You want to get a park packed, call the lord of the rings. Kobe Bryant is the first man in streetball history to be escorted to his game with secret service as you can see in the beginning of the video, I brought this video up wondering why has the number of NBA players playing in our tournament’s have depleted drastically. We saw Yi, Jaric & Sebastien at Pro City this year but no one was really impressed, Ron Artest showed his face maybe once this year due to it being the contract year for him so we cant knock his hustle but remember once upon a time in NYC Shawn Marion, Baron Davis, Steve Francis, Allen Iverson etc etc would grace our courts with there talent, it’s time for the next generation of NBA players to stop being scared and walk into the mecca.
The 4th annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 event, and it was an event indeed, was off the hook! First of all, anytime you put the top twenty-four high school ballers in the country on one court you’re bound to witness some quality hoops. But they weren’t gathered on just any court. They were gathered in the mecca: NYC. The hallowed grounds of Rucker Park, no less; however, due to poor weather conditions the game was actually moved to Gaucho’s Gym in the BX – the court that Stephon Marbury, Ed Pinckney, Sebastian Telfair, Rod Strickland and so many others have played on. Read More »
Yes, the Boost Mobile Elite 24 HS All-American Game would’ve been fresher if it didn’t rain and the classic went down outside in Rucker Park. More importantly, it would’ve been liver as Gauchos Gym unfortunately couldn’t accomodate all the family, fans, and friends that showed up to watch. For those who couldn’t get in, or perhaps didn’t make at all, peep the below highlights thanks to www.hoopsmixtape.com, particularly Doron Lamb (who I nicknamed “Smooth Criminal”) to Roscoe Smith (a.k.a. “Sco Da Show) at :55, and then Josh Selby (who EJ Da Mayor was calling “The Highlight”) catchin’ one on Kendall Marshall (who I blessed with “The Wonderful Wizard” although it didn’t stick) at 1:20! You won’t be dissappointed!
Check back with us for a more full post about the game from Jon Lopez real soon.
The Boost Mobile Elite 24 HS All-American Game comes to Rucker Park again tonight Friday, August 21, 7pm, and those who witnessed the practice yesterday know full well it’s gonna be ON!
Kevin Couliau Photo
The kids were playing D, which is unusual in all-star contests. They were also having fun. In the four years of announcing the event, I’ve never seen a group joke around with each other and smile after the game as much as this year’s crop. A lot of them were asking me, “You gonna give me a nickname, right?” Only if they deserve one! Cats that super-impressed seeing them for the first time were Kendall Marshall, CJ Leslie, Kyrie Irving, Roscoe Smith and Harrison Barnes. Doron Lamb Read More »
Over ten former Elite 24 participants are now playing in the NBA, so understand the level of comp. I’ve had a lot of fun announcing the game since it’s inaugural year in 2006, and was recently asked by ESPN to list my ten favorite nicknames I’ve come up in the first three years (that I can remember at least!)
Lance Stephenson aka “Born Ready”: Lance was killing at EBC, Kingdome, and other men’s tournaments before he even stepped into the gym at Lincoln HS. Born Ready was the best way I could describe his game, simple as that!
“Make’em Fall” John Wall a.k.a. “Ammo”: Make’em Fall came naturally Read More »
(Monday, August 10th) They call him the “Don Corleone of Streetball.” In a match-up of veteran coaches, Bingo and his All-Stars battled James Ryan’s Prime Time in the first game of the playoffs for the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic for the summer of 2009. The score was neck and neck with each team exchanging leads throughout the first half. By halftime, the numbers did not lie: 44 even. Antawn “Anti-Freeze” Dobie and Yatta Gaines were going at each other in a duel. Both could not be stopped! Anti-Freeze relentlessly drove the lane and Yatta was Read More »
This week starts the playoffs so come to the park and grab a seat because these teams will be going full force! Also, if you have not watched a youth game, the kids are definitely on their way to becoming the next generation of ballers. Check them out before the men’s games if you can:
(Wednesday, August 5th) AH-HAA! Rapper Jadakiss, who hails from Yonkers, NY, was in the park to support his squad – Team 914 – as they squared off in the night cap against the defending EBC champions – Sean Bell All-Stars in a game taped on MSG-TV with a packed crowd. Team 914 jumped out the gate and Read More »
