Straight outta Compton… Richmond (CA) is no Compton…it’s worse and not getting better anytime soon! According to CQ Press City Crime Rankings 2008-2009, Richmond hones the sixth highest crime rate (out of 215 cities in the US) for cities with populations of 100,000 to 499,000. The competition on the blacktop must be tough!
Through hard work, determination, and a focus that hails from the playgrounds, Clyde Harvey Weems, has earned his stripes on the concrete. Although born in Akron (Ohio), he has been raised as a product of the tough city of Richmond (California).
Photo: Arron Andrews @ Sandlot Studios
At 32 years old, he shares his experiences from college to a coast-to-coast journey that puts the rags to riches success stories to shame. Read More »
Nike reps, Bounce familia and the fans of NYC summer ball had waited for this day the way Lil’ Dez does when he sits outside Kobe and LeBron’s apartment– uncontrollably bopping around in excitement, just waiting to see their heroes.
The 1 train, The Village, Hunter College and Harlem World have all been watching and waiting to crown the team of the summer. After months of players getting after it on all surfaces in all locations, the city finally got its wish this weekend. Read More »
(Sunday, August 16th) The championship day marked the 5th anniversary of the passing of Joe “Pops” Cruz. It was a memorable one as Pops 5 Legacy, a team created in honor of the Hoops in the Sun founder, took on Team 914 in the championship game at Orchard Beach in the Bronx. A moment of silence was held before the start of the game. People, hoop-heads and beach goers alike, took to the stands, along the sidelines, and by the main entrance for a packed game. MCs Bobby C and G-Stacks announced the commentary and in-game analysis of situations, players, and teams. Read More »
James Ryan’s Prime Time has battled to the EBC Finals 2009 by defeating top seeded in their division Angie Martinez, 91-80 thanks to patience and a supporting cast of players, while Coach Sean Oliver’s Team 914 survived a triple-overtime thriller against Hustle Hard (aka Brooklyn’s X-Men) and a close ten point victory over Coach Rah’s Sean Bell All-Stars at Gauchos Gym in the Bronx.
Photo: Casey Lee
Both teams had contrasting seasons as Team 914 claimed the best record in the regular season compared to Prime Time’s sub-.500 record. Miguel “Miles High” Milien and Yatta Gaines lead the way for Prime Time versus a stacked Team 914 with Torey “Stix” Thomas, Aaron “The Problem” Williams, former Providence guard Donnie McGrath, and St. John’s alum big man Kyle Cuffe to name a few.
Photo: Casey Lee
So, who take the chip tonight at 8:00pm tonight? The patient team with role players or the squad that rolls deep? It should be exciting as both sides play hard-nosed defense in addition to high-energy offense.
Get your seat early as security will be tight and seats will be limited!
After leaving a youth playoff game for the Entertainers Basketball Classic at Rucker Park, I walked down 8th Avenue in Harlem and noticed this:
Photo: Casey Lee
The asphalt mark signifies that the Nike Tournament of Champions (TOC) is coming to the Big Apple next Saturday at GOAT Park located on 99th & Amsterdam! Are you going to be there?
In your opinion, who will be the player to watch at the TOC and why do you think so?
(Friday, August 14th) — Team Bad Boy, also known as the X-Men, led 49-40 against Dancy Power with the legendary MC Duke Tango calling the game. Also, others in attendance included Fat Joe & Co. as well as Harlem’s own streetball legend Ron “Terminator” Mathias who was officiating the game.
For Bad Boy, or Brooklyn’s X-Men, Tommie Gunz came lighting it up with a crazy reverse lay-up to capture a 26-17 lead early in the game. At 5:30 in the first half, Bad Boy built the lead up to ten points but Dancy Power started roaring back. The Kareem “Best Kept Secret” Reid to Jazz “Total Package” Mansell connection kept Dancy in the game by cutting Bad Boy’s lead to six points with 2:00 left. By halftime, the game started to receive more AHHHs and claps than all the ladies who walked into the park in front of the crowd of streetball-hungry men! AHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhHHHHHHHaaaaa!!! Read More »
NEW YORK, AUGUST 11, 2009 – New York City, a city with a reputation for producing some of the greatest professional and streetballers in the world, and Orchard Beach, considered one of the city’s sexiest venues for playground basketball, will combine to once again host Hoops in the Sun Playoffs 2009, the tenth installment of Hoops in the Sun playoff basketball where players become great – and stars become legends.
The first round of the Hoops in the Sun Playoffs 2009 will begin at Read More »
