Tonight [Monday, June 14] marks the 26th year Dyckman Tournament will open its basketball sanctuary for fans to come and check out New York streetball at its best.
Monsignor Kett Playground (off 204th Street and Nagle Ave) in the uptown Dyckman area is the place to be for high octane basketball action at its best. Tonight’s opening night story line consists of Stay Strong Entertainment versus Final Four. Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker‘s Team Kemba will make their debut, going up against Ave. Life Entertainment. To better prepare you for what’s in store, Source Sports is here to give you a fast break sneak preview of what to expect once tip off begins later on tonight.
According to sources, this year’s field is one of the most competitive groups to ever be assembled. There are also teams making their official debut, which longtime fans should can and will get accustomed to. Some of the early favorites to win it all? Team 914, R2K Flipstar, Rodney Park, Brooklyn Stompers, Skull Gang Entertainment and perennial powerhouse (and home team) Dominican Power. Many fans are eager to especially check out who will be suiting up for Taylor Made, a team orchestrated by Harlem’s own G.O.O.D Music recording artist Teyana Taylor. A huge fan and frequent attendee of the Dyckman Basketball Tournament, Taylor may have some tricky plays up her sleeve and it’s possible we might see a random Cavalier back court sighting of Kyrie Irving and Teyana’s boyfriend Iman Shumpert in the near future.
Taylor isn’t the only Uptown influencer to put together a team in this year’s Dyckman Tournament. Walker’s Team Kemba will have his team make their debut, ready to test the waters to see if they can survive in New York’s most hyped and energetic battleground surrounding. A huge fan favorite, Kemba made his name through streetball since the young age of 14, hooping for AAU powerhouses such as the New York Gauchos while winning New York City and State Catholic championships for Rice High School.
Nicknamed “Easy Pass,” Kemba is an early favorite to be mentioned for season MVP as his speed, crafty ball handling skills and deadly step back will bound to have the crowd go crazy and in certain cases, stop the game due to pretenders getting their ankles broken. Here’s a small sample of the kind of show to expect from the Hornets rising superstar.
The first game begins at 7 p.m. ET and it’s highly suggested fans get there early as possible to get a good seat. Be sure to tag #SourceSports if you’re in attendance!
