PHILADELPHIA, PA – July 20, 2023 – In an era where grassroots and high school live periods have been overtaken by flashy, shoe company-sponsored summer events, the Rashid Bey Point Guard Camp stands out as a beacon of substance and dedication. Held at the Audenried HS gymnasium in the Grays Ferry section of South Philadelphia, this camp caters to 7th to 12th-grade boys and girls who are truly serious about improving their game. With an intense one-day format, the camp focuses on all aspects of guard play, ranging from mentality and leadership to ball handling, scoring, and more. Unlike the glitzy events, this camp prioritizes hard work and genuine skill development over superficial glamour.
Rashid Bey, 2-time Big 5 MVP
The rise of shoe company-sponsored summer events has brought a new level of spectacle to the world of youth basketball. With lavish facilities, extensive media coverage, and the presence of high-profile players and coaches, these events often resemble mini basketball festivals. Aspiring young players fly across the country, staying in luxurious hotels, and bask in the attention of college coaches, all while receiving eye-catching merchandise and the allure of potential scholarships. While these events undeniably offer valuable exposure for young athletes, they can sometimes overshadow the true essence of basketball development. The focus on results and the glamour surrounding these events may inadvertently overshadow the core principles of hard work, dedication, and genuine improvement.
Camp participants
In stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of shoe company-sponsored events, the Rashid Bey Point Guard Camp embodies the essence of “GRIND TIME.” This camp is designed for serious players willing to put in the effort to improve their game. The one-day format ensures an intense and concentrated learning experience, emphasizing quality over quantity.
Big 5 Hall of Famer, Mike Jordan
The camp’s roster of instructors further reinforces its commitment to skill development. Rashid Bey, a two-time Big 5 Player of the Year, brings his own expertise and passion to the camp. Joining him are legendary figures in basketball: Big 5 Hall of Famers Mike Jordan, Lynn Greer II, and Marvin O’Connor, as well as University of Maryland Hall of Famer Terrell Stokes. This impressive staff brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and mentorship to the aspiring young athletes, providing them with insights that go beyond the superficial.
Audenreid Boys Coach Marvin Stinson and two camp participants
At the Rashid Bey Point Guard Camp, the focus is firmly on the instructional aspect. The participants receive unparalleled guidance and mentorship from instructors who have achieved greatness in the world of basketball. Unlike large, overcrowded events, the intimate setting of the camp allows for personalized attention and feedback, enabling players to address their specific weaknesses and areas for improvement. The camp covers every facet of guard play, including mentality, leadership, ball handling, passing, scoring, shooting, and playmaking. The emphasis on fundamental skills and a well-rounded approach to guard play ensures that participants leave the camp with a stronger foundation for their basketball journey.
Marvin Stinson and Big 5 Hall of Famer, Lynn Greer II
Audenried Boys Basketball Coach, Marvin Stinson’s endorsement of the camp underscores its value. Stinson acknowledges that Rashid Bey’s presence and the instructional events provided at Audenried HS gymnasium are a win-win for both the school and the broader Philadelphia basketball community. This genuine commitment to fostering growth and improvement in young players serves as a testament to the camp’s no-frill instructional approach.
Big 5 Hall of Famer, Marvin O’Connor and his daughter
In a basketball landscape often dominated by glitz and glamour, the Rashid Bey Point Guard Camp stands as a shining example of the value of hard work, dedication, and genuine skill development. This no-frill approach to basketball instruction provides young athletes with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the craft, learn from basketball legends, and cultivate a deeper understanding of the game. As the camp continues to attract dedicated and serious players, it remains a beacon of substance in a world increasingly defined by flashiness.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – July 6, 2023 – President Joe Biden on Tuesday said gun violence was tearing apart U.S. communities after horrific mass shootings in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Fort Worth claimed the lives of at least 10 people ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Much more action is needed to “address the epidemic of gun violence that is tearing our communities apart,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House. That same day, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said, “this is like a level of insanity that no one should ever deal with.” One concerned young scholar-athlete has decided to engage his peers in this important conversation.
Wilson Park, a hardscrabble neighborhood in South Philadelphia, has been the birthplace of many remarkable stories of resilience and triumph. Today, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of “No Place Like Home: We Have Unfinished Business,” a compelling memoir written by Temple University basketball star, Hysier Miller. This deeply personal account chronicles Miller’s journey and the pivotal decision to remain at Temple when faced with adversity, inspiring young Black males and addressing the urgent issue of gun violence in Philadelphia and beyond.
Hailing from Wilson Park, a gritty neighborhood plagued by crime and ceaseless violence, Miller defied the odds to become a standout college basketball player at Temple University. Amidst challenging circumstances, his unwavering determination and commitment to his dreams led him to excel on the court and in the classroom. When Temple Coach Aaron McKie was fired, Miller faced a critical crossroads as four other starters decided to transfer. However, he made the courageous choice to stay, becoming a symbol of resilience and loyalty.
“No Place Like Home: We Have Unfinished Business,” not only recounts Miller’s personal journey but also delves into the broader societal issues affecting marginalized communities. Drawing upon his experiences of socialization in academically under-performing public and charter schools, Miller passionately explores the profound impact education and mentorship can have on empowering young Black males.
Here is an excerpt from Miller’s forthcoming book:
Using his platform as a college basketball player, Miller aims to spark a crucial conversation about reducing gun violence in Philadelphia and beyond, targeting young individuals aged 12 to 25. With alarming statistics highlighting the devastating consequences of gun violence, he seeks to engage and inspire young Black males to become catalysts for change in their communities. Through thought-provoking discussions and practical solutions, Miller emphasizes the importance of unity, education, and personal growth as key elements in combating this pressing issue.
“I believe that by coming together, supporting one another, and investing in education, we can break the cycle of violence and create a brighter future for our communities,” states Miller. “I want to use my story and my experiences to empower young individuals and show them that no matter where they come from, they have the power to shape their own destiny.”
“No Place Like Home: We Have Unfinished Business,” serves as an inspiring testament to resilience, courage, and the transformative power of education. Miller invites readers to join him on an enlightening journey, urging them to embrace their unique stories, overcome challenges, and contribute to the fight against gun violence. The book is scheduled to be released on August 1, 2023 and will be available for purchase through the Black Cager Publications online store, https://black-cager-publications.sellfy.store. A portion of the proceeds will be dedicated to distributing free copies to local organizations working tirelessly to combat gun violence and provide educational opportunities for under-served communities.
For media inquiries, interviews, or speaking engagements, please contact: Delgreco Wilson 1100 East State Street Camden, NJ 08105 Black Cager Press 856.366.0992 BlackCager@gmail.com
About Hysier Miller: Hysier Miller is a rising star in the world of college basketball, known for his exceptional playmaking skills, defensive tenacity and unwavering determination. Hailing from the crime-riddled neighborhood of Wilson Park in South Philadelphia, he overcame significant obstacles to become a role model for young Black males. Miller is committed to using his platform to address pressing societal issues, particularly gun violence, and to empower individuals through education and mentorship.
Information about Miller and how purchase will soon appear here:
Title: No Place Like Home: We Have Unfinished Business Author: Hysier Miller Publisher: Black Cager Press
“No Place Like Home” is an inspiring and thought-provoking book written by, Temple University point guard, Hysier Miller. The book is aimed at middle and high school students and chronicles his personal journey and activism in promoting gun violence reduction in Philadelphia. Through his unique perspective as a high profile college athlete, Hysier shares his experiences, challenges, and efforts to effect positive change, aiming to inspire readers to join the fight against gun violence.
In “No Place Like Home,” Hysier Miller takes readers on a captivating journey through his life as a high school and college basketball player and his deep-rooted commitment to making a difference in his community. Growing up in South Philadelphia’s Wilson Park neighborhood, a community plagued by gun violence, Hysier witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of this social issue, inspiring him to use his platform and influence to bring about change.
The book delves into Hysier’s childhood, highlighting the impact various educational placements and basketball have had on his development. It was through the sport that he developed resilience, discipline, and teamwork, qualities that would later shape his advocacy work. Drawing on his experiences as a student-athlete, Hysier explores the parallels between basketball and reducing gun violence—both requiring strategy, collaboration, and a collective effort to achieve success.
Over the course of his first two years at Temple, he watched as the gun violence crept closer to and eventually landed on campus. Hysier became increasingly aware of the alarming gun violence statistics in his city. Fueled by a desire to create safer communities, he has committed himself to engaging young people (ages 12-25) in the struggle to reduce the mayhem and destruction wrought by gun violence in Philadelphia communities. Through engaging anecdotes and heartwarming stories, Hysier recognizes many caring and concerned adults that helped him overcome serious challenges he faced as a student matriculating through Philadelphia elementary, middle and high schools.
Hysier shares his vision of working closely with community leaders, law enforcement officials, and survivors of gun violence, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of the problem. By seeking to engage and involve young Philadelphians with individuals and organizations already working towards reducing gun violence, Hysier highlights the potential for collective action and the power of grassroots movements. Throughout “No Place Like Home,” Hysier emphasizes the importance of education, mental health support, and conflict resolution strategies in curbing gun violence. He uses first hand observations, expert insights, and testimonials to offer a comprehensive understanding of the issue while proposing tangible interventions that could be implemented at both the community and policy levels.
“No Place Like Home” is an inspiring memoir that combines the passion of a college basketball player with the urgency of a social activist. Hysier Miller’s personal story, coupled with his dedication to reducing gun violence, serves as a call to action for young readers to actively participate in creating safer communities. Through his book, Hysier explains why he remains committed to Temple University, seeks to ignite a citywide conversation about gun violence and inspire a generation of young people complete some important unfinished business.
It’s about 8:10 pm on Saturday, February 18th… I’m in my car headed to the Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University. My Big Bro Perry Clark is in town. He does color commentary for ESPN broadcasts of American Athletic Conference (AAC) basketball games. Tulsa is in town and they are scheduled to face Temple the following day at 2:00 pm in one of few remaining AAC matchups. Tulsa has a shoot around scheduled for 8:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
Temple Police Officer Chris Fitzgerald
Clark likes to attend the shoot arounds to talk to the coaches and key players to get a feel for the team’s emotional state. He leans heavily upon his 4 decades as a college coach to deftly probe the coaches and gain some keen insights he will share with ESPN viewers during the broadcast. I usually meet him when he comes to town and we talk a LOT of Temple basketball and end up at one Philadelphia’s finest dining establishments. Expense accounts come in handy from time to time…
Perry Clark and Tulsa Head Coach Eric Konkol
I am eager to get to Temple for this particular shoot around because one of my favorite college coaching buddies, Yaphett King, is on the Tulsa staff. This will give me an opportunity to pop up on King and welcome him to the City of Brotherly Love.
Delgreco Wilson and Yaphett King, Tulsa Asst. Coach
Then my cell phone rings…
It’s Kamal Yard, Founder and Director of the Philly Pride Basketball Club. I talk to Yard several times and week and frequently multiple times in one day. So, I think nothing of it and answer the call…
“What up Mal?”
“Mannnn… How you think Blue and ‘em gonna deal with this?”
Those that have known Temple Head Coach Aaron McKie since his schoolboy days at Gratz know that his nickname is “Blue.”
My mind starts to race… What da fuck is Mal talking bout now?
“I’m on my way to Temple as we speak, I’ll be there in a few minutes… What happened?”
“Youngbuls shot a Temple cop in the head at 18th and Montgomery… They said it was high caliber weapon… Really bad Bro.”
“Whooooooaaaa…”
Now I understood exactly what Yard was asking me… For the past ten years or so, he has been one of the few people that I have engaged in ongoing conversations about the dramatic rise in rampant indiscriminate violent crime, degenerating cultural values, declining academic performances and how they impact and ultimately circumscribe the ability of area college sports programs to recruit elite athletes.
Sometimes, it seems that Temple’s diehard football and basketball fans don’t get it…
Earlier this season, there were loud rumblings on Temple’s message boards about moving on from McKie. There’s been a constant drumbeat of complaints focused on his “recruiting” and his supposed inability to land the top area prospects.
When Yard asked, “How you think Blue and ‘em gonna deal with this” he was posing a very specific set of highly relevant questions all at once.
Allow me to deconstruct his query… Yard was asking, “With a Temple cop bleeding out on a street adjacent to campus, how is Coach McKie supposed to get kids to choose Temple over Rutgers, Maryland and Penn State?”
He was questioning, “With a seemingly endless string of savagely barbaric murders on or proximate to the Temple campus, how is Coach McKie supposed to get kids to choose Temple over Seton Hall, Villanova, St. John’s and Georgetown?”
As a father, a Temple supporter and basketball lifer, Yard was searching for a perspective that provided a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
I had no answers for him…
I’ll be the first to acknowledge that Temple has worked tirelessly to quell fears among current and prospective students and student-athletes since the brutal murder of Samuel Collington, a 21-year-old senior at the university, over a year ago. Yard, Austin, Lowry and I know through first hand interactions and conversations that students and student-athletes are afraid and parents are afraid for their children’s safety.
Temple sophomore Zack Hicks
Through it all, we have encouraged top local players to seriously consider the Owls when selecting a college destination. Indeed, Yard, Austin and Philly Pride have sent Scootie Randall, Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, Ramone Moore, Ryan Brooks and current sophomore star Zack Hicks to play on North Broad Street. Lowry’s best player, West Catholic’s Zion Stanford, is already in the fold for next year. I worked hard in conjunction with Carl Arrigale, Pat Sorrentino and the rest of the Neumann-Goretti staff to help Hysier Miller understand the benefits of playing for the sixth winningest program in the history of college basketball.
Temple sophomore Hysier Miller
We all love and respect Temple basketball… We all want to see the Owls return to the heights they experienced under Harry Litwack and John Chaney.
Nonetheless, with his pointed query, Yard was asking if and how it can be done under the existential conditions prevailing on and around North Broad Street.
He was asking an important, damn good and very fair question.
It’s safe to assume that this question has been consistently and carefully pondered by Temple Trustees, Senior Administrators and Department Heads over the past few years.
One can see that Temple clearly understands that they have a serious problem with the way campus safety is perceived. In an attempt to assuage the prevailing perception, Temple President Jason Wingard and his family will relocate to a Temple-owned property on North Carlisle Street between Norris and Diamond streets in spring 2023. The Wingard family will relocate from Chestnut Hill, one of the toniest Philadelphia neighborhoods, to a row home is located in the middle of a North Philadelphia street just a block from campus.
It’s a very strong symbolic move. “As a leader, it is crucial to take action that supports strategic priorities,” Wingard said. “For my family and me, this is a move that we have thought about carefully. It is aligned with institutional and personal values, and we are excited!”
But… It’s not enough… It’s no close to sufficient…
Since talking with Yard, his question has consumed my thoughts. I still have no answers. A least none that make any sense…
Five, ten, fifteen or twenty years ago, I would have delved into crime, employment, education and income data in search of a plausible hypothesis. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that we are dealing with profound immorality and wickedness, in many instances like the murder of the Temple police officer one can only conclude that the killer was a manifestation of pure evil.
This young man, raised in an affluent suburb, is truly evil. He woke up yesterday and explicitly sought to do harm by planning to commit some morally wrong action with no prompting from others. This evil young man tried to carry out this plan with the hope of causing considerable harm to others. This type of evil reigns far too often in far too many circumstances in Philadelphia and many other American urban centers.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to counter the argument that we are witnessing a clear division between good and evil. More and more it seems that evil is winning.
While it may not provide an immediate solution to the conundrums faced by Temple’s leadership, I want to pose a strategy that may stem the tide a bit and certainly will not make matters worse.
Faith-based institutions must become much more involved.
Congregating for an hour or two one a week to worship God is a positive thing that urban communities should not forgo. Even if you are cynical about church, one has to acknowledge that gathering every week to consider higher purposes in life is better than not doing it at all.
We are well past time to admit a simple fact… By any reasonable measure we have lost the ethical cores or centers that held our communities together. The consequences of that include almost daily assaults with high caliber assault weapons resulting in 50, 60 even 80 shell casings strewn across Philadelphia streets and sidewalks. The consequences include an honorable and peaceful senior citizen beaten to death with with traffic cones by seven teenagers. The consequences include five teenagers, one just 13 years old, carjacking a congresswoman in Philadelphia.
The consequences include two gunmen firing 64 shots with four different weapons at five Roxborough high school football players walking off the field killing a 14 year old. The consequences include over 500 homicides in each of the past two years in Philadelphia. The consequences include well over 1,000 carjackings in Philadelphia in 2022.
I have no desire to position myself as some sort of sanctimonious fraud. I don’t know how to lay out a convincing case for gathering at the church, mosque, synagogue, etc. I do want you use whatever time I have left to tell young men and women, especially young Black and Brown people how to avoid the road to hell. I don’t want to do it because I view myself as a moral authority. Indeed, for most of the past half-century I have been a sinner of the highest order.
I do it because I don’t want young Black and Brown boys and girls to burn in hell.
Pastor Dan Jackson, New Kingdom Baptist Church
With Yard’s questions still on my mind, I attended an inspirational and uplifting service today New Kingdom Baptist Church in North Philadelphia. Pastor Daniel Jackson led a prayer for slain Temple Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald. I then drove a mile or so to the Liacouras Center, where there was a somber moment of silence for Officer Fitzgerald. During the post-game press conference, two Temple players and Coach McKie were asked to comment on the murder.
Plainly stated, the specter of Officer Fitzgerald’s murder hung over today’s activities like an exceedingly heavy and dark rain cloud.
I came home and discovered that Officer Fitzgerald was my cousin’s cousin. He was my cousin by marriage.
New Kingdom Baptist Church, 2445 N Mascher St, Philadelphia, PA 19133
I don’t know how Blue and President Winguard are going to deal with this… Nor do I know what they they should do…
I will, however, be in church somewhere next Sunday. It couldn’t possibly hurt if more and more young people joined me every week. Seriously… I don’t want them to burn in hell like the young man that took Ofc. Fitzgerald’s life last night.
PHILADELPHIA, PA: The College Basketball Season got underway today. Which game to watch live? Tough call for me… Donta Scott and Hakim Hart opened up their fourth season at Maryland under new Head Coach Kevin Willard. The Terps faced Niagara at home. Hysier Miller and Zach Hicks began their sophomore campaign at Temple. The Owls faced a tough Wagner squad led by Donald Copeland in his first year at the helm. Seth Lundy and Andrew Funk laced ’em up for Penn State against Winthrop.
Villanova Head Coach, Kyle Neptune
I decided to head to Villanova. I wanted to see if Fran Dunphy’s Xs & Os could overcome a distinct disadvantage in the Jimmies and Joes. Dunphy began his coaching career 50 years ago at the United States Military Academy (1971–72). Bear in mind, Dunphy is the all-time winningest coach in Big 5 history. After a three year hiatus, he’s back to coach his alma mater and lead his third Big 5 program.
Nova’s head coach, Kyle Neptune was 16-16 last year in his lone season at Fordham in the Atlantic 10 Conference before being tapped to succeed the greatest coach in Big 5 history. This matchup against the Explorers was Neptune’s inaugural Big 5 game.
Does the Big 5 matter? Was I alone in considering that aspect of the game? Did anyone else give even the slightest f*#k that this was a Big 5 contest?
La Salle Head Coach, Fran Dunphy and guard, Josh Nickelberry
Serious question… Just curious.
With 580 career wins, it seemed reasonable to give the X & O advantage to Dunphy. Neptune, however, had a rather distinct Jimmy & Joe advantage. Eric Dixon and Caleb Daniel are top notch veteran Big East performers. During his senior year in high school, Dixon was named by USA Today as Pennsylvania State Player of the Year. He was listed at No. 74 by espn.com in its Top 100 Prospects of 2019. Last season, Dixon started every one of Villanova’s 38 games during the run to another Wildcat Final Four. He averaged 9.1 points and 6.4 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per outing. A very efficient offensive player, he shot .498 from the field goal and .486 from behind the 3-point line. Last year he was awarded Most Improved Player by the Philadelphia Big Five.
This year he’s making an early case for best player in the Big 5.
Kyle Neptune and Villanova forward, Eric Dixon
He’s just one of the Neptune’s Jimmies…
And… There are several Joes.
Last year, Caleb Daniels averaged 10.2 points per game and helped Nova win the BIG EAST Tournament title and make it to another Final Four. Daniels was named to the All-NCAA South Regional Team and Second Team All-Philadelphia Big Five.
Brandon Slater started all 38 games last season. He scored 8.5 points and grabbed 3.7 rebounds for the Wildcats on their run to the Final Four.
Highly touted freshman Mark Armstrong was the 2022 Hudson County Interscholastic Player of the Year. He set a St. Peter’s Prep record with 1,776 career points. Armstrong was listed at No. 61 in ESPN’s Top 100 in the Class of 2022.
Keep in mind that Villanova has two (2) NBA Joes in street clothes at the moment. Senior guard, Justin Moore was named Second Team all-BIG EAST and First Team All-Philadelphia Big Five last season. He was the second leading scorer for the Wildcats, contributing 14.8 points per game and grabbing 4.8 rebounds per game. Moore tore his right achilles tendon suffered in the final minute of Villanova’s 50-44 victory over Houston in the NCAA South Regional Final. He is currently rehabbing the injury.
Freshman Cam Whitmore was the 2022 Gatorade Maryland Boys Basketball Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American. He was a two-time Baltimore Catholic League Player of the Year who also played in the 2022 Jordan Brand Classic. Whitmore was ranked No. 21 in the ESPN Top 100 of the Class of 2022.
Now… Keep in mind Whitmore and Moore were unavailable. Maybe… just maybe… Dunphy could scheme his way to an upset in a sold out Finneran Pavillion.
After all, it is a Big 5 game. Anything can happen… right?
Naaaaaah…
The Jimmies and Joes overcame the Xs & Os…
Indeed, there were moments when Eric Dixon looked like he was playing against Quakertown. He finished with 20 points on 8-17 shooting, including 2-4 from behind the 3 point line. Dixon also contributed 4 assists and 3 blocks. Grabbing only 2 rebounds, he’ll need to improve considerably on the boards going forward.
Daniels was magnificent. He finished with 24 points, while shooting an efficient 8-11 from the field and 6-7 from behind the 3 point line. Daniels also pulled down a game high 10 rebounds.
Villanova guard, Caleb Daniels
Dixon and Daniels bussed dey ass…
For the Explorers, Josh Nickelberry scored 22 points while shooting 7-12 from the field and 5-9 from 3. He also pulled down 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Khalil Brantley probed and penetrated throughout the contest. He managed to score a tough 11 points on 5-12 shooting from the field. He grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 2 assists.
Jhamir Brickus played a listless 34 minutes and did not score a point. Indeed, he only took 3 shots and 2 of them were 3 point attempts. La Salle will struggle to compete against quality opponents if Brickus is not contributing significantly at the offensive end.
Nonetheless, Dunphy kept it within reach… the Explorers were only down 11 with 2:37 remaining.
But it was not to be… Not tonight… The young coach with the Jimmies & Joes got the win. The winningest coach in Big 5 history learned something about his team… Gotta somehow get some of those Jimmies & Joes…
For the first time in the history of the Wildcat program, the Head Men’s Basketball coach is a Black man. Deserves mentioning, didn’t really factor in the game so I placed it here.
PHILADELPHIA – Black Cager Sports (BCS) Television today announced it will broadcast at least 20 premier scholastic basketball games during the 2022-23 season. BCS Television has agreed to broadcast games featuring several of the top high school programs in the Mid-Atlantic Region, the premier recruiting base for high major college programs.
Beginning in December, in accordance with the start of the high school basketball season in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, BCS Television’s Video-On-Demand (VOD) package will add Salesianum (DE), Constitution, Westtown, George School, Muhlenberg, Reading and Trenton Catholic boy’s basketball games to its elite schedule of Philadelphia Catholic League matchups.
“We are proud to expand upon our long-standing relationships with several Philadelphia Catholic League programs and further bolster our position as the premier place to watch ‘bigBOYbasketball’ in the Mid-Atlantic region,” said BCS Television Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer, Delgreco Wilson.“Neumann-Goretti, Roman Catholic, Archbishop Wood, Archbishop Ryan and West Catholic are nationally respected programs. Players like Robert Wright III, Khaafiq Myers, Xzayvier Brown, Anthony Finkley, Jalil Bethea, Thomas Sorber and Zion Stanford have attracted college coaches from the Big 10, Big 12, ACC, Big East, American and Atlantic 10 Conferences. The Philadelphia Catholic League remains one of the most storied scholastic basketball leagues in the nation.”
“BCS Television is pleased to provide extensive coverage of elite high school basketball during the 2022-23 season and throughout the whole year,” said Wilson. “From sports talk shows, livestreams and video-on-demand, we’re focused on opening new doors for high school basketball players and coaches to share their stories and to shine a light on our unique regional cultural experience. BCS Television is the ultimate destination for free, quality ‘bigBOYbasketball’ content.”
BCS TV is a leading sports media provider that embraces and represents the voice of high school, grassroots and college basketball in the Mid-Atlantic region. Every day of the year, we use our platform to capture captures the rich history and continud excellence of basketball in Philadelphia, New Jersey and Maryland. The network also provides a platform for emerging creatives in sports media production, branding, and broadcasting. We offer our viewers the best in live sports, sports talk shows and video-on-demand. Launched in 2013, BCS TV is headquartered in Camden, with offices in Baltimore and New York.
My homie from Mars, Zimgid Zrvxow, came to visit tonight. Turns out, they are starting a professional basketball league on Mars. Zimgid’s assignment was to come to the USA to scout for the best players. Last week, he was on the West Coast hanging with Rico Hines. Rico put him onto Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs.
Tonight, we had a few beers and blew a few trees while talking hoops. Maaaaan, y’all gotta try some of that Martian “LOUD”! Shit is ridiculous!!
Zimgid asked me: “Which kids from this area are playing the best in college basketball right now?” I started talking about ESPN and Rivals HS rankings… He stopped me… “FUCK that, that shit don’t matter… I wanna know who is playing the best in college basketball right now.”
“Ok… But, he was a McDonald’s All…” he cut me off again…
“I don’t care about none of that shit from HS… I don’t care about grassroots or shoe company circuit performances… Who is BALLIN in college right now?”
Apparently, the Martian Basketball League (MBL) will pay rookies 30 million uutiizs per year… Seems like that’s a lot of tax free Martian money…
I had to think long and hard and after a while I gave him the following list…
Stay tuned… When fans are allowed, you may see a 13 ft., 437 lb figure with three legs and 7 eyes carrying a clip board at Big East, Big 10 and A10 games. Don’t be alarmed… That’s just my man Zimgid.
You might wanna go out to the parking lot and get on the space ship with him… I’m telling you, that Martian LOUD is something special.
As I entered my forties, I really began to treasure my relationships with my older friends. At the top the list was my relationship with Claude Gross, Sr. We shared a love of the great game of basketball, we both appreciated the role that Philadelphia played in bringing the game to international prominence and we both never shut up.
Now…I’m opinionated and outspoken. But, I can’t begin to hold a candle to the legendary loquaciousness of Claude Gross.
More than just about anything else, he loved to talk hoops. His favorite topics were how good he was as a player and a coach. He was a living, breathing embodiment of the cartoon character Commander McBragg. Except, you always knew that Commander McBragg was embellishing his accomplishments.
Claude Gross never told me a single lie.
“I beat Wilt in High School, he wasn’t ready for me…” “We won the YMCA/AAU national championship in Jim Crow North Carolina in 1953…” “I played professional basketball under an assumed name while I was in high school…” “I averaged more than 40 in the industrial league…” “Me and Tee Parham were like 800 – 0…”
Claude Gross discusses Philly players of his era
Upon initially meeting Claude and hearing all of this, one would naturally wonder if he was exaggerating… NEVER!
As his gait got slower, and his energy levels decreased, I realized that I would not have my friend forever.
Claude and his contemporaries were GIANTS in the game. As noted above, his was the only Public League team to defeat Wilt Chamberlain and Overbrook HS. He played with John Chaney in high school. He mentored Ray “Chink” Scott, Earl Monroe, Mo Howard, Andre McCarter, Gene Banks, Lionel Simmons, Nate Blackwell, Geoffrey Arnold, Donnie Carr, Bobby Johnson, BJ Johnson, Donnie Carr, Rashid Bey and hundreds of other young men the came through the Sonny Hill Community Involvement League.
Claude passed on so much knowledge about the history of the game. He was an endless font and an incredible inspiration.
Claude Gross, front row 2nd from right
It just wasn’t fair that the accomplishments of his generation weren’t memorialized.
I never really knew about the magnificent careers of Tarzan Cooper, Zach Clayton and Frank Washington until Claude explained in great detail what they had accomplished. With words, he could place you in a cramped church gym and you could actually “see” Tee Parham scoring 40, 50, 60 or even 90 points with ease.
After bouncing around the idea with Claude, Tee Parham, Dave Riddick and Ray Scott, I decided to establish the Philadelphia Black Basketball Hall of Fame. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I enlisted Mo Howard and Geoffrey Arnold and we were off and running. We literally had nothing but spirit, energy and commitment.
Somehow, someway we wanted to be able to recognize the GREAT Philadelphia players, coaches, journalists and contributors that would never be otherwise recognized.
If NOT us? Who?
There is no Philadelphia Basketball Hall of Fame. These guys were banned from competition in the Big 5 solely because they were Black. Who? Who was gonna recognize and memorialize their enormous contributions?
With a nice little contribution from Lionel Simmons, we were off and running. No glitz, no glamour… Just 100 hopheads gathered in a small North Philadelphia community center with plenty of food and top shelf liquor loving and respecting one another.
ESPN’s Undefeated, the Philadelphia Tribune and the Philadelphia Inquirer provided extensive regional and national media coverage of the inaugural class. Temple and La Salle Universities were very supportive. Philadelphia Youth Basketball and Mike Horsey gave generous donations.
Nate Blackwell, Black Basketball HOF Induction Speech
The highlight… The headliner… The GRAND MASTER of the evening was my dear friend Claude Gross. He was a little weak, he wasn’t moving very well… But his mind was as sharp as ever! There were at least 20 South Philly guys in the house and they were drinking, carousing and fully supporting their leader.
Just a few weeks after his induction, Claude passed away. I can’t describe how good it felt knowing we were able to induct him into the Black Basketball Hall of Fame while he was able to fully participate and enjoy the ceremony.
Tee Parham
I have come to treasure every interaction and conversation I have with guys like Tee Parham, Ray Scott and Sonny Hill. They have given the game of basketball and the city of Philadelphia so much. We were able to present the late, great Dave Riddick with his award acknowledging his induction before he passed away. These moments are invaluable. To be able to honor the legends from yesteryear as well as my contemporaries like Nate Blackwell, Mike Anderson and Lionel Simmons meant so much to me. To see and feel the extent to which they appreciated the honor was incredible.
Roland Houston, Horace Owens PBBHOF member, Dave Riddick PBBHOF member and Geoff Arnold
I am extremely proud to have played a significant role in establishing a means of properly enshrining them and ensuring their legacies are shared with future generations.
The Philadelphia Black Basketball Hall of Fame, under the leadership of Mo Howard and Al Taylor has grown and taken on a much needed role of advocating for and providing assistance for members of the Philadelphia basketball community in need.
Again… If NOT us? Who?
I love the Philadelphia Black Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Philadelphia Black Basketball Hall of Fame matters!
The Black Cager 