King Cotton Holiday Classic is a national-level high school basketball tournament held in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
On December 28, 1987, ESPN broadcast the King Cotton Tournament nationally, making it the first live high school basketball event.
In addition to Corliss Williamson and Jason Kidd, some of the other noteworthy players from the tournament are: Bobby Hurley, Desmond Howard, J.R. Reid, George Lynch, Dennis Scott, Randolph Childress, Stanley Roberts, Derrick Chievous, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Eric Snow, Joe Johnson, Rodrick Rhodes, Doug Edwards, Eric Riley, Terry Dehere, Aaron Bain, Sam Jefferson, Ronny Thompson, Ron Huery, Chris Corchiani, Jerry Walker, Kareem Reid,[8] Chris Mills, Basil Shabazz, and Neil Reed.
In the final play, Williamson blocked Kidd's last second shot attempt out-of-bounds, and Russellville won by one point.
[4] The King Cotton was eventually discontinued due to dwindling attendance, a concern for guest safety, and crowd (student) control issues.
The revived tournament featured eight teams and the Pine Bluff Convention Center Arena is set to undergo a half million dollar renovation.