Action-Filled Basketball Classic Saturday Aims to Eradicate Local Violence, reward Student Success

A community event aimed at eradicating violence through education, sports, and mentoring, is scheduled to return Saturday after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 9th Annual Brandon Jackson Memorial Scholarship and Basketball Classic is set to be held on Saturday, May 20th at John Muir High School in Pasadena. The action-filled event will feature a day of competitive basketball action by 24 local teams, as well as an awards presentation for nine deserving, college-bound students.

It is named for Brandon Jackson, a junior fullback at Muir High School, who was shot and killed in February 2011.

The basketball classic, slated to begin at 9:00 a.m. in the school’s gymnasium, promises a day filled with high-energy basketball. Local teams, as well as others from Big Bear High School and Rancho Cucamonga, will compete in the day-long tournament that is set to run until 7:00 p.m.

The event honors the memory of Brandon Jackson, a young man who transformed his life impacted by gang involvement to become an inspiration for many of his classmates, championing both personal and academic excellence. Tragically, Jackson’s life was cut short just as he was preparing for college.

In the spirit of Jackson’s life and values, the event encourages young leaders to pursue their goals and dreams with determination and resilience, organizers said.

The annual Basketball Classic and the Memorial Scholarship recognize Jackson’s life and influence. The Brandon Jackson Memorial Scholarship Fund, which has already awarded $130,800 in scholarships to aid sixty-seven college-bound students, will be presenting nine additional scholarships at this year’s event. 

The awards ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m. in the gymnasium of John Muir High School.

Organizers said this community effort, championing unity, peace, and the transformative power of love, has been instrumental in promoting post-high school education as a means to break the cycle of violence. The event also seeks to empower and foster mentorship relationships, providing young individuals with guidance and instilling hope for a promising future.

In total, 24 local teams, including John Muir, Maranatha, Blair High School, and St. Francis, among others, will be participating in the tournament. The event also welcomes a number of Club Teams, making for a day of intense competition and community engagement.

The net proceeds from the event will be distributed within the guidelines of the Brandon Jackson Memorial Scholarship Fund Program, contributing to the mission of peace through education and mentorship.