Dr. Martin Luther King Invitational Basketball Tournament
History of the MLK Tournament
History of the MLK Tournament
History of the MLK Tournament
Learn the history behind the tournament
Tournament Champions
History of the MLK Tournament
History of the MLK Tournament
Here is a list of the Best of the Best tournament champions of the MLK Tournament over the years
How to get involved
History of the MLK Tournament
How to get involved
Would you like to play in the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Invitational Basketball Tournament?
History of the MLK Tournament
“To provide recreational pleasure through athletic competition for underprivileged young men and women in the inner city and to represent athletic success with emphasis placed on academic excellence.” These few words summarize the primary objective of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Invitational Basketball Tournament.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Invitational Basketball tournament is symbolic of its namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose philosophy was “Living the Dream.” Therefore, in living the dream to help youngsters, the late Lloyd Williams of Hamilton High School and Vertis Sails of Melrose High School organized the tournament. Participating high schools were Carver, Douglas, Hamilton, Lester, Melrose, Mitchell, Northside, Southside, and Booker T. Washington. Carrying the torch today is Coach Robert Newman of Melrose High School, who has struggled, with limited resources, to keep the dream alive. Thanks to community support, the tournament continues to grow and serve young people!
The first basketball tournament was held in December of 1971, and the winner was Northside High School, coached by Marion Brewer at Melrose High School. Hamilton High became the host school in 1992. Coaches in attendance were Marion Brewer of Northside High School, Ed. Thornton of Carver High School, Tim Morgan of Mitchell Road High School, Jake Peacock of Lester High School, and William “Bill” Little of Booker T. Washington High School. Melrose High School was the site of the tournament until 1992, at which time Hamilton High School became the host school. Before the creation of the MLK Invitational Tournament, inner-city youth (as a group) were denied the opportunity to participate in other Memphis and Mid-South Area Tournaments.
Today, the tournament is viewed as one of the most competitive tournaments in the United States. In 2024, there were a total of 82 participating teams. Coaches from the country come to Memphis to scout potential college basketball players. Being observed by these coaches is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence for most of these players. Young ladies began participating in the tournament in 1993, and the middle schools began participating in 2009. 2024 marks the 53rd year of the tournament.
2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Invitational Basketball Tournament Scholarship Awardees
Tournament Champions
Past Champions
Boys High School Champions
1971 Northside High School
1972 Melrose High School
1973 Melrose High School
1974 Northside High School
1975 Hamilton High School
1976 Hamilton High School
1977 Melrose High School
1978 Northside High School
1979 Northside High School
1980 Messick High School
1981 Melrose High School
1982 Westwood High School
1983 Melrose High School
1984 Hamilton High School
1985 Westwood High School
1986 Hamilton High School
1987 Westwood High School
1988 Westwood High School
1989 Fairley High School
1990 Southside High School
1991 Treadwell High School
1992 Kingsbury High School
1993 Hillcrest High School
1994 Fairley High School
1995 Hamilton High School
1996 Northside High School
1997 Northside High School
1998 Hamilton High School
1999 Hamilton High School
2000 Carver High School
2001 Whitehaven High School
2002 Fairley High School
2003 Sheffield High School
2004 Hamilton High School
2005 Hamilton High School
2006 Hamilton High School
2007 Fairley High School
2008 Nashville CA
2009 Melrose High School
2010 Melrose High School
2011 Memphis Central High School
2012 Melrose High School
2013 Potters House Christian
2014 Houston High School
2015 Memphis East High School
2016 WEB DuBois
2017 Hamilton High School
2018 Kirby High School
2019 Whitehaven High School
2021 Whitehaven High School
2022 Cordova High School
2023 Cordova High School
2024 Germantown High School
2025 Whitehaven High School
Boys Middle School Champions
2012 Cordova Middle School
2013 Lester Middle School
2014 Cordova Middle School
2015 Bellevue Middle School
2016 White Station Middle School
2017 Bellevue Middle School
2018 Havenview Middle School
2019 Havenview Middle School
2021 Havenview Middle School
2022 White Station Middle School
2023 White Station Middle School
2024 Snowden Middle School
2025 Bellevue Middle School
Girls High School Champions
1993 Hamilton High School
1994 Hamilton High School
1995 Hamilton High School
1996 Hamilton High School
1997 Hamilton High School
1998 Hamilton High School
1999 Hamilton High School
2000 Hamilton High School
2001 Melrose High School
2002 Memphis East High School
2003 Craigmont High School
2004 Craigmont High School
2005 Hillcrest High School
2006 Hillcrest High School
2007 Memphis East High School
2008 Millington Central High School
2009 Millington Central High School
2010 Parkview High School
2011 White Station High School
2012 Memphis East High School
2013 Overton High School
2014 Craigmont High School
2015 Memphis Central High School
2016 Whitehaven High School
2017 Olive Branch High School
2018 Olive Branch High School
2019 Olive Branch High School
2021 Arlington High School
2022 Briarcrest Christian School
2023 Wenonah High School (Ala)
2024 Hutchison High School
2025 Whitehaven High School
Girls Middle School Champions
2012 Hickory Ridge Middle School
2013 Snowden Middle School
2014 Cordova Middle School
2015 Cordova Middle School
2016 Colonial Middle School
2017 Colonial Middle School
2018 Havenview Middle School
2019 West Collierville Middle School
2021 Lowrance Middle School
2022 White Station Middle School
2023 Ridgeway Middle School
2024 Houston Middle School
2025 Tournament Sponsors
Cigna-Reggie Crenshaw (Major Sponsor)
Attorney Darrell J. O’Neal
Campbell’s Learning Academy
Chelsea Clinic- Dr. Gloria Pryor
Chow Time – Carolyn Kent
Christopher Eric Johnson
City Council Members
Crumpy’s Restaurant- Donald Crump
Felton Young
Hamilton High School Alumni – Jake Mickens
Ian Clark (Jon Clark)
Johnny J. Ellis
Kenneth and Elaine Gardner
King Cotton Meats- Earl Gregory
LeMoyne-Owen College
Little Caesar’s Pizza - Marty Matthews/Chris Matthews
Mario Carver
Grooming Greatness – Pastor Maurice Johnson
Memphians Foundation
Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau – Kevin Kane, Malvin Gipson
Memphis Police Department – Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis/Calvin Taylor
Memphis Youth Services-Brian Harris
S.W.E.A.A.T. – Michael Webb
Monogram Food Solutions – Karl Schiedwitz/Gennie Henry
Rockin Chair of Memphis, Inc
RP Newman Realty – Robert Patrick Newman
R.S. Lewis Funeral Homes-Andre Jones/Tyrone Burroughs
Prohibition Lounge – Robert Patrick Newman
Shelby County Board of County Commissioners
Shelby County Government – Harold Collins/Sarah Faulkner
Shelby County Schools Security – Terrence Riley
Shelby County Sheriff Department – Floyd Bonner, Jr.
W. T. Newman Construction and Landscaping Services – William Newman
2024 Tournament Sponsors
Africa in April – Yvonne and David L. Acey, Sr.
Attorney Darrell J. O’Neal
Campbell’s Learning Academy
Chelsea Clinic- Dr. Gloria Pryor
Chow Time – Carolyn Kent
Christopher Eric Johnson
City Council Members
Crumpy’s Restaurant- Donald Crump
Felton Young
Hamilton High School Alumni – Jake Mickens and Joyce Lindsey
Ian Clark (Jon Clark)
Johnny J. Ellis
Kenneth and Elaine Gardner
King Cotton Meats- Earl Gregory
LeMoyne-Owen College
Little Caesar’s Pizza - Marty Matthews/Chris Matthews
Mario Carver
Grooming Greatness – Pastor Maurice Johnson
Memphians Foundation
Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau – Kevin Kane, Malvin Gipson
Memphis Light, Gas and Water- Lillian Johnson
Memphis Police Department – Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis/Calvin Taylor
Memphis Youth Services-Brian Harris
S.W.E.A.A.T. – Michael Webb
Monogram Food Solutions – Karl Schiedwitz/Gennie Henry
Rockin Chair of Memphis, Inc
RP Newman Realty – Robert Patrick Newman
R.S. Lewis Funeral Homes-Andre Jones/Tyrone Burroughs
Prohibition Lounge – Robert Patrick Newman
Shelby County Board of County Commissioners
Shelby County Government – Harold Collins/Sarah Faulkner
Shelby County Schools Security – Terrence Riley
Shelby County Sheriff Department – Floyd Bonner, Jr.
Thad Young - NBA Star
W. T. Newman Construction and Landscaping Services – William Newman