In a remarkable showcase of world-class basketball and community engagement, the Wintrust Sports Complex once again played host to the elite Under Armour Association (UAA) High School Basketball Finals from July 19-21. Following its successful hosting of the 2022 tournament, the complex was selected to welcome back this prestigious event, reinforcing its reputation as a premier venue for first-class sporting events.
The UAA High School Basketball Finals featured over 250 teams across two competitive age divisions—17U and 16U—bringing together some of the most promising young basketball talents in the nation. The atmosphere was electric, with the Wintrust Sports Complex buzzing with the energy of young athletes striving to make their mark on the national stage. When it was time for the boys to compete in their respective divisions, KC Run GMC emerged victorious in the 16U category, while Team Thrill of Baltimore, a team of NBA player Jarace Walker, won the 17U division.
Following the high school finals, the complex continued its run of basketball excellence by hosting the UA Future event from July 22-24. This tournament focused on aspiring middle school athletes, further exhibiting Wintrust Sports Complex’s role in showcasing the future of basketball.
Talented and electrifying players from across America and internationally were on display during this event. This included squads from North Carolina (Team Curry, Steph’s team from Charlotte and others played) to Maryland, Texas, Utah, and Connecticut. And international teams, like Canada Elite, showed their prowess as well.
This elite-level tournament drew over 350 college coaches from top programs nationwide, all gathering in Bedford Park to scout potential future stars. Among them were Shaka Smart from Marquette, Fran McCaffery from Iowa, Porter Moser from Oklahoma, and Drew Valentine from Loyola University.
Altogether, these events drew over 250 teams to the area that competed to qualify for the finals at Wintrust Sports Complex, which over 90 lucky teams were privileged to do. More than 2,500 spectators flocked to the venue to be a part of the action.
Adam Taylor, Director of Marketing and Business Development at the facility, expressed immense pride in the complex’s ability to host such prestigious events. “It’s an honor to welcome back Under Armour for the second time hosting this tournament. We have received great feedback and expect them to return,” he stated.
Taylor emphasized the multifaceted benefits these events brought to both the complex and the surrounding community. “We received tons of social media impressions, attention from popular basketball accounts and publications, plus national and local coverage. This brought our venue next-level visibility and showcased our ability to execute high-caliber events for top brands.”
The impact of hosting the Under Armour tournaments extended beyond the realm of sports, significantly benefiting the local economy and enhancing tourism in the Village of Bedford Park and the Chicago-Midway area. Taylor highlighted how the influx of visitors allowed people from across the country to experience the state-of-the-art facilities at the Wintrust Sports Complex.
“People from all over got to see our world-class venue,” added Taylor. “Like Under Armour’s brand, we strive to give our partners, spectators, and athletes the best experience possible, so being aligned on that is a win for both sides.”
“Our partnership with Wintrust Sports Complex has been great. The layout of the facility works well for us and allows us to accommodate college coaches with their own viewing area,” said Dee Coleman, Assistant Director of Basketball Operations for 3step Sports. “They have eight courts, with two of them being able to shift into one championship court, giving our games a real arena-like feel. That’s why Wintrust Sports Complex is a great partner for us to have.”
By partnering with renowned brands like Under Armour, the Wintrust Sports Complex elevates its stature in the sports industry. “Events like this are the pinnacle of what we want to show. That we can execute events at a high level,” Taylor concluded.
