Hang With Some Of The Toughest Talent
| October 23, 2009
BallersNetwork.com - this is where players live. Come to the Leagues section to learn about some of the world’s best hoop leagues and how you can join.
Work on your game during the slow winter months and give your career a boost with the City Hoops Pro-Am League.
City Hoops has found what you might call a niche. The brainchild of former pro baller and LA basketball activist Omar Bray, City Hoops offers top players and referees an opportunity to showcase their potential to hang with some of the toughest talent and most competitive teams in the world at a key time during the year.
Bray describes, “Our program runs in the winter when there’s no other pro-am leagues in the city of Los Angeles. The majority of players at this level are playing overseas at that time so many of our guys are between pro contracts.”
Teams participating in City Hoops play for bragging rights. Placement in pro teams around the world. The chance to compete against LA’s elite.
Prestigious SoCal teams such as the Pasadena ‘Sportsmans’ (2006 National Pro-Am champs) and the Long Beach ‘Problems’ (2006 Nike Battleground champs) are only a few of the select teams who regularly participate. And with so much talent on the court, it’s no surprise that games are crawling with scouts. “Quite a few agents and scouts come through the gym,” Bray confirms. “One of our players just landed a job playing in Tokyo. It happens pretty often.”
Not one to overlook the importance of working with young ballers in the community, Bray is sure to keep the kids involved as well. “We always try to include a youth piece with the league. Before each game, we offer morning skills-training,” Omar explains. “It’s a 2-hour mini-camp for the 12-and-under players each Saturday morning before league play.”
City Hoops is equally invested in the careers of up and coming basketball officials. Last year, they hosted a training camp where professional referee observers evaluated the performance of each league ref. Officials tightened up their game with hopes of going pro, and Omar Bray helped make sure they were ready to take their shot.
Whether it’s sharpening the eyes of a referee, teaching a young hooper to go left, or securing spots on pro teams abroad, City Hoops is a pro-am league with its heart in the Los Angeles community but a reach that extends well beyond.
Games tip off at the Rita D. Walters Learning Complex Saturday mornings at 10am sharp.
Is your league represented on BallersNetwork.com? If there’s a league you think should be shared with the world, let us know at ballersnetwork@dimemag.com.
