Because they’re already at where I want to be,” Washington said. “It’s kind of a learning experience, really, to learn from pros. The 19-year-old was the youngest member of the squad, and the only player not an overseas professional. Team Nunn’s Deshawndre Washington, a top-ranked junior college player in the nation, couldn’t stop smiling. We don’t care if it’s five old ladies out there on the other team. If we can win by 50, win by 50,” Neely said. He hopes the tournament is an opportunity to prove himself as a coach. Neely repped the Simeon contingency with silver Air Jordan 1s and plenty of energy. Each team is selected by the NBA captain, through their personal connections around the city basketball scene. Jaleni Neely was asked to coach by Nunn, his former teammate at Simeon. Team Kendrick Nunn ran Team Tim Hardaway out of the gym, 87-54. Credit: Mack Liederman/Block Club Chicago Best friends Cortez Sims and Mikey McGee were happily put on court mop duties at Sunday’s event. Team Bobby Simmons beat Team Jabari Parker. Team Sterling Brown took care of business against Team E’twaun Moore. The young dynamic duo of Mikey McGee and Cortez Sims were happy to be on mop duties: A courtside view of the pro players they planned to replicate when they got home. It’s for underprivileged kids that don’t have the opportunity to go to NBA games.” “This brings our youth together, combining them with NBA players and professional players. “It’s always about the culture of Chicago basketball,” Maxey said. Any famous hooper could walk through those doors, paying their respects to the city. A highlight reel play can happen at any moment. Maxey remembers when former NBA all-star Antoine Walker stopped mid-game at the old Chicago State gym - so his friend, Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, had time to throw on a jersey and hop in.Īt a pro-am, the excitement is the unexpected. He fell in love with the pro-am long before his wife, Val, came along. Maxey hustled around the gym at Chi-League, fresh off his destination wedding in Cancun. For the city to win six championships, our egos are a little different.” “Michael Jordan brought a different type of oomph. “Chicago basketball has a different type of energy,” Maxey said. Jobba Maxey, lead organizer of the event, says bringing back Chi-League is a dream of his two years in the making, made possible by Dreamville. 22, organizers will crown the champions of Chicago in both the men’s and women’s divisions. It’s nothing but bragging rights.” Credit: Mack Liederman/Block Club Chicago Chicago State alum and longtime overseas professional Deji Akindele knocks down his free throws.Ĭhi-League will continue Sunday with its first-ever women’s pro-am. “Always trying to please the crowd, but at the end of the day, you want to win. We come out here and we just go at it,” said point guard Chase Adams. “This is just super authentic Chicago basketball. But when it came to crunchtime, serious basketball talk was the topic of every huddle. Bold step-back threes and ambitious dunks took precedence over making the extra pass. Each trip down the court was another opportunity to get everyone on their feet. Cole’s songs rocked the gym as players traded friendly bumps and plenty of trash talk. And we’re trying to keep the culture alive.” We do it for each other, we do it for the kids. But when you’re out here, you’re just having fun. Parker hoped to put on a show for the kids, and enjoy a Sunday in Summertime Chi with all his friends in the basketball community. Jabari Parker was one of eight current and former NBA players, all from Chicago, who served as team captains in Sunday’s win-or-go-home bracket.
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