La Salle Explorers to play in the Belfast Classic in 2017-18

When a young recruit commits their future to the La Salle Explorers men’s basketball program, coach John Giannini also makes a commitment to them.

That commitment is that over their four/five years as a member of the La Salle Explorers, he will get a game in their home state. While this is easier said than done, coach Giannini has kept his word even for the European guys on the team. This began last year with Yevgen Sakhniuk. The Ukraine native was able to have a homecoming of sorts in the team’s European tour before the 2015/16 season that saw them travel to the Czech Republic.

These things don’t seem like much but they make a huge difference in a small school recruiting pitch. When these guys leave home, sometimes their parents never get a chance to see them play again so it is very important that the La Salle Explorers are able to offer this opportunity. For other members of the team, it’s a chance to travel and experience new things, broadening their worldview.

This is why when the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced that they would be having a Hall of Fame Classic in Belfast, it made perfect sense for the Explorers. It’s a chance for big man Cian Sullivan to get a chance to return home as a member of the La Salle Explorers.

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While Sullivan hasn’t seen the court this year, the 7’1″ center will be a large part of the team moving forward. The Hall of Fame Classic will be the perfect time for Sullivan to get his feet wet in a familiar environment. The tournament is scheduled for December 1-2nd and will feature the La Salle Explorers along with Holy Cross, Manhattan College, and Towson University. The Explorers will take on the Towson Tigers in the first game and if they win, they will play in the championship game on the second.

In a press release by La Salle athletics, coach Giannini said,

"“It’s an honor to be in the first NCAA basketball tournament in Northern Ireland. It will be a great trip for our players and fans. It’s especially nice to take (Cian Sullivan back home where his family and friends can see him. Competitively, we will have challenging neutral-court games against good teams. Hall of Fame Belfast Classic is a tremendous addition to our non-conference schedule.”"

Next: Explorers fall to URI behind 24 points from Jared Terrell

Basketball Hall of Fame has partnered with Sport Changes Life, a foundation that works in communities to help youth find a brighter future through sports to host this tournament. Because of that, there will be community relations events and appearances that will be announced at a later date.

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