worthwhile story, fyi: http://discover.npr.org/features/feature.jhtml?wfId=1394755 Rucker Tournament Listen to All Things Considered audio Aug. 13, 2003 Michele Norris recounts the history of the Rucker basketball tournament with author Vincent Mallozzi, who's new book is called Asphalt Gods. Norris also speaks with two players who took part in Rucker games in the 60s and 70s -- Connie "the Hawk" Hawkins, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Harlem's Rucker Tournament started 50 years ago. Once word got out that Rucker had the best game in town, NBA legends such as Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving and Jabbar started to go head-to-head with locals. The play was faster, freer, more artistic and crowd pleasing. Many neighborhood players, including Hawkins, were discovered at Rucker and later went on to play professional ball.
