The Houston Athletic Committee, the sister organization of the Touchdown Club of Houston is proud to announce its first annual event celebrating basketball in the city of Houston. The H-Town Basketball Tipoff luncheon, presented by noVAR, will be an annual event celebrating basketball excellence in the greater Houston area.

The 2026 Tipoff will be held at noon on Wednesday October 28 at the Bayou City Event Center. The now annual luncheon will feature the head men’s and women’s basketball coaches from the University of Houston, Rice University, St. Thomas University, Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University and Houston Chrisitan University. The event will also give fans an opportunity to hear the coaches speak about their seasons and participate in a panel conversation.

The luncheon will also feature the top 15 boys and top 15 girls preseason high school players in Greater Houston as selected by local coaches, athletic directors and media outlets.  These players will be on the initial watch list for the annual Guy V Lewis award, now and its 15th year, to be awarded in the spring of 2027. The award has previously been given to the boys player of the year and the girls top player is now being added for 2027. Special announcements about the 2027 events will be made during the luncheon.

The inaugural event will feature ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla.  Fraschilla was previously the head college basketball coach at Manhattan College, St. John’s University and the University of New Mexico.  Event will also feature special guests and surprises from around the Houston Basketball community.

Premium tables — those $750 and up — will have name/company name in the souvenir program, will be on the video screen, and be recognized from the podium. A platinum, $2,500 table also will receive a signed basketball.