Created in 1980, the Entertainers Basketball Classic is a summer tradition that features basketball played at a level that turns Rucker Park into a court of dreams. Rolling out recently covered action at Rucker Park and it quickly became evident why the EBC is the greatest show on earth. –amir shaw
Location – Located on 155th Street in Harlem, N.Y., Rucker Park is the sports equivalent to the artistic Harlem Renaissance that took place during the 1920s. While musical legends are made at the Apollo Theater, basketball legends hone their skills at Rucker Park.
Talent – Top NBA players such as Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury and Vince Carter have all suited up and played in the EBC at Rucker Park. However, the street ball legends who didn’t make the NBA are often more skilled than players who collect large checks in the league. Players such as Junie “General Electric” Sanders; Tyrone “Black Widow” Evans; and Larry “Bread & Butter” Jones have all proven that they can compete against Bryant and Iverson.
Stars – The stars aren’t limited to NBA and NFL athletes. A few of the most recognizable non-athletes who have watched games at Rucker Park include Denzel Washington, President Bill Clinton, Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, and NBA commissioner David Stern.
Unforgettable Games – Games at Rucker Park are more intense than the NBA Finals. EJ “The Mayor,” an announcer at Rucker Park, discussed a few of his most unforgettable games. “I’ve seen every game out here since I was a kid. I saw Wilt Chamberlain and greats such as Dr. J, Earl “The Goat” Manigualt, and Tiny Archibald play on this court. But one of the best games that I saw was when Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury played on the same team. Marbury threw Iverson an alley-oop pass from half-court and the crowd went crazy.”
Showmanship – Each EBC game is called by an announcer who provides play-by-play action. The announcer tells jokes, encourages one-on-one battles, and keeps the crowd engaged throughout. A DJ spins the latest hip-hop hits during time-outs and throws in sound effects after every sensational play. On the court, players show off their tricky ball-handling skills, no-look passes and gravity-defying dunks.
