Wilmington Basketball Tournament Raises Funds for Mental Health

The SL24 Basketball Classic honors a local athlete and aims to break the silence around mental health issues.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:55am

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The eighth-annual SL24 Basketball Classic returns to the Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Delaware on January 30-31. While the two-day tournament features high school basketball games, the real purpose is to raise funds and awareness for mental health programs. The event was created in memory of Sean Locke, a local athlete who died by suicide in 2018 after struggling with depression and anxiety. All proceeds from the tournament support Sean's House, a peer-to-peer mental health support center that provides free, 24/7 services for young people.

Why it matters

The SL24 Basketball Classic aims to break the silence around mental health issues and remind people that they are not alone. The event honors Sean Locke, whose death by suicide shocked the community because he appeared to be thriving. This highlights the importance of open conversations about mental health, even for those who seem to have it all together.

The details

The SL24 Basketball Classic has grown significantly since its inception, with nearly 9,000 people attending the two-day event last year and over 10,000 people viewing the livestream. The tournament has raised over $670,000 to support mental health programming, with 93% of the funds directly reinvested into initiatives like Sean's House, a peer-to-peer support center, and mental health service scholarships.

  • The eighth-annual SL24 Basketball Classic will take place on January 30-31, 2026.
  • Sean Locke, the event's namesake, died by suicide in July 2018.

The players

Sean Locke

A graduate of St. Mark's High School who went on to play Division I basketball at the University of Delaware. Locke died by suicide in July 2018 after struggling with depression and anxiety.

Chris Locke

Sean Locke's father and co-founder of the Sean Locke Foundation, which organizes the SL24 Basketball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“'Sean, who was just this amazing kid … was dealing with the illness of depression and anxiety. Sean was a son that really was just amazing. He and I were extremely close … but Sean and I never spoke about his mental illness, about his battle with depression and anxiety. He suffered in silence. But really, I don't know how many years.'”

— Chris Locke, Sean Locke's father and co-founder of the Sean Locke Foundation

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This event highlights the importance of open conversations about mental health, even for those who appear to be thriving. By raising funds for mental health programs and encouraging community support, the SL24 Basketball Classic aims to break the silence and ensure no one has to suffer alone.