RUCKER PARK STREETBALL LEAGUE Schedule June 14 - August 29, 2021 NEW YORK, New York Info Schedule Teams Venues Documents Travel/Lodging Download the Tri-State Classic / Jordan Brand App Click on a division below or search for a team to view the schedule. For those who saw him play with the St. Louis Spirits, it was a memorable experience -- just like those that saw him at Rucker, the Hole in Brownsville or any other street court. The NBA legend didn't suit up . I career didn't go exactly as planned, Homicide still drew the interest of NBA scouts. What's even more amazing, though, is that Rucker Park has its own list of legends. Lenny Cooke - Wikipedia 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. We dont care where you from. DeWitt Clinton (Bronx, N.Y.) '61 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. Copyright Policy You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. At a shade under 6-foot-5, Jackson was one of the game's first great leapers. He's also been putting in work at the Rucker ever since, earning the moniker as the most dangerous player in the EBC. Since 1980, Rucker Park Streetball League has been the basketball Mecca of NYC's Harlem community. Nominate your program for the 2022 season. 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. While not everyone can referee Rucker Park League games, there are summer leagues across the country where officials can gain valuable knowledge and experience. Tommy Morrissey, who travels all over the country officiating major college games as well as the NBA G League, has been refereeing at Rucker Park for five years. Kevin came to the park and brought along Jason Williams (former NBA first-round draft pick of the Chicago Bulls and current ESPN analyst) and some other pros to play against the Sean Bell All-Stars, the best team in the city, he said. Every game and every person is different. 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. As you mentioned to me earlier, AEBL games have an HBCU vibe to them, and its an experience. History. trademarks of Slam Media Inc. All rights reserved. | Rucker Community Web Site There was an error submitting your subscription. adidas Partners With Rucker Park, Drew League and AEBL - ONE37pm The game didnt get started at Rucker until 11 p.m. Williams, now a commentator for the Australian National Basketball League, served as the M.C. [18][19], Rucker Park in 2008, with Frederick Douglass Boulevard at left, Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 02:43, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, "Holcombe Rucker Playground Highlights - Greg Marius Court: NYC Parks", "A Street Basketball Mecca Gets a Face-Lift", "How The Basketball Tournament Landed Harlem's Famed Rucker Park As Its First Outdoor Venue", "Empty Garden: Why did New York stop growing basketball stars? Officiating at Rucker Park has allowed Gilbert, Morrissey and Mensah the chance to work alongside and learn from current NBA referees. 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. Copyright 2023 SLAM Media Inc. SLAM, SLAMTV, SLAM MEDIA and the SLAM logo are registered Rucker Park, in her estimation, looked decrepit, with the blacktop cracked and uneven and the bleachers in disarray. insights, ACTIVE Works is the race management 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. This place is very legendary in the urban community. InsideHoops.com - Rucker Park Schedule Anyone can read what you share. NBA Players At Rucker Park - Sports Illustrated We have to be lenient to what is going on. A McDonald's All-American at Brooklyn Tech, McCrae was the No. Gilbert was playing in one of the New York area pro-am leagues when official Tom Washington, who has worked in the NBA for more than 27 years, said something to him following a game that stuck. 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. Holcombe Rucker Park (New York City) - Tripadvisor The EBC goes until late August. Rucker is more than a hoops heaven--it's also a city-maintained park that has a children's playground, a baseball field, handball courts and other perks. Free Street Basketball at Famous NYC Basketball Courts It is the first time in TBT's nine-year. For us this means family. Find out about free street basketball in NYC, including locations and schedules for streetball at West 4th, Rucker Park, Dyckman Park, and Orchard Beach. This isnt something that we want to do only during the summer, we want the impact to be year-round. Winners will advance to the quarterfinals at the University of Dayton . Everybody wanted it.. NBA players' union to help renovate court at Rucker Park - ESPN For Jones, a 16-year-old resident of Harlem, its still just his home park, the one he has played at ever since he can remember. Adding family members helps ACTIVE find events specific to your family's interests. Pasadena (Pasadena, Calif.) 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. He died of cancer in 1965 before he turned 40. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. From June 30-July 2, Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York will play host to a 16-team, invitation-only 17U bracket. For us, Drew League, Rucker Park, and AEBL were no-brainers because they are legendary summer basketball leagues. The joining of forces between adidas Basketball and the hallowed leagues will further illustrate their shared commitment to providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities to underrepresented and aspiring players while adding unique access to the adidas brand. 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. The game began, but afternoon showers postponed it for 4 hours making it the first rain delay in TBT history. Please try again. Its stressful. Admission is free, and each night there is potential to watch professional, college and high school players hone their skills. Holcombe Rucker for the Basketball Hall of Fame - ABC News He's so revered the playground at 99th and Amsterdam in New York is named Goat Park. 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. Taft (Bronx, N.Y.) Streety has an appropriate last name for a streetball legend and he's another who put in work with the Harlem Globetrotters. Earl "The Goat" Manigault A lot of these (fans) dont have the chance or the means to go to the (Madison Square) Garden (to see top-flight basketball)., The crowd is interesting because you often have fans there who are not biased to one team, like when you do a college game, Mensah said. All rights reserved. The National Basketball Players Association is donating $360,000 to revitalize Harlem's historic Rucker Park. In New York City, the arrival of the summer season guarantees a few things, including some of the best and most exciting streetball around. Referee, the worlds original sports officiating magazine, educates, challenges and inspires officials at all levels. Nobody drew a crowd like the Doctor and he was the player all playground legends were judged against. He would sometimes roll through Rucker to rep the City of Brotherly Love, often with spectacular results. Have a team in the 14U-8U age groups? 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. Cookie Settings. Harlem's Historic Rucker Park To Be Revitalized By NBPA - NewsOne Holcombe Rucker expanded to after-school programs during the school year and formed the Pro Division in 1950. 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. Julius Erving and the rappers Fat Joe and ASAP Ferg spoke at the parks reopening after renovations. Privacy Policy Trust me. A History of Rucker Park: The True Mecca of Basketball - Complex He made his name and became famous, however, at the Rucker. There's a new sheriff in Harlem looking to rejuvenate the Entertainers Basketball Classic at famed Rucker Park Cordell Marius. NYCHoops - Legendary Rucker Park Reopens - Rivals 22.6k Followers, 805 Following, 473 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from EBC at Rucker Park (@ebcruckerpark) You have to be strong, you have to communicate and you have to be good. For one, the park features a wooden court as opposed to concrete or asphalt. There he played on the same team as Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford and Sebastian Telfair. You cant get that for free basically nowhere else like that.. Cordell is the nephew of the late Greg Marius, who ran Rucker . Over the last five years, he worked 65-70 games a summer. [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. Jay-Z, Fat Joe, and the Greatest Game That Never Was You have to let them know why you made a certain call. 3 seed in the Rucker Park Region for the 2022 The Basketball Tournament (TBT). From $2.24. When the pros are involved, the park draws huge crowds and wild responses. Sports achievements are always in need of reflection. But the stars returned, and not just on the court. ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. CEO's and brothers Joe Jr., and Randy Cruz host a Pro-Am Men's League with NBA and former college standouts opening day July 3rd. 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. Frank "Shake N' Bake" Streety A post shared by SLAM HIGH SCHOOL (@slam_hs). "At a very young age, [I] learned to appreciate how the Rucker is essentially holy ground," Roberts said. They recognize good players, good coaches and they recognize good referees.. Recently, it's players like Corey "Homicide" Williams, who made a huge name for himself during the early 2000s and later went on to play professionally overseas. Glen Springs Academy (Lakemont, N.Y.) '72 Rucker Park 2022 - TBT & TST - The Basketball Tournament Rules, interpretations, mechanics, philosophies and other information may or may not be correct for the current year. KD did not take the game lightly. You got to earn it. 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. There is a reason one of the squads for the Boost Mobile Elite 24 is named in his honor: "The Goat" is arguably the most well known streetball legend of all-time. They just want to see a good basketball game., The people in New York City know all the facets of good basketball, added Morrissey. However, that summer eventually became the. 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. The Texas native didn't play high school ball growing up in SoCal, but he was always practicing his craft. 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. Rucker does a good job with security, but theres always that element when youre officiating a game.. A basketball paradise is just a block away. [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). Are you sure you want to delete this family member? Academic problems almost ended Archibald's career before it even started but he got it together and in 1996 was named to the NBA's top 50 players list. 'Slutty Vegan' Will Open Much Anticipated Harlem Joint Next Week, Espaillat Announces Community Project Funding, Urges Orgs to Apply, Program For Harlem Entrepreneurs Could End With $16K Prize: See How, Unlock Your True Potential- From Feeling Cursed to Confident In 6 Weeks, NYC AI Summer Camp for Middle School Students. 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. Redone and re-opened, Rucker Park carries on its legacy Many of them., A Street Basketball Mecca Gets a Face-Lift, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/10/sports/basketball/rucker-park-renovation.html. The notion that the park would be in any state of disrepair is a heartbreaker to me, she said. Harlem's Famed Rucker Court To Be Revamped Thanks To NBA Players Herman "Helicopter" Knowlings The history of some men isn't evident until . We won't send you spam. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. What can they expect when they go to a game this summer? ABOUT - The Rucker We also want to offer the fans an insight into basketball officiating. players union, checked in on the progress. Chris Rucker, Holcombe Ruckers grandson, said that the park is a symbol and reference point to what my grandfather did and what he accomplished over the years, so without a basketball court in good working order, the legacy wouldnt be complete., He added, Rucker Park is as much a part of the Harlem community as the Apollo Theater.. 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. The Bronx native is a one-on-one specialist and can defend players of all sizes. Roberts said that the renovation would also extend the legacies of those who brought fame to the park and court. Remembering When Vince Carter became a Rucker Park legend by shutting They often do so by playing in as many games that they can, be it pick-up, AAU or park league. Elite 24: Rucker Park legends - ESPN Such as:He got game, Above The Rim,Hallowed Ground. The former N.B.A. Underneath the 155th Street bridge is Rucker Park, quite possibly the most famous playground in basketball. 5 dunker of all-time, behind guys named Doc, Dominique, Jordan and Vince Carter. Rucker died at 39 of cancer in 1965. Sometimes when youre outside theres an issue of security, Morrissey noted. Dr. J producing TV series based on Rucker Park book 'Asphalt Gods' Its iconic. 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. Laurinburg Institute (Laurinberg, N.C.) '66 We give you the best playground basketball courts in America. A star at Boys when a frail 10th-grader named Connie Hawkins toiled on the bench, Jackson went on to success at Virginia Union and with the Harlem Globetrotters. That June, Mayor Bill de Blasio named Rucker Parks basketball court the Greg Marius Court. 35 was retired by Austin Peay State University -- a long overdue gesture after twice leading APSU to the NCAA tournament and putting Clarksville, Tenn., on the map. NBA icons of yesteryear frequently played at Rucker, names like Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. ONE37pm: What else do you want people to know about this partnership? You get the idea what kind of mood the player is in. [7] In addition to the basketball court, the park has a baseball field, handball courts, children's playground, bathrooms, and a spray shower.[3]. 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. 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. 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. Its real success has been building a community. Holcombe Rucker, a Harlem school teacher, staged the first summer Rucker tournament in 1946. Holcombe Rucker, a playground director, established a youth basketball league and summer tournament nearly 70 years ago to keep children away from temptation even as others warned him to. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Over generations, the asphalt court honed its reputation as a siren calling and name-making mecca for soon-to-be N.B.A. 4 will take place at the famed Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, NY. . The team was one of the best to ever play at . Another member suggested that the union also fund renovations to Rucker Park's playground and landscaping, which are also in disrepair. James "Fly" Williams Best Playground Basketball Courts in America | Legends Blog - Legends Join Active Rucker Park - The true Mecca of basketball - Old school style Sticker. As a freshman, Fly pumped in 29.4 ppg his first season and 27.5 in his second season before turning pro. Rucker mentored children, building a program from scratch, always keeping his busy schedule in his pocket. The 2022 grassroots basketball season is inching closer - and the upcoming circuit should finally see some return to normalcy - as all three shoe brands (Nike, adidas, Under Armour) expect to field full schedules during the live-recruiting periods. Roberts could not see over the heads of those who stacked the parks sidelines shoulder-to-shoulder. NOW LIVE: The Circuit's 2022 Event Schedule - The Season Ticket [2] The land that the park is on was once the site of the 8th Avenue Railroad Company. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The one thing everybody on this list has in common is that they regularly thrived on the most famous outdoor court in the world. Just like the players, summer basketball in the parks is where the good officials become better. 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. Sign In, Join Active With thousands of fans in attendance and thousands of dollars on the line, the teams arrived at Rucker Park with the city experiencing its biggest blackout since 1977. Construction will last about 10 weeks, starting Aug. 16 and running through October. What is The Basketball Tournament? Rucker Park served as the first 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. I stopped playing ball and I wanted to stay in shape but I didnt have the discipline to just go out and run by myself. Invite them to subscribe to Harlem Patch. Youre dealing with people with multiple emotions, he said. It wasnt like he was off. custom baskets donated by Spalding. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Every play is life or death for these guys.. He then moved on to Alabama State, and even though his Div. Rucker Park - Harlem, New York. and/or its affiliates and licensors. You can keep up with all of the latest updates with this announcement via adidas. Could you just speak a little more about this partnership? You would think this was video for a movie, because every time he came down, they made sure he got the ball, and he was just firing it from way beyond the 3-point line, Wells said. Rucker Park definitely represents history. EBC Rucker Park | New York NY - Facebook Alson is the most famous playground player of the modern era, bar none. Its something that needs to be preserved, Williams said. From marketing exposure to actionable data Worthen even played two years in the NBA, but his real calling was on the playgrounds. Roberts visited Rucker Park after moving back to New York when she became the executive director of the players union in 2014. All told, the work will "reestablish the court as a state-of-the-art basketball venue," the city said in its presentation. At 6-foot-5, he could sky, and legend has it he once swatted the shots on three pros on a single possession. In 2022, Rucker Park became the first outdoor venue for The Basketball Tournament, a single-elimination winner-take-all tournament with a $1 million prize, acting as one of eight regional venues of the competition.[8]. Said to have brought in the greatest crowds ever seen at Rucker Park, Erving earned several nicknames during his time on the court, including "Little Hawk," "The Claw" and "Black Moses." for the reopening, which was attended by Erving, Kirkland, Nate Archibald and a number of others who had forged their reputations on the court. May 31, 2022 A year before its 50th anniversary season, one of the most recognized summer basketball pro-am associations, Los Angeles' Drew League, is switching its key brand partner. 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. How This Man Became the Voice of Rucker Park Rucker Park typographic word cloud basketball shape design Sticker. By the 1980s, N.B.A. Rucker Park Rich in Basketball History | ACTIVE He said his most memorable experience involved Durant. Rucker opened the court in order to start up a legendary basketball tournament amongst Harlem's greatest street ballers, nicknamed the "Rucker League", with a generous mission of providing. Decades ago those names included the likes of basketball Hall of Famers Julius (Dr. J) Erving, Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Earl Monroe and Wilt Chamberlain. Action in this summer's tournament gets started in the Omaha and Rucker Park regionals. More than a few previously under-the-radar players have made their mark at the Classic and saw their college and pro stocks rise after the weekend. His goal was to provide leadership and a leg up for thousands of boys and girls. His goal was to provide leadership and a leg up for thousands of boys and girls. As a referee you have to learn how to argue and how to resolve issues, remarked Morrissey. His legacy was in place, though, and it was cemented when the city of New York renamed P.S. $ The Basketball Tournament played on the Marius Court at Rucker Park will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis! Williams earned his nickname at his first EBC game and copped MVP honors in 2002. Gilbert not only helps train officials but also assigns them to leagues throughout the New York metro area, including the Rucker Park League, where many of the top-flight high school, college and professional players display their talents. It got so wild they had to get security.. It needs the relationships and the connections with other brands and the support. Its almost all one-on-one.. (Officials) get to see the size, speed, quickness and skills of players who have pro-like ability.. They may ask you about a certain play and suggest that you take a better angle the next time.. 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. The court formally reopened on Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, youth basketball clinics and games. Now check your email to confirm your subscription to the Referee.com Review. He compared it to a junior varsity basketball player who wants to improve by playing against the varsity players. He would pull up to the Rucker and double-park his Rolls Royce then go put in work. Because the fans are right on top of the action, officials have to be careful, especially when running along the sideline. 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. Is refereeing a game outdoors different than one thats played in a gym or stadium? Kevin Durant Rucker Park mixtape: Best parts 8 years later (video He was shocked that a little 18-year-old kid was giving it to him like that, Wells said. Another play about New York Yankees, Bronx Bombers, started on Broadway on February 6, 2018 at the Circle in the. So fans can expect a great environment for sure. North (Riverside, Calif.) summer league team in 1993 before returning to New York and creating history at the Rucker. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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.