Alpharetta Hosting Great Atlanta Shootout Basketball Tournament

ALPHARETTA, GA — Law enforcement basketball teams from all over the U.S. are set to compete in the 16th Annual Great Atlanta Shootout Basketball Tournament in Alpharetta this weekend from Friday through Sunday, March 26-28.

The 35 teams will compete in three different divisions: men’s open division, women’s division, and 40 and over division. The tournament will take place at three Alpharetta sports venues: the Alpharetta Community Center, Alpharetta Recreation Center and Crabapple Government Center.

Players in the Great Atlanta Shootout are comprised of law enforcement officers, detention officers, corrections officers, firefighters, probation officers, active U.S. Armed Forces members and spouses of law enforcement officers. Some teams competing in the three-day event include the New York Police Department, Orlando Police Department, New Jersey State Corrections Department, EMCMP Marines and the hometown team The DeKalb Knights (comprised of various officers from several agencies from around metro Atlanta).

“We are extremely excited to bring the Great Atlanta Shootout to City of Alpharetta this year,” said Lt. C. Rorey, DeKalb County police officer and organizer of the tournament. “We chose to hold the tournament in Alpharetta because of the city’s basketball facilities as well as all of the restaurants, entertainment and shopping opportunities that the players and their families can enjoy when they are off the court.”

Tournament play will operate with the men's open division, beginning with two pools with 10 teams in each. The top five teams from each pool after pool play will advance to bracket play. In the 40 and over division, there are also two pools with the top two teams after pool play advancing to bracket play. In the women's division, there will be round-robin games and then all five teams will be seed for bracket play. There are currently 21 teams in the men’s open bracket, nine teams in the men’s 40 and over bracket and five teams in the women’s bracket.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Great Atlanta Shootout to Alpharetta,” said Janet Rodgers, president and CEO of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau. “A basketball tournament of this nature in our destination creates a wonderful energy. Alpharetta will be host to many players, their families and visitors who will shop, dine, play and stay in our awesome community.”

Visitors can start planning a weekend packed with Great Atlanta Shootout tournament action as well as awesome Alpharetta events and activities. Travelers looking for accommodations can book their stay at one of Alpharetta’s 29 modern and upscale hotels directly online.

Due to COVID-19 guidelines and precautions, the Great Atlanta Shootout will be conducting temperature checks, requiring face coverings, practicing social distancing and adding increased sanitation to benches and sitting areas throughout the tournament.