The History runs deep for LA’s Drew League, In its 45th year The Drew has been home to perennial NBA stars such as Nick Young, James Harden, Javale McGee, and Demar DeRozan. Back in 1973, Alvin Willis had a vision he brought to the community of South Central Los Angeles. Alvin had high hopes for the Youths of LA; his objective was to create a platform that would attract the top HS players, College, and Pro's back to the community. In the span of a decade Alvin and Dino transformed the Drew League from a top tier Pro-Am in North America to a top Pro-am in the world. 40 years ago, nobody envisioned that a 6-team league would become the epicentre for Southern California hoops. On Saturday June 2, over 350 athletes will grace the hardwood for the opening weekend of the Drew. This season 26 teams will compete for LA supremacy; the highly anticipated Pro-am will feature Reigning Champs Birdies Revenge led by MVP Franklin “Nitty” Sessions. The summer hoop scene in LA never seems to fail their expectations; The Drew will provide high-level competition in stellar fashion.
Photo by:@Drewleague
This year's divisions will be named after brother’s Jonathan and Christopher Baxter, who've been former player’s of the drew. Unfortunately their lives were taken by a fatal car accident back in November of 2017; rest in paradise. Father Kenneth Baxter strives to make an impact this summer as he leans of his Drew League family, He Mourns alongside with 350 plus players who were friends, competitors, and peers of Chris and John. This summer all participants of the Drew are looking forward of keeping Christopher & Jonathan’s legacies alive. No Excuse Just Produce.
“You Know Chris and John loved playing in the Drew, they grew up in this league. That was their grind!”
Each Division will include 13 teams that will compete against each, The JB division features both Hometown Favourites and Birdies Revenge; we will witness a rematch of last year championship during the regular season. In the CB division we got BB4L led by Casper Ware, and Van Girard. M.H.P. includes Nick "Swaggy P" Young and NBA All-star Demar DeRozan. It's an exciting time for Southern California, Musically, Entertainment, and Athletically; there's no place you'd rather be at. Less the 72 hours until the opening weekend kicks off at the Drew, let's continue to shift the culture of basketball on the west coast. It's been a blessing for the LA community to have sustained a reputable Pro-Am for over 40 year, 45 years to be exact. Dino and his team have high hopes for the Drew going forward as they look to witness another 45 years here in South Central, LA.
photo by: @drewleague
“If your a hooper, you love the essence of street ball. It’s just somewhere that represents where we come from. The Drew League represents where we come from. The struggle, the pain, just wanting to be sum.”
With national media attention around the Drew last summer, Complex decided to take a trip to LA and see what the fuss was about. The Drew never failed to provide great entertainment to the good people at Complex. Complex had the opportunity to capture various defining moments at the Drew, catching up with NBA stars, basketball icons, and more. Complex shared their Drew experience for the world to see if hopes of shedding light on the new aged basketball culture. Check out the dope video below. Be sure to come out and watch the world's #1 Pro-Am this weekend at King Drew High School; No Excuse. Just Produce.
photo by: @drewleague
“Kids get to see a little bit of success, great basketball, NBA players, top College players. In the hood you don’t got that man, so I’m glad Nike helped bring this together and made it into what it is today.”
Thanks: @Drewleague, @Nikelosangeles, @complex
Event: 45th Annual Drew League
Sponsored by: Nike
Powered by: Body Armour, Monster, Time Warner Cable
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDhmqBrfzsc&t=79s