Flint-based hoops pro am moves on to Burton

Posted Thursday, June 19, 2008

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By Lisa Paine
VIEW Sports Editor

BURTON — A single phone call to register a local team spearheaded the move of the 19-year-old Flint Pro Am basketball league to Bentley High School starting Friday, June 20.
Bentley varsity boys’ coach Jeremy Trent called Earl Jordan, tournament coordinator for the past 19 years, to register a local recent graduate’s team into the Am. When he learned that the costs to run the league at Flint Northern had put the league in jeopardy, Trent asked Jordan if he would consider relocating if he could find a gym. The quick answer was, absolutely. Done deal; Trent lined up Bentley’s gym in a flash.
“The league started at old Jordan College for six years, and then came to Flint Northwestern and Flint Northern,” Jordan said. “The league is sanctioned, so the college guys can play with the pros. It’s a community event because we can’t charge admission, and the kids get to come in and watch the big guys play.”
Jordan said he hasn’t had any problems in 19 years, but with the tight economy, Flint Schools began asking for money for security guards, for a building attendant, etc. and Jordan simply couldn’t foot the bill for that.
Back in the day, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, and Greg Russell were just a few of the well-known locals playing. Jordan said lots of Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers played each year.
Eventually, a $1,500 fee to start a league in Flint was paid to Cecil Watkins of the New York City Pro Am League, and the rest has been history with the best college, pro and international players hitting the hardwoods.
Games will be played Friday-Sunday until mid-August, with a $2 donation sought at the door. Friday games will play at 6 and 7:30 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday games will begin at 3 p.m., with games every 1-1/2 hours until 9 p.m. An All-Star game will also take place with all the NBA players on one team.
Because it’s a sanctioned event, admission cannot be charged, but Bentley will get to keep the concession take, and fans can enjoy high-caliber basketball for next to nothing.
Players this year include Mateen Cleeves, Charlie Bell, Morris Peterson, all part of the famed MSU Flintstones. Cleeves played for Michigan State before a brief stint with the Pistons. He currently plays for Seattle. Bell and Peterson, also Spartan products moved on to Milwaukee and New Orleans. Jason Richardson, current MSU standout Marquis Gray and Takais Brown of Flint Central and the University of Georgia also are on the roster. Corey Hightower, a former LA Laker, William Hatcher, Bell’s cousin and former Carman-Ainsworth assistant coach, have been playing on the Romanian team and will bring with them 10-15 other European stars.
Local recent high school grads Patrick Ellison of Bentley, Chris Hutton of Lapeer West and Laval Lucas-Perry of Powers Catholic and U-M will be part of a Trent-sponsored team called Trent Inc. They will suit up with Gray and Brown.
“The kids are so excited to be playing with players of this caliber,” Trent noted. “Their eyes just lit up when I told them who they’d be playing with and against. We’re excited to be hosting this in Burton, and the community is just excited. This is a family event, and to be able to watch this type of players and of this level locally for almost nothing is rare.”
Trent added that Cleeves told him, “Be ready because we’re going to put on a show!”
Jordan noted that you never know who will show up to just to watch and often join in. “It just helps everyone improve their game. Everything is by NBA rules. It’s a different brand of ball. I always tell the young guys, you can try your hand at the pro am or you can sit up in the bleachers and watch.”