Julius Erving and the rappers Fat Joe and ASAP Ferg spoke at the parks reopening after renovations. That summer he also played in the Rucker League, played at the Rucker Park in New York City, and was the second leading scorer, averaging 23 points along with 12 rebounds per game; during the competition he faced professional players like Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Zach Randolph and Omar Cook. All these guys came down there because it was basically mano a mano, he said, with you against somebody, not being told how to run a set, but your best skill against my best skill, and your knowledge against my knowledge, on this even playing field where the crowd can become an opponent too., He added, You was pushed into a different level of playing because you didnt want to fail in front of all of these people, and you want them to see you perform, because it gave you so much more energy and more life, and then your legend grew., Wells recalled the time Carter, who recently retired after a 22-year N.B.A. He compared it to a junior varsity basketball player who wants to improve by playing against the varsity players. NEW YORK -- The B train takes you to the 155th street stop on the north edge of Harlem. 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. A lot of these guys, all they want to do is take it to the rack where you have to make the decision foul or no foul? 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. We have to be lenient to what is going on. 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. Have a team in the 14U-8U age groups? From Bria Janelle hosting and bringing the energy that she does, to the band, to the playersIts almost a little overwhelming. For over 50 years the Each One Teach One summer league, also founded by McCullough and Crawford, has called Rucker Park home. 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. ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. Anyone can read what you share. So fans can expect a great environment for sure. subscribe to the email newsletter from Harlem Patch. Success! 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.. You get the idea what kind of mood the player is in. Julius "The Claw" Erving Rafer "Skip To My Lou" Alston Please see your Privacy Rights for how your information is used. Rules, interpretations, mechanics, philosophies and other information may or may not be correct for the current year. It is geographically at the base of a large cliff named Coogan's Bluff. 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. Ben Franklin (Harlem, N.Y.) You got to earn it.. 4 areGatorade, Spalding, Def Jam, CLOT, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), Champs Sports,SHOWTIMEandNike. Corey "Homicide" Williams Copyright 2023 SLAM Media Inc. SLAM, SLAMTV, SLAM MEDIA and the SLAM logo are registered Its stressful. Rucker Park is well-known for building the game of basketball, and some of the games most storied careers. "Jumpin" Jackie Jackson And we have to be grateful to those (NBA) guys for coming here.. Finally, it also frequently will have a number of current and former NBA stars show up to play. N.B.A. Herman "Helicopter" Knowlings He would pull up to the Rucker and double-park his Rolls Royce then go put in work. Cardozo (Queens, N.Y.) '94 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. 2005 EBC RUCKER PARK STREETBALL PLAYOFFS: Monday, August 15th 6:00 PM (1) Black Wall Street vs. (4) Certified 7:30 PM (1) Don Diva vs. (4) Full Surface/Ruff Ryders Tuesday, August 16th 4:30 PM BOYS Championship 6:00 PM (2) H3/DBand vs. (3) Pearl Harbor 7:30 PM (2) Terror Squad vs. (3) Rich Soil Monstars Wednesday, August 17th 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. Morrissey admits the games can be taxing on officials. Today is a special day for hoops and streetwear fans. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. A 5-foot-7 showman with a wicked handle, Robertson helped Loyola of Chicago win the 1963 NCAA title. You cant rely on a jumper when the wind is blowing 20 miles per hour, noted Morrissey. At 6-foot-5, he could sky, and legend has it he once swatted the shots on three pros on a single possession. 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. The renovation has meaning for him beyond just the return of celebrities and N.B.A. Separate from the renovations, the players' association will also fund a new three-year staff position based jointly at the Rucker and at Jackie Robinson Recreation Center, charged with running youth programs. Streety has an appropriate last name for a streetball legend and he's another who put in work with the Harlem Globetrotters. She wondered if her memories had deceived her into a sunny nostalgia. Secondly, its one of the only outdoor venues where a league has three officials, shot clocks and NBA rules. 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. The park was renamed after him as the Holcombe Rucker Playground in 1974. Although probably bad moves, he didn't make any bad moves when he dropped 50 on Dr. J in a double-overtime loss in what veteran observers call the greatest streetball game ever played in 1970. 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. You see a lot of plays, and if it happens again, you have an idea how to call it.. Despite all the success the community experienced through the youth league and summer tournament, Mary Rucker-Thomas does not feel that her husband's legacy . He spent some time in the CBA, and with the Globetrotters, before adding to his legend by winning Last Man Standing -- a street ball competition for charity -- at MSG in 2007. Sitemap That led the National Basketball Players Association the union representing the league's players to approach the city, offering to fund $360,000 in renovations that are set to begin this summer. The Bronx native is a one-on-one specialist and can defend players of all sizes. While not everyone can referee Rucker Park League games, there are summer leagues across the country where officials can gain valuable knowledge and experience. Rucker Park is something that just about everybody knows, and people understand the history and the heritage of playing basketball outside. Look for this banner for recommended activities. Taft (Bronx, N.Y.) Conrad "McNasty" McCrae We are going to be doing tons of giveaways, and were going to be in the community. In early 2009, Fly's famous No. The organizers slyly suggest that the game on these Harlem. 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. players. A post shared by SLAM HIGH SCHOOL (@slam_hs). Archibald almost never made it to the big-time, as academic troubles nearly derailed his prep career. You get to talk with the other officials, whether its halftime or after the game, Mensah said. Referee, the worlds original sports officiating magazine, educates, challenges and inspires officials at all levels. The game began, but afternoon showers postponed it for 4 hours making it the first rain delay in TBT history. Its all the relationships that will hopefully come back and support the brands thats out there and the tournaments thats out there, and that will help bring back the mystique of what it was and what it is. For the first time, the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. With a roster of 24 amazing athletes and eight great partners, this years Classic will be the biggest one yet.. Nation; . Its all part of the officiating learning curve. The National Basketball Players Association is donating $360,000 to revitalize Harlem's historic Rucker Park. Overbrook (Philadelphia, Pa.) '55 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." It wasnt like he was off. The leagues in New York have been a hotbed for players and officials for years, Gilbert noted. 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). On this list, you'll find NBA icons, streetball legends and -- in some cases -- both. The tournament eventually settled at P.S.