Could college basketball games be coming to the birthplace of street hoops?
The Big 12 announced Thursday that its basketball teams were partnering with Rucker Park in New York City to bring youth clinics to the iconic playground for “local youth in grades six and below.” The programs will be run by the head coaches of Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball head coaches, which could include legendary Kansas coach Bill Self or West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins.
In addition to the clinics, the conference also announced its hope to host men’s and women’s exhibition games at Rucker Park during the summer. That idea is pending NCAA approval.
“Rucker Park is one of the great landmarks in basketball and is a cultural icon – we are excited to be able to bring Big 12 Basketball to its court,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said in a press release. “We are committed to growing the Conference’s footprint in a variety of ways, and we want kids across New York City to experience Big 12 Basketball first-hand.”
The Harlem landmark is a household name for basketball fans across the nation, as NBA legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Julius Erving once played at Rucker Park. It recently underwent a $250,000 renovation, and last year became the first outdoor venue for The Basketball Tournament.
New York City basketball fans can get an up-close look at some of the talent that could be coming to Rucker Park this weekend, as Big 12 squad Kansas State plays at Madison Square Garden in the Sweet 16. Texas, another Big 12 team, is still in the tournament as well.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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