WASHINGTON, D.C. – The No. 10/10 Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team has been selected to join the field for the 2020 Paradise Jam located in Washington, D.C. this week. The Royals replace Northeastern University which had to pull out of the competition due to the school's postponement of Winter sports until December.
 
NCAA Division I institutions Belmont University, George Mason University and Howard University round out the four-team field for the tournament that is typically played the week of Thanksgiving each year in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"We are thrilled to host Queens University of the South Atlantic Conference in Washington, DC this year," said Paradise Jam Executive Director Nels Hawkinson. "While it is unfortunate that Northeastern will not be participating, we developed a contingency plan to account for any withdrawals and ensure a safe and successful DC Paradise Jam. We were able to tap a list of replacement teams ready to compete in accordance with all health and safety protocols. Within 18-hours, Queens University mobilized their resources to compete in the DC Paradise Jam and we are excited to host their student-athletes and staff."
 
"We would like to thank Nels and his staff with the DC Paradise Jam for having faith in us through this gauntlet. We would especially like to thank Queens President, Daniel Lugo, Athletic Director Cherie Swarthout, SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz, and our ATC Brandon Johnson for their hard work in making this happen," said Queens Head Coach Bart Lundy. "We put the student athletes and their experience first in these decisions and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to compete in this prestigious tournament."
 
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the tournament moved to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Nov. 26-28. All members of the tournament - players and staff - will have to follow comprehensive COVID-19 protocols created by local DC health officials.

Being a late addition, Queens needed to quickly test all of its players for COVID-19 within 72 hours of arrival per tournament protocol. Due to existing relationships and proximity, the Charlotte Hornets jumped in to assist Queens with rapid PCR testing, getting results in less than two hours.
 
With assistance from the Charlotte Hornets and Novant Health as well as UNC-Charlotte, Queens University was able to administer a PCR COVID-19 test to each member of the travel party per tournament protocol within 72-hours of their departure.
 
"We would like to thank the Hornets and the UNC-Charlotte coaching staff for their help to find a testing solution, along with the Novant Health professionals," said Coach Lundy. "I'd like to thank our Director of Athletics, University President, Conference Commissioner and the South Atlantic Conference Presidents Council for approving this exemption to our scheduling."
 
"We're so thankful for Queens University administration, as well as the South Atlantic Conference for being so flexible and adapting to what has been a truly unprecedented situation," said Paradise Jam Tournament Director Jenn Ashby. "This also wouldn't be possible without the help of our event partner, Events DC, and medical advisory group, MedStar Health, for ensuring this would be within health and safety protocol."

 
This season there will not be a traditional bracket. All teams will play each other once and the team at the top of the standings will be crowned champion. For more updates visit paradisejam.com and follow Paradise Jam on social media.

Below is the schedule for the 2020 Paradise Jam:
 
Thurs. Nov. 26
 
George Mason vs. Queens, 2:00 p.m. ET
Howard vs. Belmont, 5:00 p.m. ET
 
Fri. Nov. 27
 
Belmont vs. George Mason, 2:00 p.m. ET
Queens vs. Howard, 5:00 p.m. ET
 
Sat. Nov. 28
 
Queens vs. Belmont, 12:00 p.m. ET
George Mason vs. Howard, 3:00 p.m. ET
 
This event will be the first game for each team on the college basketball season. Games will be available to stream on ESPN3.