Ball Up exciting and energetic Tour

Ball Up exciting and energetic Tour

Written by Aaron Robinson – Editor

 



One Chicago - Champions

This year, Ball Up kicked off their 5^th season tour “Search for the Next” to find the next streetball superstar. The leading street basketball brand is known for its national competition in hopes of having the next hottest player to play on their Roster.

 

Early July, Ball Up made their way to Chicago IL to look for the next member for their professional team. Open tryouts took place at Foster Park, as the live event that was open to the community took place at Dunbar High School. The team which consists of some of the biggest players, just to name several, such as The Professor, Bone Collector, Air Up There, and Mr. Africa amazed the crowd once more with their exciting skill set in which they showcased on the floor, as the Chicago team would display their talent to excite the crowd as well. Unfortunately, Mr. Africa would have an injury, moreover the games and contest would continue on as the Ball Up team faced the Chicago team to excite the crowd with their unlimited skills.

 

Defensive POY - Billy Baptist

Prior, the elimination playoffs took place as Ball Up headed their Ball Up Million Dollar Summer Challenge. The challenge consisted of 6 of the top Chicago squads who competed for the chance to be crowned Kings of the Windy City. The teams included One Chicago, Wright Sports, the Elite, We Got Game, The Firm, Team Walker, and The Chicago Basketball League. The team One Chicago would eventually take home the win after defeating Wright Sports 80-71.

 

Chicago winners included Tony Bennett (One Chicago - Regular Season MVP and Playoff MVP), Stefhon Hannah, (We Got Game - Regular Season Scoring Champ), Billy Baptist (Wright Sports - Defense Player of the Year), Karrington Ward (The Firm - 3 pt champion and Dunk Contest Champion), and Rich Shumate (One Chicago - Championship Coach). Their prize included $50,000 and a trip to Los Angeles to play for the national championship.

Regular Season MVP - Tony Bennett

 

Moreover, some of Ball Up contestants have made a tremendous difference in their community. Last year Tony Bennett, former NBA player helped put together the Chicago Unite Challenge. The initiative helped 12 year old Jaheim Benton and his homeless family.  Benton was a player for the Chicago little league team Jackie Robinson West who went on last year to make it to the world series. Bennett’s gofundme campaign raised thousands of dollars for the Benton Family.

 

Jonathan Simmons, who played for the MDSC Chicago tournament, was named MVP of the Las Vegas summer league. He was invited to play in the Ball Up Million Dollar Challenge and won MVP.  Shortly he was called to join the Brooklyn Nets Summer League and made the top plays on ESPN. A week later, he was called on to join the Spurs Summer League and was offered a 2-year deal.

 

Dunk Champion Karrington Ward 2

Shelly Clark, who is 42 years old, played on team Wright Sports. Clark was also a former NBA player for the Wizards and once played in the D-league. He will make Ball Up history, and will continue to represent for his generation while playing against guys half his age. There’s no doubt that Ball Up is definitely making a positive difference in the community and continuing to act as a catalyst to fulfill individual’s dreams.

 

Be sure to catch a Ball Up game or challenge when they come to Chicago next year for an exciting and energetic tour.

For more information on Ball Up, please visit www.ballup.com.

Dunk Contest Judges