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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LaVaba Edouard Vonzell Mallison

THE VISIONARY

Since his formative years as a member of the CBS Records group " Kids At Work" alongside Teddy Riley; DougE. Fresh and the "Get Fresh Crew"...and long before he became a solo artist at Sugarhill Records; ack for anticipating the "next cutting edge, big picture". Long before the Grammys, and American Music Awards recognized Rap music; LaVaba was producing New York's Urban Teen Music Awards at the famed

Apollo Theater. Mentored by the entertainment and financial industry's iconic movers and shakers; LaVaba's roster of strategic alliances and mentors includes: Sugarhill Records joe Robinson, Quincy Jones, Kenny Gamble, Motown Records Joe Medlin, International Financier Marc Rich, Mark Cristini, Esq

and Norby Walters. Their guidance taught him how to leverage every technology, colleague and contact to augment his skills

in order to produce optimal outcomes From A&R consultant for Jive and Motown Records; to a publishing and production deal with Qwest Records; to CEO of Roof Top Records; "Market-Maker" LaVaba was responsible for over $300 million dollars in record sales. Helping shape the music and/ or careers of Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Steve Arrington, Kool Moe Dee, R. Kelly and 3X Dope; his influence, explicit or otherwise, is a

fundamental part of making "their music" engage with a global audience. With each new project LaVaba continues to reinvent himself anew. His latest venture, Gen-Muni, is a film and music production company for linear and non-linear platforms. "This company will create

impactful conversations for a global culture"

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Visual Stimulations is a cultural visual storyteller whose work captures the people, energy, and culture that shape communities. Best known for his impact at Rucker Park, he has built a reputation for documenting basketball culture and the stories surrounding it with an authentic, cinematic eye.

His creative experience includes collaborations with SLAM, Skechers, Monster Energy, Ballislife, Jr. Knicks, DRNX, and more. Beyond photography, Visual Stimulations is passionate about short film, music, art, and exploring the ways creative expression can influence and preserve culture. Through his work, he continues to build a visual archive that connects sports, art, music, community, and cultural impact.

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AL CASH formerly AL B
AL B grew up in Drew Hamilton Projects in Harlem, New York.
AL B learned to DJ at the age of 12 under the mentorship of Larry D, a family friend from the
building. In 1974, AL, along with friends B Fats and Donald Dee, began playing music in the
park. It was in the late 1970s that AL B and his friends created the Sapphire Crew. They, along
with Luv Bug Starski, were commissioned by Willie Gums and the Rose Royce Movement to
give parties at the infamous Renaissance Ballroom.
AL B was one of the founding members of the Disco 4, signed to Enjoy Records. The Disco 4
consisted of Cool G, Greg G, Ronnie D, Country, Mr. Troy, B Fats, and Donald Dee. All were
members of the Sapphire Crew, which at the time, was the largest Hip Hop crew in Harlem.
In 1982, AL B and other members of the Disco 4, while working for Mr. Magic at WHBI,
accepted the challenge to a basketball game against members of the Crash Crew. The game
took place in Mt. Morris Park and gave birth to the Entertainers Basketball Classic.
The EBC combined Hip Hop and street basketball at a level that had not been reached. AL B
paired with fellow Harlemite Duke to become the announcing duo of Tango & Cash. The style of
streetball announcing created by Tango & Cash is emulated all over the world to this day. During
his time at the EBC, AL B hosted a public access show called Ready or Not Videos. Viewers
were able to call in and vote on the latest music videos, much like, the later created, TRL and 106 & Park.
AL B has contributed to Hip Hop in various ways throughout its history and continues to do so.

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Team Posse — Bronx, New York

Team Posse was a basketball team from the Bronx, New York, representing the pride, toughness, and competitive spirit of their neighborhood.

Led by Coach Gill, Team Posse became part of the rich basketball culture that came out of the Bronx. The team competed against some of the toughest talent in New York City and built a reputation for playing hard and representing Melrose with pride.

One of the highlights of Team Posse’s history was their success at the world-famous Rucker Park, competing in the Entertainers Basketball Classic (EBC). Team Posse battled against some of the best teams and players in street basketball and went on to win championships at Rucker Park, putting the Melrose Projects and the Bronx on the map.

For the players, Coach Gill, and everyone who supported them, Team Posse was more than a basketball team. They were a representation of their community and a part of the history of New York City street basketball.

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DJ Esco is connected to the rich culture of Harlem and the legendary Rucker Park basketball scene. Through music, basketball, and the streets, he became part of the culture that helped make Harlem entertainment and Rucker Park a special part of New York City history. His story represents the connection between the DJ booth, the basketball court, and the community that brought them together.

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