If you love basketball and you haven’t caught the Conrad McRae Youth League at Dean St. Park (Brooklyn), your summer ain’t complete. Besides the fact that two years ago you would have seen a 8th grader named Lance Stevenson do his thing, and future Thomas Jefferson HS player Keith Spelman go nuts above the rim, this is the true definition of a b-ball community. From the OG’s Ron, Mingo, Sam and Wop that still get there game on, to Anton and Silk that make sure order is maintained, you can’t help but to notice the spirit of family here.
These kids are do things that pre-highschoolers shouldn’t be. Coaches teach the game because they want to see it played right. Combine that with the natural ability of most of the kids (and the heart of Brooklyn in them) and you got some of the best games in NYC.
For the latest schedule check out:
http://www.cbm13.com/index.html
And make it a point to come to Family Day on August 4th!
July 22nd, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Sean Couch says:
Stan, our Bounce bloggers need to know the name of 23 white demonstrating elevation at a young age.
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:05 am
Stanley Lumax says:
#23 white is Thomas Jefferson highschool’s Keith Spelman.
July 23rd, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Question says:
Great pictures. Where exactly is the park? I live uptown but want to check it out.
July 23rd, 2007 at 3:36 pm
darryl brown says:
this should help- Located at Dean Street Park Playground on Bergen Street between Carlton and 6th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. And if you want to see some of the past all star and other games you should check out WWW.gametape.com
July 23rd, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Bobbito says:
And for those of you who don’t know who Conrad McCrae is:
“McNasty” was a standout big man at Brooklyn Tech HS, Syracuse U., EBC @ Rucker Park and many other outdoor tournaments. I had the pleasure of being his United Brooklyn teammate only once at a game in the East Orange Pro-Am. He told me, “whatever finger i stick out on my hip, just throw the lob in that direction.” next play, he puts out his left thumb. man on his other side, i alley from 25 feet out and BA-KOOW! i felt like i flushed it myself. he was cool peoples. easy to see footage of him, just pick up And 1 Mixtape Vol. 1. He’s the one blocking everybody’s shots and catching tomas left and right on the squad with black shirts that was playing against Skip.
He was close to getting his shot in the NBA, but unfortunately passed. May he rest in peace, and shout out to those at Dean St. keeping his name alive . . .
July 24th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Moses Townsend says:
I LOVE DEAN STREET! Saturday mornings was my favorite run for about 5 years in the mid-90s. There was this light-skinned bowlegged cat who was a monster. One of my top playground monents was a game-winner on him from 20 with the wait for next about 2 weeks long. Stan, keep doing your thing with the photos!