Milwaukee Bucks' Math Hoops tournament teaches math through basketball

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Bucks and the NBA are recognizing high-achievers in the classroom.

The annual NBA Math Hoops tournament happened at Fiserv Forum Tuesday night.

The basketball-based board game is designed for 4th through 8th grade students.

It's essentially a game of basketball, but participants have to use math to progress. 

Tuesday's event was the final of the season, and featured the best young minds in the state.

One player said she may not have come in first place, but the game has made her a better student.

"Even though we lost the first one, it was fun because I got to meet new people and learn different tricks," said 8th grader Imani Hall-Kneemiller.

Statistics from the NBA show a 35 percent average improvement in math scores for students that play. 

This was the event's fourth year.