LOS ANGELES-The final game has been played. The last spectacular dunk has been excecuted. The last set of oohs and aahs has been quieted until next summer. But the 41st season of the Drew League was just as good as ever. Often regarded as the premier pro-am summer league basketball torurnament, the Drew League lived up to the hype this season with high-flying dunks, dazzlying blocks, entertaining shake-n-bake moves, good food and a packed house every weekend.
The lineup of NBA stars such as J. R. Smith (New York Knicks), Nick Young (Los Angeles Lakers), Brandon Jennings (Detroit Pistons), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), and Dorell Wright (Portland Trailblazers) added flavor to the summer basketball league this summer. Others such as Portland’s Damian Lillard and OKC’s Kevin Durant made appearances but didn’t play. But at the end of the day the play on the court was all that mattered. Hank’s Houdini All-Stars settled everything by earning their way to the title game where they defeated C.O.A. to claim the 2014 Drew League championship.
Corey Allen scored 25 points to lead Hank Houdini’s All-Stars to the victory, while Billy Knight tallied 19 for C.O.A. Though no NBA players played in the title game, the buzz surrounding the contest was just as feverish with a standing-room only crowd reflecting this. In the eyes of Oris “Dino” Smiley, founder of the Drew League Foundation, the competition this year was perhaps the best he has seen it.
“This is the most competitive of the 41 years,” Smiley said after the conclusion of the title game. “By far, this is the most competitive year we’ve had.”
Smiley said that is an attribution to the mix of NBA, college and international players.
“The players come from all over-high level players-NBA, college and overseas,” Smiley said.
Michael McCaa, chief financial officer of the Drew League Foundation, said it’s been another incredible year in the Drew League.
“Another fantastic year in the Drew League,” McCaa said. ” It keeps getting better and better. I’m excited about it…it is an amazing way to end the season.”
Dennis has covered and written about politics, crime, race, sports, and entertainment. Dennis currently covers the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, and Olympic sports. Dennis is the editor of News4usonline.com and serves as the publisher of the Compton Bulletin newspaper. He earned a journalism degree from Howard University. Email Dennis at dfreeman@news4usonline.com
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