Riverside & Gauchos: The Heart & Soul of NYC Basketball
If you grew up in New York City in the 90’s you knew that there were two programs that were at the pinnacle of youth basketball and making one of their teams meant you have “arrived” in the Basketball world. The Riverside Church Hawks and the Bronx Gauchos were at the top of the food chain and everybody else were just prey. These programs were known for producing some of the best talent in the city, many of which went on to play collegiate ball and some even to the NBA. Honestly, these two programs would instill fear in other teams simply because of their reputation and the big names of the kids who played. Their rivalry was great for the game and picking a side was as serious as picking a political party, Democratic or Republican.
The NY Gauchos is one of the most prolific AAU programs of All Time. Photo NY Gauchos
The New York Gauchos has been in existence since 1967. Recognized as one of the best AAU programs in the country, the Gauchos now provides about 300 athletes, across different divisions, with an elite travel team experience, academic enrichment and educational opportunities. Alumni of the Gauchos include players like Kenny Anderson, Rod Strickland, Lloyd “Swee Pea” Daniels, Jamal Mashburn, Chris Mullin, Lloyd Daniels, Felipe Lopez, Orlando Antigua, Andre Barrett, Stephon Marbury, Jerry McCullough, Pearl Washington, Julius Hodge, Mark Jackson, Russ Smith Jr., Taj Gibson and Kemba Walker to name a few. Walking into Gauchos gym a young kid can feel overwhelmed wit the rich history proudly displayed on the walls on the facility. It’s amazing to see that these pros have once walked through those same doors.
Stephon Marbury was the best PG in the City at one point. Having him on the Gauchos meant trouble for any teams who had to compete against them. Photo courtesy of S. Marbury IG
Any youngster who gets the opportunity to play with the Gauchos has no choice but to feel a sense of pride to have that name across their chest. From day one the coaches make sure that their players know what kind of opportunity they have in front of them. The coaches made sure that everybody knew the history of the program and understood what kind of opportunity they had before them. Not everybody could play for a traveling team so it was important to make a good impression. You look around and see other players who you’ve heard or read about and that forces you to step your game up.
Rice HS Legends Kenny Satterfield and Kev Bell at an AAU event in North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Kev Bell IG
Training was at another level in the 90’s and early 2000’s and I can remember doing monkey drills at Gauchos practice until my legs felt like they weren’t attached to my body. This type of discipline helped me understand that I was different from the rest and I took that lesson with me the rest of my life. Whether I was playing basketball or not.
My experience with the gauchos was life changing. Truly greatful for what Dave Mccollin, Dave jones , Twins, Julius Deas and Lou did for me by giving me a chance to attend St. Ray’s and be a part one of the best teams around. Also allowed me to travel and expand my vision past my neighbors. I am forever greatful that Dave jones made me get in line as the where picking teams for 14u try outs.
Orlando Antigua: Gauchos
The Riverside Church Hawks were also at the top of the food chain with respect to the NYC AAU Basketball scene. Like the Gauchos, Riverside was financially stable and sent their players on lavish trips across the country to play in different tournaments. No fundraising involved. Everything was included and the only thing the players had to do was win. College coaches would no longer have to scour the Earth trying to find talented basketball players. They would attend a tournament that Riverside or Gauchos were being featured in and recruit that way. Many of the players who suited up for the Gauchos also suited up with Riverside at some point. Although there was no direct rivalry with the Choz, it was always understood that there was only one team who was at the top of the game.
The Riverside Church also has an impressive roster of notable alumni which include guys like the late Malik Sealy, Metta World Peace, Ben Gordon and many more. Photo Courtesy of The Riverside Church.
Some notable players who suited up with Riverside Church were the late Malik Sealey, Adrian “Red” Autry, Kenny Anderson, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Mario Ellie, Donovan Mitchell, Bernard King, Erick Barkley, Lamar Odom, Elton Brand, Omar Cook, Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alston, Jerry Stackhouse, Ben Gordon, Mark Jackson, Chris Mullin, Ty Jerome, Ed Pinkney, Wally Szczerbiak, Kenny Satterfield, Kev Bell, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Richie Parker, Kareem Reid all at some point suited up for the legendary Hawks.
Although Odom played for the LI Panthers at this time, this Riverside Church team is probably one of the best AAU teams ever assembled. Although Odom at one point played for Riverside at this particular moment he simply jumped into the picture with them after the game was over.
Tryouts for Riverside were being so competitive. Oftentimes there would be hundreds of kids show up for two spots on the team since the coaches pretty much had the roster done. The were just trying to put the finishing touches on their squad. Everybody wanted to outdo each other because at some point you were going to run into each other again. If a player wasn’t ready to fight for a spot he was as good as cut as soon as he walked in the gym. Most of the youth who played for these teams came from the inner city and used basketball as an escape to all of the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Riverside was one of the teams where teammates became family.
NBA Legend Kenny Anderson played for both the Gauchos and Riverside Church. Photo courtesy The NY Gauchos
For players in my era the allure of these teams came from their merchandise. To have a pair of shorts with the Gauchos bull on it… or a Riverside Church bag was like a badge of honor. Although both these programs are still alive and well there isn’t as much fanfare anymore. The game has expanded and there are other programs that have left the AAU landscape saturated.
Instead of these two programs having a monopoly on the top tier talent, there are now several programs doing the same thing, which is both a good and a bad thing. Good because now more youth have opportunity to better themselves both athletically and academically. Bad because the culture and legacy of these legendary programs have been diminished. In recent years both programs have attempted to revamp their infrastructure and get back to the days of old. Only time will tell if these two programs can withstand the surge of AAU teams all over the New York City area.
Playing at church changed my life for the better. Playing with the best players in The country and against the best competition nothing like it and got to travel the world. Having that hawk on your chest meant something we knew we were elite and so did everybody else!
-Kev Bell: Riverside Church
If an opposing team had Riverside or the Gauchos on their schedules, its almost certain that coaches and players alike would have circled that game on their schedules. For scouts, it was easy to watch good players because they all played with either Riverside Church or the Gauchos. Hundreds, if not thousands of youth have gone on to play Division 1 Basketball and some have even graced the NBA.
Although Omar Cook never was successful in the NBA he is known as one of the Best players to put on a Riverside Church Jersey. Photo courtesy of Slam Magazine
Academics play a major role in the success of both programs nowadays. In order to take advantage of all of the benefits like traveling to places like Hawaii or France your grades need to be in order. The combination of athletic and academic training helps members of the two programs attend high schools and colleges that might otherwise not be available to them. Kids now show up to tryout for these programs as young as 8 years old and it is very important to stress academics over basketball as early as possible.
I remember being selected on this 1994 New York Gauchos AAU team. We had 9 Division 1 players and 4 NBA players! We traveled Europe that summer and play against some high level competition. I been sponge for a long time. This is definitely one of the best teams Guachos has ever put together.
-Jameel Heywood: Gauchos
There is a lot of hype on social media platforms around the question of who is the best AAU program. To pick one or the other is complete blasphemy. Salute to both programs.
Jamal Mashburn and Kenny Anderson on the same Gauchos team. Photo courtesy of NY Gauchos
New York City Basketball wouldn’t be the same had it not been for the Riverside Church and Bronx Gauchos shaping the landscape. They both have produced countless pros and should be respected for that. Although they receive financial support from their alumni, there’s always a need for more community outreach. They accept donations of people’s time, wisdom or money in order to help keep the Basketball programs running.
Without the Gauchos and Riverside Church programs I’m not sure where NYC Basketball would be. Although these programs faced allegations of misconduct that was grossly out of line, they both remain etched in history for their talented teams throughout the years. Salute to all of the coaches and individuals who put in legitimate work to enhance the culture and keep NYC considered the true Mecca of Basketball. ?