It’s been a great summer for the basketball junkie in Southern California. So much basketball regionally can overwhelm one’s senses. Now it is late august and you’re coming to the end of your summer of hoops. You have been everywhere in the Southwest following the endless stream of talent this region has to offer. It all started in July with a couple of local tournaments in LA and San Diego, maybe Palm Springs. Then it was off to Vegas for the big AAU Tournaments and the NBA Summer League. ow that you have seen all the future pros on an organized level, you begin to yearn for some streetball, something tough and gutter. You’re ready for the side show of summer ball. You’re ready for the VBL Venice Basketball League.
Early in the summer of 1979 Kenn I. Hicks and his family moved to California
from New York. Being associated with organized sports all is life, enlisted the support of his friends Bill Strayhorn and Mark Price in organizing a group called “the New Social Workers” which sponsored several local holiday basketball tournaments. Although the local tournaments were successful, Hicks possessed a strong desire to expand these tournaments into those comprised of teams from all over the United States. Having been exposed to the Harlem Rucker Summer Basketball League in New York City, Hicks was impressed with the enthusiasm generated by talented players competing from many different cities and states. The Outdoor format always raises the level of competition due to the spectators, and the player’s friends/family seeking excitement. Outdoor basketball is where legends are born and carried by word of mouth everywhere. Each time a story is told it gets more exciting and interesting. Hicks went to high school with the legend, Earl “The Goat” Manigault at Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina.
Music during halftime, rappers, singers, dancers, celebrities, bathing suit contest, and the radio stations broadcasting live from the beach, made the National Outdoor 5 on 5 Basketball Championship (Summer Basketball Showdown)The New Social Workers cited Venice Beach as an ideal location for the tournament. Venice Beach offers the perfect setting for such an event since it draws a large cross section of spectators who enjoy watching exciting basketball and who won’t settle for less than 100% from the players. Thus the National Outdoor Basketball Championship was born at Venice Beach in the summer of 1981. Over the years the tournament grew in many ways. Teams from all over the country participated in five adult divisions and seven youth divisions, with over fifteen hundred participants. You would always find many NBA players competing for the outdoor crown and pre-college players in the youth division building a reputation. It was a family affair with contests and games for the entire family. The most popular and competitive tournament of its kind in the country.- www.veniceball.com
The VBL is like no other, it provides a unique setting and excitement that is hard to replicate. Venice Beach is a national icon. No matter what time of year you can find hundreds of people walking the boardwalk, looking at street performers, and whatever entertainment you can find.
The VBL has a special place in my heart because I grew up with it. I remember vividly playing in the tournament with the Lake View Terrace All-Stars and one of my best friends Ryan Hicks, the son of Kenn Hicks. The VBL was our time to show out and represent our neighborhood for all of LA. All of your family and friends would be there, so you had be on your game. I remember being there when Kobe Bryant was just a young rookie. Kobe was making headlines around the city, he went to the prom with Brandy and you could bet he was at any event were under 21 was allowed. For those of you that remember Kobe was a great streetballer. But his streetball career was short lived, in his first appearance at Venice he fractured his wrist. You could hear the entire beach gasp with fear, and concern for the new prince of LA. Not to worry because we all know the story of Mr. Bryant’s forthcoming success.
There have been many stories told over the years about the VBL, some good, some bad, some embellished. The point is this event is what LA Basketball is all about. To grow up with as part of your childhood, then have it transition into your adult life is a blessing. Basketball is a culture in places like LA, New York, and Chicago. It’s almost religious. So you can say that Venice Beach is something like a temple of sorts for the unwavering basketball devoted.
Make sure to check out the VBL yourself in late August every year at Venice Beach. find out more info www.veniceball.com
No comments:
Post a Comment