In 2007, MARK TEE documented his thesis statement on why there is a need for an alternative basketball sport targeted for urban communities across the United States. The thesis statement was in form of a booklet entitled, “Change the Game, Change Communities.”
There have been so many significant developments since 2007 so the booklet is now republished below.
Please read a few chapters and share your thoughts!
Change the Game to Change Communities asserts that African-Americans can and should create, support and sustain a niche basketball league.
Basketball-the-Remix is a faster, more challenging and more entertaining game of basketball. Twenty innovations to the game force more intense play and demand a higher level of basketball skill.
Dr. Naismith was challenged to create an activity to occupy rambunctious young men during the cold New England winters. His answer was basketball.
The challenge in evolving, improving or growing anything is remaining true the original intent, or mission and the departure from Naismith's philosophy of basketball occurred early in the twentieth century.
There are many variations on the game of basketball, some so diverse that all they have in common is the use of a basket and a ball.
In 1907, KU hired one of Naismith's players, Dr. Forrest C. "Phog" Allen, as head coach. Naismith provided Allen with a now-infamous piece of wisdom: "You can't coach basketball; you just play it."
In 1902, Harry Haskell "Bucky" Lew became the first African-American to play in a professional basketball game. "Lew played in a New England League game for Lowell against Marlborough on November 2, 1902, the first documented instance of an African-American playing in a professional basketball game. "
Between 1932 and 1933 the Rens compiled a record of 120 – 8, including an 88 game winning streak. An accomplishment never matched by a professional basketball team.
Legacy of Rucker Park extends onto the NBA's greatest 50 players list. More importantly, the legacy of Holcombe Rucker extends to every basketball coach in community centers around the country.
A groundbreaking five-year, $50 million deal between the NBA and NCAA not only includes ambitious goals for overhauling youth basketball but also marks a new level in the relationship