After a fifteen-year hiatus, New York City will once again experience its greatest grassroots youth basketball tournament with the resurrection of the legendary Golden Hoops on August 21, 2010 at Edmond’s Playground in Fort Greene, Brooklyn from noon to 8pm. The signature program marks a commitment to youth basketball and will bridge the gap between New York City’s basketball legacy and the current youth basketball experience while providing an improved platform for players’ development and future. Title sponsors the New York Daily News and Chinese-based athletic company Li-Ning will host the top high school boys and girls on the East Coast during the one-day outdoor tournament.

Links on this page: Schedule | Boys rosters | Girls rosters

The New York Daily News first introduced Golden Hoops in 1985. Modeled after the successful “Golden Gloves” amateur boxing property, Golden Hoops continued through 1995 and was deemed a leading tournament on the East Coast as dozens of the sports most elite and notable players stepped foot on the court during the annual Harlem Week event. Dozens of players moved onto celebrated collegiate and NBA careers including Kenny Smith, Kenny Anderson, Stephon Marbury, Roderick Rhodes, Bobby Hurley, Lamar Odom, God Shammgod and Ron Artest.

In 2010, the revival of Golden Hoops is marked with distinctive changes to the initial tournament structure. Now hosted in the heart of Brooklyn, the top 40 high school boys from the East Coast will compromise four teams: Team NYC, Team NJ, Team Empire and Team Philly. The top 20 high school girls from New York City and New Jersey will compete in the first-ever All-Girls tournament at Golden Hoops. Under the new format, both boys and girls divisions will be led by notable coaches from the world of AAU youth basketball with homegrown NBA and WNBA players acting as honorary coaches including NBA legend and Queens native, Kenny Anderson (Team NYC), Brevin Knight (Team NJ), John Wallace (Team Empire), Kyle Lowery (Team Philly) and Cappie Pondexter (Girls Team NYC).

“Golden Hoops was a tournament I looked forward to playing in every summer. It brought together all the best players from the New York City metropolitan area for a great competition in a great atmosphere. I am excited Golden Hoops is coming back and I look forward to being a part of it this summer as an Honorary Coach,” says Anderson.

Golden Hoops will be hosted by NBA veteran and TNT on-air personality, Kenny Smith. Acclaimed director, community advocate and passionate basketball fan, Spike Lee is the invited Guest of Honor. Power 105.1’s Ed Lover and DJ Self will oversee the mic and turntables throughout the tournament.

Twenty year old, Beijing-based Li-Ning Sports (www.li-ningusa.com), with its newly established USA presence, will be providing custom uniforms and BD Doom footwear for the tournament. “Golden Hoops is a great opportunity to expose our brand and basketball products to some of the most competitive young players on the East Coast,” said Brian Cupps, Li-Ning’s Director of Brand Initiative for Basketball.

A Community Awards ceremony will take place on-court before the boys championship game. In honor of New York City grassroots basketball and the path previously paved, four local leaders will be named Golden Hoops 2010 Honorees: Bob McCullough, Founder of the original Golden Hoops, Vince Smith and Pierre Turner from Aim High and Ray Haskins, legendary Brooklyn basketball coach. In memory of beloved community leader, mentor and volunteer, Buddy Keaton, the Golden Hoops 2010 Special Tribute Award will be presented to his family.

The mission of the revitalized program has also attracted the support of national brands including Eastbay.com, Champs Sports, Rocawear, Gatorade, Wilson, Crunch, 2K and Ben & Jerry’s. Local community support of Golden Hoops includes Cornerstone, the official site of the after-party, Phat and Juicy, Mullane’s, The Smoke Joint, Madiba, Moe’s Bar and Lounge, Ralph’s, Green Planet, Chance 11, Met Foods, Vinnie’s Styles and Moshood.

Golden Hoops is a free, all-day, outdoor event. To learn more about the history of the tournament, current players, coaches and game stats check out the official website: www.goldenhoopsnyc.com

GOLDEN HOOPS GAME SCHEDULE

12pm ET: Team NYC vs.Team Philly
2pm ET: Team Jersey vs. Team Empire
4pm ET: Team NYC vs.Team Jersey (girls)
6pm ET: Boys championship

GOLDEN HOOPS ROSTERS

BOYS

TEAM NYC

NAME POS SCHOOL YEAR
Omar Calhoun G Christ the King 2012
Kareem Canty G Wilbraham & Monson 2011
Daniel Dingle F St. Raymond 2012
Corey Edwards G Christ the King 2011
Tyquan Goodlett G Jefferson 2011
Maurice Harkless G/F South Kent 2011
Kadeem Jack F South Kent 2011
Sidiki Johnson F Oak Hill (Va.) 2011
Kimari Murphy F Lincoln 2011
Nkeurwen Okoro F St. Raymond 2012
Jermaine Sanders G/F Rice 2011
Mike Taylor G Boys & Girls 2011

Coaches: Kenny Anderson, Dermon Player

TEAM JERSEY

NAME POS SCHOOL YEAR
Kelvin Amayo G NIA Prep 2011
Kyle Anderson G St. Anthony 2012
Reggie Cameron G/F Hudson Catholic 2013
Myles Davis G St. Peter’s Prep 2011
Sterling Gibbs G Seton Hall Prep 2011
Derrick Gordon G St. Patrick 2011
Vaughn Gray G St. Benedicts 2011
Tyrone Johnson G Montrose Christian 2011
Myles Mack G St. Anthony 2011
Derrick Randall F South Kent 2011
Kayvon Stewart G Hudson Catholic 2013

Coaches: Derrick Bobbitt, Brevin Knight

TEAM EMPIRE

NAME POS SCHOOL YEAR
Jordan Allen G/F Bay Shore 2011
Terry Brutus F L.I. Lutheran 2011
Galal Cancer G CBA 2011
DaJuan Coleman F Jamesville-DeWitt 2012
Sheldon Hagigal G Westbury 2011
Tyler Harris F Half Hollow Hills 2011
Derek Millinghause G Schenectady 2011
Daouda Samoura C OSNA 2011
Tavon Sledge G Half Hollow Hills 2011
John Wallace Jr. G Greece Athena 2011
Stan Weir G Nichols School 2012
Achraf Yacoubou G L.I. Lutheran 2011

Coaches: Steve Treffiletti, John Wallace

TEAM PHILLY

NAME POS SCHOOL YEAR
Jaylen Bond F Plymouth-Whitemarsh 2011
Devin Coleman G Friends Central 2011
Erik Copes F Imhotep Charter 2011
Malcolm Gilbert C ANC 2011
Savon Goodman F ANC 2012
Joey Gripper G Abington Friends 2011
Amile Jefferson F Friends Central 2012
John Johnson G Life Center 2011
Daniel Ochefu F Westtown School 2012
Jibril Troutwick G Abington Friends 2011
Yilret Yiljep F Westtown School 2013

Coach: Terrell Myers

GIRLS

TEAM NYC

NAME POS SCHOOL YEAR
Siera Calhoun G/F Christ the King 2014
Cori Coleman G Bergtraum 2011
Bianca Cuevas G Nazareth 2014
Jazmine Davis G/F Francis Lewis 2012
Taylor Ford F Nazareth 2011
Tiffany Jones F Nazareth 2011
Diani Mason G Bishop Ford 2011
Nia Oden G/F Christ the King 2011
Fannisha Price F South Shore 2012
Janera Roper G Lincoln 2013
Bria Smith G Christ the King 2011

Coaches: Lauren Best, Kym Hampton,Ron Kelley, Apache Paschall

TEAM JERSEY

NAME POS SCHOOL YEAR
Syessence Davis G Neptune 2011
Chyna Golden C Neptune 2011
Sarah Halejian G Ramapo 2011
De-Asia Jones F Shabazz 2013
Alicia Lovette G Shabazz 2011
Teana Muldrow F E. Orange Campus 2013
Zaire O’Neil F Shabazz 2014
Sakeena Richardson G Neptune 2011
Bridget Ryan F Mount St. Mary’s 2011
Brianna Sykes G University 2012
Amber Thompson C University 2011

Coaches: Keith Jefferson, Cappie Pondexter*

Rosters subject to change