Kobe Bryant is one of several NBA stars to have competed in the Drew League. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Kelley Hall didn’t go to Los Angeles so that he could help start a basketball league. But, that’s exactly what happened.
“I moved to Los Angeles in the summer of 2011,” said Hall, a Birmingham native and former Jacksonville State basketball player. “I had an opportunity to watch the Drew League play for the first time. When I saw professionals play against the neighborhood legends, collegiate athletes and everyone in between, it turned a light on in my head.”
The Drew League bills itself as the most elite summer basketball league in the world, and few would disagree. Founded in 1973 with six teams, it has grown to 28 Invitation-only teams that battle it out on the hardcourt. Notable NBA stars that have played in the league include Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Paul Pierce, Kevin Durant, Micheal Cooper and Byron Scott, just to name a few.
What about that light in Kelley Hall’s head?
“With the host of basketball players from our city and state, past and present, ‘Why not?’ was my thought,” he said. “So, it started with an idea, then on to conversations and sporadic meetings. Ultimately, we began piecing things together like a beautiful puzzle and came up with the League of Stars Pro-Am.”
Co-founder of the league is Ed Butler, a former University of Tennessee football player, now living and working in Birmingham. Now, he and Hall are near the start date for the League of Stars Pro-Am’s first season.
“This is a basketball league where teams are comprised of amateur and professional athletes competing during a regular season and single elimination tournament,” Butler explained. “We want to provide a local stage for premier basketball athletes to display their talents.”
But, the key purpose of the League of Stars Pro-Am is more than just a venue for watching great basketball.
“There are several objectives,” Butler said. “We want to raise awareness about the importance of literacy, community involvement and personal responsibility. We want basketball to be the platform for that promotion. We need to focus on these areas because of the issues that Americans face every day, such as violence, unemployment and homelessness. It’s our hope that many will follow our lead by feeling empowered to create small groups to serve these needs within the communities through outreach ministries on a continuing basis.”
The League of Stars Pro-Am season begins on Saturday, June 27 and continues through Saturday, August 8, with games played every Saturday, beginning at noon. The games will be at G.W. Carver High School in Birmingham. Food and drinks will be available at concession stands on game days. Admission is free to the public and a complete list of games can be found on the league web site at http://leagueofstarsproam.com.
“In order to fully achieve our mission, we need support and involvement from community leaders, the business community and residents of the communities,” Butler said. “It’s our hope to partner with companies in central Alabama. We can offer a low-cost, high-visibility opportunity to reach current and future generations of potential customers.
“I’ve always enjoyed basketball and understand the importance of good coaching and mentors. So, we put a high priority on the visibility aspect in choosing the location for the league. Already several business owners have supported our efforts because they realize the potential economic impact. Having a more educated and socially responsible workforce assists businesses in growing in the areas that they service.”
The league will also organize and conduct community programs, working with local organizations.
“We want to bridge the gap between basketball, community and education by promoting programs and service projects,” Butler explained. “Our active involvement in events such as community clean-ups, feeding the homeless, literacy programs and mentoring should inspire others to follow. We will feed the homeless at Jimmy Hale Mission in downtown Birmingham and will participate in literacy programs at the Birmingham Library. We want to empower individuals to facilitate activities which align with our mission on an ongoing basis.”
“Birmingham has faced challenges relating to education and crime within the school system just as with many urban school systems throughout the United States. We believe that by growing the right way by focusing on our vision and creating opportunities, positive results will follow.”
