
The Jimmy V Classic is an annual basketball tournament that raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The tournament is named after legendary college basketball coach and ESPN commentator Jim Valvano, who founded the V Foundation with ESPN in 1993. The men's classic began in 1995, and the women's event was introduced in 2002. The tournament is hosted at Madison Square Garden in New York City and typically takes place in December.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | December |
| Year of the next tournament | 2025 |
| Day of the week | Tuesday |
| Time | 6:30 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. |
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York City |
| Number of games | 2 |
| Teams | Miami vs. Tennessee, Michigan vs. Arkansas |
| Men's Classic Started | 1995 |
| Women's Classic Started | 2002 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Jimmy V Classic is named after legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano
- The tournament raises money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research
- The 2024 tournament was played at Madison Square Garden in New York City
- The 2024 tournament featured a men's and women's doubleheader
- The 2023 tournament featured five matchups

The Jimmy V Classic is named after legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano
The Jimmy V Classic is an annual college basketball tournament held in December. The tournament is named after the legendary basketball coach, Jim Valvano, also known as Jimmy V.
Jim Valvano was an American college basketball player, coach, and broadcaster. He had a successful coaching career with multiple schools, including North Carolina State University (NC State), where he led the Wolfpack to an improbable victory in the 1983 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. Valvano is remembered for his ecstatic celebration after winning the national championship game against the heavily favored Houston Cougars. He is also known for his inspirational and memorable speech delivered at the 1993 ESPY Awards while terminally ill with cancer. Less than two months after his famous ESPY speech, Valvano passed away at the age of 47.
In his speech, Valvano announced the formation of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, with the motto "Don't give up. Don't ever give up". Since its founding in 1993, the V Foundation has funded nearly $400 million in game-changing cancer research grants through a competitive process supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. The foundation is committed to accelerating victory over cancer and ensuring that 100% of direct donations go towards cancer research and programs.
The Jimmy V Classic tournament was introduced in 1995 for men's basketball and in 2002 for women's basketball. The tournament showcases top college basketball programs and is hosted at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, carrying on the legacy of Coach Valvano. The tournament is a special occasion, not just because of the high-quality basketball on display, but also because of the cause it supports.
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The tournament raises money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The Jimmy V Classic is an annual basketball tournament that raises money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The tournament is named after the late North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator Jim Valvano and his fight against cancer. The V Foundation was founded in 1993 by ESPN and Valvano, and has funded nearly $400 million in cancer research grants in North America. Since the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations go towards cancer research and programs.
The Jimmy V Classic tournament features both men's and women's teams. The men's classic began in 1995 and is usually held in December, while the women's event was introduced in 2002 as part of Jimmy V Week. The tournament takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City and showcases some of the top college basketball programs in the country.
ESPN, which airs the tournament, has helped raise millions of dollars for the V Foundation through the Jimmy V Classic and its week-long initiative, Jimmy V Week. The initiative is a collaboration across multiple ESPN platforms and programs to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.
The 2024 Jimmy V Classic featured a men's doubleheader between Miami and Tennessee, followed by Michigan and Arkansas. The women's doubleheader included Louisville hosting NC State. These teams are among the top college basketball programs in the country, with strong postseason runs in recent years.
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The 2024 tournament was played at Madison Square Garden in New York City
The 2024 Jimmy V Classic took place on Tuesday, December 10, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The tournament is an annual event that showcases top college basketball programs and raises funds for cancer research. The doubleheader event featured a game between Miami and Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by a match-up between Michigan and Arkansas at 9 p.m. ET. Both games were aired on ESPN.
Madison Square Garden, located in the heart of Manhattan, is one of the most iconic sports and entertainment venues in the world. It has a rich history and has hosted some of the most memorable moments in sports, including boxing matches, NBA games, and even concerts. The venue is known for its electric atmosphere and passionate New York fans.
The Jimmy V Classic is named after the legendary college basketball coach and ESPN commentator, Jim Valvano, who passed away from cancer. The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and Valvano, with the mission to fund cancer research grants. The foundation has funded nearly $400 million in grants, with 100% of direct donations going towards cancer research and programs.
The 2024 tournament was especially significant as it marked the 30th anniversary of the men's classic and the 21st edition held at Madison Square Garden. The participating teams included some of the top college basketball programs in the country, with Tennessee ranked #13, Arkansas #14, and Michigan and Miami also boasting strong postseason records.
The Jimmy V Classic is more than just a basketball tournament; it is an opportunity to honour Valvano's legacy and raise awareness and funds for cancer research. The event is part of ESPN's V Week initiative, which utilizes various platforms to emphasize the importance of cancer research to sports fans. The classic has become one of the most impactful days in the college basketball season, leaving a lasting impression on both the basketball community and those affected by cancer.
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The 2024 tournament featured a men's and women's doubleheader
The Jimmy V Classic is an annual college basketball tournament that raises funds and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The tournament is named after the late North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator, Jim Valvano, who passed away from cancer. The V Foundation was founded in 1993 and the first Jimmy V Classic took place in 1995. The tournament is hosted at Madison Square Garden in New York City and has been for over 20 years.
The Jimmy V Classic is a highly anticipated event in the college basketball season, showcasing some of the top college basketball programs in the country. The 2024 tournament featured a strong field, including Tennessee, who reached the NCAA Elite 8 in 2024, Miami, who made it to the NCAA Final Four in 2023, and Arkansas, who participated in the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2023. The women's classic also presented two teams with impressive postseason runs, including NC State, who returned to the Final Four in 2024 for the first time since 1998.
The Jimmy V Classic is more than just a basketball tournament; it is an opportunity to honour the legacy of Jim Valvano and raise funds for a worthy cause. The V Foundation has funded nearly $400 million in cancer research grants, with 100% of direct donations going towards research and programs. ESPN's V Week initiative, which includes the Jimmy V Classic, has played a significant role in raising awareness and funds for cancer research.
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The 2023 tournament featured five matchups
The Jimmy V Classic is an annual college basketball tournament honouring the legacy of the late North Carolina State University basketball coach, ESPN commentator, and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Jim Valvano. The tournament raises funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which was founded in 1993 by ESPN and Valvano himself. The 2023 tournament featured five matchups, with the men's and women's games taking place on Tuesday and Sunday, respectively.
The men's tournament, hosted at Madison Square Garden, included two games. The first matchup was between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the UConn Huskies, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. The second game, beginning at 9 p.m. ET, featured the Florida Atlantic Owls and the Illinois Fighting Illini. Both games were aired on ESPN.
The women's tournament, on the other hand, consisted of three games. The first matchup, which aired on ABC, was between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Duke Blue Devils, tipping off at 1 p.m. ET. This was followed by the UConn Huskies against the Texas Longhorns at 3 p.m. ET, and then the Ohio State Buckeyes versus the Tennessee Volunteers at 5 p.m. ET, with the latter two games also being broadcast on ABC and ESPN, respectively.
The Jimmy V Classic is a highly anticipated event in the college basketball season, not only for its competitive matchups but also for its impact beyond the court. The tournament is an important platform to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, with ESPN playing a significant role in promoting this cause. The V Foundation, through its rigorous grant-making process, has made substantial contributions to advancing cancer research in North America.
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Frequently asked questions
The Jimmy V Classic usually takes place in December. The 2024 tournament, for example, was held on December 10, while the 2022 tournament took place on December 6.
The tournament is held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The 2022 tournament, however, took place at the Community First Champion Center in Appleton, Wisconsin.
The Jimmy V Classic is named after legendary college basketball coach Jim Valvano. The tournament raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which was founded in 1993 by ESPN and Valvano.









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