The Florida High School Athletic Association has selected Jacksonville's UNF Arena as the host for the state basketball championships, the association announced Sept. 17.

The announcement marks the tournament's return to Jacksonville for the first time since 1976, at the old Jacksonville Coliseum.

Mayor Donna Deegan described the news as a "slam dunk" for Jacksonville.

The FHSAA has previously held the basketball finals in Lakeland at the RP Funding Center since 1996.

Rural class will be Feb. 24-27, and Class 1A-7A will take place March 5-14, 2026.

The hoops finals will join an exceptionally busy conclusion of winter on the First Coast, including the Gate River Run on March 7 and The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach from March 12-15.

Ironman Jacksonville is a

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