Sharette Dixon Classic on November 8th
NYC Legends Kenny Smith, Kenny Anderson and local all-stars put on special hoops showcase to raise funds for deceased professor’s family
The two most important things in Sharette Dixon’s life were her family and education. Now that she has passed away, her husband Kimani Young and the NYC basketball community are banding together to make sure that her children get the support and education that they need in the future. On Sunday, Nov. 8, New York City legends Kenny Smith, Kenny Anderson and a host of others NYC basketball personalities will participate in the Sharette Dixon Classic, a showcase of the top talent from New York and New Jersey.
“Sharette was a wonderful mother and a talented professor,” said Kenny Smith, who etched his name in New York City basketball lore before going on to a successful career as both an NBA player and television analyst. “This event is really a celebration of her life and the values that she stood for.”
Former NYC legend and NJ Net Kenny Anderson will serve a host for the event, which will feature some of New York and New Jersey’s most promising players. The event will take place at Bishop Ford HS in Brooklyn and will begin with a Girls’ showcase at 4 pm, followed by a Boys’ showcase at 6 pm.
Anderson, who is still considered one of the finest point guards ever to come out of New York City, said that participating in the event was an easy choice.
“When you have hard times, the first place you look for support is your family,” said Anderson. “Kimani and I have been friends for more than 20 years. Here in New York, the basketball community is like one giant family and we look out for each other. Anything I can do for Kimani and his kids I will do.”
True to Dixon’s nature, the event will recognize players who have excelled academically as well. One player from each participating team will receive the Sharette Dixon Academic Excellence Award, which is given to players who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better throughout their high school career.
The Sharette Dixon Memorial Classic will take place on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn (500 19th Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11215). Proceeds from the event will support a family education and child care fund being established in Mrs. Dixon’s memory for her three children.For more information about this event, or to schedule an interview with any of the participants, please contact Kimani Young at 718-974-7110 or kyoung@newheightsnyc.org.
Featured participants in the Sharette Dixon Classic include:
Boys Game
Kyrie Irving (#6 rated Senior in the nation; committed to Duke)
JayVaughn Pinkston (#1 Senior in NYC; uncommitted)
Tobias Harris (#7 Senior in the nation; uncommitted)
Myck Kabongo (Top 25 Junior in the nation; committed to Texas)
Sterling Gibbs (member of USA Basketball 16/U team)
Kyle Anderson (member of USA Basketball 16/U team)
Girls Game
Jennifer O’Neal (#30 Senior in the nation; committed to Kentucky)
Bria Hartley (#14 Senior in the nation; committed to UConn)
Jaleah Sidney (#? Senior in the nation; committed to Syracuse)
Dasia Simmons (#42 Senior in the nation; committed to Rutgers)
Lauren Mincy (#23 Senior in the nation; committed to Maryland)
Briyona Canty (#9 Junior in the nation; uncommitted)
Bria Smith (#5 Junior in the nation; uncommitted)
Academic Excellence Awards:
Kyrie Irving, St. Patrick’s
Hakeem Harris, Blair Academy
Omar Calhoun, Christ the King
Bria Hartley, North Babylon
Korin Robinson, Mary Louis
Ciarra Calhoun, JHS 51NY-NJ Showcase Games
Description:
The Sharette Dixon Classic will be a one-day event featuring the top high school basketball talent across the states of New York and New Jersey, regardless of class.
This event is being organized in memory of Sharette Dixon, wife of Kimani Young and mother of Kamaal Young (7), Khaliq Young (5) and Salimah Young (3). Proceeds from the event will support a family education and child care fund being established for the three children.
The inaugural NY-NJ games will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2009 and will become an annual event in future years.
Coaches:
Dwayne Mitchell, Seldon Jefferson - Team NY Boys
Mark Jarrell-Wright, Matt Pauls – Team NJ Boys
Apache Paschall, Rock Rosa - Team NY Girls
Keith Jefferson, Team NJ Girls
Format:
The Sharette Dixon Classic will feature two premiere contests, a girls game and a boys game. The games will feature top-notch coaching and emphasize teamwork and sportsmanship.
Date/Times:
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Girls Game @ 4pm
Boys Game @ 6pmAwards:
The Sharette Dixon Academic Excellence Awards will be given to all of the young men and women from each team who have demonstrated consistent academic excellence throughout their high school career and have maintained a cumulative 3.5 GPA or better.About Sharette Dixon:
Prior to her passing on March 23, 2009, Sharette Dixon dedicated her life to educating young people. She was an instructor of English at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn and was particularly interested in African-American literature. Sharette was born in Brooklyn, raised in California and attended California State University at Fresno, where she was a McNair Scholar and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English.
Categories: Class of 2010, Class of 2012, Miscellaneous, Class of 2011
Tags: Tobias Harris Jayvuaghn Pinkston Omar Calhoun Sharette Dixon Classic Kyrie Irving Kimani Young Kenny Anderson Sterling Gibbs Kenny Smith Texas Bishop Ford Myck Kabongo Hakeem Harris Kyle Anderson
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