Not long ago, players like Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Vince Carter made the pilgrimage to West 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard to a court that is tiny in area, but large in cultural and historical significance. Worthen earned preseason All-American acclaim from Street & Smith's at Lane, was named a JUCO All-American in Texas and earned All-American acclaim at Marquette. But on the playgrounds, Archibald was known as "The Skate," the man who returned to Rucker every summer even after he made it to the big-time. Thats why that park is special. By Jay Pixel. Many of them., A Street Basketball Mecca Gets a Face-Lift, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/10/sports/basketball/rucker-park-renovation.html. Well give all the young men and women a weekend to remember, full of energy,competitionand fun. This past Friday, ONE37pm spoke with ReeCee Hollans, Global Grassroots Basketball Sports Marketing Manager about this groundbreaking deal. The city's most important sporting event of the summer was suddenly in the balance. ONE37pm: Thanks for chatting with us ReeCee! When you talk about the greatest forwards in high school history, you begin with The Hawk. He compared it to a junior varsity basketball player who wants to improve by playing against the varsity players. The March Madness-like tournament was founded by Jonathan Mugar, TBT's CEO and a film . Boys (Brooklyn, N.Y.) '58 Archibald returned to Rucker Park every summer, even after he had made it to stardom. Beginning in 1947, Rucker organized a tournament around Harlem for area players as a way to bond the community and give local kids an extracurricular activity. MAP: Did NYC Find A Hazardous Problem In Your Building This Week? It is geographically at the base of a large cliff named Coogan's Bluff. Rafer "Skip To My Lou" Alston HARLEM, NY The basketball court in Harlem's Rucker Park, where generations of players honed their skills but which has fallen into disrepair in recent years, will undergo a major refurbishment thanks to an intervention by the NBA players' union. Crews worked on the court starting in August, leveling the asphalt and installing black bleachers, a state-of-the-art scoreboard and N.B.A. Wilt Chamberlain software for managing & marketing your events. Archibald went the JUCO route and kept improving his game to the point where he was named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1996. What is TBT? Rucker Park is located in a neighborhood (Harlem) that has long been an African American cultural hub in New York as well as the flashpoint for multiple race riots that elucidated the simmering discontent of black New Yorkers tired of being treated as second class citizens. He didn't play big-time college ball, but Wilson was a big-time scorer and playmaker at John Jay College in the early 1980s. In the past, it's been stars like Joe Hammond, who scored 74 points in a game at Rucker in the 1970s. Since a Harlem teacher named Holcombe Rucker first formed a summer league at the park in 1950, the court, at 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, has helped shape the history of street basketball. [5], In June 2017, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio dedicated the court to Greg Marius, founder of the Entertainer's Basketball Classic streetball tournament held at the park. Over generations, the asphalt court honed its reputation as a siren calling and name-making mecca for soon-to-be N.B.A. Herman "Helicopter" Knowlings So the rumors of his Rucker Park debut echoed throughout the city's entire summer basketball community. It encouraged me to work even harder.. [1][4] The players in the Rucker Tournament featured slam dunks, crossover dribbles, and bravado that excited the crowd, a playing style then foreign to the National Basketball Association (NBA). Morrissey said the way he improved from a skills aspect, and gained the respect from players and fans, was officiating games as often as possible. Morris (Bronx, N.Y.) '87 In recent years, Wells said, some summer tournaments that used to come to the Harlem court have started to go elsewhere. Roberts visited Rucker Park after moving back to New York when she became the executive director of the players union in 2014. We dont care who you are, he said. We are blessed to have had the opportunity to lock in these partnerships. Youll see N.B.A. So when I think about Drew, I think about family and empowerment on and off the court. The EBC has a men . 4 Returns on August 20 at Rucker Park The SLAM Summer Classic is BACK. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. You got to earn it.. The game didnt get started at Rucker until 11 p.m. Many of the game's future pros tried to emulate the moves of "Black Jesus" -- the hesitation fakes and the famous 360-degree finger-rolls -- but few, if any, performed like him. And we have to be grateful to those (NBA) guys for coming here.. From Bria Janelle hosting and bringing the energy that she does, to the band, to the playersIts almost a little overwhelming. Rules, interpretations, mechanics, philosophies and other information may or may not be correct for the current year. Secondly, its one of the only outdoor venues where a league has three officials, shot clocks and NBA rules. But I felt a sense of accomplishment. While Gilbert said, Basketball is basketball and players play wherever, Morrissey and Mensah said there are some distinct variances when the game is played outside. Theyre older, theyre faster, theyre bigger and theyre stronger, said Will Mensah, another Rucker League referee who now officiates in the G League as well as small-college basketball. June Schedule 14 & under and Woman's Men's Men's 4:15PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM June 20 Monday N/A Men's Game Men's Game . Anyone can read what you share. Know someone who'd like Harlem news in their inbox? Dino, our founder, is a real family man. But only true basketball heads know he ran with the J.W. Nate "The Skate . Scott is one of the most accomplished players ever to roll through the Rucker. You may not be able to say one thing to one person that you could to another., Gilbert developed a slogan that he uses to promote the Pro-Am program. Official Facebook Site for the EBC (Entertainers Basketball Classic) street basketball league held at. Crews spent about two months renovating. These guys are out there playing for a lot, not only pride, but a chance to show their skills and improve their game., Morrissey noted the environment can toughen an official and actually contribute to working on your craft to become the best you can be.. In celebration of the official partnerships, adidas Basketball athletes James Harden, Anthony Edwards and Donovan Mitchell will debut each leagues partnership jersey ahead of this years summer league season. $ The Basketball Tournament played on the Marius Court at Rucker Park will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis! Holcombe Rucker, a Harlem school teacher, staged the first summer Rucker tournament in 1946. He's best known for hanging in the air. Slam Magazine even named Jackson the No. As Kevin Durant's Legendary Night At Rucker Park Turns 10, Brooklyn Nets Could Use 66 Points In Game 5 More From Forbes Jan 29, 2023,08:45pm EST As John Tavares Hits 1,000 Games, His Toronto. History. Rucker Park has been featured in lots of movies and television over the years. And the biggest thing is its for free. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The park leagues provide officials with the opportunity to referee players more mature than the high schoolers they officiate during the school season. There's a new sheriff in Harlem looking to rejuvenate the Entertainers Basketball Classic at famed Rucker Park Cordell Marius. Another play about New York Yankees, Bronx Bombers, started on Broadway on February 6, 2018 at the Circle in the. MackenzieMgbako, Gill St. Bernard School (Gladstone, NJ), Robert Dillingham,DondaAcademy (Simi Valley, CA), SimeonWilcher, Roselle Catholic HS (Roselle, NJ), Jared McCain, Centennial HS (Corona, CA), Judea Watkins, Sierra Canyon HS (Los Angeles, CA), Jadyn Donovan, Sidwell Friends School (Washington DC), Hannah Hidalgo, Paul VI HS (Haddonfield, NJ). Its a landmark in New York City. Established as a proving ground for amateurs and pros, as well as a portal to the neighborhood's own basketball dreamscape, Rucker Park Streetball League has endured and evolved with the game, showcasing basketball's best to step between the lines. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Cookie Settings. Rucker Park will also have second round games on Sunday and a Round of 16 matchup on Wednesday that will be televised in primetime on ESPN at 8 p.m. He died of cancer in 1965 before he turned 40. It needs the relationships and the connections with other brands and the support. Even more than his handle, Williams' biggest asset is confidence. Everything we send is officiating specific because that's all we do. Theres no set way to deal with people. Conrad "McNasty" McCrae The Rucker summer league, staged throughout Harlem, was a proving ground for top college and pro stars by the 1960s, and eventually came to call the courts at 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard home. Eastern District (Brooklyn, N.Y.) '65 Rucker Park is well-known for building the game of basketball, and some of the games most storied careers. Action in this summer's tournament gets started in the Omaha and Rucker Park regionals. Commerce (New York, N.Y.) '55 Sports achievements are always in need of reflection. If youre a hooper, your dream was to play at that park, said Corey Williams, who goes by the nickname Homicide and turned impressive performances at the Rucker and other playgrounds into a lengthy international professional career. As you mentioned to me earlier, AEBL games have an HBCU vibe to them, and its an experience. The players are different, the games are different. "That is THE place. Boys (Brooklyn, N.Y.) '60 Its just us today in the park. Rucker Park ribbon cutting Credit: Bill Moore photo This past Saturday at Rucker Park, located at 155th Street and Eighth Avenue in Harlem, an official celebration of its renovation and reopening . Such as:He got game, Above The Rim,Hallowed Ground. Greg Marius, a former hip-hop artist, revitalized the atmosphere by starting the Entertainers Basketball Classic in 1982. However, that summer eventually became the. subscribe to the email newsletter from Harlem Patch. February 12, 2018 - Soccer. During the Rucker Pro League in 1985, he averaged nearly 35 points per game. I hate to use that term, but Atlanta is truly the culture from music, to food, and even fashion. He had all the right moves on the court, and even though he didn't make all the right ones off it, he played a season in the ABA. BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Ex-Pats, the first team to highlight Patriot League men's basketball talent in the long-running summer event, have been selected as the No. These days, Rucker Park is best known as the site of the famous Entertainers Basketball Classic summer league, which features the top streetball talents in New York along with occasional celebrity cameos. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Adding family members helps ACTIVE find events specific to your family's interests. 2023 Active Network, LLC and/or its affiliates and licensors. Of course, like any game anywhere, they also think they can officiate, too. Although he didn't play high school basketball, Williams did earn his keep at Medgar Evans College in Brooklyn. McCrae had a history of arrythmia and died while running wind sprints on the first day of practice for the Orlando Magic's summer league team in 2000 at age 29. We have to be lenient to what is going on. Privacy Policy Everyone loves the game and wants to be part of it, Mensah said. players. [1] Many who have played at the park in the Entertainer's Basketball Classic (also known as the Rucker Tournament) achieved a level of fame for their abilities, and several have gone on to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Thegirlsgame will tip off at 5 p.m. and the boys game will tip off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022. Zarba, Kane Fitzgerald and Marat Kogut are three recent products of thePro-Am Referee Training and Development Programthat have made it all the way to the NBA. insights, ACTIVE Works is the race management Morant to miss two games after video with gun, Las Vegas prepared to give A's 'better opportunity', Richardson sets QB mark for vertical, broad jump, Curry, Iguodala probable to return vs. Lakers, Sources: Suns hiring Pistons' Bartelstein as CEO, Mbappe breaks PSG's all-time scoring record, Bruins stroll past Kane, Rangers, win 10th in row, Horns' Robinson: Versatility worthy of early pick, UFC 285 live results and analysis: Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane. Worthen even played two years in the NBA, but his real calling was on the playgrounds. A McDonald's All-American out of St. Ray's, Reid might be best remembered for the ridiculously extra-long shorts he wore at the University of Arkansas. For us this means family. I soon realized it could definitely become a career.. Williams took the hard road to streetball stardom. James "Fly" Williams He's also been putting in work at the Rucker ever since, earning the moniker as the most dangerous player in the EBC. Not since Shaq entered the league in 1992, did we have a first year player dominate the nightly highlights shows with so many memorable dunks. ONE37pm: What else do you want people to know about this partnership? The experience of officiating some of the NBA players increases the excitement level. I was nervous. He even had a regular spot on the Globetrotters' 1970s cartoon show. Could you just speak a little more about this partnership? This is where Bryant and Anthony played, while recent appearances have included NFL stars Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. Privacy Settings He didn't play in the League, but earned his nickname at the Entertainer's Basketball Classic up at Rucker. 3 seed in the Rucker Park Region for the 2022 The Basketball Tournament (TBT). players playing out there. Its paved the way for so many people, Williams said. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Downtown, the United Nations headquarters had gone dark. "It's cold, it's raining, we were sweating . . No matter, Monroe developed into one of the game's greatest guards under the tutelage of Clarence "Big House" Gaines at Winston-Salem State and at Philly's famed Baker League. You kind of learn about the players through the course of the game. His motto was "Each one, teach one" and the tournament further played into his mission of promoting education. Their son came up with the concept of the Drew Crew. Back home, however, the lefty point is better known for leading rapper Fat Joe's Terror Squad to three consecutive EBC titles in 2002-04, including the final one in which he led his team past a group featuring Cali standouts Baron Davis and Gilbert Arenas. I thought by officiating I could stay close to the game and keep in shape. The new black-and-gold court features a mural designed by ASAP Ferg, an artist and Harlem native, and produced by Set Free Richardson, an artist and filmmaker. Some occasional girls/juniors games start around 4pm. If you grew up in New York probably ever, but certainly in the 60s and 70s when I grew up, you could not help but understand what the Rucker meant to New York basketball, said Roberts, 63, now the executive director of the N.B.A. Rucker Park was featured in the TNT television film On Hallowed Ground: Streetball Champions of Rucker Park, which aired in 2000 and won a Sports Emmy Award. The EBC has a men's division which headlines the league, but it also has a high school league, and U15, U12 and U10 divisions. On this list, you'll find NBA icons, streetball legends and -- in some cases -- both. As a referee you have to learn how to argue and how to resolve issues, remarked Morrissey. Sam Worthen Holcombe Rucker expanded to after-school programs during the school year and formed the Pro Division in 1950. You are there to make sure the game is being played fair, Mensah said. TBT is a single-elimination basketball tournament where 64 teams compete for a $1 million prize. Teams play at Rucker Park during the summer before renovations. Careers He made his name and became famous, however, at the Rucker. He was an overlooked contributor at powerhouse Rice, but earned NJCAA All-American honors at Penn Valley Community College in Missouri. 16U, and 15U teams participate in The Circuit League this spring and summer? You get to talk with the other officials, whether its halftime or after the game, Mensah said. Its all part of the officiating learning curve. A prolific scorer, Kirkland had a legit high school and college rep, teaming with future NBA all-star Bob Dandridge at Norfolk State before being drafted by the Bulls in 1969. He's so revered the playground at 99th and Amsterdam in New York is named Goat Park. The park was renamed after him as the Holcombe Rucker Playground in 1974. It was automatic.. At least 500 people left the park to go to the Gauchos Gym across the bridge in the Bronx, Morrissey said. 4 areGatorade, Spalding, Def Jam, CLOT, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), Champs Sports,SHOWTIMEandNike. players learned through the decades that they could not just own the court by reputation alone. Erving played in the Rucker Park League back in the 1970s before the days of the nickname "Dr. J" and set the bar for many of the young, up-and-coming players. Officiating summer park-league games, like those held at legendary Holcombe Rucker Park in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, gives referees invaluable experiences, according to veteran official Terry Gilbert, director of the Pro-Am Referee Training and Development Program. Many players came to that park and got booed. Everyone is trying to put on a show, Mensah said. Probably the greatest high school player of all-time (sorry, LeBron), Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, led Power on a 71-game winning streak. One of the premier streetball leagues providing weekly access to some of not only the city's, but also the nation's brightest stars gracing the hardwood is, of course, the Rucker Park Entertainers Basketball Classic. or Its real success has been building a community. The renovation has meaning for him beyond just the return of celebrities and N.B.A. Rucker started a basketball tournament in 1950 in order to help less-fortunate kids stay off the streets and aim for college careers. From June 30-July 2, Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York will play host to a 16-team, invitation-only 17U bracket. The history of some men isn't evident until . From $2.24. The one thing everybody on this list has in common is that they regularly thrived on the most famous outdoor court in the world. Williams, now a commentator for the Australian National Basketball League, served as the M.C. Please see your Privacy Rights for how your information is used. If somebody asked me to go, I went, he said. You do the math to figure out how old he was beating guys half his age. The rail-thin, 5-foot-10 point guard had a 63-point outburst in 1986, a mark that was finally surpassed by Steve "The Saga Continues" Burtt Jr. in 2007 with a 68-point performance. Like Earl Manigault before him, Scott finished his high school days at Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina before Dean Smith recruited him as UNC's first African-American scholarship athlete. ONE37pm: Okay ReeCee we have a task for you. Over the last twenty years the event has . Nominate your program for the 2022 season. All-Star Baron Davis made sure to get some shots up on the court the evening before he played at Rucker Park, Gittens said. Laurinburg Institute (Laurinberg, N.C.) '66 But did you know Wilt also averaged 47.2 ppg his senior season at Overbrook? Reggie White Tournament Registration 2023 Theme by SiteOrigin Theme by SiteOrigin Jeffrey "Hannibal" Banks is hard to miss as he strolls onto the court every summer wearing his trademark round, oversized sunglasses and flowing robe. The JR Circuit will be debuting in January 2022. Greg Marius Court at Holcombe Rucker Park is a basketball court in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, at 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, just east of the former Polo Grounds site. Here's everything we know, The paths of KD and Kyrie: How one month changed three franchises and two superstar legacies, From bubble struggles to NCAA seed improvement, why these final weekend games matter, Transfer Talk: Barcelona circling as Man City tells Silva he can leave, Foden's return to form helps mask De Bruyne's troubles, Nelson sends Arsenal into euphoria with last-gasp winner over Bournemouth. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Joe "The Destroyer" Hammond Previous SLAM Summer Classic participants include NBA stars Jalen Green, James Wiseman, JonathanKuminga, Chet Holmgren, RJ Hampton, Josh Christopher, JalenSuggsand Cassius Stanley, as well as rising NCAA starsFlaujaeJohnson, Diamond Johnson, Kiki Rice and Angel Reese. Alson is the most famous playground player of the modern era, bar none. Entertainers Basketball Classic (EBC) founder Greg Marius can only recall one player he wishes would've graced the famed court within Rucker Park: Michael Jordan. The Texas native didn't play high school ball growing up in SoCal, but he was always practicing his craft. Basketball players at every level use the summer months to improve their skills on the court. Look for this banner for recommended activities. As an official, if theres a lot of jump shots, it makes life easier, he joked. ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. We won't send you spam. This is where Bryant and Anthony played, while recent appearances have included NFL stars Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. Roberts could not see over the heads of those who stacked the parks sidelines shoulder-to-shoulder. Can you break down what this adidas partnership means to each individual league? St. Raymond's (Bronx, N.Y.) '94 Copyright 2023 SLAM Media Inc. SLAM, SLAMTV, SLAM MEDIA and the SLAM logo are registered Kareen Abdul-Jabbar -Power Memorial (New York, NY) Class of 1965, Rafer Skip To My Lou Alston -Cardozo (Queens, NY), Class of 1994, Nate The Skate Archibald -Dewitt Clinton (Bronx, NY) Class of 1966, Wilt Chamberlin -Overbrook (Philadelphia, Pa) Class of 1955, Julius The Claw Erving commonly known as "Dr. J" -Roosevelt (Roosevelt, NY) Class of 1968, Joe The Destroyer Hammond -Taft (Bronx, NY), Connie The Hawk Hawkins -Boys (Brooklyn, NY) Class of 1960, Jumpin Jackie Jackson -Boys (Brooklyn, NY) Class of 1958, Richard Pee Wee Kirkland -Charles Evan Hughes (New York, NY) Class of 1964, Herman Helicopter Knowlings -Ben Franklin (Harlem, NY), Earl (The Goat) Manigault -Ben Franklin (Harlem, NY) Class of 1964, Conrad Mcnasty Mcrae -Brooklyn Tech (Brooklyn, NY) Class of 1989, Earl The Pearl Monroe -Bartram (Philadelphia, Pa) Class of 1962, Corey Homicide Williams -Rice (New York, NY) Class of 1995, Kareem Best Kept Secret Reid -St. Raymonds (Bronx, NY) Class of 1994, Charlie Scott -Laurinburg Institute (Laurinberg, NC) Class of 1966, James Fly Williams -Glen Springs Academy (Lakemont, NY) Class of 1972, James Speedy Williams -Morris (Bronx, NY) Class of 1987, Larry Bone Collector Williams -Pasadena (Pasadena, Calif). A 5-foot-7 showman with a wicked handle, Robertson helped Loyola of Chicago win the 1963 NCAA title. The history of Rucker began in 1950 when a New York City Department of Parks and Recreation worker named Holcombe Rucker took it upon himself to create a tournament to help kids realize their. You learn quickly how to deal with emotions and people. One of many streetball stars who attended Ben Franklin, 'Cop was better known for putting in work up at the Rucker. Having grown up in the city, Mensah is familiar with NYC park ball, where the games can get physical and tempers often flare. The renovations at the Rucker are personal for many NBA players, who have personal histories at the court, as well as for Roberts herself, who said her brothers took her to the park to shoot hoops while she was growing up in the South Bronx. That mystique may be gone. by AmNews Staff Reports March 2, 2017. Credit: Bill Moore. Partnering with SLAM to put on the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. What's even more amazing, though, is that Rucker Park has its own list of legends. Its much more difficult to constantly have plays that come right to the basket, Morrissey said. Bernard King, former all star for the New York Knicks once said, "When I was in 9th grade, I saw the Helicopter, with my own two eyes, pick a quarter off the top of the backboard to win a bet, and I was in complete shock," Knowlings never played professional basketball and was killed in a car accident at the age of 37. Officiating summer park-league games, like those held at legendary Holcombe Rucker Park in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, gives referees invaluable experiences, according to veteran official Terry Gilbert, director of the Pro-Am Referee Training and Development Program. But the court, widely known as "the Rucker," has seen better days: its pavement is cracking, its gates are missing and broken, and its bleachers were damaged by a recent winter storm, Parks Department officials told a Harlem community board this month. "When I was in 9th grade, I saw the Helicopter, with my own two eyes, pick a quarter off the top of the backboard to win a bet, and I was in complete shock," said former NBA all-star Bernard King. In his five years of officiating at Rucker Park, Morrissey has officiated games with the likes of NBA stars Durant, J.R. Smith and David Lee, to name a few. career, matched against Adrian Walton, better known as Whole Lotta Game. He did a lot more than that, however, also serving as a mentor to a young streetball prodigy named Nate "The Skate" Archibald and playing for the Harlem Globetrotters. Were so excited to bring it to the legendary Rucker Park and give these athletes an authentic NYC hoops experience, says Les Green, CEO of SLAM Media Inc. SLAM is all about celebrating the game of basketball as well as the culture surrounding the game. The land that the park is on was once the site of the 8th Avenue Railroad Company. 5 dunker of all-time, behind guys named Doc, Dominique, Jordan and Vince Carter. Please try again. Find Camps & Activities for your Active Kids, Basketball Workouts to Increase Explosiveness. Julius "The Claw" Erving Street ball, a basketball Sticker. VENUE MARIUS COURT AT HOLCOMBE RUCKER PARK W. 155 St., 8 Ave. To Harlem River Drive, Neighborhood Plgd By doing this we want to foster a harmonious atmosphere (at the games).. It has also played host to legendary face-offs between amateurs from the neighborhood and stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Julius Irving. Jamar Jones, whose nickname is Papa, was anticipating playing on the renovated court after its reopening Saturday. Success! Rucker Park typographic word cloud basketball shape design Sticker. Following his death, two protgs - Bob McCullough and Fred Crawford (both drafted by NBA teams) - created the Rucker Pro League, a competition among professionals held in the park each summer. The Bronx native is a one-on-one specialist and can defend players of all sizes. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Along with being home of a more flashy game of streetball, Rucker Park is also charmed by fast-talking MCs who call the action, make fun of bad play, and come up with nicknames for great players that often stick around forever. Officiating at Rucker Park has allowed Gilbert, Morrissey and Mensah the chance to work alongside and learn from current NBA referees. For one, the park features a wooden court as opposed to concrete or asphalt. Veterans: Wilt Chamberlain, Julius "The Doctor" Erving, Connie Hawkins, Joe "Destroyer" Hammond, Tiny Archibald . From $1.63. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar If you get the chance, check out some of the videos on the internet. Kareem "Best Kept Secret" Reid You can keep up with all of the latest updates with this announcement via adidas. After all, this is entertainment for a lot of these fans, Gilbert remarked. This annual summer youth league has been instrumental in developing young players, and cultivating academic growth and community building. Rucker Park via YouTube Located at 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem, N.Y., Holcombe Rucker Park is famous for churning out some of the greatest basketball talents in. Richard "Pee Wee" Kirkland (Officials) get to see the size, speed, quickness and skills of players who have pro-like ability.. You can feel the energy in the crowd, said Mensah, who has refereed in games that included NBA pros Kemba Walker, Metta World Peace (Ron Artest), Lance Stevenson, Nick Young and Durant. Is refereeing a game outdoors different than one thats played in a gym or stadium? Wells recalled that in 2011, Kevin Durant made an appearance at Rucker Park during the N.B.A.s lockout and amassed 66 points in a memorable performance.