Alameda High School
Kezar Pavilion is a dingy, dark and smelly place where high school basketball players compete with collegiate and pro players in the San Francisco Pro-Am Summer League.
There were about 150 fans of assorted races and ages to watch the Jason Kidd-led East Bay team recently go up against Bay Pride. All the players were above six feet, practicing their dunking techniques before the game.
Kidd, the NBA's co-Rookie of the Year, arrived late and had to hurry into his uniform. But he still took the time to acknowledge fans and friends.
The Dallas Mavericks' star guard said he was excited about playing in the League.
"After a long season of playing in the NBA, I wanted to play in the League to keep in shape and show off some of my skills and just have fun," Kidd said.
Kidd was the only pro there that night. Most opponents and teammates weren't fazed by his presence, except Eric White, a Galileo High School player.
"This is my first year in the Summer League and when I heard the word `pro,' I got more interested," White said. "Seeing Kidd's name on the opponent's schedule, all I could think was to stay out of his way because I didn't want to get hit in the head."
The majority of the players, however, were college athletes, waiting for a shot at a career in the NBA or other countries.
A Japanese scout, Kita Hare, was in the audience that night. He said he was mostly interested in, "Looking at new faces and good all-around, well-known active men who love to play basketball."
Jon Greenberg, who has been the League's director for 10 years, said his job was to `analyze and connect.' He wants to make his league as well-constructed and organized as possible. In order to have a good league, he said, the director has to be well prepared and knowledgeable.
There are eight teams in the League. Other pros include Brian Shaw, Rex Walters, and Golden State Warriors Tim Hardaway and Latrell Sprewell. Top collegians include Cal's Alfred Grigsby and Randy Duck and Arkansas' Darnell Robinson.
This year a women's league has been added. It starts July 8 and will feature star players from Stanford such as Kate Paye, Jamila Wideman and Kate Starbird, as well as former Berkeley High standout Tanda Rucker, now a junior at Houston.
"Every year we get calls from colleges from all over and you can sign up any time during the Summer League," Greenburg said.
Nick Belasco, a player who has traveled from Notre Dame to play, said he didn't know what to expect.
"Coming all the way from Notre Dame to play in the League, I didn't know what the game is going to be. I am just looking for a good game, not a contest."
Belasco has an ardent fan in his girlfriend.
"This is my first time at one of these games but I am looking forward to watching all the competition against Bay Pride this year," Kathy Ugale said.
Most of the other fans said they were there to see good ball playing. Michael Kelly attended the game alone and was glad to see amateurs playing with professionals.
"I am excited about this year's summer league, I think that it great for young high school and college students to play with pro basketball players such as Jason Kidd, Rex Waters (New Jersey) and Brian Shaw (Orlando)," Kelly said.
The East Bay team's coach, Ruben Lunna, has been in the League for about five years and works out with a few of the players.
"I have known a lot about the players who are on the Summer League and played with them at the gym on a regular basis. The players are comfortable with me," he said.