Pros at Pro City, Pt. 4

Ron Bailey, Publisher

These two professoinals worked hard to get where they are.

August 7, 2011 - These two professionals weren't given things on a sliver platter. Both excelled in this year's Nike Pro City summer league at Georgetown's McDonough Arena:

Mike Creppy – 6’2”, 180 lb point guard – Creppy’s journey to play for pay status has been just that, a journey; he played at Blake HS (MD), started out in college at Coppin State, transferred to UC Riverside, then finished at Clark University. Injuries contributed to his long path; during this year’s D.C. Nike Pro City summer league, Creppy, who graduated high school in 2004 indicated due to those physical setbacks, “I didn’t really play (at UC Riverside) until the conference tournament my senior year.

His sojourn didn’t stop there.

Mike Creppy driving past a defender.

After sitting out a year then playing in graduate school at Clark, Creppy knew he could still compete. Resultantly, he displayed a focus and belief rarely seen, working on his game to become a true point guard that can score.

Finally he caught a break with the BBL’s (England) Worcester Wolves, where he played last year. In Pro City action it was evident he’s worked tirelessly in his game – including sessions with a trainer in Atlanta – as Creppy is a guy that routinely hits key shots, finds teammates where they can score, and pushes the ball. He proved himself a pro-level performer, a smart one at that no doubt.

What would he counsel other players who don’t seem to have any luck, who may think of giving up hooping?

“Just put your faith in God” was his answer. “He’ll open doors…the only way you lose is if you quit”.

Devin Sweetney – 6’6”, 195 lb swingman – When Sweetney was a player at Riverdale Baptist, he was an athletic finisher that defended and played hard. Overlooked by the big schools, Devin went to St. Francis (PA), where he stood out, averaging over 17 points and eight rebounds as a senior and junior. His was a very good college career (he graduated in 2010), which included being named first team All-NEC.

Having seen him this summer in Pro City play, Sweetney is still pounding the rims, running the floor, and defending. But now, Devin is routinely stroking the long jumper, patting the ball in the open floor and half court, and diming teammates. His game has definitely become more rounded.

Devin Sweetney at the rim.

Expect him to take his skills to Japan this year, the BJ League’s Akita franchise, to be exact.

Last year, Sweetney was drafted by the National Basketball Association Developmental League’s Tulsa franchise, though he shared recently via email “I went out there for preseason training camp, ended up getting hurt two days before (the) regular season so they placed me on injury waivers”. From there he traveled to Iceland, averaging “30 pts a game”. That performance allowed him to then play Euro Cup ball in Latvia, with the Riga Barons.

Having made himself into a top player, Sweetney is not full of hubris.

“I worked hard” he said of his rise. “And I appreciate everything”.

Having seen him for over half a decade now, Devin is telling the truth.