Saturday June 27th of this year The Kevin Bushell Bed-Stuy Pre Teen Basketball Classic will commence its historic 30th season at the playground of Public School 305 in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. To salute this landmark the DVD of the Kevin Harewood- Stephen Booth produced film "25 Strong-A Film About Basketball!- A Film About Live! which was shot in 2004 (and released in early 2005) is being rereleased. The award winning film tells the story of the then 25 year old Classic which has become a summertime staple in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
The Kevin Bushell Bed-Stuy Pre Teen Basketball Classic conducted its inaugural season in the summer of 1980. It was founded by four community minded men who wanted to use basketball as a vehicle to help provide activities and further develop the youth of their inner city area. At the time there were no basketball tournaments in the area that catered specifically to youth 12 years of age and under. Mr Bushell a postal worker served as the Classic's commissioner and leader until his untimely death in 2003 from kidney disease. George Littlejohn who is co- owner of the Purpose Music Group is currently the commissioner. Noted basketballers such as NBA players Rafer "Skip to My Lou" Alston, Stephon Marbury and Jamal Tinsley played in the Classic in their pre teen years. Other noted alumni include Omar Cook who plays professionally overseas, Mike Boynton (assistant coach of The University of South Carolina Gamecocks), Karl Saunders (Ex ABA player and former St Francis College star), Eugene "Nu Nu" Harvey of Seton Hall University as well as current All New York City High School Basketballers Dyrek Jones, Keith Spellman, Chaz Williams, Devonte Grace, JeVaughn Pinkston, Nishi Trevanier and Angel Porter. The league is most proud of the countless youth have participated and were helped in life outside of basketball.
The film "25 Strong" has been screened at locations such as The Mumbai Indian Sports Film and Television Festival, The Atlanta Urban Undeground Media Makers Festival, The Soul Patrol.com Music and Film Festival, The Medgar Evers Film Festival and others. It has been featured or shown on public television in Washington, D.C., New York, MSG Networks, Sports Radio Toronto, We Are Balling in Belgium and other outlets. The film also features what is reputed to be the first independent nu soul soundtrack with artists such as Peven Everett, Cooly's Hot Box, Maya Azucena, Julie Dexter, DJ Spinna, Antibalis, Darien, soca star Patrice Roberts and others.
The DVD may be purchased online at Amazon.com by clicking on the DVD cover (top left).
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