Cincinnati's CPS All-Star Showcase Supports Families Impacted by Homelessness

Annual basketball event at University of Cincinnati raises funds and awareness for local community organizations.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:53pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented geometric shapes in shades of blue, red, and yellow, capturing the dynamic energy and movement of a basketball game or competition.The CPS All-Star Showcase brings the community together through the shared love of basketball, while also raising funds and awareness for local organizations supporting families in need.Cincinnati Today

The fifth annual CPS All-Star Showcase, a basketball event hosted by the University of Cincinnati in partnership with Cincinnati Public Schools, took place on April 4th. The event featured top student-athletes from the region and raised nearly $80,000 over the past five years to support community organizations that assist families impacted by homelessness.

Why it matters

The CPS All-Star Showcase provides a platform to highlight talented student-athletes while also supporting important community initiatives. By hosting the event on UC's campus, it introduces many local residents to the university who may not have visited before, strengthening ties between the school and the broader Cincinnati community.

The details

More than three dozen local businesses and organizations sponsored the event, providing uniforms, hospitality, food, and other services. Students in UC's sports administration program also volunteered and played a key role in organizing the showcase. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval served as a judge for the skills contest.

  • The CPS All-Star Showcase returned to UC's Fifth Third Arena on April 4, 2026.
  • The event has been held annually for the past five years.

The players

Jack Miner

Vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Cincinnati.

Aftab Pureval

The mayor of Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Public Schools

The school district that partners with the University of Cincinnati to host the annual CPS All-Star Showcase.

University of Cincinnati

The host institution for the CPS All-Star Showcase, providing the venue and student volunteers.

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What they’re saying

“This program is such a great pillar for our CPS Strong partnership – not only does it allow us to highlight some of the best student athletes in the region, but we also get to welcome the community onto campus.”

— Jack Miner, Vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Cincinnati

“One of the messages we hear each year is how many people who grew up in Cincinnati had never been on campus before this program. Basketball is such a rich tradition in Cincinnati, it is so fitting that we are welcoming the top players in Cincinnati, and especially at this time. As UC begins the Coach Calhoun era, this is a great way to get the community psyched up about basketball and we likely saw a few future Bearcats playing over the weekend.”

— Jack Miner, Vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Cincinnati

What’s next

The CPS All-Star Showcase is expected to continue as an annual event, providing an opportunity for the University of Cincinnati to engage with the local community and support initiatives assisting families impacted by homelessness.

The takeaway

The CPS All-Star Showcase demonstrates how a university can leverage its resources and partnerships to create meaningful community impact. By hosting a high-profile basketball event, UC is able to not only showcase local student-athletes but also raise funds and awareness for important social causes, strengthening its ties to the broader Cincinnati region.