Southern Oregon’s largest sporting event boasts its largest registration in more than five years, bringing nearly 200 basketball teams May 10-11 to Medford.

The 17th annual Southern Oregon Open, in partnership with the City of Medford, will host youth hoopsters across the West Coast and Nevada on Rogue X’s eight basketball courts. Boys and girls in grades 5-12 will compete Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, for titles in their respective divisions.

Team registration fees and other funds raised benefit tournament host Kids Unlimited and the organization’s work to empower kids, regardless of race, culture and background, with opportunities to succeed. The signature fundraiser is possible with generous support from title sponsor Lithia and & Driveway.

With nearly 2,000 participants and 10,000 spectators projected, the S.O. Open also has a significant economic impact locally. Tournament organizers and industry insiders forecast it will bring more than $1 million in revenue through hotel bookings and other hospitality and tourism sales generated over the weekend.

“It’s one of the biggest basketball tournaments in our Pacific Northwest region, and best of all — 100% of the proceeds are dedicated to ensuring vulnerable kids and families have opportunities to participate in education, arts, sports and access to healthy meals,” said Tom Cole, KU’s founder and chief executive officer. “This sporting event has an impact that lasts far after the last buzzer has sounded.”

New this year, KU will operate an Asian-inspired mobile food unit at Rogue X, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10. Freshly made bubble waffle cones, popularized in Hong Kong, are the flagship product alongside teriyaki chicken plates. KU’s food sales — and all tournament proceeds — go toward the nonprofit organization’s programming for under-resourced children and families locally.

Giving back through basketball inspired a senior project for South Medford High School standout Kyle Singler that evolved into the S.O. Open. The first tournament in 2007 not only fulfilled Singler’s school senior project requirements but took shape as an event that involved his family, friends, fellow players and the larger community.

Singler went on to lead Duke University to an NCAA national title and played for seven seasons in the NBA. He and his brother, EJ Singler, supported the event during their college and professional careers. Over the years, the S.O. Open has hosted numerous future college players and is one of the highest-profile youth basketball tournaments throughout Oregon.

Basketball has been a key component of KU programming for more than 20 years. Cole created a free Southern Oregon youth basketball league, with help from Medford Rogue Rotary, in response to participants’ interest in learning and playing the game. KU Pass to Play incentivized a generation of kids to complete their homemade and achieve passing grades.

Game play is centralized at Rogue X, beginning at 8:30 a.m., with additional games scheduled at KU in Medford, South Medford High School, Oakdale Middle School, McLoughlin Middle School and Cascade Christian High School. Adult, all-day spectator passes cost $15 each day of the tournament and can be purchased at any game venue. Kids 10 and younger get in free.

Tournament sponsors, in addition to Lithia & Driveway, are T-Mobile, Toyota, City of Medford, Travel Medford, AllCare Health, Rogue Regency Inn and Oregon Ice Cream Co.

See unlimitedbball.org