After two years of suspension, the IBBL NY (Italian Brands Basketball League) the basketball tournament that combine sport and Italian excellence is back in New York. On April 8, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn was chosen as the grand opening event, where the Brooklyn Nets stars usually take the court. This year the tournament will also see the participation of New York Institutions and Italian American Associations.

The project that today involves basketball and Made in Italy teams, managed by Simone Barazzotto, started with the first 13 teams. Among these, the Team of the Italian Consulate in New York led by Consul General Fabrizio Di Michele, the team of the City of New York led by the Commissioner for NYC Mayor’s Office for International Edward Mermelstein, the team of the Governor of the State of New York Kathy Hochul and the team led by the President of the Brooklyn Borough Antonio Reynoso.

To complete the picture of the participating teams, there are those of the Italian-American Associations FIAO Brooklyn, Italian Welfare League and Columbus Citizen Foundation and the sponsors who support the initiative: Salumificio Fratelli Beretta, Prosciutto di Carpegna, Givova sportswear, Carini Group, Msp Italia Social Sport and Heartfulness.

The logo of BE IT is reproduced on all the uniforms. The mission of this communication project is the enhancement of the Italian excellence in the world.

The winning of this first friendly basketball day went to the Brooklyn Borough team (the real competitive tournament start in may in the playgrounds). The 5vs5 All Star Game between Italian and US Team was surprisingly won by the Italians led by Denis Marconato (former player who win the European Championship) and Fabrizio Ambrassa, also former of the Italian National team who today is IBBL NY’s Tournament Manager. After the inauguration at the Barclays Center, the tournament will continue in the coming months in the iconic playgrounds of New York and will be enriched by various social, educational and commercial initiatives, in the name of Italian-New York friendship.