Score a Three-Pointer with Verizon Wireless And The NBA Hoop-It-Up Tournament

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless service provider, today announced its sponsorship of the NBA's Hoop-It-Up tournament-a 3-on-3, 41-city series of competitive events that give players of all ages and abilities the chance to test their basketball prowess against their peers.

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The 2002 NBA Hoop-It-Up tourney, now in its 14th year, culminates with a championship competition of Top Guns in November. Local competitions end in September. Verizon Wireless will sponsor several events at each NBA Hoop-It-Up competition, giving spectators and contestants alike fun ways to win prizes.

Sharp shooters can aim to win in the Verizon Wireless [FREEUP] Free Throw Contest where contestants compete against one another to see who can shoot the most free-throw baskets. Best shooter wins a [FREEUP] wireless service package and trophy. [FREEUP], popular among young adults, is Verizon Wireless' pre-paid wireless service package that bundles nationwide voice service, text messaging and voicemail.

Mobile Messenger^SM Madness is an interactive basketball trivia contest based on Verizon Wireless' short message service (SMS), Mobile Messenger. At each tournament, there will be contests held hourly to see who can answer an NBA trivia question in SMS format the quickest. Prospective contestants can help increase their chances of winning by practicing at the Verizon Wireless booth. Mobile Messenger is fun, fast, discreet, inexpensive and gives consumers two choices in how they use their phones to communicate: talk and text

"NBA Hoop-It-Up provides Verizon Wireless with an exciting opportunity to take [FREEUP] and Mobile Messaging courtside -- directly to the customers," said John Stratton, Verizon Wireless vice president and chief marketing officer. "The majority of the participants are between the ages of 18 and 24, our fastest growing market segment and one that enthusiastically embraces the technology of keeping in touch wirelessly."

Hoop-It-Up is a family event open to male and female basketball enthusiasts age 8 and older and also gives opportunities for volunteers to raise extra money for their charity. Register online at www.nbahoopitup.com or call the local hotline for each city and request an entry form.

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About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications and Internet services. The company has the largest nationwide wireless network and 29 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Reporters and editors can find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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