Good article about a new wrinkle in summer basketball in Pittsburgh. An NCAA sanctioned basketball league run by the Pittsburgh Basketball Club that the college kids can play.
From Sam Young and Ramon of Pitt, to record-breaking shot-blockers Shawn James of Duquesne and Sam Clancy Jr. of Southern Cal, the first-year Pittsburgh Basketball Club Pro-Am League has filled a long-time void in local collegiate basketball.
“I’m quietly very proud and happy,” said director John Giammarco, who formed the NCAA-sanctioned league this summer. “Based on what I’ve seen so far, this is going to become a tremendous asset to Pittsburgh.”
In recent years, the area’s Division I players were left to their own devices during summer break. They would join pick-up games in their campus gym, gather for informal shootarounds or play on the unforgiving asphalt in outdoor summer leagues.
The new Pro-Am League has team rosters, officials, scoreboards, standings and a diverse collection of players. Each Tuesday and Thursday night, the North Allegheny High School gym is transformed into an indoor showcase for Western Pennsylvania hoops.
This week’s games will be played beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday and 6 p.m. Thursday. Admission is free.
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There are 11 current Pitt players in the league, including Keith Benjamin, Tyrell Biggs, Levance Fields, Antonio Graves, Ramon and Young.
Also in the league are incoming freshmen Austin Wallace and Gilbert Brown. Along with transfer Junior Mike Cook and Senior Doyle Hudson. Chevy Troutman and John DeGroat are also listed on the rosters. 26 of the 72 roster spots are taken by Div. 1 players.
Giammarco formed the league after a chance meeting with Pitt coach Jamie Dixon at last year’s Final Four at Indianapolis. The Pittsburgh Basketball Club runs eight high school leagues in the summer.
“(Coach Dixon) said, ‘How can you have all those high school leagues and nothing for college kids?’ ” Giammarco said. “One thing led to another, and that’s how it happened.”
Giammarco certified the league with the NCAA and sent out word to colleges, big and small. The league is open to players of all ages who live or go to school within 100 miles of North Allegheny.
In less than two days, Giammarco said all 72 roster spots were filled.
“I think it’s good for everybody,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. “Most cities do have one, and I felt we needed one. It will be getting bigger and it will improve basketball in Pittsburgh.”
Looks like Coach Dixon has been doing some great work quietly behind the scenes with the area coaches and people regarding local basketball. He’s been laying groundwork to try and build basketball up in the area outside of the AAU system.
Not that the AAU team in Pittsburgh can be ignored. Brian Walsh who is a Division 1 prospect, but borderline as to what level had a very good showing at the ABCD Camp.
The 6-foot-4 shooting guard is hot property after making ABCD’s underclassman all-star game and being ranked its No. 16 shooting guard by HoopScoop.
“I told him, if he did well, it would change his life,” Moon coach Jeff Ackermann said, “and it did.”
Walsh has since received scholarship offers from Akron, Duquesne, St. Joseph’s and Memphis, where coach John Calipari, a Moon alum, recently saw Walsh while visiting his alma mater for a youth basketball camp.
“It definitely changed my life,” Walsh said. “When I got back, I was getting blown up from all these coaches. It’s crazy how one good camp can change your future.”
Pitt, Clemson, Maryland, Ohio, Penn State and Xavier also are showing strong interest in Walsh, who led three-time defending WPIAL Class AAA champion Moon in scoring (15 points) and rebounding (eight) last season.
DeJuan Blair added more offers to his list including Tennessee and Marquette.
