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SLAMM completes 2010 season |
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SPRINGFIELD The Springfield SLAMM has just completed the summer season of The Greater Hartford Pro-Am Basketball League.
The league, ranked as one of the most competitive in the country, brings together top players from colleges and the pro arena, as well as a select few players from the high school ranks.
The SLAMM, under the direction of nationally recognized coach and motivational speaker Dr. Steve Sobel of Longmeadow, along with assistant coaches Ike Miller, Ethan Sobel and Aaron Patterson finished the regular season at 5-4.
The SLAMM then defeated last year's champions, led by National Basketball Association (NBA) player Ryan Gomes 138-136 in overtime.
The SLAMM also played in the league's Final Four and lost to a team led by University of Connecticut (UConn) star Kemba Walker by six points.
The SLAMM is a year-round venture, as the team will visit hospitals for children, schools, companies and conduct clinics with select players. Coach Sobel will be on the recruiting trail in September in hopes of filling a few roster spots.
"The intensity of the competition necessitates a full time commitment to recruiting top talent," Sobel said.
Sobel has enlisted Rob Zeller as a recruiting specialist and also counts on Director of Community Relations Charles Kittredge of Longmeadow to arrange community appearances for the SLAMM. The league is also sanctioned for Division 1 athletes by the NCAA.
The SLAMM roster included an impressive list of names: Joe Trapani of Boston College; Jeremy Lamb, Ater Majok and Mike Bradley of UConn; Tobe Carbury of University of Vermont; Tevin Baskin and Dom Langston from Quinnipiac and Sampson Carter and Fred Riley of the University of Massachusetts (UMass).
Also pm the roster were Gary Forbes, Maurice Maxwell and Craig Austry who all play professionally.
Sobel had high praise for local product Jancy Cruz, who hails from the Springfield High School of Commerce. According to Sobel, Cruz never missed a game and has Division 1 talent.
Stephane Lasme, formerly of UMass and the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Golden State Warriors. also put on a SLAMM uniform this summer after playing professionally in Israel.
Pat Donnelly, former Longmeadow High School star, was also invited to play for the SLAMM.
Those interested in learning more about SLAMM activities and the players, can contact Coach Sobel at info@drstevesobel.com.
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