Remember those legendary streetball players? Their stories echo here in Boston. Right where you stand legendary games unfolded.
For over sixty years Boston streetball provided free entertainment. It was a summer tradition drawing huge crowds. These players sometimes outplayed NBA all-stars. Their skills captivated audiences on hot city nights.
Jimmy Walker invented amazing dribbling moves on a Humboldt Avenue playground. Steve “Stro” Strother’s moves were legendary. Willis “Spider” Bennett could seemingly touch the sky. He jumped so high he could grab a dollar bill from the top of the backboard.
The tales are endless. After the NCAA lifted its ban on dunking James Bailey dominated. He led Rutgers to the NCAA Final Four. He then played nine years in the NBA. Yet one summer night he was famously beaten by “Big” Tom Cowart a local player.
The Boston Neighborhood Basketball League is a testament to streetball’s legacy. It’s the oldest neighborhood basketball league in the US. It began in 1969. Thousands of young men and women have played in this league. Many went on to play college and professional basketball.
Mission Hill Warriors boast a remarkable record. They won 34 championships. They dominated some years across all three age divisions. John Jackson and Ron Bell are notable coaches. So are Chuck Davis Ken “Juice” Johnson and Jamal Galloway.
John Jackson also coached the Lady Warriors. Sheylani Peddy a WNBA player was a star. The Lady Warriors won their first title in 2001. Rufus Rushins and Hector Galarza also coached them to championships.
The Mission Hill legacy includes many NBA players. Kenny Walker Shabazz Napier and Wayne Turner all played in the NBA. Their stories are deeply woven into Boston’s streetball history. The legacy continues. The spirit of competition endures. The ball keeps bouncing. The game continues.