NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – Fans of the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Xavier Musketeers can follow their teams to The Bahamas on a foreign exhibition basketball tour this August when both squads play a pair of games against international competition as part of the 2023 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League.
Penn State and Xavier will arrive in beautiful Nassau, The Bahamas, and stay at the stunning Baha Mar resort beginning Sunday, Aug. 6. Each team will play single games on Tuesday, Aug. 8 and Thursday, Aug. 10 at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Center. Games are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET each day. International opponents include the Bahamas and the University of Victoria (Canada). The complete schedule follows.
2023 BAHA MAR HOOPS SUMMER LEAGUE SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Aug. 8
- Xavier vs. University of Victoria, 4:30 p.m. ET
- Penn State vs. The Bahamas, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 10
- Penn State vs. University of Victoria, 4:30 p.m. ET
- Xavier vs. The Bahamas 7:30 p.m.
Penn State is coming off a 23-14 campaign in 2022-23 that saw the Nittany Lions advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The coming 2023-24 season marks the first under new head coach Mike Rhoades, who came to Penn State after a six-year stint at VCU.
“What a perfect time for our basketball family to have a foreign trip to The Bahamas,” Rhoades said. “This valuable time to work and play together during a foreign trip will help us as we move into our first season together. We will spend seven days in The Bahamas and play some games, but most importantly create some lifelong memories as members of Penn State Basketball. We are very appreciative of those who made this foreign trip possible. We will take full advantage of this great opportunity.”
Xavier welcomed back head coach Sean Miller last season and responded with a 27-10 campaign that featured a run to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen.
“We are very excited to be going to the Bahamas this summer on a foreign trip,” Miller said. “This is a great opportunity for our players and staff to spend time working together to build our team for the 2023-24 season. In addition to the valuable basketball experiences, the foreign trip to the Bahamas also provides an opportunity to create some special memories that will bring our Xavier Basketball family closer together.”
NCAA rules allow for a foreign tour by an intercollegiate team once every four academic years. The Baha Mar Hoops Summer League is managed by bdG Sports, a Lexington-based event marketing firm which annually manages more than two dozen games at Baha Mar each November. The Nittany Lions are participating in a joint effort with bdG Sports and Global Sports and Events (GSE).
BAHA MAR RESORT
The remarkable Baha Mar resort serves as the backdrop to this unique fan experience. Anchored by Grand Hyatt and featuring SLS Baha Mar and Rosewood Baha Mar, the resort is situated on 1,000 acres overlooking Nassau’s famous turquoise ocean waters. The destination resort boasts more than 2,300 rooms, the largest casino in the Caribbean, a $200 million luxury water park, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the Caribbean’s first and only flagship ESPA Spa and a collection of more than 45 restaurants and lounges.
“Baha Mar is without question the hottest resort in the world with so many entertainment options on site; it will be an incredible host for both teams and their fan bases,” said Brooks Downing, President and CEO of bdG Sports.
VIP PACKAGES AND TICKET INFORMATION
Complete information with VIP package details, along with room and ticket options can be found at www.bahamarhoops.com. VIP packages are on sale now and feature a five-night stay in either a king suite, king room or double queen room, two tickets for both games each day, two tickets to a VIP event reception on Wednesday, Aug. 9, ground transportation to and from the airport, as well as a pair of breakfast vouchers each day and two commemorative T-shirts. Packages are available with either courtside or general admission seating.
Individual accommodations and game tickets also can be purchased al la carte.
