By Bobby Ciafardini
NEW YORK — Time has changed Kenny Satterfield. And where not just talking about getting older.
The former 2001 second round pick spent three seasons in the NBA before his poor attitude cost him his roster spot, but the 26-year-old former Cincinnati star hasn’t followed the same story line as most streetball legends. You the know one: Rise to greatness, fall to obscurity.
Instead, Satterfield, with a little maturity, has resurrected his game. Last Thursday night at Rucker Park in Harlem, the man they call “High Energy” and “Serious Satellite” continued his domination on the NYC playground circuit, leading Team RocStar to a 98-79 victory over Hunc Records in the 2007 Entertainer’s Basketball Classic.
Satterfield led all scorers with a game-high 28. At halftime, he was named the EBC’s 2007 Player of the Year. By the conclusion of the game, Satterfield had earned himself MVP honors and a championship ring, too.
“This is one of my best individual summer seasons, in terms of personal accolades,” Satterfield told InsideHoops.com after the game. “It’s great to win Player of the Year and MVP of the game, but the title was the one I coveted most.”
Satterfield, who grew up in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx, has shed his “me-first attitude,” and cares most about winning these days, as he makes another run at the L. He plans on playing overseas this year, and remains hopefully for a second chance in the NBA.
Drafted by Dallas, Satterfield’s rights were later traded to Denver. He spent two seasons with the Nuggets and one in Philadelphia. Since, he has played in NBA summer camps, the D-League and overseas, working to fine tune both the physical and mental aspects of his game. Satterfield is arguably the best streetball player in New York. He has put up monster numbers at every tournament, including the Hoops in the Sun Roundball Classic where he was named co-MVP of the league Sunday after averaging 40 PPG. That makes back-to-back MVPs for Satterfield at H.I.T.S.
We saw another blast from the past this week in streetball. James “Speedy” Williams, a
New York streetball legend, won the Last Man Standing one-on-one tournament at the Garden. Saturday, he took home a $5,000 check, a championship ring, tickets to an MSG event of his choice, and will now get a tryout for the league before pro scouts.
He also suited up for D.D.N./Sean Bell All-Stars at H.I.T.S. Sunday, helping the top-seeded squad past Dontfahget.com for the chip. Speedy, whose playground dominance is chronicled in Lars Anderson’s and Chad Millman’s book Pickup Artists, starred at Medgar Evers College, but never made the league, although it’s been said that he was good enough to play at that level. Speedy has made a living playing streetball.
Next weekend, he’ll suit up in the 35-and-up Still Hoopin’ 3-on-3 Classic. The first-place team wins $125,000. The tournament at Iroquois Springs in Rock Hill, New York features a host of former NBA players – including former Knick Michael Ray Richardson – every year.
We’ll see if Speedy can add some more to his bank account this weekend. InsideHoops.com will be there, covering the games.
Other black top beat reminders: Don’t forget the Elite 24 Friday night at Rucker. Game tips at 7:30 p.m. Come and see the future of the NBA – now. Twenty-four of the nation’s best high schoolers on one court.
The Nike Tournament of Champions is Sunday – all day – at Goat Park in NYC. The champions from Hoops in the Sun, Dyckman, West 4th and Pro City will square off. That’s another can’t miss.
Final thoughts on the EBC chip: A shout goes out to Quinton “T2” Hosley, the son of Rucker scoring legend Ron “The Terminator” Mathias. Hosley, like his parents Hazel and Ron, has now won an EBC championship.All in the Family.
Rasaun “Crabby” Young notched 16 in a losing effort for Hunc Records. He also broke a H.I.T.S. championship game scoring record Sunday with 47 points for the runner-up, Dontfahget.com.
See you on the playground.