DUKE BASKETBALL TEAM TO JOIN CURRENT AND FORMER NBA STARS AT NOLAN SMITH TCA HOOP-A-THON, JULY 22 IN DURHAM

Fans Can Register to Shoot Hoops with ACC Standouts To Raise Money for Teen Cancer America

DURHAM, N.C. (June 29, 2017) – Duke men’s basketball special assistant Nolan Smith and Teen Cancer America (TCA) today announced a partial line-up of celebrity ​“coaches” who are expected to participate in the 2017 Nolan Smith TCA Hoop-a-thon Challenge in Durham, N.C., on Saturday, July 22, at the Emily K Center. Celebrity volunteers who have confirmed so far include:

• Duke men’s basketball team
• Duke associate basketball coaches (and former stars) Jeff Capel, Jon Scheyer and Nate James
• UNC All-American Brice Johnson of the LA Clippers
• Duke All-American and NCAA champion Quinn Cook of the New Orleans Pelicans
• UNC national champion Raymond Felton of the LA Clippers
• NC State All-American and ACC Player of the Year, TJ Warren of the Phoenix Suns
• UNC star PJ Hairston, former Charlotte Hornet and Memphis Grizzly
• Wooden Award winner and UNC legend Phil Ford
• NC Central University head basketball coach LeVelle Moton
• Former NBA player Quincy Miller, now playing professionally in Israel
• Former Raleigh Wakefield High star and NBA player Darius Johnson-Odom, now playing in Europe

Smith continues to recruit current and former Duke, UNC and NBA stars to volunteer for the event on July 22, and will update the list of celebrity coaches as additional names are confirmed.

The Hoop-a-thon will feature a shooting competition enabling individuals and sponsored teams to raise money by making the most shots within an allotted time. Participants will be put into groups of up to 25 shooters, each with a celebrity coach. Money will be raised from pledged contributions for every shot that is made. TCA is raising funds for the development of specialized facilities and services for adolescents and young adults fighting cancer.

Registration information can be found online at https://​www​.teen​cance​r​amer​ica​.org/​h​o​o​p​a​thon/.

Additional details will be provided upon registration, including recommended arrival times and parking information. The Emily K Center, named in honor of Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s mother, features a full-size indoor basketball facility. Participants will receive swag bags with t‑shirts, wristbands and other giveaways. There will also be prize raffles and a silent auction of sports and music memorabilia available to all attendees. DJ Autumn Joi from radio station K97.5 will provide MC and DJ entertainment throughout the day.

“This is going to be a fun, one-of-a-kind event that basketball fans will not want to miss,” said Smith. ​“I’m looking forward to announcing more names as we confirm our full roster of volunteer coaches – I can’t think of a better way to raise money for Teen Cancer America here in the heart of ACC basketball country.”

The Nolan Smith TCA Hoop-a-thon is sponsored and underwritten by Raleigh-based First Citizens Bank, a primary corporate partner of Teen Cancer America. Anyone who is unable to attend the event or doesn’t want to shoot can still contribute, either by volunteering, making a one-time tax deductible donation, pledging for a participant, or simply helping to spread awareness.

Co-founded by rock icons Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who, and headquartered in Los Angeles, TCA is dedicated to the clinical and psycho-social needs of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients who too often find themselves being treated among small children or the elderly. AYA cancer programs and specially-designed facilities are proven to improve outcomes and survivorship.

More than 70,000 teenagers and young adults are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S., and yet there are only 13 hospitals with specialized AYA facilities and programs, all developed by TCA. In addition to projects currently underway at Duke and UNC, partnerships with more than 50 hospitals around the country are in various stages of planning.

First Citizens’ sponsorship of Teen Cancer America is its largest-ever corporate philanthropic initiative, which has been implemented across its banking franchise from coast to coast. The bank is working with TCA to raise funds, build awareness and partner with hospital and medical centers to establish new teen cancer units and programs. First Citizens’ Teen Cancer America campaign features the powerful theme, ​“Open the Door,” based on Daltrey’s recording of a new version of ​“Let My Love Open the Door,” created exclusively for First Citizens and TCA. For more information, visit LetMyLoveOpenThe​Door​.com, use #LetMyLoveOpenTheDoor or stop by a local First Citizens Bank location.

About Teen Cancer America 

Following in the footsteps of Teenage Cancer Trust, the highly developed and successful Teen and Young Adult cancer program in the U.K., Teen Cancer America is designed specifically to help U.S. hospitals and healthcare professionals bridge the gap between pediatric and adult oncology care in America. TCA aims to educate and support hospitals and outpatient facilities in the development of specialized units for the age group from 13 to 25. These units provide sanctuaries where the cancer experience is understood and the importance of living life through the cancer journey is nourished. TCA also brings together physicians and allied healthcare professionals from pediatric and adult oncology so AYA cancer patients can receive the specialized treatments and support that they need. Founded by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, TCA is supported by celebrity sports and entertainment ambassadors including Eddie Vedder, Joan Jett, Nolan Smith, actress Victoria Summer, The Band Perry and PGA star Daniel Berger. 

About First Citizens Bank

Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., First Citizens Bank is the largest family-controlled bank in the U.S., with offices in 23 states. First Citizens focuses on developing long-term relationships and offers a comprehensive array of products and services to individuals, families, businesses and the medical community. First Citizens Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Citizens BancShares Inc. (Nasdaq: FCNCA), which has more than $34 billion in assets. For more information, visit firstc​i​t​i​zens​.com. First Citizens Bank. Forever First®.