Chicago United Hoops Classic Teams Announced

From our friends at the Chicago United Hoops Classic:

CHICAGO – April 5 – The Chicago United Hoops Classic today announced its official team rosters for the April 30 event which will feature premier prep school basketball players from Chicago’s South and West sides. The inaugural event, taking place on April 30, 2011, at the Sullivan Athletic Center on the campus of DePaul University, is working to promote non-violence among Chicago’s youth and to shine a spotlight on the importance of education. The event is open to the public and a portion of the proceeds will benefit both the Norm Van Lier Scholarship Fund and Chicago-based anti-violence organization, Purpose Over Pain.

The topic of youth violence in Chicago has been well-documented, with 86 children (aged 18 and younger) killed in the city in 2010. The goal of the Chicago United Hoops Classic is to help Silence the Violence in an effort to bring the city of Chicago together through a special event that will unify the South and West sides. The foundation was created by Susan Van Lier in memory of her late husband Norm Van Lier, the former broadcaster and popular Chicago Bulls player.

The teams feature many of the top prep school players in Chicago, and are coached by four of the top high school coaches in the area. For the South, Coach Robert Smith, Head Coach at Simeon and finalist for national high school coach of the year, and Coach Robert Locke, Head Coach at Brooks will lead the team. For the West, Coach William “Wolf” Nelson, Head Coach at Farragut, and Coach Tim Anderson, Head Coach at Crane, will be at the helm.

Tickets will be available on game day ($15 adults, $7 students) at the box office or online at www.chiunitedhoopsclassic.com. The Sullivan Center holds 3,000 fans, so it is recommended that tickets are purchased in advance.

The Chicago United Hoops Classic will be streamed live on Comcast SportsNet and ClickStreamTV. Visit chiunitedhoopsclassic.com to sign up for the global webcast and access game-day action. Chicago Public Schools serves as a key marketing partner, while Converse, Wilson Sporting Goods, World Sport Chicago, Lottery Pick Energy Drink, ABC Data Entry,SLAM Magazine and Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush lead a list of high profile sponsors.

Complete team rosters are as follows:

SOUTH SIDE:

Bruce Barron (PG/SG), Brehm Prep
Macari Brooks (PG/SG), Rich South
Jerome Brown (SF), Morgan Park
Julius Brown (PG), Hillcrest
Jamee Crockett (SF), Crete-Monee
Deshawn Delaney (SF), Carver
Ahman Fells (PF), Simeon
Brian Greene (SG), Thornton
Phillip Greene (SG), IMG
Julian Lewis (SF), Homewood-Flossmoor
George Marshall (PG), Brooks
Greg Mays (C), Crete-Monee
Mike Powell (PG), Brooks
Mike Turner (PF), University High
Darien Walker (SG), Simeon

WEST SIDE:

Kortney Darby (PF), St. Patricks
Joseph Edwards (SF/PF), St. Josephs
Tevin Harris (PF), Providence St. Mel
Frank Kaminsky (C), Benet Academy
Alphonse Matthews (SG/SF), Farragut
Kwaie Pearson (PG), Whitney Yount
David Sobolewski (PG), Benet Academy
Tyrone Staggers (SF), St. Ignatius
Keifer Sykes (PG), Marshall
DJ Tolliver (SG), Farragut
Greg Travis (SG), Curie
Tino Vazquez (PF), Proviso East
Gabe Williams (PG), Farragut
Jacob Williams (SF), St. Patricks
Kieran Woods (SG), Crane

About Chicago United Hoops Classic
The Chicago United Hoops Classic is a South Side vs. West Side high school basketball showcase event designed to benefit the Norm Van Lier Scholarship Fund and Purpose over Pain. The game will take place at the Sullivan Athletic Center on April 30, 2011. Check out the Chicago United Hoops Classic Facebook page or follow us on Twitter for the latest news and updates.

About the Norm Van Lier Scholarship Fund
The Norm Van Lier Scholarship Fund is a 501(c) (3) organization that looks to provide financial assistance to at-risk and under-served children who reside in Chicago’s West and South Side neighborhoods. The organization is dedicated to sharing the ideals cherished by the late Norm Van Lier:  scholarship, courage, respect, and teamwork.

About Purpose Over Pain

Purpose Over Pain was founded by bereaving family members of children killed by violence. The organization promotes anti violence tactics by providing peer support groups, delivering anti-violence educational programming, and promoting common sense gun laws.