Second annual cancer research fundraiser to feature top talent

Pennington, NJ – The Mary Kline Classic, an all-star basketball fundraiser to fight cancer, will showcase more than 50 of the best high school basketball players from around the east coast in an event taking place on Saturday, May 5, in Pennington, NJ.

“Coming off of a successful inaugural event in 2011, we are expecting the Mary Kline Classic to have a breakout year,” said Mary Kline Classic organizer Alex Kline. “With the high level of talent, both on and off the court that will be represented in this cancer fundraising event, it is evident that this year’s players all bring something special to the table. We are extremely excited to host such a talented and humble group of young men for a purposeful day of basketball to help in the fight against cancer.”

The Mary Kline Classic is held in honor of Mary Kline who passed away seven years ago after a five year battle with brain cancer. Alex Kline organized this event in memory of his mother and for all those touched by this horrible disease. Our goal is to raise as much money as possible to fund cancer research. This year’s proceeds will be contributed to the National Brain Tumor Society. This basketball event thrives off of the energy of the players, coaches, volunteers, fans and media.

To view both the Senior and Underclassmen rosters, click here.

With 26 seniors and 28 underclassmen, this year’s Mary Kline Classic is expected to bring some of the most elite talent to New Jersey. The 2012 event boasts a Senior Game and Underclassmen game – to go along with a Three-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest with a panel of well-known guest judges.

After having a stacked field from last year that featured Khem Birch (UNLV), Angel Nunez (Louisville), Jabril Trawick (Georgetown), Devin Coleman (Clemson) and Tyler Harris (NC State), among others, this year’s event captures some of the top players around the nation, regardless of age. Daniel Ochefu (West Chester, PA/Villanova), Georges Niang (Methuen, MA/Iowa State), Melvin Johnson (Bronx, NY/Miami), Brandon Bolden (Sumter, SC/Georgetown), Tyler Cavanaugh (Jamesville, NY/Wake Forest), Quenton DeCosey (Union, NJ/Temple) and Chris Jones (Teaneck, NJ/Pittsburgh) lead a loaded field for the Senior game, which is packed with division one players. In the Underclassmen game, a majority of the players are nationally ranked and highly accomplished. Rondae Jefferson (Chester, PA/Undecided), Tyler Ennis (Toronto, CAN/Undecided), Allerik Freeman (Charlotte, NC/Undecided), Tyler Roberson (Union, NJ/Undecided), Jaren Sina (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Undecided), Jermaine Lawrence (Queens, NY/Undecided), Austin Colbert (Elizabeth, NJ/Undecided), Davon Reed (Ewing, NJ/Undecided), Wayne Selden (Roxbury, MA/Undecided), Chris McCullough (Bronx, NY/Undecided), Isaiah Whitehead (Brooklyn, NY/Undecided), Karl Towns (Piscataway, NJ/Undecided) and Isaiah Briscoe (Union, NJ/Undecided) lead a star-packed group of juniors, sophomores and freshmen.

The Mary Kline Classic will be held on Saturday, May 5, at The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey. The Underclassmen will take the court first for their game at 5:00pm EST. In between games, the Three-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest will take place, followed by the Senior game at 8:00pm EST. Over twenty major media outlets – ESPN, SNY, Scout, Rivals, NERR, CBS Sports, CourtCred, 5-Star Basketball, Scoutsfocus, MSG Varsity, Philadelphia Inquirer, City League Hoops, Premo Hoops Recruiting and more – will cover the charity event. Zigtech sneakers will be provided to all players courtesy of Reebok, as well as uniforms from Vincent Robinson.

Tickets for the Mary Kline Classic can be purchased at the Sparks Memorial Gymnasium the day of the event, May 5, with doors opening at 2pm EST for player practices. Admissions costs $10 and all proceeds will be donated to this wonderful charity which helps those afflicted with brain cancer. For more information, contact Alex Kline at AlexKlineBasketball@Yahoo.com. For updates on the event, head to TheRecruitScoop.com for details.