International Basketball Comes to Fresno: Armenia vs. Costa Rica

Sports

By David Taub, Senior Reporter

Published 2 days ago on

June 4, 2025

The national basketball teams of Armenia and Costa Rica will play Friday night at Fresno City College. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Armenia’s Olympic basketball dreams runs through Fresno.

The national teams from Armenia and Costa Rica will meet at Fresno City College on Friday in an exhibition game.

Armenia vs. Costa Rica

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Fresno City College gym

The game is billed as the Jerry Tarkanian Classic — named after the legendary basketball coach of Armenian descent who played and coached at Fresno State.

Armenia hopes to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.

Team Armenia Head Coach Rex Kalamian said the game “is a tremendous opportunity for our Armenian and Latin communities to see their national teams in action and personally connect with the players.

“What makes this event even more special is the chance to honor Coach Jerry Tarkanian and recognize his tremendous impact on the game and the Central Valley,” Kalamian said.

Kalamian is an assistant coach with the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.

The Armenian team is led by Chris Jones, a Texan with several years of international experience.

FIBA ranks Armenia 91st in the world and Costa Rica 74th.

Tipoff is Friday at 7 p.m. at the Fresno City College gym. Tickets can be found here.

The teams will also meet Sunday in La Crescenta.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

DON'T MISS

Trump Compares Russia and Ukraine to Children Fighting

DON'T MISS

Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move

DON'T MISS

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

DON'T MISS

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

DON'T MISS

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

DON'T MISS

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

DON'T MISS

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

UP NEXT

Trump Compares Russia and Ukraine to Children Fighting

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move

UP NEXT

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

UP NEXT

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

UP NEXT

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

UP NEXT

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

UP NEXT

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

UP NEXT

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

David Taub,

Senior Reporter

Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email