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Streetball tour makes stop in New Orleans |
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Written by Lori Lyons
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Monday, 02 July 2007 |
 Marvin Collins was a pretty good high school basketball player in his hometown of Atlanta. However, a lack of study time kept him from playing for a Division I college or shooting for a future in the NBA.
That didn't stop him from playing his game.
Today, Collins is better known as High Rizer. According to fans of the sport known as Streetball, he is one of the best dunkers in the world.
"I've earned that title," Collins said.
Local fans can judge for themselves today when the Ball4Real national tour makes its stop at the New Orleans Arena. New Orleans is one of 30 cities where the best streetballers in the country get to show their stuff in 5-on-5 competition...
This is not your coach's basketball, Collins said.
"It's called Ball4Real because it's real basketball," he said. "It's no tricks. It's the stuff you see on the streets. The only difference is, we have real referees."
The player-owned tour is happy to be coming to New Orleans, CEO Lisa Fusco said.
"We know it's kind of a depressed area right now," Fusco said. "We kind of thought any kind of business we can bring to the city is important. And with tickets starting at $10 for lower level seats, we think it's very affordable entertainment."
Ticket prices range from $10 to $65 for floor level. Included in that price is admission to the outdoor block party at 3 p.m., the tour's own car show, music, food, merchandise and prizes and the outdoor Streetball competition. The main event tips off at 7 p.m. at the Arena and will feature a halftime show by Shop Boyz.
Local players also can sign up to show their skills in the competition and earn a chance to become part of the tour. The top five local players, determined at the outdoor competition throughout the afternoon, will form a team to take on one of the tour's teams in the main event.
That's what T.J. Fontanette did two years ago in Houston. He got the day off from work, signed up at the venue and played his way into the final game. At one point during the day, he did a 720-degree spin on a dunk, which was captured on video and posted on YouTube. The clip has gotten more than 5 million hits and has given Fontanette his deserved Streetball nickname, Mr. 720.
However, the Streeball tour isn't all about dunks and nicknames. It's also about community service. Several members of the tour visited the local Boys and Girls Club on Thursday. It's a regular part of every visit to every city, Fusco said.
Jamar "Pharmacist" Davis, once a foster child, devotes much of his time to local foster care organizations. Fusco said the tour donates tickets in each city.
"The players are the owners of the tour," Fusco said. "And it's extremely important to them to be out in the community, to spend some time. A lot of kids don't get to meet NBA players or NFL players, but that personal contact means something."
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