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High School junior rocks the Rucker |
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Written by Tom Kertes
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Thursday, 21 June 2007 |
 No, LeBron James was not at Harlem’s Rucker Park last night. But a “LeBron is going to play†rumor was certainly all over the place on the Entertainers’ Basketball Classic opening night.
Thing is, as juicy as some of the rumors are, once play begins a LeBron-less existence barely matters at EBC. The nightcap, in particular, was simply a never-ending wealth of recognition and talent - even in the crowd. Wasn't that Nate Robinson ducking his way through the opening night crowd? Pharrell Williams on the sidelines?Then look on the court. Hey, isn’t that the Junk Yard Dog? And, right next to him, Homicide -- and the White Chocolate? And with all these guys on the same team -- Gino Green Global -- do the opponents stand any kind of a chance?Well, yeah -- if they have ex-Denver Nugget Kenny Satterfield. AND the deservedly legendary street ball–magician “The Maniacâ€. Even better, if neither of those guys is the best player on the team.
It’s not even close, in fact.
The best player on Team Rocstar was some baby-faced sub-six foot kid -- the formidable White Chocolate called him “the little miniature guy†as he was getting lit up at one point -- called “E-ZPassâ€. EP turned out to be Kemba Walker, a 5-11 Rice High school junior who just committed verbally to UConn...
Over -- hold on to your suspenders, Red Storm fans -- St. John’s.
Ouch. How awesome is this little kid? Let’s just say the Johnnies missed out on a fortunes-turning talent.
However, few in the ooh and aah-ing crowd knows that early, even as the kid keeps the heavy underdog Rocstars in the lead with some awe-inspiring off-dribble jumpers. However, CBA-star Homicide soon turns things around with his unique aggression -- he’s one of the best drivers of the ball, ever -- and Gino is up comfortably after the first quarter, 28-16.
But now the kid goes nuts. They put Chocolate on him, no problem. They put Homicide on him – scary!!! – E-Z doesn’t even break a sweat. One great drive follows another purified parking lot jumper, followed by still another spectacular move. The kid is breathtaking as he closes a 12 point deficit (48-36) to just four (48-44) pretty much single-handedly.
It’s 49-44 Gino at the half. E-Z -- who seemingly hasn’t missed a shot as yet -- has 17.
Another tremendously tough E-Z “J†keeps things under control early (53-48 Gino) – but now The Chocolate goes bonkers, scoring seven points in succession on downright maniacal lefty drives and pet gyrating jumpers. Then he gets hit in the face (accidentally, by a teammate) - and screams “It ain’t going to cool me down!â€
And it doesn’t -- Gino is up 67-55 after three.
Ezy took it a bit easy in the third -- but now KSatt and the Maniac finally warm up, getting the game within reach (69-65) once again. But Homicide stretches it back to nine, 76-67, with another get-out-of-my-face drive. E-Z gets going again -- he finishes with 25 -- but Homicide is now merciless. Gino holds on 82-76.
“I’ve been playing in the ABA, with the Maryland Nighthawks, the past three years,†the Chocolate gasps afterwards. “And in Venezuela. Now I’m working out with the Wizards. I’m telling you, I can shoot with anyone in the NBA! I want a shot at The Show!â€
In the first game, another 5-10 high school kid, junior Joshua “Jiggy Josh†Watkins from Wadleigh, IS the show. Still, in spite of his spectacular 28 points, his Bum Said It squad drops it to Hunc Records 96-85.
Hunc’s A.J. Millen, 6-7 with a reach of at least 7-2, has 31 on assorted dunk-a-delia. “I play for Idaho State,†he says. “But I really PLAY here, if you know I’m saying. This place is The Bomb.â€
NBA.com/knicks
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