Section 7 Announces New Partnership, Leadership, and Home for 2025 Event

Mesa, Arizona Apr 2, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - Section 7, one of the most prestigious boys and girls high school basketball recruiting events in the country, proudly announces an official partnership between its original owner and founder, the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association (ABCA), and the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC). With this new agreement, ASEC will serve as co-owner and strategic partner, working alongside ABCA to expand Section 7s reach, elevate its innovative programming, and amplify its national footprint.

The event is supported and guided by the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA), led by Executive Director David Hines and Associate Executive Director Dr. Jim Dean, who have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of high school athletics across the state.

Section 7 will relocate to its new home at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz., beginning in June 2025, after three successful years at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Arizona Athletic Grounds features 16 basketball courts under one roof, making it one of the most expansive basketball facilities in the region. Additionally, the Grounds offers a variety of amenities, from a restaurant with a full sports bar, grab-and-go market, and food court, to a state-of-the-art performance center, ensuring the move to the East Valley positions Section 7 to continue delivering major economic impact and community benefits to the area.

"We are honored to host Section 7, a premier event that perfectly aligns with my vision for the Grounds since my arrival last year, said Meg Stevens, president of the Arizona Athletic Grounds. Our world-class facilities are an ideal fit for an elite event like Section 7, giving high school players the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of college coaches. We look forward to seeing the future of basketball compete on our courts this June.

Were proud to welcome the ASEC as a co-owner of Section 7 as we take this event to new heights, said Todd Fazio, executive director of the ABCA. The move to the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa marks an exciting new chapter, and were energized by whats ahead. At the same time, were deeply grateful to the City of Glendale, State Farm Stadium, and Tom Sadler at the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority for helping us build the foundation that brought us to this point.

Fazio added, Section 7 wouldnt exist without the vision of Matt King, the events founder and former ABCA Executive Director, who -- alongside Todd Delano of Delano Media Group -- built Section 7 into one of the nations premier high school basketball events.

What the ABCA and its operational arm, Position Sports, have created with Section 7 is nothing short of extraordinary, said Nikki Balich, executive director of the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission. At the ASEC, our sole mission is to improve the lives of others, and this partnership perfectly reflects that purpose. Section 7 is more than just an elite basketball event -- its a gateway to opportunity, providing student-athletes from across the country with a platform to earn scholarships and affect the trajectory of their lives. Together with the ABCA, were proud to further cultivate this remarkable event and increase its impact.

To support the events continued expansion, Tom Burnett, former commissioner of the Southland Conference and past NCAA mens basketball committee chair, will serve as tournament director.

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Section 7 is a national model for high school basketball recruiting, said Burnett. Im thrilled to work with the ABCA and ASEC in building on its incredible momentum.

The 2025 Section 7 schedule at the Arizona Athletic Grounds features three camps: a Girls Weekend (June 13-14); a Boys Qualifier (June 17-18); and a Boys Weekend (June 20-22).

More than 400 high school teams, 5,000-plus student-athletes and more than 900 college coaches from across the country participate in Section 7 annually providing an economic impact for Arizonas summer business of nearly $30 million. More than $25 million in scholarships is also awarded annually.

Participating teams and brackets for 2025 will be announced later this spring. For information on the event, including tickets, please visit azbasketballcoaches.com.

About Section 7

Section 7 is the premier high school basketball team tournament camp in the West, featuring top boys and girls varsity squads from grades 9 through 12. Founded by the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association (ABCA), Section 7 is now co-owned and operated by the ABCA and the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC). As part of the NCAA-approved June scholastic live period, the event is sanctioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and supported by the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA). Hosted in a championship setting, Section 7 gives student-athletes the opportunity to compete in front of hundreds of college coaches, all while promoting education-based basketball at the highest level.

About the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association

Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association (ABCA) is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to develop, connect, and serve every coach throughout the state of Arizona. Within its 1,100 members, the ABCA serves youth, high school, and club coaches in both the mens and womens games. The association also operates multiple events throughout the year, including an annual Youth Development Academy where more than 2,500 players from third through eighth grade participate in three separate regions. In partnership with the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) it also runs the Section 7 Basketball Team Camp, a premier high school basketball competition and recruiting showcase. For more information on the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association, please visit azbasketballcoaches.com.

About the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission

The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) is a non-profit organization created in 1988. The commission collaborates with hundreds of partners to help fulfill the mission of bringing national and international sporting events to the state; assisting in the promotion of existing events and Arizona sports teams; providing volunteer recruitment and organization for large-scale sporting events; and developing youth sports programs. In 2009, it assumed oversight of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2012, the Grand Canyon State Games and the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games. The ASEC was the founding organization and owner of the 2015 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. In 2025, the commission joined the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association (ABCA) as co-owner of the Section 7 Basketball Team Camp, one of the most prestigious boys and girls high school basketball recruiting events in the country. For more information on the commission, call 480.517.9700 or visit www.azsportsent.com.

About the Arizona Athletic Grounds 

AAG is one of the largest youth-oriented sports and entertainment facilities in North America. The Mesa, Ariz., facility serves millions of visitors per year, providing athletic and special events programming. The website, www.azgrounds.com, and social media, @azgrounds.com, are the landing pages for information. For additional information on rentals, sponsorships, or event programming, please reach out to the AAG team at info@azgrounds.com.