Hoopfest deadline passed, but 50 teams can still get in

If you haven’t registered for Hoopfest already, don’t count on getting in.

Don’t rule it out, either.

Registration closed Friday for the 30th annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament in downtown Spokane, but the June 29-30 event still needs 50 teams to round out various brackets.

Hoopfest’s website (SpokaneHoopfest.net) is shutting down its online registration page on Monday at 11:59 p.m., according to Hoopfest director Matt Santangelo. Teams that sign up before that deadline still have a chance to play.

“Registration is over, but there’s always a few brackets that end up needing teams,” Santangelo said. “So if you still want to play, there’s a chance you can still get in, but it needs to be in by Monday.”

Hoopfest’s guaranteed deadline was May 17 and registration numbers were ahead of a typical year, Santangelo said. Registration numbers are still being tallied.

“We have some of our biggest days of registration on the final day,” Santangelo said. “There was one year where over 1,300 teams registered on the last day.”

Last year, Hoopfest had over 4,600 teams registered at the guaranteed deadline. More than 6,000 teams went on to play in the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

Hoopfest’s goal is to hit the 6,000-team mark again, Santangelo said.

When the tournament started on the streets of downtown Spokane in 1990, it featured 512 teams.

Volunteer court monitors and other positions are still needed for this year’s tournament. Those interested can register online.

Volunteers receive Nike and Hoopfest gear, including shoes, shirts, shorts and a hat. Names of volunteers are also put into drawing for various prizes.