SALISBURY — In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is set to host the inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Basketball Tournament, in partnership with the Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department.

The event will take place at noon on Monday, Jan. 20, at the Hall Gym, located at 1400 W. Bank St. The tournament is aimed at allowing local teams to come together in the spirit of unity and community.

“We are excited to bring the inaugural MLK basketball tournament to our county,” said Salisbury-Rowan NAACP President Gemale Black. “This MLK Holiday Tournament is an opportunity to celebrate community, sportsmanship and the legacy of Dr. King, all while competing in a fun and exciting environment.”

The tournament will feature a 3-on-3 basketball competition, with divisions for middle school, high school and adult participants. To promote inclusivity, each team must include at least two female players and seven overall players. 

In addition to the basketball competition, there will be special awards presented in the following categories: overall tournament winner; best team name, all team names must be related to MLK; and best uniform creation.

Teams can register now, and registration will be open until Jan. 10. The registration form can be found at form.jotform.com/243526888228065. 

There is no registration fee, and entry to the event is free. For more information, email info@salisburyrowannaacp.org.