Ladies and gentlemen, with Memorial Day Weekend just eight days away, the summer is pretty much here. A much needed summer too, as this winter was the winter from hell. For a lot of people around this area, summer means quite a few beach trips and enjoying some sun by the ocean or a pool. However, summer can be a neat time in the sports world as well.
If you're a basketball fan like I am, you are probably well aware that many local tournaments and leagues take place during the summer months, such as the Drew League in Los Angeles, Rucker Park tournaments in New York, and the Goodman league in D.C. These tournaments have participants not only of local lore, but even big time NBA players. Last summer, Kevin Durant, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Brandon Jennings, Nick Young, and Dorell Wright all participated in the Drew League, just to name a few players. Every summer, NBA players and other highly skilled ballers look to stay in shape by joining some highly competitive leagues and tournaments.
However, there is an entirely new concept being brought to the summer basketball scene, and it is being held right in our backyard at Philadelphia University. Originally named The Basketball Tournament, it is a 32 team single-elimination tournament taking place at the Philadelphia University campus from June 6-8, and will feature some prominent names from college basketball's, and even the NBA's, past. The rounds of 32, 16, 8, and 4 will take place during that weekend at Philadelphia University, while the championship round's location will be determined by the fans and will take place on Saturday, June 28th. The top prize is $500,000 for the winning team to split however they decide amongst the group.
The 32 teams participating have already been decided; the 24 teams with the highest number of registered fans and then 8 teams selected by the Basketball Tournament committee. There are some incredibly talented players participating in the tournament. Recent Saint Joseph's athletes Halil Kanacevic, CJ Aiken, Carl Jones, and Langston Galloway will all be participating, with Halil, Langston, and CJ on the Barstool Philly team roster. A few recent Villanova alums (Corey Fisher, Scottie Reynolds, Mouphtaou Yarou, Antonio Pena, Dante Cunningham, and others) have formed a team named Team Roby, and a few recent Temple alums (Dalton Pepper, Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, TJ DiLeo) and Aaric Murray have made a squad called the North Broad Street Bullies. There's even a team of older Saint Joseph's alumni (Garrett Williamson, Todd O'Brien, Dwayne Jones, Pat Carroll) called El Vino, to really bring back the glory days of the Big 5.
There are quite a few former NBA players representing different teams as well. There's Big Apple Basketball (Rashad McCants, Smush Parker, Darius Washington Jr), Team Barstool (Dahntay Jones, Ryan Gomes, Quincy Douby, Josh Boone), and TYGTAL (Hakim Warrick, Reggie Williams). Some former college greats are participating in this tournament. DMV's finest has Terrell Stoglin and Austin Freeman, Rep Your City has recent college participants Jordan Henriquez and Kenny Kadji, as well as YouTube highlight legend and Delaware 87er Aquille Carr, and even the Cornell Sweet Sixteen team from 2009-10 has a squad in the tournament. Saint Anthony's (NJ) coach Bobby Hurley will have a team of his alumni, with City 6 former players such as Dominik Cheek and Ahmad Nivens. Team FOE will have former NBA players Maalik Wayns and Josh Selby on their roster.
Not only are there a lot of well known former college and NBA players on these teams, but there are quite a few professional players from overseas and a lot of local talent in the tournament. There is talent out the wazoo (probably one of my favorite words to say) that will be playing during the weekend of June 6-8, and I for one will definitely be there for at least some of the action.
It's never too late to become a fan of any of these teams. Fans of the winning teams will receive cool prizes, such as cash prizes, a trip to Vegas, a lifetime ticket to any TBT sponsored event, and many other cool prizes. For more information, just visit the main site at www.thetournament.com. Summer basketball leagues and tournaments have always been cool to watch and hear about. The addition of The Basketball Tournament will not only add to the lore, but make Philly a much more popular attraction for higher level basketball talent.
By: Dan Goggin
Follow us on twitter @BroadStBeat
However, there is an entirely new concept being brought to the summer basketball scene, and it is being held right in our backyard at Philadelphia University. Originally named The Basketball Tournament, it is a 32 team single-elimination tournament taking place at the Philadelphia University campus from June 6-8, and will feature some prominent names from college basketball's, and even the NBA's, past. The rounds of 32, 16, 8, and 4 will take place during that weekend at Philadelphia University, while the championship round's location will be determined by the fans and will take place on Saturday, June 28th. The top prize is $500,000 for the winning team to split however they decide amongst the group.
The 32 teams participating have already been decided; the 24 teams with the highest number of registered fans and then 8 teams selected by the Basketball Tournament committee. There are some incredibly talented players participating in the tournament. Recent Saint Joseph's athletes Halil Kanacevic, CJ Aiken, Carl Jones, and Langston Galloway will all be participating, with Halil, Langston, and CJ on the Barstool Philly team roster. A few recent Villanova alums (Corey Fisher, Scottie Reynolds, Mouphtaou Yarou, Antonio Pena, Dante Cunningham, and others) have formed a team named Team Roby, and a few recent Temple alums (Dalton Pepper, Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, TJ DiLeo) and Aaric Murray have made a squad called the North Broad Street Bullies. There's even a team of older Saint Joseph's alumni (Garrett Williamson, Todd O'Brien, Dwayne Jones, Pat Carroll) called El Vino, to really bring back the glory days of the Big 5.
There are quite a few former NBA players representing different teams as well. There's Big Apple Basketball (Rashad McCants, Smush Parker, Darius Washington Jr), Team Barstool (Dahntay Jones, Ryan Gomes, Quincy Douby, Josh Boone), and TYGTAL (Hakim Warrick, Reggie Williams). Some former college greats are participating in this tournament. DMV's finest has Terrell Stoglin and Austin Freeman, Rep Your City has recent college participants Jordan Henriquez and Kenny Kadji, as well as YouTube highlight legend and Delaware 87er Aquille Carr, and even the Cornell Sweet Sixteen team from 2009-10 has a squad in the tournament. Saint Anthony's (NJ) coach Bobby Hurley will have a team of his alumni, with City 6 former players such as Dominik Cheek and Ahmad Nivens. Team FOE will have former NBA players Maalik Wayns and Josh Selby on their roster.
Not only are there a lot of well known former college and NBA players on these teams, but there are quite a few professional players from overseas and a lot of local talent in the tournament. There is talent out the wazoo (probably one of my favorite words to say) that will be playing during the weekend of June 6-8, and I for one will definitely be there for at least some of the action.
It's never too late to become a fan of any of these teams. Fans of the winning teams will receive cool prizes, such as cash prizes, a trip to Vegas, a lifetime ticket to any TBT sponsored event, and many other cool prizes. For more information, just visit the main site at www.thetournament.com. Summer basketball leagues and tournaments have always been cool to watch and hear about. The addition of The Basketball Tournament will not only add to the lore, but make Philly a much more popular attraction for higher level basketball talent.
By: Dan Goggin
Follow us on twitter @BroadStBeat
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