Summer league runs through August
While baseball and football workouts consume the thoughts of most sports fans during the summer, basketball lovers in the Capital City don’t have to feel left out.
The South Carolina Pro Am Basketball League returns to Columbia for its second season. The league, which tipped off last Tuesday, features in-state high school players, college players from six different conferences and professional players from the Palmetto State. Former Gamecock guard Carey Rich serves as the league commissioner. South Carolina also has three former players, Terry Dozier, JoJo English and Joe Rhett, coaching in the ten-team league.
The league will give Gamecock basketball fans a chance to watch some of USC’s incoming talent in action. Seven new additions to the South Carolina program are participating in the league this summer, along with current USC players Michael Carrera and Brenton Williams. USC basketball enthusiasts may be able to get a glimpse of the future for Gamecock basketball during the summer. USC commitment Marcus Stroman from Keenan High School will be playing, along with South Carolina targets P.J. Dozier (Spring Valley), L.J. Peak (Gaffney) and Seventh Woods (Hammond). Fans will also be able to see some of South Carolina’s most decorated former players take the court. The S.C. Pro Am features three former Gamecocks who scored over 1,000 points during their USC careers; Devan Downey, Carlos Powell and Dominique Archie.
The ten teams will compete throughout June and July, with the playoffs running from August 1 to 4. The league has already gained some national notoriety, as a dunk from former UNC-Wilmington standout Dominique Lacy during a game last summer earned the top spot on ESPN’s Top 10 Plays last July.
The league plays on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with four games being played each day. All games are played at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. Thursday games start at 5:30 p.m. and weekend games start at 2:30. Rosters, schedules and contact information can be found at www.scproam.com.
Dominique Archie – 2007-10
Michael Carrera – Current
Malik Cooke – 2011
Deven Downey – 2008-10
Zam Fredrick – 2008-09
Demetrius Henry – Current
Rolando Howell – 2001-04
Johndre Jefferson – 2010-11
Ty Johnson – Current
Justin McKie – Current
Sam Muldrow – 2008-11
Carlos Powell – 2002-05
Desmond Ringer – Current
Jaylen Shaw – Current
RJ Slawson – 2011-12
Eric Smith – 2011-12
Austin Steed – 2008-10
Sindarius Thornwell – Current
Brandon Wallace – 2004-07
Brenton Williams – Current