It was an unforgettable night of streetball and entertainment at the Entertainers Basketball Classic’s Inaugural “EBC America Celebrity Basketball Challenge” at Barclays Center on Sunday, July 27th.Hip Hop stars LL Cool J, Fabolous, Kendrick Lamar, French Montana, Wale, Big Sean, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, Maino, Teyana Taylor, Troy Ave, DJ Clue, Angela Yee, DJ Envy and more turned out as EBC brought its non-stop action-packed version of streetball from Rucker Park in Harlem to Brooklyn’s own Barclays Center.
The EBC America Celebrity Basketball Challenge featured four celebrity-coached teams by hip hop artists Fabolous, Wale, Kendrick Lamar and French Montana with special appearances by NBA players Jarrett Jack [Brooklyn Nets], Austin Daye [San Antonio Spurs] and Jordan Hamilton [Houston Rockets].
Hosted by Power 105.1’s Breakfast Club & DJ Clue, EBC America Celebrity Basketball Challenge also featured live performances by Fabolous, Big Sean, Troy Ave, Ooh Way featuring Jadakiss, Bizzy and singer Elle Varner, who performed the national anthem.
EBC America Celebrity Basketball Challenge 2014 included two semi-final games: French Montana’s Team Montana vs. Kendrick Lamar’s Team LA; and Wale’s Team DMV (DC/ Maryland/ Virginia) vs. Fabolous’ Team Fabolous.
The final two teams Wale’s Team DMV vs. French Montana’s Team Montana squared off in the final game, with Wale’s Team DMV taking home the championship trophy.
“As we continue to extend the reach of the streetball movement, it’s events like EBC America Celebrity Challenge at Barclays Center that make it all worth it,” says Greg Marius, EBC Founder and CEO. “When we can bring out families and put smiles on their faces, that is what matters most to our team. We appreciate Barclays Center Arena for believing in our vision, event and sharing our interest for creating programming that keep our young people active and positively enjoying each other’s company.”
The EBC America Celebrity Basketball Challenge is an extension of the legendary EBC streetball tournament that has existed at Rucker Park in Harlem for over 30 years. The EBC Rucker Park 2014 tournaments began in mid-June and will run through end of August.
Some surprise celebrity and NBA All-Star appearances at EBC Rucker Park this summer have included: Khloe Kardashian, French Montana, LL Cool J, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Gilbert Arenas and Dominique Wilkins, among others.
About The EBC:
The Entertainers Basketball Classic was founded by Greg Marius in 1982 in Harlem, NY and is one of the most recognizable streetball tournaments in the world. The EBC Tournament features a Men’s and Women’s division, as well as AAU Youth divisions. The Men’s division is one of only a few tournaments in New York to be sanctioned by the NBA and the NCAA.
The EBC has played host to a lineup of A-list celebrities, athletes and politicians, including former President Bill Clinton, former NBA Commissioner David Stern, Denzel Washington, Beyoncé, Lebron James, David Duchovny, Michael Rappaport and music superstars who have been EBC team owners or celebrity coaches such as Jay-Z, Mary J.Blige, Alicia Keys, P.Diddy, Fat Joe, and Jermaine Dupri, among others.
Throughout the years the tournament has attracted fans from all over the world and included more than 30 NBA professionals who have played in the EBC tournament such as Kevin Durant, David Lee, Kyrie Irving, Tyreke Evans, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury, Baron Davis, Vince Carter, Kenyon Martin, Ron Artest, and more.
For more information, visit www.ebcruckerpark.com