Who were the most famous players you played with and against?

[winlots]

Saw a thread today where a guy mentioned having Maravich for a teammate. Made me wonder about you other Yarders in that regard. As titled, would be very interested in both teammates and opponents at any level of basketball who later turned out to be really famous . Hey, any other sport as well, while we're at it. Thanks

 

[sarals24]

Played against Ashley Robinson (with Pat Summit in attendance!!) Stacy Stephens, Erin Grant (played at Tech and a season in the WNBA) and Alana Beard. My team beat everyone except Alana Beard's team, she torched us for like 45 points.

 

[PhillyCoach]

I have a little twist on my story--I played against Kobe Bryant's father--Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant. Joe was a player at Bartram High School 1972-73 when he led them to the Phila. Public League Championship. I was a brand new teacher and played against Joe in the Teacher-Student game. Was at grad school (West Chester )with Vince Papale in 1974-75 and played rough-touch football in Del. county against him.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

By purest accident, I was once on the floor in a pick up game with Satch Sanders. He was very loose and relaxed. Just having fun. I think it was 1971, the year before he retired.

 

[VAMike23]

Being born and raised in Iowa, I often (in the past) would get together with friends at various gyms for some pickup bball visiting family at home over the holidays.

One time in the late 1990's, we were fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to have "Downtown" Freddie Brown playing against us for a couple of games. Freddie played his college ball at the U of Iowa so I assume he was back in the area due to some connection with his time in the Hawkeye state.

I remember his play as smooth, smooth, smooth. His jumper was effortless and he had great touch from any distance. He even took a few really long-range bombs (25+ feet) to show off and made most of them. But he didn't really showboat -- he just wanted to blend in and get some exercise.

A couple of years earlier in 1995 at Babson College's gym in suburban Boston, I was playing pickup with some B-school classmates and we noticed that both Rick Fox and Dee Brown were in the gym. I don't recall why - possibly the Garden was busy or had an unexpected maintenance issue that day -- but there they were. (Both played for the Celtics at the time.) IIRC, Rick just shot around with us but didn't really play, at least while I was there. I think Dee was just there to work out with Rick. They must have known somebody at Babson; I'm not exactly sure how they came to be there that day.

 

[JS]

Sprinted several times against Wendell Mottley, winner of silver and bronze medals at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He also took two gold medals at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.

He had a strangely soft handshake. Afraid I don't know this because of him congratulating me for beating him.

I did, however, run the fastest race of my life by focusing on the small of his back and trying to keep it as close as possible.

 

[huskyd]

Phil Chenier, the "old" Baltimore Bullet, is a neighbor here in Maryland. Chenier is frequently listed among the best Bullets of all time. He played for Baltimore when my wife's family still owned the team. Once, in the supermarket, he tossed me an orange. Does that qualify as "playing with"?

 

[BigBird]

Not quite keeping the "played with" theme, but as close as I can come:

I did radio play-by-play while a student at Illinois State University in the 1970's. Our star player (and one truly great guy) was Doug Collins. I also interviewed the NBA coach Doug < almost > ended up playing for, Dick Motta. Then, at the 11th hour, the Bulls-Sixers deal fell through, and Doug played for Philly. It's sad that his career was cut short due to knee injuries. Doug went on to win an Emmy for sports broadcasting. I did not.

 

[rvwsleep]

Tiny Archibald at Alumni Hall (now Carnesecca Arena) on the campus of St. John's University. You would run up and down the court as fast as you could and if you were open, you got the ball.

 

[Aluminny69]

Played a pickup game against Wes Bialusuknia. Did my best to deny him the ball, which he did not appreciate. But if he got the ball, it was in the hoop, he was automatic.

Played tennis against Mike Gminski when he lived in Monroe. It's a good thing he could play basketball.

 

[slug25]

Famous Vermont Cow artist Woody Jackson (Ben and Jerry's artwork) was a soccer teammate at Middlebury. I also coached against Jon Stewart when he played soccer at William and Mary.

 

[hoopingcrane]

Played pick up against a team with Jay Murphy a few times. He was someone else's assignment and was sportsman like enough to only shot from outside. Stood on the sidelines at West 4th street in '69 waiting to get picked while Dr. J (still at UMass) had the court. Probably just as well that I wasn't picked that day.

 

[ochoopsfan]

Played in an Ice Hockey All Star game of players vs coaches with Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion. He was a retired star from Montreal and NY Rangers. His son played on my league team, in NYC. Bernie played defense with me, but was not allowed to take a slap shot. I am guessing it was around 1970-71.

 

[Ouremblem]

Saw a thread today where a guy mentioned having Maravich for a teammate. Made me wonder about you other Yarders in that regard. As titled, would be very interested in both teammates and opponents at any level of basketball who later turned out to be really famous . Hey, any other sport as well, while we're at it. Thanks

My fault. We affectionately called our teammate Pistol Pete because he played like him and was that devoted. I wish I played with Maravich. When I was at college(I did not play Collegiate basketball) I got to play in pick up games with Randy Smith. He was the best natural athlete I ever saw. Great soccer player as well. I was sad to read of his passing a while back. Nice guy.

 

[ballhawk]

I ran in a mile fun run in 1976 against Cindy Poor who made the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team in the 800m and 1500 meters. She beat me.

 

[vballcoach]

Played intramural volleyball in college against Jeff Rohrer, who eventually was a linebacker for the Cowboys. He had almost a foot and about 70 pounds on me, but I stuffed him once, due to an act of God, I suppose. I thought he was going to eat me.

 

[Jeff H]

My niece played against Maya in high school in Georgia. My sister told me how unbelievable she was and that was the genesis of my become a big UCONN fan. As for me, I once held the record for super margaritas consumed in one sitting at La Famillia restaurant on Maui (worked there long, long time ago). Russ Francis (dubbed all world by Howard Cosell) came in for dinner one night, broke my record and walked out looking stone cold sober.

 

[msf22b]

In music you don't play against... you play with...:
Some of the celebs who appeared with my orchestra

Leonard Bernstein, James Levine, Julius Rudel, Lorin Maazel.
Kathy Battle, Marilyn Horne, Samuel Ramey, Domingo and Pavarotti
Yo Yo Ma, Rudolph Serkin, Winton Marsalis, Itzak Perlman
Sting, Reba, Whitney Houston, Paul Newman

A real fun 20+ years

 

[winlots]

Phil Chenier, the "old" Baltimore Bullet, is a neighbor here in Maryland. Chenier is frequently listed among the best Bullets of all time. He played for Baltimore when my wife's family still owned the team. Once, in the supermarket, he tossed me an orange. Does that qualify as "playing with"?

HUSK: I'm good with it, but with question to be sure you really qualify: did you catch it??

 

[huskyd]

HUSK: I'm good with it, but with question to be sure you really qualify: did you catch it??

Yeah. Phil took it easy on me.

 

[rford53]

Saw a thread today where a guy mentioned having Maravich for a teammate. Made me wonder about you other Yarders in that regard. As titled, would be very interested in both teammates and opponents at any level of basketball who later turned out to be really famous . Hey, any other sport as well, while we're at it. Thanks

Sounds like a OT Thread but I'll jump in. My High School, Patrick Henry High, was in the same district as Helix High in San Diego. I was on the basketball team as a junior and was in the same game with Bill Walton, a senior; soon to be a three time NCAA Champion UCLA Bruin then, NBA Champion Portland Trailblazer, then champion Celtics and finally Basketball Hall of Fame. He was totally dominate back in the day (1970).

 

[HistoryMajor]

My best friend played against Ernie DeGregorio in high school. My friend bragged that his superior defense held down Ernie D's scoring. I asked how many points Ernie D scored. My friend said he held Ernie D to only 43 points.

 

[triaddukefan]

I see imma have to use google to find out who 90% of the people mentioned in this thread are

 

[CocoHusky]

I played several pickup games where I had to D-up Andrew Toney. If not for his bad feet he would have been a HOFer and I would have much better stories.