In 91 other counties in Indiana, it’s just basketball. But with the facilities, personnel and events in Hamilton County, it’s a way of life. Each spring and summer in Hamilton County sees a variety of large youth basketball events.
Three big summer basketball competitions coming to the county are Nike EYBL, Pangos Terrific 24 and the Jerry Mullen JC Showcase.
For the sixth time in eight years, Nike is bringing its EYBL summer circuit to Grand Park. Overall, 120 teams of high school-aged hoopers will play for a weekend in front of a who’s who of college coaches. NBA All-Stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Bradley Beal have been in attendance in recent years.
“This event features future NBA Draft lottery picks, and many of the players you will see at the most prestigious colleges in the country,” said Brandon Lafferman, COO of the Pacers Athletic Center at Grand Park. “Nike loves coming to Westfield and Hamilton County and they continue to come back, which is great.”
Just 15 minutes away from the EYBL in Westfield on the same weekend is the ninth annual Pangos Terrific 24 event, held at the sparkling new Aletto Family Center in Carmel. Director Dinos Trigonis estimates 40-60 top club teams from coast to coast will attend, as well as head coaches and assistants from colleges and universities of all levels. Indiana Pacers All-Star Tyrese Halliburton counts among the many players who have made a name for themselves at the Terrific 24.
Also on May 18 is the Mullen, which brings approximately 40 junior college players from across the country to perform for coaches in an invite-only affair. Both the Pangos and Mullen events are NCAA certified, meaning they are operated in compliance with NCAA requirements.
The Terrific 24 and junior college showcases being held at Carmel’s new Aletto Family Center is a welcome site to Brandon Crone, the athletic director of Carmel Dad’s Club. Fans in the region will remember Crone from his playing days at Butler University, where as a senior he was a starter on a team that made the NCAA Sweet 16. After coaching college basketball for 11 years, Crone made his way to Carmel and oversees the organization that provides opportunities for 14,000 children across 270 acres to play sports.
The 150,000 square foot Aletto building is contains courts for volleyball and basketball, turf fields, three batting cages and a track. It hosts 3,500 children playing winter basketball in addition to three large basketball events during the AAU season.
Carmel Dad’s Club continues to grow, seeing record numbers in participation each of the last three years. The organization supports kids on all levels, and even allows children on subsidized school lunch to participate for free. Putting all these pieces together keeps Crone and the Carmel Dad’s Club team busy, but Crone says the infrastructure found in the area makes all of it happen. “For us, from rec to travel ball, it’s completely volunteer-based,” Crone said. “To have these numbers and facilities and support, the sports scene in Carmel is the best.”