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Drew League repeats as Red Bull Pro-Am Basketball Classic champions

June 24, 2023

COMPTON — It was the classic battle of West Coast vs. East Coast.

On Friday night, L.A.’s own Drew League and Dyckman Basketball from New York City faced off in the Red Bull Pro-Am Basketball Classic championship game at King/Drew Magnet High School. The Drew League was aiming to become back-to-back champions while Dykman was trying to dethrone the home team in front of a packed gym filled with Drew supporters.

But as the game wore on, it was clear which team was superior, with the Drew League squad rolling to a 94-75 win.

The phrase “Welcome to the Drew League Invitational,” which play-by-play announcer Jorge Preciado repeated throughout the game, spoke to the way the night went.

Former Gardena High guard Dakari Tucker scored a game-high 22 points. Former Clippers and Lakers forward Montrezl Harrell added 11 points in the win.

“I thought today was amazing,” three-time Drew League MVP Franklin Sessions said. “I thought we showed how good we are as an L.A. basketball team. We have some hidden gems. … It was just great basketball today.”

The Drew squad came into the final having beaten the Atlanta Entertainment Basketball League, 90-82, on Wednesday and the Philadelphia-based Danny Rumph League, 78-65, on Thursday.

Dyckman defeated Miami Pro League, 84-72, on Wednesday and the Baltimore-based Brunson League, 79-75, on Thursday, to set up the championship game.

The Drew League team took control before halftime, using a barrage of 3-pointers in the second quarter to open a 53-35 lead.

The second half was more of the same, as the Drew team extended the margin to 22 points in the third quarter.

Harrell jolted the crowd during the fourth quarter when he threw down back-to-back dunks that silenced the Dyckman bench.

The win was big for many of the Drew League players and coaches, who hoped to prove that Los Angeles has surpassed New York as the center of basketball in the country.

“I said it years ago. L.A. is the mecca of basketball,” Drew League head coach Keion Kindred said.

Drew League’s Frank Nitty said the win over Dyckman ends the debate about where the best hoopers are from.

“A win like this is great because we always hear ‘who’s better, New York or L.A.?’ So this win can now silence the whole divide even though the rivalry keeps going,” Nitty said.

Many of the players on the Drew League roster were from the Southern California area.

“The best part about this is that a majority of guys on the team are from this city,” said Terrell Carter, a former Redondo High and Fresno State forward. “To be able to represent against other states and to have the whole Drew come together is amazing.”

The Drew League will continue to host games throughout the summer with regular league play continuing. Starting in July, the NBA will broadcast Drew League games as NBA players begin making occasional appearances.

Orange County Register

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Drew League repeats as Red Bull Pro-Am Basketball Classic champions

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