Basketball Town: Chicago

USAcities|   August 4, 2008

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City: Chicago, IL

Nickname: “Chi-Town”, “The Chi”, “The Windy City”

Population: 3 million

The Chicago Style: “Warriors. Chicago breeds playground ballers that immerse themselves in ATTACK mode and mesh fundamentals, physical play, and individuality. Everybody brings something different to the court. Very few are flashy, most play in-your-face defense, and there are a lot of sleepers (very non-descript guys who will give you major buckets). Of course it all depends on which side of the city you’re on – West Side ballers are different from South Side.” – LeKeith Taylor, F, Southern Illinois Univ. Salukis, bred on the South Side of Chicago.

Chicago Rules: Games are mostly 1s & 2s, some 2s and 3s depending on which side of town you’re in. Call your own fouls … but rarely. In Chicago, you play through contact.

Where to Play:
Indoors
- Attack Athletics: 2641 W. Harrison, Chicago, IL (773.826.2300)

- LA Fitness (1101 S. Canal St., Chicago, IL; 12000 S. Cicero Ave., Alsip, IL 60803

Outdoors
- 63rd and Hayes: Chicago’s Lakefront. South Side

-Marquette Park: 6734 S. Kedzie Ave.

-Avalon Park: 1215 E. 83rd St (Chicago’s South Side)

-Grand Crossing - 76th and Ingleside Ave. (Chicago’s South Side)

Best Tournaments
1. “Chicago Pro-Am” - Held every summer. (The best of the best. Period)
2. “Time to Shine” – A tourney meshing city and suburban talent in the South Suburbs.
3. “Sonny Parker Summer League” – Holman Sq. Rec Center – Full of D-1, D-II, D-III players.
Chicago Pro-Am


Chicago Alumni

Kevin Garnett (for high school at least), Antoine Walker, Shawn Marion, Quentin Richardson, Corey Maggette, Eddy Curry, Sherron Collins, Shaun Livingston, Derrick Rose, Melvin Ely, Paul McPherson, Julian Wright, Tim Hardaway, Isaiah Thomas, Terry Cummings, Nick Anderson

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36 comments

  1. King of NY > August 4, 2008

    Chi-Town has ballers but they aren’t f*ckin with NYC.

    This what we do! We ball out (pause), There should be an all Chi-Town team v. an All NY squad. We just recently MURDERED Philly and beat a damn good DC team.

    1. NYC
    2. DC
    3. Chi-town
    4. L.A.
    5. Detroit

  2. Thousand > August 4, 2008

    Chicago also is notorious for having a fat dude that is fast with serious game.

  3. Fab5er > August 4, 2008

    Great breakdown of the Chi, definitely one of states that true ballers are made.

  4. The Ace > August 4, 2008

    Now that is content!

  5. Frankman > August 4, 2008

    Whoa, whoa, whoa! DC before Chi-Town? NY before Chi-Town? Are you kidding me here? Bongo Bongo

  6. jbluv > August 4, 2008

    Great breakdown of the Chicago basketball. I’ve hooped all the US and Chicago definitely has some the aggressive ballers I’ve played against, and prideful in defense also.

    jb

  7. Thousand > August 4, 2008

    Madness. King of NY is talking like he been smoking… No Way is the Chi behind D.C.

  8. Bear > August 4, 2008

    man…the only thing Chi-town got is Isaish Thomas and you could tell how badly he hate NYC by his TERRIFIC coaching style of our beloved NY Knicks….who suck cause of all the HORRIBLE decisions Thomas made…DAMN!!!!….

  9. Bear > August 4, 2008

    thousand….Chi-town don’t even DESERVE to be there…only reason why they EVEN recognized is cause of Michael Jordan….other then that…its just another wanna-be NYC….join the rest of the line for that….

  10. Slam > August 4, 2008

    Looks like Chi-town got skillz, of course i’m always going to be loyal to NYC, Harlem at that!

  11. world wide nate > August 4, 2008

    good piece keith but these NY folks on the comment are reckless with there comments, tell them who is running the NRF!!!

  12. ygiwa > August 4, 2008

    Chicago is home for slashers on offense and players who will pick you’re pockets on defense. This is a good breakdown of Chicago basketball.
    1. Chi-town
    2. NYC
    3. Cali
    4. DC
    5. Detroit

  13. JimmyTheSaint67 > September 29, 2008

    Dear Chi Town Ballers,
    …are there any cats left from the Pro City 1 & 2 teams Summer 2006? Cuz the Crew from London (yeah, UK not USA) Midnight Madness Squad came through & cleared a few myths about British Ball
    Did the same in Miami Fla this August with an even younger Crew … 3-0
    Much Love from Coach Sam Stiller & Trainer James Applin
    Next…

  14. Ski > October 17, 2008

    SPELL ISIAH RIGHT

  15. Bart > October 21, 2008

    Wasn’t Barack Obama one of the south side players? Does anybody know?

  16. Dusko Ilic > October 21, 2008

    All of thous superstars are ok, but pleas help thous of people ho dont hav anithing!
    That is the meaning of NIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  17. Dusko Ilic > October 21, 2008

    Go to SERBIA and we will show you>> :)

  18. Older guy > November 25, 2008

    Whoever put those names up there hasn’t made his 21st birthday yet. Eddy Curry???? Who the hell are you BS ing?Antione Walker???hahahahahahaha

    Billy the kid Harris would have lit up everyone on that list. Where is Mark Aguirre? And further back how about Art Hicks?

    The guys on that list may be YOUR legends, but they ain’t even in the same solar system of the all time list.

  19. Jason > December 9, 2008

    Chicago has the best ballers hands down. We run all day and night! Looking for a run or league hit me up on:

    http://www.where2hoop.com

  20. Phresh > December 19, 2008

    Chi-Town has da BE$T Baller$ hands down Rafer Alston could not hang with Will Maple, Will Bynum, Micheal Hermon, or Sherron Collins and Will Maple is da best ball handler that I ever…………….. seen run up if u want to new york my ass u out yo damn mind Chi big holla out 2 Kamil Wilson also out in Ohio

  21. Jason > January 10, 2009

    http://where2hoop.com/

    chicago’s site for hoops sonnnnn

  22. Joel > February 10, 2009

    Dwayne Wade
    Kevin Garnett
    Isiah Thomas
    Timmy Hardaway
    Eddy Curry
    Juwan Howard
    Antoine Walker
    Corey Maggette
    Q Richardson
    Mark Acguirre
    Terry Cummings
    Derrick Rose
    Michael Finley
    Nick Anderson
    Kendall Gill
    Shannon Brown
    Sherron Collins
    Julian Wright
    Shaun Livingston
    Dan Issel
    George Mikan
    Bobby Simmons
    Nazr Mohammed
    Steve Hunter
    Imari Sawyer
    Will Bynum
    Sean Dockery
    Maurice Cheeks
    Doc Rivers
    Luther Head
    Shawn Marion
    Melvin Ely
    Paul McPherson
    Michael Dunigan
    DeAndre Liggins
    Jeremy Pargo
    Alando Tucker
    Ronnie Fields
    Cuonzo Martin
    Quinn Buckner
    Pierre Pierce
    Patrick Beverly
    Jeremy McNeal

    To those claiming NYC or some weak-a$$ed town like Philly, let’s see your lists. Until then, the list speaks for itself, ladies.

  23. Youngv > March 4, 2009

    No disrespect to NY but Chicago Is better now in the present day. Way back in the days, New York was slightly better but if you look at the players produced now that’s in the NBA from both city’s Chicago wins by a landslide.

  24. Big Baller > May 1, 2009

    Chicago is one of the Hottest if not #1 then it’s gotta be #2 and not behind NYC.

    D Wade
    D Rose
    Q Rich
    Corey Maggette
    Imari Sawyer
    Juwan Howard
    Ronnie Fields
    Isiah Thomas
    Mark Aguirre
    T Cummings
    Will Bynum
    Paul Mc Pherson
    Marlon London (sleeper)
    Pierre Pierce
    Jeremy Pargo
    Jannero Pargo
    Tony Freeman
    Doc Rivers
    Luther Head
    Shannon Brown
    Bobby Simmons
    Lance Williams
    Shaun Liv
    Ced Banks
    David Bailey
    Sherron Collins
    Sean Doc (sleeper)
    Twon Walker
    Matrix
    Tim Hardaway
    Nick Anderson
    Kendall Gill
    Kiwane Garris
    Ollie Bailey
    Marcus White
    Brandon Ewing (sleeper)
    J Straight

  25. jobba > May 14, 2009

    Chi Town got the world of basketball on its shoulders! We got more players in the NBA from the Chi present and past than any other city global. And we got the hottest and most talked about summer pro am league in the Chi! Handz Down! TIME2SHINE, you didnt know…Shiiiiiiiiaaaaaadddd, where the competion is FIERCE! Holla bak

  26. TEETEE > May 14, 2009

    Yes Sirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr it’s the best of the best the competion is so so FIERCE
    all you think you a BALLERS should check it out————-the REAL DEAL Southside June 7, 2009

  27. Big fella > June 30, 2009

    Man Chicago has the best ballers than any other place…PERIOD.

  28. Joe > July 6, 2009

    Chicago got NYC faded!!!

    Isiah Thomas
    Mark Aguirre
    Terry Cummings
    Tim Hardaway
    Maurice Cheeks
    Kevin Garnett
    Doc Rivers
    Dwayne Wade
    Jeff Hornacek
    Shawn Marion
    Micheal Finley
    Juwan Howard
    Derrick Rose
    Ben “Benji” Wilson
    Nick Anderson
    Jamie Brandon
    Julian Wright
    Will Bynum
    Ricky Green
    Kendall Gill
    Marcus Liberty
    Antoine Walker
    Ronnie Fields
    Eddy Curry
    Ken “Snake” Norman
    Craig Hodges
    J.J. Anderson
    Kenny Battle
    Sherron Collins
    Jennero Pargo
    Quentin Richardson

  29. matt > July 31, 2009

    how good as billy the kid harris

  30. Terrance > September 11, 2009

    you all are crazy. It all starts with NYC. Everybody on the planet follows after that. Do your research. Don’t be crazy.

  31. rakeem smith > November 10, 2009

    i was hopin in the near future or the next summer that you guys would allow a bahamain team(the bahamas ) come in see what you guys got an play in your tournaments we’ll love to play trust me (M.E. jumpers ) from nassua bahamas one of the youngest an the best team in the bahamas night leauge rite now

  32. Face5535 > November 12, 2009

    I have to jump into this arguement…. I seriously think that this is one of the biggest debates ever. I can remember these exact same arguments as a teenageer when I attended the famous 5 star basketball camp. I give much love to NYC but, I still think the Chi produces more talent than any city and Illinois produces more tallent than any state in the world. NYC is hands down the Mecca and when it comes to summer league street basketball it is hard to make arguements again Rucker park, West 4th Street, etc.. Just because thats where it all began but, summer league street hoops isnt what the arguement is. It is who produces the most tallent… Chicago has the Pro Am, and many other tourneys that can rival summer league tourneys, I will say Tim Grover and Attack Gym is changing the way summer basketball across the counrty is played, instead of NBA and college athletes playing in Pro Am’s and tourney they are now spending 90% of thier time at Attack traing with Grover.

    Enough about all that, back to Chi-Town and its tallent. For all you young bucks out there, here is a list of past and present guys from the Chi, I dont think NYC has this kind of resume:
    Isaiah Thomas
    Mark Aguirre
    Terry Cummings
    Tim Hardaway
    Maurice Cheeks
    Kevin Garnett
    Doc Rivers
    Dwayne Wade
    Jeff Hornacek
    Shawn Marion
    Michael Finley
    Juwan Howard
    Derrick Rose
    Ben Wilson
    Nick Anderson
    Jamie Brandon
    Julian Wright
    Will Bynum
    Ricky Green
    Kendall Gill
    Marcus Liberty
    Antoine Walker
    Ronnie Fields
    Eddy Curry
    Ken “Snake” Norman
    Craig Hodges
    J.J. Anderson
    Kenny Battle
    Sherron Collins
    Quentin Richardson
    Corey Maggette
    Imari Sawyer
    Paul Mc Pherson
    Marlon London
    Pierre Pierce
    Jeremy Pargo
    Jannero Pargo
    Tony Freeman
    Luther Head
    Shannon Brown
    Dee Brown
    Bobby Simmons
    Lance Williams
    Shaun Livingston
    Cedric Banks
    David Bailey
    Sean Dockery
    Antwon Walker
    Kendall Gill
    Kiwane Garris
    Ollie Bailey
    Marcus White
    Brandon Ewing
    Jason Straight
    Julian Wright
    Shaun Livingston
    Dan Issel
    George Mikan
    Nazr Mohammed
    Steve Hunter
    Maurice Cheeks
    Melvin Ely
    Willie Maple
    Antwan Randle El
    Sergio McClain
    Frankie Willaims
    Napolean Harris
    Tim Bankston
    Paul McPherson
    Michael Dunigan
    DeAndre Liggins
    Alando Tucker
    Ronnie Fields
    Cuonzo Martin
    Quinn Buckner
    Patrick Beverly
    Jeremy McNeal
    Levertis Robinson
    Phil Gary
    Darius Clemons
    Jeff Steward
    Billy Harris
    Lamont Bryant
    Rashard Griffith
    Rommel Shorter
    Deon Thomas
    Tracy Dildy
    Eddy Curry
    Ray McCoy
    Kendall Gill
    Shawn Dockery
    Mel McCants
    Julius Poinsette
    JJ Anderson
    Voise Winters
    Efrem Winters
    Carl Gholston
    Darren Brittman
    Ricky Green
    Marcus Liberty
    Teddy Grubbs
    Maurice ‘Bo’ Ellis- Parker
    Tracy Webster
    Walter Bond
    Alonzo Verge
    Kenny Davis
    Jarrod Gee
    Antoine Davidson
    Melvon Foster
    Joe Daugherty
    Corey Maggette
    Bryan Leach (put 75 on Jordan in a pro am game)
    Evan Turner
    Darius Miles

    I am sure I missed a few along the way but, why would I keep going?

    As for you other fool that even mention places like DC…. really? Wow, educate your selves then come back. If you were going to argue any other places it should be Cali/LA or Mich/Det.

    Thats all I got for now Im out..

    Face

  33. Larry Hoover > November 17, 2009

    Yo Terrance, did you even look at those lists? KG, Wade, Thomas, Hardaway, and Rose at the very top and going all the way to Beverley and McNeal, two stars players when in college at the bottom.

  34. sameol_g > January 3, 2010

    Garnett is not from Chicago ended up there after some trouble in SC. Marcus Liberty was a bust great high school player but that was it.Miles, Curry and Mohammed are a stretch. It’s some talent there in Chi no doubt.

  35. Frank D. Seals > January 5, 2010

    As for the New York vs Chicago argument the Harlem Globetrotters were from Chicago and most of the greatest players were never heard of because like Billly Harris we were too real for the system.

  36. Harold McReynolds > January 24, 2010

    I challenge any pro am team in America to come compete in the Tournament of Stars Pro Am Classic in Lake Charles,La held August 13-15,2010. This tournament may be the best kept secrets in the country. We have over 50 teams that compete in the event. It’s been going on for 15 years.

    If the best ballers are in CHI Town, prove it at this event! go http://www.tournamentofstars.com or contact me directly at 337-764-3593, Get the scoop on this tourney that everyone has been talking about in the south.

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