A little-known rule prevented the two-time PSAL city champions from what they described was going to be a memorable experience.
Boys & Girls was scheduled to take on NBA players Kemba Walker, Brandon Jennings, Greivis Vasquez and Derrick Williams in an exhibition in the Under Armour-sponsored event “Are You From Here?” that is scheduled to stop next at rival Lincoln on Friday.
But at noon, the Kangaroos were told by assistant coach Elmer Anderson the unfortunate news: The Department of Education prohibits high school athletes from scrimmaging against professionals after Oct. 31.
“New York State regulation limits competition during the season among school teams in similar grades,” Department of Education spokeswoman Margie Feinberg said in a statement. “It is part of section 135.4 of the State Education Department regulations.”
Instead of facing players that have the lives many of them strive for, the Kangaroos sat in the stands and put on happy faces despite their obvious disappointment.
“When we found out, we were mad, we were down,” senior forward Leroy (Truck) Fludd said. “We were depressed the rest of the day. I was hoping to put on a show for the crowd, show them what they can look for this season.”
The rule caught Under Armour off guard as well since the tour started in Baltimore against St. Frances Academy and went off without a hitch.
“What we envisioned was bringing the game back to the community and giving high school kids the experience of playing against NBA players,” said Mike Parker, brand director for basketball at Under Armour. “The whole idea is to inspire kids, give them something they never forget.”
The event still went on, as Anderson and Boys High coach Ruth Lovelace were able to find eight former players – including Jamine (Greedy) Peterson of the NBADL – to suit up. The Under Armour team won the game, 100-91, behind 43 points and six 3-pointers from Jennings, the supremely skilled Milwaukee Bucks point guard. Walker, the former Rice guard who led Connecticut to the national championship last year, followed with 19.
“It’s just great to have a chance to play in front of the crowd, give something back to the community,” Walker said. He added: “It sucks they didn’t let them play against us. But I guess they’re just protecting those guys.”
The exhibition drew a capacity crowd of 700, which filled the Bed Stuy gym. The crowd exploded at several points during the second half, when Jennings flashed one of his crossovers, Williams threw down a dunk or Peterson answered with a basket of his own.
Lincoln coach Dwayne (Tiny) Morton said he was unaware of the rule and hadn’t heard if his players would be allowed to suit up Friday. He has spoken with a few NBA players about playing for a Lincoln alumni team. Parker, the Under Armour representative, said he was told former Railsplitters Lance Stephenson and Sebastian Telfair would possibly return to the Coney Island school for the game.
“As long as they’re in the middle,” Morton said of the Under-Armour NBA guys, “I don’t care.”