By David Cordova
The 2nd annual Gotham Hoops Invitational, which is a showcase for collegiate seniors on the Division I, II, III & NAIA levels that are playing for a chance to play professionally overseas, will be taking place on May 30th at Adelphi University in Garden City, NY.
The event, which was founded by Gotham Hoops CEO & event organizer Ray Anczelowicz, has produced plenty of outstanding talents from Division I colleges that have gone on to play professional basketball in places like Slovakia, Mexico, Spain, Israel, Australia & Denmark, etc. Last year, 20 players from this event earned professional contracts in different countries.
Some of last year’s featured players from the NYC metro area schools were David Coley (Stony Brook/Slovakia), Stephen Nwaukoni (Hofstra/Portugal), Branden Frazier (Fordham/Hungary), Rhamel Brown (Manhattan/Israel) and Brian Oliver (Seton Hall/Canada).
This year’s event has no shortage of talent. There will be plenty of local talent that attend schools around the nation. Players in this year’s event are: Trivante Bloodman (Mississippi State), Jordan Parks (North Carolina Central), Evan Conti (Quinnipiac), Jabari Peters (Sam Houston State), Moussa Kone (Hofstra), Manny Thomas (Marist) & Gerell Martin (LIU Brooklyn).
Sponsors for the event are Under Armour, Body Armor SuperDrink, Rock’Em, BlackBerry & RHF.
Coaches for this event will be Long Island Lutheran High School head coach John Buck, St. Joseph College head coach Kevin Spann, legendary streetball coach & Tru Ballaz tournament founder Maxwell “Bingo” Cole & Long Island Lutheran assistant and New York Jayhawks coach/director Jay David.
Both games will be played at 7:00 PM & 8:30 respectively.
Rosters
Trivante Bloodman, Mississippi State, 6-3, Guard
Eric Anderson, New Haven, 6-8, Power Forward
Jordan Parks, North Carolina Central, 6-7, Forward
Nick Smith, Dominican College, 6-5, Small Forward
Granville Getters, Baruch College, 6-6, Guard/Forward
Julian Boyd, LIU-Brooklyn, 6-6, Forward
Evan Conti, Quinnipiac, 6-3, Guard
Andell Cumberbatch, St. Bonaventure, 6-5, Forward
Jabari Peters, Sam Houston State, 6-4, Shooting Guard
Michael Balogun, Arkansas Tech, 6-1, Point Guard
Moussa Kone, Hofstra, 6-8, Power Forward
Tyler Gaskins, St. Peter’s College, 6-5, Small Forward
Darien Davis, Dowling College, 6-3, Shooting Guard
Manny Thomas, Marist College, 6-5, Small Forward
Evan Kelley, Sacred Heart, 6-2, Shooting Guard
Jeremiah Mordi, Queens College, 6-4, Shooting Guard
Phil Gaetano, Sacred Heart, 5-11, Point Guard
Khalil Murphy, St. Catharine’s College, 6-8, Forward
Faronte Drakeford, Central Connecticut State, 6-7, Forward
Gerell Martin, LIU-Brooklyn, 6-4, Shooting Guard
Poobie Chapman, North Carolina Central, 6-1, Point Guard
Willie Williams III, Bridgeport, 6-6, Forward
Dion Nesmith, Hofstra, 6-1, Guard
Derrick Dawkins, Georgia Southwestern State, 5-10, Guard
Kevin Douglas, St. Francis (NY), 6-5, Guard/Forward
Chris Hampton, Nyack College, 6-0, Point Guard
Lowell Ulmer, St. Francis (NY), 6-5, Forward
Arnold Fripp, Coppin State, 6-7, Guard
Duane Morgan, Adelphi, 6-6, Forward
Bryan Smith, Fordham, 6-2, Shooting Guard
Malik Thomas, Norfolk State, 6-7, Guard/Forward
Alfonzo Houston, North Carolina Central, 6-3, Guard
Justin Harris, Quinnipiac, 6-8, Power Forward
London Atterberry, LIU-Brooklyn, 6-6, Small Forward
Joe Busacca, Misericordia, 5-10, Point Guard
Jahleel Felix, New York Institute of Technology, 6-0, Point Guard
Iyoha Agho, NYU, 6-1, Guard
Ivan Thatchouwo, Concordia College, 6-3, Shooting Guard
Footage from last year’s event
Both videos are courtesy of Gotham Hoops, LLC.
Here’s our Q & A with the founder and event director Ray Anczelowicz:
When did you start Gotham Hoops?
In April 2009.
What made you get into the business of journalism?
I always enjoyed writing, primarily about hoops. Combined the two more often than not and incorporated it once I launched Gotham Hoops.
What is the primary motive of the event?
To increase the visibility of former student-athletes to an audience of pro agents, coaches & scouts.
How many scouts from professional teams are expected to be present?
We’ll have representatives in leagues from a number of countries in attendance.
Will this event be run similar to a pre-draft workout or the NBA draft combine?
Yes, our strength & conditioning coach Kurt Joseph has pre-draft experience and will be leading our inaugural combine at the event.
What can we expect from the Gotham Hoops Invitational?
A terrific day of hoops, a ton of talent, competitive games & passionate fans. And we are having an All-Star game with the top performers of the event going up against current pros.
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