Some of college basketball's premier coaches will line the courts at Riverview Park Activities Center this weekend looking for talent they can mold to strengthen their teams.
Top high school players will give their all to impress them.
The 12th annual Nike Peach Jam will be held at Riverview Park beginning Saturday. The event will tip off at 9 a.m., with the championships beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
"It's the top summer event in the country," said Jeremy Jiunnies, supervisor of the activities center.
Nike sponsors more than 40 Amateur Athletic Union travel teams, and the top 24 are chosen to compete this weekend.
In past years, North Augusta was given an at-large bid as the host of the tournament. The local team, dubbed the Peach Jam Select, attracted the best players in the area.
Last year's local team featured such talent as North Augusta High School's Bryan Narcisse, who signed with Clemson University in April.
Jiunnies said that Narcisse's offer from Clemson wasn't a direct result of his participation in the Peach Jam, but coaches definitely watched him more closely afterward.
Because the national field is so strong this year, the Select won't be competing.
"It wasn't really fair (for Nike) to give us that team," Jiunnies said. "This is what those teams are playing for."
Jiunnies said that doesn't mean Nike won't do something for North Augusta. Nike gives back through donations to local athletic programs.
"They don't come in here, strip us dry and then leave," he said. "They do still give to the people that give to them."
Admission is $5. For more information, call the recreation department at (803) 441-4305.
Reach Lisa Kaylor at lisa.kaylor@northaugustatoday.com.
