The Slam Summer Classic Vol. 1
Throughout the years Slam Magazine has been a brand to respect for exemplifying greatness of the basketball culture, both at the mainstream and grassroots level. Naturally, when I heard about Slam bringing all the best High School ballers together for an All Star game at Dyckman Park it was something that was etched in my calendar. For some time now the anticipation has been building for the Slam Summer Classic. Known to the basketball community as “The Red Carpet of Streetball”, Dyckman has been the premier location for High School and college players coming to test their game against some of the best competition in the country. Saturday, August 18th would be no different as players flew in from all across the country to participate in this event.
Team Stanley in White with Los Angeles Laker Lance Stevenson. Zion Harmon (Center) looks focused and ready to take on the world
I made sure I got there early as I was preparing to see the crowd at a capacity level. The forecast anticipated rain for the evening hours so the game times were moved to the early afternoon instead of the 8pm original start time. There would be no way that rain could stop this event, so after a few adjustments they settled on a 1pm start time. The stage was now set for a High School All Star game unlike any have witnessed at a NYC Streetball venue. Dyckman Park, good weather, Cha Ching, Five Star Basketball recruits flying in for the game… how could you go wrong?! Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to see many of these players play in person but never collectively on one court, so I was in for a treat. The rosters were stacked with talent and it’s rare that you can catch a game where Cassius Stanley, Kyree Walker, Sharife Cooper and James Wiseman all suit up on the same team. I guess it doesn’t matter when Zion Harmon, Noah Farrakhan, Dashawn Davis and Jalen Green are on the other team. All that means to me is that there’s going to be plenty of highlights to go around.
Noah Farrakhan of IMG Academy focused on getting the W for team Ramsey in Black. Photo All Things Hoops
The game started out fast with everybody shaking off whatever nervousness they had. With these players being highly touted recruits they would be used to playing in front of big crowds… but this is Dyckman! It gets a little different when you’re on that stage in front of the these fans. For many of these kids it would be their first time playing in this environment but it looks like each player embraced the opportunity and played hard for the whole game.
Jalen Green of San Joaquin Memorial HS being defended by RJ Hampton of Little Elm HS. Two of the best High School ballers in the country going at each other.
Cassius Stanley, a rising senior guard from California celebrated his birthday on the court and gave the crowd exactly what they wanted. He’s known to be a high flyer and showed his acrobatics flying to the rim. Jalen Green, the combo guard from Fresno, California exhibited why he’s one of the most sought after High School prospects in the country. He can do it all and he made some new fans during his time in New York City. Zion Harmon, the youngest prospect on either roster showed exactly why he belonged. The No. 1 PG in the class of 2021 proved that he can compete against anybody in the country.
It was a great experience… Whenever I’m in New York I’m always going to pull up at Dyckman
-James Wiseman – No. 1 Ranked Player in Class of 2019
James Wiseman, the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of of 2019 has narrowed his college list to Kentucky, Memphis, Kansas, Texas, Florida State, Vanderbilt, Arizona, and North Carolina. The big man from Memphis, Tennessee said he isn’t leaning towards any one school in particular but his relationship with his former coach Penny Hardaway leads many to believe he’ll be in Memphis for college. Another talented high schooler who participated in the Slam Summer Classic event is Kyree Walker. The rising senior from Arizona has been committed to Arizona State since he was a freshman. He is a 6-foot-5, 200-pound guard from Phoenix, Arizona who can play multiple positions. He is an incredible athlete and his all around game was on full display. He is a showman and plays to the crowd. He brings energy and excitement to his game and will be in the league in a few years of everything goes according to plan.
Kyree Walker of Hilcrest Prep (AZ) walking on air for the capacity crowd at Dyckman Park. Photo All Things Hoops
Although this was an All Star game and all of these players are standouts who are being heavily recruited by top college programs across the country, there were a few players who stood out from the bunch.
All Things Hoops Standout Players (in no particular order):
Sharife Cooper: McEastern High School
Class of 2020
Hometown: Powder Springs, GA
James Wiseman: East High School
Class of 2019
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn
Jalen Green: San Joaquin Memorial High School
Class of 2020
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Cassius Stanley: Sierra Canyon High School
Class of 2019
Hometown: Chatsworth, CA
Kyree Walker: Hillcrest Prep
Class of 2020
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Honorable Mention:
Dashawn Davis: Our Savior Lutheran HS
Class of 2019
Hometown: Bronx NY
RJ Hampton: Little Elm High School
Class of 2020
Hometown: Little Elm, TX
Joe Toussaint: Cardinal Hayes HIgh School
Class of 2019
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Dashawn Davis of Our Savior Lutheran was one of the standouts at the Slam Summer Classic. He’s been having a great 2018 Summer. Photo All Things Hoops
Team Ramsey in Black came away with the win at the end. James Wiseman and Jalen Green took home the MVP awards for their respective teams. Slam awarded them with a custom pair of Jordan 1’s in a glass case with the Slam logo and Dyckman written on the back. When asked about his Slam Summer Classic experience at Dyckman, James Wiseman said “It was a great experience… Whenever I’m in New York I’m always going to pull up at Dyckman”. Dyckman, The Red Carpet of Streetball, has become a prerequisite if you are an elite basketball player. If you consider yourself a serious player, it’s a must to go showcase your skills there.
Zion Harmon, driving to the basket, is one of the youngest players on the roster but has the biggest heart. Photo All Things Hoops
A huge thank you goes out to the Slam Magazine staff for the hospitality as well as Dyckman commissioner Kenny Stevens for always showing love to the brand.