Jim Jones taking us back to his earlier days inside Rucker Park Jim Jones is a Harlem-raised rapper, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the legendary hip-hop group The Diplomats, also known as Dipset. He released his debut solo album, On My Way to Church, in 2004 and gained nationwide recognition with his 2006 hit “We Fly High,” famous for its “Ballin’” catchphrase. His music and signature style helped bring Harlem’s street culture to audiences around the world.

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The Brotherly Love Pro-Am League is a Philadelphia basketball program that brings professional players and local talent together while supporting the community.

How it started: Novar Gadson and former Temple standout Ramone Moore developed the idea during the pandemic. The league began playing in 2021, with Stefan Thompson and Brett Oslon also identified as co-founders in the original reporting.

Where it began: Its first two seasons were held at the Kroc Community Center in Camden, New Jersey, because of Philadelphia’s pandemic restrictions. It moved into Philadelphia in 2023, playing at Benjamin Franklin High School.

Its purpose: Along with competitive summer basketball, the program promotes mental health awareness, supports mental health organizations, and provides food for people experiencing homelessness.

Rucker Park connection: A 2023 “Legacy Day” was announced featuring Brotherly Love League all-stars against Rucker League stars from New York.

Novar Gadson is a key person behind the program, serving as founder and CEO of the Brotherly Love League Pro-Am Foundation. He is a Philadelphia native who played at Bartram High School, Rider University, and professionally overseas.

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John G. Stote III, the creator of The Rock basketball

His basketball roots are in Kingston, New York. In a 2018 interview, Stote said he attended John A. Coleman High School and invented The Rock around 1982.

Rucker Park inspired the name. He described taking the bus to Harlem, watching streetball legends, and playing in the later games. Hearing players call the basketball “the rock” gave him the idea for the brand name, which he said he trademarked.

His connection included running the business. That interview identifies him as president of Anaconda Sports, which produced The Rock, and also refers to him as the owner of Rock Basketball.

The business changed hands. DIRT’s official company history states that Genesco acquired Anaconda Sports in September 2010, through Hat World/Lids Team Sports. GOAT’s current website separately confirms that Stote invented The Rock and that the former company was sold. These references establish the sale history, although they do not detail his personal ownership stake or a separate sale of The Rock brand.

He also supported youth basketball. Stote discussed helping bring Smush Parker to Kingston for youth clinics and helping install baskets at Block Park around 2000. Today, GOAT credits him with basketball construction and material development alongside co-founder Heather Swart.

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