NBA Star Returns to His HometownDate: 9/10/2009 SPRINGFIELD History will be made in Springfield Massachusetts on the campus of the Basketball Hall of Fame when one of the most exciting classes including Michael Jordan, David Robinson, John Stockton and C. Vivian Stringer will be enshrined as Hall of Famers.
Former NBA player best known as the starting point guard for the Indiana Pacers for seven years, Travis Best will pay tribute to Springfield, the city where he was born and raised by hosting Best in the City. Along with his NBA colleagues, friends, city officials and celebrities the gala held at and in conjunction with Pazzo Ristorante on September 11th will spotlight a salute among champions. Behind the turntables will be the world famous DJ Mars, also a native of Springfield who is best known for assembling the largest and most well respected group of DJ's in the Southeast, the World Famous Superfriends. Notably, DJ Mars also serves as the official tour DJ for platinum recording artists Usher, Neyo, Keri Hilson, Monica and Ciara.
This historic event spearheaded by Travis Best during the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend will celebrate elegance reminiscent of the classic style that this year's class so gracefully offered to the sport. "Our mission is to brand sportsmanship beyond the basketball court or retirement and create a unique opportunity to include the community of Springfield in the celebration at one of my favorite restaurants in the city. We look forward to breaking the confines that often silence legends as historical landmarks simply to be revered," says Best.
This event will serve as the official launch party for The Travis Best Foundation. The Travis Best Foundation will benefit under served youth and non-profit organizations focused on sports and education.
About Travis Best
Travis Best first garnered national attention during his senior year at Springfield Central High School in Springfield, Massachusetts. He scored 81 points in a game, and was named a high school McDonald's All-American. During his high school career, Best won the John Lahovich Award (best player in Massachusetts) three times. Highly recruited, he wound up accepting an offer to go to Atlanta and attend Georgia Institute of Technology. Best's four years at Georgia Tech under coach Bobby Cremins were very productive, as he ended his collegiate career with career averages of 16.6 points per game (2,057 points in total), 5.6 assists per game, 3.1 steals per game and 1.8 steals per game. Three times, he was named to the first-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference squad. The Indiana Pacers made him their first-round selection in the 1995 NBA draft (#23 overall). As of the end of the 2002-2003 season, in six-and-a-half seasons with Indiana, half of one season with the Chicago Bulls and one season with the Miami Heat, Travis Best amassed 4,691 points and 2,189 assists. His NBA head coaches have included Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas and Pat Riley.
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