The third annual Coretta Scott King Classic will feature the UCLA Bruins and UConn Huskies, both recent NCAA champions. UCLA, the defending champion, will open the event against the Oklahoma Sooners on January 18. Meanwhile, UConn, the 2025 champion, is set to compete against the Seton Hall Pirates in a Big East matchup.
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Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Coretta Scott King and CEO of The King Center, remarked on the event's significance: "The Coretta Scott King Classic continues to bring my family’s enduring legacy into spaces where young people can see, experience, and embody the values my mother held so deeply. Through the power of women’s basketball, this event creates an opportunity to celebrate excellence while encouraging the next generation to lead with courage, purpose, and a commitment to community."
The games will take place in Newark, New Jersey, and will be nationally televised on FOX. This marks the second appearance for the Bruins in the Classic, having played in the inaugural event against Baylor two years ago. The scheduling allows UCLA to also compete against Big Ten opponents Rutgers and Maryland later that week.
Cori Close, head coach of the Bruins, expressed pride in participating, stating, "We are proud to return to the Coretta Scott King Classic this season. It is such a blessing to be part of an amazing event that honors the legacy of the King family and brings us together through sport. We always look to compete against excellent competition, and we know Oklahoma will bring out the best in us."
UConn and Seton Hall have a history, having previously played against each other in Newark in 2010.
Reporting by The Associated Press.