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

[willtalk]

I never ever played in a pick-up game with a famous person, but I once went to a game in a pick up with one.

 

[johnnyc]

Ran cross country in high school in meets that future Olympian (1976) Matt Centrowitz also ran in. Notice I did not say I competed against him.

Also while in high school somehow ended up in the same gym with future NY Knick Dean Meminger who had just graduated from Marquette and shot some baskets with him.

 

[Dennygrnn]

All my names are from the "old days" but I remember them like they were yesterday. I played several games back in my high school day against Carlton "Pudge" Fisk. In college I faced Pete Broberg, who pitched for Dartmouth College - later drafted by the Senators, I believe. After college I played "professional" baseball in Nicaragua where I faced a very young Dennis Martinez, who later starred for many years with the Orioles.

 

[Trappist]

When I was in high school my family had a priest-friend who taught at St John's University. One Sunday morning after Mass, the priest and I played in a pick-up game at Alumni Hall with Kevin Loughery, then a transfer at SJU and later a player and coach in the NBA. He was very kind to this kid and kept trying to set me up for jumpshots - most of which I missed.
Right after I graduated high school, Jim Ryun came to Long Island to train with John Camien and prepare for the AAU champs in New Brunswick, NJ. His coach, Bob Timmons, was friends with Coach Fraley of Sewanaka HS. I tried to join their workout (repeat quarters) but I was smoked in the first 220 of the first one. There was greatness (and we were the same age)!

 

[ursusminor]

Best I can do is Rachel Fico, who pitched her very first high school softball game, IIRC - and first no-hitter - against my team. Went on to the (state? national?) high school record for number of no-hitters thrown, a nice career at LSU, and a number 1 pick in the draft for the National Fastpitch League (again, IIRC. My brain is already in for the night).

 

[Boreifs]

Showing my age, I pitched against Richie Zisk in youth baseball. Two ABs; struck him out once, then allowed a ground rule double (very short left field line with no fence). Talking about scouting and development, he wasn't the top player on his team; a guy named Larry Pyle was, who never played professionally. Jim Kiick was also on my high school baseball team, although we were on different squads. I transferred schools before getting to play with him. As BoontonBomber stated, Kiick was also a very fine basketball player; had a great corner jumper, his signature shot. (before three-pointers, naturally).

 

[ThetaZoo]

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

Played a game of horse with Mike Gminski in the gym at Masuk HS back in 75-76 when he was a student. I think I won. At least that's how I remember it. He was a great kid.

 

[huskyd]

-played sandlot football with Jim Kiick in our hometown, Lincoln Park,NJ. He was smaller and younger than the rest of us, and hurt all of us when he hit. he came back for the alumni basketball game at our high school one year, and dunked during warmups. he was also a very good baseball player.
- caught Jack Lamabe, the Red Sox reliever, winter of '63 at Springfield College , where he was working on credits towards a degree. gave him a few tips, and he had his best year with the Sox.
- pitched against Jack Concannon in college, who was playing some baseball at Boston College when he wasn't throwing passes.
- pitched against Richie Zisk, the Pirates slugger, during summer ball in NJ. He had just finished his junior year in high school, was playing against guys much older, and led the league in batting. Hit a line drive off me that the 3rd baseman caught; it was hit so hard that he landed on his back after the catch.
- played a couple of rounds of golf with Ivan Lendl in Ct. he had not been out of tennis that long, and already had a strong game. lost $20 to him; he signed the scorecard " thanks for the money, it will help me send my daughters to college".

Excuse the rambling; happens when you get really old.

Jim Kiick, Larry Czonka, Mercury Morris: go Dolphins!

 

[SubbaBub]

Almost forgot, does playing Ms. Pac-man with Larry Holmes count?

 

[Bestiarius]

Played a short game of 3 on 3 with Goose Tatum, Sweetwater Clifton, and Marques Haynes during the shooting of a film in 1953 called "Go Man Go" on a grammar school outdoor court in Bergenfield, NJ. If there was a basketball around those guys had to be on the court, even if it was with 13 year old kids.

Also shot baskets with Tommy Kearns, point guard of the U. North Carolina 1957 national champs. He was also 1st team ACC and 2nd team All American. P.S. He was better than I was.

 

[MilfordHusky]

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.

Randy Smith was was one of the fastest guys in the NBA.

 

[MilfordHusky]

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.

This is so weird--I didn't read this thread at all, but earlier today, I was thinking about Dr. J. My thoughts moved to the 1983 Sixer championship team. I had EXACTLY the same thought as you--if not for bad feet, Andrew Toney would have been a HOFer.

 

[MilfordHusky]

When I was a high school senior, Calvin Murphy, who was a friend of a friend, came to our playground in Milford. He was my age and a high school All-American. His shooting range was 30'--before the advent of the 3-point shot--and he could dunk two handed over his head backward at 5'9". He was about 7 levels above us. He is in the Springfield HOF.

 

[VAMike23]

This is so weird--I didn't read this thread at all, but earlier today, I was thinking about Dr. J. My thoughts moved to the 1983 Sixer championship team. I had EXACTLY the same thought as you--if not for bad feet, Andrew Toney would have been a HOFer.

Andrew Toney was the s@&t !!

 

[Purduke]

This being a WBB board I imagine there would be more interest in WBB stories than my "how many future Pro-Bowlers put me on my butt" non-exploits in FB. But during HS I also dated the PG on our 23-0 state champion WBB team who had the distinction of matching up against both Mary Scharff in their semi-final championship game, and then beating Ann Donovan's Paramus HS team for the championship. Scharff went on to be one of the "Big 3" Immaculata greats that made the Mighty Macs WBB's first dynasty; Donovan was the first Parade WBBHS Player of the Year and went on to... well...great, great player and coaching success. Scharff also went on to coach Immaculata for 20+ years too.

Not often, I imagine, that a girl needs to stare down a pair of future Hall of Fame players in back to back games in order to win a state championship.

 

[Fiftyish]

I know it doesn't count but it is sports related.......sort of. I once shook hands and chatted with Shaquille O'Neal at a pool party at the Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas. Yeah, just a shameless name dropper.

 

[Ouremblem]

When I was a high school senior, Calvin Murphy, who was a friend of a friend, came to our playground in Milford. He was my age and a high school All-American. His shooting range was 30'--before the advent of the 3-point shot--and he could dunk two handed over his head backward at 5'9". He was about 7 levels above us. He is in the Springfield HOF.

Calvin was an awesome baton twirler as well!

 

[BlueDevils]

Considering I'm only 21 years of age, I have some updated names. I played ball in Dallas, Tx so I've seen a good share of ballers men/women. The three players that stand out to me in the high school level during my time was Marcus Smart, Julius Randle, and Phil Forte. All have excellent iqs. Recently, this summer I played against Donald Sloan (Brooklyn Nets) at a La fitness downtown. Very intense game!! Growing up I lived in Desoto. Living there is where I met 2 COLD ballers that were my exact age ALWAYS hoopin at the Desoto Rec. Those two girls just so happen to be Jordan Jones out of A&M and Moriah Jefferson. It amazes me every time I see her now playing for UCONN. She will be the best UCONN point guard of of all time after this season. And yes I'm a bias opinion

 

[Huskies Rule]

I coulda been a contender. In 1980 I sparred a round with Larry Holmes at his Easton, Pa. training camp, only weeks prior to his title fight stoppage of Muhammad Ali.
I woulda murdered the world heavyweight champ, but my father (his attorney), begged me to go easy on him.

 

[geneticrex]

Nothing major, as I usually split my time between chasing the opposite sex, racecars, playing guitar around the Ct. , NYC and Boston bar scenes, along with some local hockey/softball leagues, but like most everyone else, spent plenty of time playing pick-up games, including some pick-up hoops with former Trumbull High/Villanova guard, Harold Jensen and Harding High/NBA guard Wes Matthews, along with an assortment of baseball/softball/wiffleball games with numerous minor league baseball players, including the one that grew up as my youngest brother.

Also played sandlot football and pick-up b-ball with old high school buddy and former WWF World Tag Team standout Paul Roma (Centopani).

My opposite sex record is far more star studded, but since this is a family forum, decorum takes precedent.

I must admit though, the list of athletes some of the Boneyarders have played with, is impressive.

 

[Monte]

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

NBA Hall of Famer, Bob Davies from the old Rochester Royals. After he retired, he traveled the country selling basketball sneakers. He showed up at our high school practice one day. and after selling us shoes, he taught us some new plays and we practiced them with him. I remember him standing far out from the basket and throwing in two handed set shots....that's a hint that it was a long time ago!

 

[bramos]

About 20 years ago I played in a pick up game with Greg Drilling, at the time he was the back up center for the Indiana Pacers.

At 7' 1", he towered over my 5'10" height under the basket, something I'll never forget.

Except Greg spelled his name Dreiling...at Wichita State any way..he coulda changed at Kansas..

 

[PhillyCoach]

Just remembered I played ( and won) a Ping-Pong game against Erik Williams, All Pro Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman. Erik was on my track team at Bartram HS, in Philly (he was an average shot putter.) We were on Bartram's senior class trip to the Pocono's. I was a chaperone and you should have seen Erik Williams ride a horse for the first time in his life.

 

[huskyharry]

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).

Two of my kids went to Patrick Henry

 

[Bayareahusky]

Played pickup and HORSE vs Cliff Robinson at UConn Field House..... Had fun trash talking and telling him he had no game.... had a lot of fun and remember Cliff as fun loving and good natured

 

[Bonpland]

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.

I grew up with Randy Smith and played three sports with him. Your description is right on the mark. He was a great natural athlete. He played shortstop on our HS baseball team until walking through the gym while the track team was practicing indoors and walked up to the high jump bar and stepped over six feet. Twenty minutes later he was clearing 6'-6" and we got him to switch sports. In college he cleard 6'-11-1/2" and starred in soccer, basketball and track. He played 17 or 18 seasons in the NBA, was the MVP of the all-star game in the mid seventies, held the record for the most consecutive games played by a pro (later eclipsed) and was about as humble and decent a person as you could find.

When Suffolk County (NY) established a Hall of Fame for high school atletes some years later, they didn't mention his name. My high school coach said about him that "If you handed him a lacrosse stick and spent five minutes explaining the rules, by the end of the day he would be an All-American," and those of us who knew him believed that. I guess that could be said of most great athletes, but I knew and played with him in HS and against him in college.

He lived in Connecticut when he died.

 

[RowdyFan]

I played pool against Margo Dydek and Linsay Whalen at John's Cafe in Mystic when they played for the Mohegan Sun. I also got my butt kicked. Margo could lean over the entire table to hit the billard. Ms. Whalen was just as cocky and confident and REALLY comical. I also had a pint there with Amy Carter when the President and Mrs. Carter were at a commissioning of a submarine in Groton.. The Secret Service Agents left Mrs. Carter's bouquet of flowers for the bartender.

 

[RowdyFan]

Not to brag, but I beat Kevin Gilbride(former NYGiants Coach) at Monopoly when I was a kid. He and his siblings were our babysitters. His Dad and my Dad taught at North Haven together.

 

[geordi]

Played with Wes Bailosuknia and Toby Kimball. Played golf with Olie Kolzig, from the Capitals.

 

[Ouremblem]

I grew up with Randy Smith and played three sports with him. Your description is right on the mark. He was a great natural athlete. He played shortstop on our HS baseball team until walking through the gym while the track team was practicing indoors and walked up to the high jump bar and stepped over six feet. Twenty minutes later he was clearing 6'-6" and we got him to switch sports. In college he cleard 6'-11-1/2" and starred in soccer, basketball and track. He played 17 or 18 seasons in the NBA, was the MVP of the all-star game in the mid seventies, held the record for the most consecutive games played by a pro (later eclipsed) and was about as humble and decent a person as you could find.

When Suffolk County (NY) established a Hall of Fame for high school atletes some years later, they didn't mention his name. My high school coach said about him that "If you handed him a lacrosse stick and spent five minutes explaining the rules, by the end of the day he would be an All-American," and those of us who knew him believed that. I guess that could be said of most great athletes, but I knew and played with him in HS and against him in college.

He lived in Connecticut when he died.

That era had some of the greatest athletes in Long Island history. Toby Knight. Mitch Kupchak. Jamie Franklin. Frank Urso. Jumbo Elliott. A bit earlier Emerson Boozer. The high school Mitch went to, Brentwood, had a graduating class of 2400. Not a typo there, folks. 2400.