Kenny Satterfield could start a career in real estate if he wanted to because right now he owns a stretch of waterfront property at Orchard Beach.
The 6-foot-2 guard from Castle Hill has made the Hoops in the Sun court his own personal playground this summer.
Satterfield, 26, won co-MVP of the H.I.T.S. All-Star game, is the league’s leading scorer (41.0 ppg) and added another eye-popping performance with 47 points and 10 rebounds during Saturday’s win for PR Pride. He also holds the court’s single-game scoring record with 62 points.
When he’s not putting up gaudy scoring numbers, Satterfield is a true point guard. Surrounded by a generation of me-first athletes concerned with individual accolades, Satterfield is an anomaly. He caters his style of play to the needs of his teammates.
“If I’m playing with a bunch of guys who can score, I can just sit back and show other parts of my game,” Satterfield said. “If I’m playing with guys who need me to score, then I’ll put the ball in the basket.”
Unlike the majority of the players in the summer hoops leagues, Satterfield already has been to the Promised Land.
After leaving Cincinnati following his sophomore year, Satterfield was selected in the second round (54th pick overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Mavericks.
“It was a combination of a whole lot of things,” Satterfield said about his decision to leave school. “I was about to have my daughter. At the time I thought I was ready. The opportunity was there, so I took it. I didn’t know how long it would be there.
“I was projected to go higher, but you can’t tell what’s gonna happen on draft night. I was just happy to have the opportunity to play.”
His draft rights were traded to the Nuggets where he played for two seasons, followed by one season with the 76ers.
Since then, Satterfield has played overseas, (France, Greece and Kuwait) getting a taste of life around the globe and discovering that he has the palate for it.
“I get to see a lot of stuff that most people don’t see,” he said. “I see how other people live and different cultures and I come back and tell my friends about what I’ve seen and sometimes they don’t believe me.”
Satterfield is looking to play in Spain or Italy after the summer.
“I want to play in the Euroleague this year because, from what I’m hearing, that’ll probably help me get back into the NBA,” Satterfield said. “A lot of guys that have been playing over there have recently been signing NBA contracts. It worked out for them, so hopefully it can work out for me.”
BLACKTOP BEAT
Pro City
X-Men 129, Prime Time 124
A close contest throughout saw six players scoring in double figures from each team. “Mr. Smooth” Mike Campbell (28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists) carried the X-Men through constant lead changes down the stretch. Pro City’s leading scorer, Melvin “Problem Child” Creddle (18 points, eight assists and seven rebounds), put in a solid effort for Prime Time.
United Brooklyn 104, Nike “E” One 102
Two of the favorites for the league title squared off in a high-flying affair that might preview the championship game. Corey “Homicide” Williams (29 points, five assists) was instrumental in keeping Brooklyn undefeated, and Tyrone “The Negotiator” Grant (23 points, six rebounds) did all he could to keep two-time champion Nike afloat.
Gold’s Gym 131, Uptowners 112
In this matchup pitting young, raw talent against experienced veterans, battle-tested Gold’s Gym, led by former N.C. State star Julius Hodge (30 points, six rebounds and five assists) and Rhode Island standout Tyson Wheeler (22 points, six assists and five rebounds) came out on top. The Uptowners were led by Adris “2 Hard 2 Guard” Deleon (23 points, five rebounds) and Lincoln High School’s Lance Stephenson (24 points, five rebounds).
Hoops in the Sun
PR Pride 128, GNC All-Stars 122
Two childhood friends, Kenny Satterfield (47 points, 10 rebounds) and Andre Barrett (48 points, seven assists and five steals), dominated this game the way they took over so many games together as kids. GNC received a boost from its bench and a rebounding edge from Henric Foster (33 points, 10 rebounds) and Troy Marcus (31 points, 11 rebounds) in defeat.
K1X 112, Pops 5 103
“Homicide” Williams (32 points, six assists) and Anthony Glover (32 points, nine rebounds) sparked a fourth-quarter rally in the KIX win. Pops 5, led by Steve Burtt Jr. (33 points), fought back from a 16-point halftime deficit to take a one-point advantage entering the fourth quarter, but late defensive lapses doomed Pops 5 into its fourth consecutive loss.
Dyckman
All-Star Game: East 85, West 81
The buzz prior to tip-off was well-deserved. The packed house was treated to a thrilling matchup between Ron Artest (12 points) and Adris “2 Hard 2 Guard” Deleon (16 points), but the arrival of Corey “Homicide” Williams (15 points) after halftime stole the show.