Pros at Pro City

Ron Bailey, Publisher

D.C. Nike Pro City is displaying professional talent.

July 5, 2011 – Last weekend marked the beginning of 2011 D.C. Nike Pro City action at Georgetown’s McDonough Arena. Formerly known as the Jabbo Kenner League, Pro City pits professionals from leagues across the globe and domestic collegiate student-athletes in summertime hardwood battle. Fans get to witness some of the best of both worlds.

This series, Pros and Pro City will focus on the play for pay guys.

Greivis is giving - A member of the National Basketball Association’s Memphis Grizzly franchise, Greivis Vasquez has returned to the Nation’s Capital, a region he knows well having starred at Montrose Christian School (MD) and then the University of Maryland. Though he actually hails from Venezuela, Greivis is a District-Maryland-Virginia area guy for sure.

As a guard that averaged more points in the playoffs than regular season – evidencing greater comfort and production as the season went on – many would assume Vasquez would put up shots in abundance during the summer. While during his first game he did score – primarily from deep on the perimeter. His 14 points were crucial in Team Turner defeating Clyde’s, Sunday.

Vasquez was relentless in driving and dropping.

But his impact exceeded those buckets; Vasquez was an impressive floor general, finding teammates for easy shots in all situations. You could call him the Dr. of Dimes, treading needles and dropping no looks.

Such passing was impressive to say the least. But why the insistence on doing it?

“I’m a point guard” said Greivis afterward of his penchant for finding teammates. “And that’s what point guard’s do. I get guys around me the ball. I make my teammates better”.

Vasquez also was chatting on the floor, leading his teammates, pumping himself up and attempting to demoralize his foes. Let’s see, passing, scoring and chatting…same ‘ol Greivis.

Fans should come see him in Pro City before July 23rd, as that’s the date Vasquez confided “I’m going to Venezuela” then.

Basden is balling out - Those in the DMV know of Eddie Basden, the athletic swingman formerly of Eleanor Roosevelt (MD) and then UNC-Charlotte. From there, Basden preceded to walk on the National Basketball Association’s Chicago Bulls as a free agent, was traded to that league’s Cleveland franchise, before stops in Turkey, the NBA D-League, the Philippines and most recently Greece. All told, Eddie has been a pro baller for six years.

Eddie Basden posts former G'Town star Chris Wright.

He talked about Greece and the opportunities abroad for American players after his A. Wash/Madness team’s 88-86 loss to Team Takeover on Sunday.

Of Marousi, his franchise in Greece, Basden labeled the experience “Good”, though he did note that some of his teammates have gone unpaid. Payment uncertainty, amongst other things, is a facet of international ball for Americans not widely realized. Basden indicated it’s something domestic players “don’t realize”, as “they are not educated to the game over there”.

In his estimation good agent representation is a must and despite some pitfalls, there are “definitely real opportunities” in international hoops; as in life, you just have to proceed with caution.

Basden may return to Greece, while other options are sure to present themselves: He’s still the power guard/small forward that can defend multiple perimeter positions, attack the rim and when he wants to, strap up.