The Gallery League Summer Basketball Tournament Lights Up the Yonkers Night
While fall, winter and early spring are considered the traditional seasons for indoor basketball where fans get to watch their favorite NBA and NCAA teams compete on the hardwood, summer in the New York Metro region is at no loss for an exciting and competitive brand of street basketball played on our neighborhood urban courts.
Fans at The Gallery League (center) enjoy a safe an exciting afternoon and evening of basketball with tight security (left) and the entertaining on-court reporting of Larry Agee (right).
While the Entertainers Basketball Classic founded by the late Greg Marius and held at Harlem’s historic Rucker Park (and featured in MetroSports Magazine’s Sept-Oct 2016 issue) is perhaps most familiar, there are other well-known tournaments throughout the area which include the Dyckman Tournament, Hoops In The Sun, and The Gallery League. MetroSports Magazine had the pleasure of covering the All Star Championships and Slam dunk Tournament on August 19 as The Gallery League brought its summer 2017 season to a close. What we saw was a packed house - a standing room only crowd – entertained by exciting basketball, good food, an acrobatic slam dunk contest, and the best basketball DJ and announcing crew in the region. Our bet is that The Gallery League will grow to be the region's premier summer league and tournament outside the five boroughs of NYC and will give those with the city a healthy run for their money as well.
Young fans in attendance and posing with NYC basketball phenom and NYC's High School Player of the Year, Isaiah Washington
While you can find full coverage of The Gallery League’s 2017 season in the September-October issue of MetroSports Magazine (always free and online at www.MetroSportsMag.com), we thought we'd bring you this brief report. The Gallery League, founded by Robert Richardson, is contested on a court surrounded by art to express Richardson’s belief that basketball is an art form. Contributing to the connection between basketball and art, The Gallery League began with, and maintains connections with, professional basketball great Chauncy Billups and hip hop recording artist Jadakiss. Entertainment is provided, in part, by the constantly running commentary of on-court emcee Larry Agee.
Although there were no donuts to be seen, there was a whole lot of Dunkin going on. Even the youngest got involved (center) with a little help. Jason Barrera, a local standout from Elmsford (left) was crowned Slam Dunk Champion.
One thing's for certain. We'll be back next year. Look for full coverage in the upcoming September-October issue of MetroSports Magazine. Sign up for our mailing list so you won't miss an issue. MetroSports Magazine is always free and online at www.MetroSportsMag.com.
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