Fan absence baffles visitors, vendors
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Tip-Off Celebration wasn't much of a celebration as few people came out to attend the festivities at the Pan American Plaza Thursday. To kick off the 11-day 2002 World Basketball Championships, an opening ceremony was planned. While bands performed and celebrities made appearances, there was a noticeable lack of fan interest and most obvious was that hardly any U.S. fans were found milling around outside the RCA Dome.

