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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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Cordell is the nephew of the late Greg Marius, who ran Rucker . 22.6k Followers, 805 Following, 473 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from EBC at Rucker Park (@ebcruckerpark) 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. Tim Gittens, a Harlem native, earned his nickname Headache at the park and is now an assistant coach for the W.N.B.A.s Dallas Wings. Note: This article is archival in nature. Finally, it also frequently will have a number of current and former NBA stars show up to play. Rucker mentored children, building a program from scratch, always keeping his busy schedule in his pocket. But she soaked in the excitement and energy from the crowd, the laughter from the bellies, the yelling from the lungs, in what amounted to one large block party at West 155th Street and what was then known just as Eighth Avenue, with basketball as the eternal soundtrack. Privacy Settings There is some question how much pro potential the 6-foot-1 jumping jack had, but he was all-city at Franklin before moving on to Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Every game and every person is different. You learn quickly how to deal with emotions and people. 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. While not everyone can referee Rucker Park League games, there are summer leagues across the country where officials can gain valuable knowledge and experience. 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. 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. players union. It needs the relationships and the connections with other brands and the support. Roosevelt (Roosevelt, N.Y.) '68 In fact, Earl Manigault followed in his footsteps as a forward that could sky near the top of the backboard. By COURT-VISION. Of course, like any game anywhere, they also think they can officiate, too. Well, you have to know the dynamic of it, Gilbert said. But I felt a sense of accomplishment. 4 Returns on August 20 at Rucker Park The SLAM Summer Classic is BACK. Crime stopped for four hours, four days a week in that area. [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). Overbrook (Philadelphia, Pa.) '55 Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Its commonly referred to as Rucker Park or just the Rucker. Known as the elite high school basketball players favorite all-star game, the SLAM Summer Classic will again bring together the top boys and girls from across the country to take part in a weekend filled with community,cultureand competition. In the past, it's been stars like Joe Hammond, who scored 74 points in a game at Rucker in the 1970s. In order to limit the Rucker ruckus, we left the players unranked. '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. Actually, thats the exact path many officials in the greater New York City area have followed in their quest for development and advancement. Every play is life or death for these guys.. He made his name and became famous, however, at the Rucker. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. "You can't talk about New York basketball without talking about the Rucker," Michele Roberts, the executive director of the player's union, told Community Board 10. Pasadena (Pasadena, Calif.) And we have to be grateful to those (NBA) guys for coming here.. Beginning with this summer's slate of games, the Drew League will leave its longtime partner in Nike for a new multiyear partnership with Adidas. Rucker Park typographic word cloud basketball shape design Sticker. It wasnt like he was off. All it took was a good game, or one nice move, against "The Claw," and anybody was instantly somebody at the Rucker. The Vacant Lots team was undefeated that summer, headlined by Charles Jones, who'd led the . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Read More. 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. This annual summer youth league has been instrumental in developing young players and cultivating academic growth and community building. The basketball players, the kids that are aspiring to be in the N.B.A. ONE37pm: What else do you want people to know about this partnership? This article is the copyright of Referee Enterprises, Inc., and may not be republished in whole or in part online, in print or in any capacity without expressed written permission from Referee. St. Raymond's (Bronx, N.Y.) '94 Rucker sits in the shadows of the Polo Grounds Towers, a collection of 30-story apartment buildings on the former site of an old baseball stadium. 1,489 were here. or The AEBL is all about culture and community. Morris (Bronx, N.Y.) '87 The more plays you see, the more you have in your memory bank, Mensah said. 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 . By Jay Pixel. Many players came to that park and got booed. And the biggest thing is its for free. The National Basketball Players Association is donating $360,000 to revitalize Harlem's historic Rucker Park. Those local players never received mainstream recognition as NBA talents, but they are still talked about in New York today. By dusso. Some occasional girls/juniors games start around 4pm. 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. Its paved the way for so many people, Williams said. Join Active That mystique may be gone. Have a team in the 14U-8U age groups? Rucker Park is something that just about everybody knows, and people understand the history and the heritage of playing basketball outside. 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. Look for this banner for recommended activities. We give you the best playground basketball courts in America. 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. We dont come there giving you roses. Holcombe Rucker, a Harlem school teacher, staged the first summer Rucker tournament in 1946. For over 50 years the Each One Teach One summer league, also founded by McCullough and Crawford, has called Rucker Park home. It was automatic.. players playing out there. When the pros are involved, the park draws huge crowds and wild responses. 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. 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. A McDonald's All-American at Brooklyn Tech, McCrae was the No. Jamar Jones, whose nickname is Papa, was anticipating playing on the renovated court after its reopening Saturday. The organizers slyly suggest that the game on these Harlem. Nate "The Skate . 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. In early 2009, Fly's famous No. Central Park 2 - Hours Private Pedicab Guided Tour 29 Recommended Private and Luxury from $99.00 per adult Guided Pedicab Tour of Central Park 24 Recommended Pedicab Tours from $48.00 per adult Central Park Pedicab Guided Tours 218 Recommended City Tours from $50.00 per adult New York Hip-Hop Tour 235 Recommended Bus Tours from $79.99 per adult We won't send you spam. But the stars returned, and not just on the court. Rucker Park 50th anniversary. Hollans: This partnership is all about people who love basketball, have played basketball, and are in love with the game. Corey "Homicide" Williams From June 30-July 2, Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York will play host to a 16-team, invitation-only 17U bracket. He said his most memorable experience involved Durant. Another play about New York Yankees, Bronx Bombers, started on Broadway on February 6, 2018 at the Circle in the. 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 disregard a sport designed for the winter. Hip-hop luminaries like Fat Joe and Diddy backed teams. VENUE MARIUS COURT AT HOLCOMBE RUCKER PARK W. 155 St., 8 Ave. To Harlem River Drive, Neighborhood Plgd Greg Marius, a former hip-hop artist, revitalized the atmosphere by starting the Entertainers Basketball Classic in 1982. Holcombe Rucker expanded to after-school programs during the school year and formed the Pro Division in 1950. The history of some men isn't evident until . 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. Gilbert admits that refereeing at Rucker when the pros show up is slightly different, so officials may let some of the stars get away with a violation or two. That is the Madison Square Garden of street basketball courts in the world.. 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. "Rucker Park, to me, is pretty much like Madison Square Garden to NBA players," Williams said. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Although he didn't play high school basketball, Williams did earn his keep at Medgar Evans College in Brooklyn. Its much more difficult to constantly have plays that come right to the basket, Morrissey said. We dont come there giving you roses, one player said. Thegirlsgame will tip off at 5 p.m. and the boys game will tip off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022. Nobody drew a crowd like the Doctor and he was the player all playground legends were judged against. Its not just the renovation, Wells said. He then moved on to Alabama State, and even though his Div. The red tour buses come to Harlem and go to that park. With a roster of 24 amazing athletes and eight great partners, this years Classic will be the biggest one yet.. The NBA legend didn't suit up . From $1.63. He has witnessed players like Bryant, Durant and Klay Thompson performing there. 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. And thats similar to how Mensah and Morrissey got their starts. That June, Mayor Bill de Blasio named Rucker Parks basketball court the Greg Marius Court. Which non-quarterback group will define each top-25 team's season? Thats why that park is special. The land that the park is on was once the site of the 8th Avenue Railroad Company. The goal of the players union is to restore the park as a community asset and attract N.B.A. The 1960 ESPNHS Mr. Basketball USA would have been a cinch All-American at the University of Iowa, but a gambling scandal cost the Hawk eight years of his prime. He didn't play in the League, but earned his nickname at the Entertainer's Basketball Classic up at Rucker. Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list. Far Rockaway (Queens, N.Y.) 2023 Active Network, LLC and/or its affiliates and licensors. Joe "The Destroyer" Hammond Everyone is trying to put on a show, Mensah said. Downtown, the United Nations headquarters had gone dark. We are going to be doing tons of giveaways, and were going to be in the community. He straightened things out by his senior season, when he was named all-city for a 21-0 team that won a mythical national championship. A windy day likely means more drives to the basket. The JR Circuit will be debuting in January 2022. For one, the park features a wooden court as opposed to concrete or asphalt. Basketball players at every level use the summer months to improve their skills on the court. Cookie Policy With the AEBL, I think about culture. 28 pick of the 1993 NBA Draft. Photo by Caleb Ferguson for the . Gilbert said that several current major college and NBA officials come back to Rucker Park in the summer to referee a few league games in order to work on their craft. Its all part of the officiating learning curve. The notion that the park would be in any state of disrepair is a heartbreaker to me, she said. . 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. 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). In the late 1960s and early '70s, his playground rivalry with "Tiny" Archibald was legendary. Since 1980, Rucker Park Streetball League has been the basketball Mecca of NYC's Harlem community. for the reopening, which was attended by Erving, Kirkland, Nate Archibald and a number of others who had forged their reputations on the court. 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. So when I think about Drew, I think about family and empowerment on and off the court. He's so revered the playground at 99th and Amsterdam in New York is named Goat Park. Rules, interpretations, mechanics, philosophies and other information may or may not be correct for the current year. 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. The city's most important sporting event of the summer was suddenly in the balance. Cookie Settings. Youre dealing with people with multiple emotions, he said. Street ball, a basketball Sticker. Roberts visited Rucker Park after moving back to New York when she became the executive director of the players union in 2014. Today is a special day for hoops and streetwear fans. 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of all the cookies. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Support & Feedback NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? Known as the elite high school basketball players' favorite all-star game, the SLAM Summer. Having grown up in the city, Mensah is familiar with NYC park ball, where the games can get physical and tempers often flare. "It's cold, it's raining, we were sweating . 156 Playground when it opened in 1956, and an influential Harlem teacher named Holcombe Rucker soon saw its potential. From $2.24. Although many professional basketball players have played at the court after gaining prominence, many others developed their basketball skills at Rucker prior to becoming notable in the sport, including: Other amateur players who made a name for themselves at Rucker but never played in the ABA or NBA included Earl Manigault, Joe Hammond and Pee Wee Kirkland. The Texas native didn't play high school ball growing up in SoCal, but he was always practicing his craft. KD did not take the game lightly. Hammond, the Harlem legend, was known as "The Destroyer" for his game-changing scoring outbursts. As a freshman, Fly pumped in 29.4 ppg his first season and 27.5 in his second season before turning pro. 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. Hollans: The environment is going to be something that people can connect with. Can you break down what this adidas partnership means to each individual league? Not only do the players want to do well, you want to do your best job so you can grow from it, he said. 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. Well give all the young men and women a weekend to remember, full of energy,competitionand fun. The park was established in 1956 next to PS 156; the school closed in 1981. 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. Since the '50s, Rucker Park in Harlem hosted summer tournaments that brought names as big as Wilt Chamberlain and Connie Hawkins to the blacktop to play a version of the game where style was as essential as the . Former President Bill Clinton once stopped by to watch the action. He also had a 90-point game Roxborough and was simply the most dominant force on all levels of the game including streetball. 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. Wilt Chamberlain TBT is a single-elimination basketball tournament where 64 teams compete for a $1 million prize. Stacey Marius, Gregs sister, said that her brother had this vision of bringing his love for hip-hop and basketball and getting them together and having tournaments, but in a place where it was a high-profile tournament that everybody could enjoy.. insights, ACTIVE Works is the race management The same applies to officiating, Gilbert said. [3] As someone who played college ball myself, its been incredible to work with experts in this space. You cant get that for free basically nowhere else like that.. Sure, Skip has California connections, helping Ventura College win a state chip in '95 before moving on to Fresno City College and Fresno State, where he played for noted playground recruiter Jerry Tarkanian. But did you know Wilt also averaged 47.2 ppg his senior season at Overbrook? For more information about the SLAM Summer Classic and real-time coverage of the event later this month, follow@SLAM,@SLAM_HSand@WSLAMon all social media platforms. A basketball paradise is just a block away. Action in this summer's tournament gets started in the Omaha and Rucker Park regionals. 5 dunker of all-time, behind guys named Doc, Dominique, Jordan and Vince Carter. Sign In. From Bria Janelle hosting and bringing the energy that she does, to the band, to the playersIts almost a little overwhelming. You got to earn it. James "Speedy" Williams Dino, our founder, is a real family man. It's a run-down subway station, never too crowded, and a set of stairs will take you back above ground. 4 will take place at the famed Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, NY. 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. Larry "Bone Collector" Williams Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Its stressful. 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. Rucker does a good job with security, but theres always that element when youre officiating a game.. Streety also played for Murray State and is regarded as one of the most underappreciated streetball talents ever. She wondered if her memories had deceived her into a sunny nostalgia. Adding family members helps ACTIVE find events specific to your family's interests. You have to be strong, you have to communicate and you have to be good. 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. Richard "Pee Wee" Kirkland By Brewtown Andy @brewtownandy Jul 15, 2022, 11:00am CDT / new Naming the 24 best players famed Rucker Park ever produced will stir plenty of debate. Rucker Park - Harlem, New York. Some of the greatest talents in pro basketball--Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar and Erving were the biggest names--would play alongside incredible streetball talents out of Harlem. Worthen even played two years in the NBA, but his real calling was on the playgrounds. [2] Since 1974, the park has been named after Holcombe Rucker, a local teacher and a playground director for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. From marketing exposure to actionable data 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. I would not have progressed as quickly in my career if I didnt work at Rucker and some of the other leagues around the city, Morrissey said. (Officials) get to see the size, speed, quickness and skills of players who have pro-like ability.. Few streetball players have the style and substance of Kirkland. ONE37pm: Okay ReeCee we have a task for you. He also killed cats at the Rucker when he wasn't at UCLA winning three NCAA titles. He was shocked that a little 18-year-old kid was giving it to him like that, Wells said. 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). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It does not store any personal data. All rights reserved. Its real success has been building a community. While there are plenty of other parks and leagues around New York City, as well as across the country, the Rucker Park Summer League, which is held from mid-June until about mid-August, is unique in many aspects. NYC Weekend Events: What's Going On March 4-5, NYC Rent Drops For 5th Straight Month, Study Finds, NYC Restaurants Ordered Closed Feb. 24 - March 3, 125th Street Could See Another Apartment Tower As Lot Goes Up For Sale. Construction will last about 10 weeks, starting Aug. 16 and running through October. Veterans: Wilt Chamberlain, Julius "The Doctor" Erving, Connie Hawkins, Joe "Destroyer" Hammond, Tiny Archibald . 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 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. 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. subscribe to the email newsletter from Harlem Patch. What can they expect when they go to a game this summer? 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.. We dont care who you are, he said. Boys (Brooklyn, N.Y.) '60 Basketball junkies would have beef if we ranked the 124 best players to come through the famed park in Harlem. Alson is the most famous playground player of the modern era, bar none. Youll see N.B.A. 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. [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. or just love the game who may live in the vicinity of the park and may not fully appreciate its history, and if thats the case, then we hope that this project will revive the history, she said. Are you sure you want to delete this family member? At 6-foot-5, he could sky, and legend has it he once swatted the shots on three pros on a single possession. Cardozo (Queens, N.Y.) '94 You can keep up with all of the latest updates with this announcement via adidas. Rucker started a basketball tournament in 1950 in order to help less . This place is very legendary in the urban community. Williams took the hard road to streetball stardom. Since 1974, the park has been named after Holcombe Rucker, a local teacher and a playground director for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Its gotten people out of trouble. 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. or At least 500 people left the park to go to the Gauchos Gym across the bridge in the Bronx, Morrissey said. 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. players. 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.