PHOENIX – The 8th Annual Native American Basketball Invitational, the largest NCAA-certified Native American basketball tournament, will be honoring the Haskell Indian Nations University women’s basketball team with the NABI Achievement Award during the NABI Girls Championship half-time at the U.S. Airways Center July 10.

The NABI Achievement Award will be presented to Haskell for demonstrating tremendous athletic achievement. The 2009 – 2010 women’s team qualified for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division II National Basketball Championships. This was the team’s first appearance there. Of the 14 players on the team, Haskell originally recruited nine through the NABI tournament.

“It’s pretty impressive. I must have at least 20 players come through NABI, and this year’s recruiting roster might very well have been the most ever,” said Phil Homeratha, the Haskell women’s basketball coach.

Although the Haskell women’s team lost in the first round of the NAIA Division II tournament, the team enjoyed a winning season. The team recorded its best season at 20-8 and ranked in the top 25 of 140 Division II schools throughout the season and made history as the first Native American college to make it to the NAIA.

The presentation will also include a special recognition of former NABI alumni, Justina George for being selected to the NAIA 2010 Division II Women’s Basketball All-American Team as well as capturing a spot on the NAIA 2010 Academic All-American team and Maria Parker for also earning a spot on the NAIA 2010 All-American Team.

Since its debut in July 2003, NABI, sponsored by Nike, Ak-Chin Indian Community and Grand Canyon University, has created opportunities for more than 50 Native American high school students to receive college athletic scholarships and has donated more than $70,000 to Native American nonprofits and Native American college students through grants and financial aid.

As the leading showcase event for Native American high school basketball talent, the annual NABI tournament draws college recruiters nationwide who’ve come to scout and witness the greatness of “rez ball.” In 2007, NABI received NCAA certification, which permitted Division I and II coaches to recruit players at the summer NABI tournament. And, more recently, NABI was granted nonprofit status.

“Haskell is proof the NABI program is working to secure college educational opportunities for our athletes and that Native country ‘got talent!’ Every year, more and more scouts come; we are committed to continue to grow and now that NABI is under a nonprofit, we are excited about our future and the new programs we plan on launching,” said GinaMarie Scarpa, NABI Foundation co-founder and CEO.

The 8th Annual NABI Tournament will take place July 6 – 10, with the championship games hosted at the U.S. Airways Center, home of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, and will include special guest NBA “Iron Man” AC Green; 37 men’s and 33 women’s teams will compete for the 2010 NABI championship trophy. Tickets are $12.50 and can be purchased at the USAC box office or at www.ticketmaster.com.

All proceeds from the tournament benefit the NABI Foundation. To donate or for more information about the NABI Foundation, visit www.nabifoundation.org.