Golden Hoops Returns to NYC

New York Daily News and Li Ning Sports lead resurrection of legendary youth summer basketball tournament for East Coast.

(From our friends at Golden Hoops)

After a fifteen-year hiatus, New York City will once again experience its greatest grassroots youth basketball tournament with the resurrection of the legendary Golden Hoops basketball tournament on August 21, 2010 at Edmond’s Playground in Fort Greene, Brooklyn from noon to 8pm.   The signature program marks a commitment to youth basketball and will bridge the gap between New York City’s basketball legacy and the current youth basketball experience while providing an improved platform for players’ development and future. Title sponsors the New York Daily News and Chinese-based athletic company Li Ning will host the top high school boys and girls on the East Coast during the one-day outdoor tournament.

The New York Daily News first introduced Golden Hoops in 1985.  Modeled after the successful “Golden Gloves” amateur boxing property, Golden Hoops continued through 1995 and was deemed a leading tournament on the East Coast as dozens of the sport’s most elite and notable players stepped foot on the court.  Dozens of players moved onto celebrated collegiate and NBA careers, including Kenny Anderson, Stephon Marbury, Roderick Rhodes, Felipe Lopez, Bobby Hurley, Lamar Odom, God Shammgod and Ron Artest, among many others. 

In 2010, the revival of Golden Hoops is marked with distinctive changes to the initial tournament structure.    Now hosted in the heart of Brooklyn, the top 40 high school boys from the East Coast will compromise four teams: Team NYC, Team Jersey, Team Empire State and Team Philly.  The top 20 high school girls from New York City and New Jersey will compete in the first-ever All-Girls tournament at Golden Hoops.  Under the new format, both boys and girls divisions will be led by notable coaches from the world of youth basketball with Golden Hoops alumni and homegrown NBA and WNBA players acting as honorary coaches.  Committed participants include NYC basketball legend and Queens native, Kenny Anderson (Team NYC), Brevin Knight (Team Jersey), John Wallace (Team Empire State), Kyle Lowery (Team Philly) and Cappie Pondexter (Girls Team NYC). 

“Golden Hoops was a tournament I looked forward to playing in every summer,” says NYC basketball legend Kenny Anderson.  “It brought together all the best players from the New York City metropolitan area for a great competition in a great atmosphere.  I am excited Golden Hoops is coming back and I look forward to being a part of it this summer as an Honorary Coach.”

Twenty year old, Beijing-based Li-Ning Sports (www.li-ningusa.com), with its newly established USA presence, will be providing custom uniforms and BD Doom footwear for the tournament. “Golden Hoops is a great opportunity to expose our brand and basketball products to some of the most competitive young players on the East Coast,” said Brian Cupps, Li-Ning’s Director of Brand Initiative for Basketball.

Golden Hoops will be hosted by NBA veteran and TNT on-air personality, Kenny Smith.  Acclaimed director, community advocate and passionate basketball fan, Spike Lee is the invited Guest of Honor. Power 105.1’s Ed Lover and DJ Self will oversee the mic and turntables throughout the tournament. 

A Community Awards ceremony will take place on-court before the boys’ championship game.  In honor of New York City grassroots basketball and the path previously paved, three local leaders will be named Golden Hoops 2010 Honorees:  Bob McCullough, Founder of the Each 1 Teach 1 program and Vincent Smith and Pierre Turner from the Aim High Foundation.  In memory of beloved New York City basketball community leader, pioneer and mentor, James “Buddy” Keaton, the Golden Hoops 2010 Special Tribute Award will be presented to his family.

The mission of the revitalized program has also attracted the support of national brands including Eastbay.com, Champs Sports, Rocawear, Gatorade, Wilson, Five Star Basketball, Crunch, 2K and Ben & Jerry’s.   Local, Brooklyn-based community support of Golden Hoops includes Cornerstone, the official site of the after-party, Phat & Juicy Foods, Mullane’s, The Smoke Joint, Madiba, I-Hop, Moe’s Bar and Lounge, Ralph’s, Green Planet, Chance 11, Met Foods, Vinnie’s Styles and Moshood.

Golden Hoops is a free, all-day, outdoor event.   To learn more about the history of the tournament, current players, coaches and game stats check out the official website: www.goldenhoopsnyc.com