The final edition of Gav's Classic, a 3‑on‑3 basketball tournament that has been a staple of Indianapolis’ summer scene for five decades, concluded on July 18 with a record‑breaking $27,000 raised for local causes.
Half of the proceeds will go to Little Flower Catholic Church, while the other half will be directed to a family facing urgent financial hardship, continuing the tournament’s long‑standing practice of splitting funds between a charitable institution and a needy household.
The tournament was founded by the Gavaghan family as a modest effort to generate money for neighborhood families, schools and churches, and over the years it has grown into a communitywide gathering that draws more than 100 players and spectators.
Participants come from a surprisingly diverse set of professions — electricians, IT specialists, firefighters, teachers and even university staff — showcasing the tournament’s broad appeal across Indianapolis’ social fabric.
Beyond the competition, Gav's Classic has become a platform for honoring community members who have faced adversity; the memory of Dwayne McCoy, a beloved teammate who passed away recently, and the story of Brody Stephens, who battled leukemia a decade ago and was taken to Disney World with tournament‑raised funds, are woven into the event’s narrative.
A Tradition of Service
The partnership with Little Flower Catholic Church underscores the tournament’s deep roots in the city’s faith communities, while collaborations with institutions such as Scecina Memorial High School and IUPUI highlight its educational outreach.
Looking ahead, the Gavaghan family hopes the next generation will continue to organize the event, ensuring that future summers still echo with the sound of basketballs bouncing on neighborhood courts and the spirit of collective generosity that has defined the tournament for half a century.