammates have made the trip to Spokane together for four consecutive years, flying into Seattle before driving up together.
“It’s kind of been a tradition — we have done that for the last four years now,” Powell said. “I mean, it’s awesome. I get to see my former college teammate like once a year. And this event is super sick — it’s one of the best in the country.”
Some teams at this year’s tournament share bonds that stretch far beyond the basketball court. A group of players including James Severn and Brooklyn Parker first met while traveling abroad and playing basketball in Germany. They named their team “Buckets Abroad.”
“We all met in Germany, so we chose Buckets Abroad,” Severn said. “Soccer is a global sport, but most people don’t realize how impactful basketball is around the globe. It’s just something that can bring a lot of people together.”
Parker echoed that sentiment, reflecting on the friendships that grew out of that international trip.
“I love these people — we made lifelong friends on that trip,” Parker said. “Basketball brought us together, so it’s nice to keep playing together.”
The energy in downtown Spokane during Hoopfest weekend was not lost on Woods, who took a moment to soak in the atmosphere around him.
“Check out the ambience! Look at this! Look at all of the smiles on everybody’s faces. You’ve got to love it. Great basketball culture here, it’s a sleeper city for basketball. Definitely good vibes here,” Woods said.
As Hoopfest continues to attract competitors from every corner of the country and the world, Spokane’s reputation as a basketball destination only grows stronger.
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