Tag Archives: baltimore

Muggsy Bogues, Jaylen Brown Added as Tracy McGrady’s Ones Basketball League GM/Team Owners

OBL (Ones Basketball League) the re-envisioning of its premier 1 v 1 basketball league founded by basketball Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Tracy McGrady, today announced that their final two GM/owner slots announced have been filled, with NBA Legend Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues taking the team of Baltimore talent and the Boston Celtics five time All-Star Jaylen Brown taking over the Atlanta team. Brown becomes the first active NBA player to own and manage an OBL franchise.

‘Having Muggsy and Jaylen join our ownership and GM group only further raises the level of competition and anticipation for “Battle of the Cities,” McGrady said. “Like in our teams, these accomplished athletes have a particular understanding and respect for basketball in the place where they grew up, and as we have seen from our tryouts that started this week in New York, the amount of interest and talent continues to rise from each market.”
‘One on one basketball is what I was raised on, and Baltimore is a city that understands and appreciates the skill level that is needed to success,” Bogues added. “We will rep the city well, and I am looking forward to helping Tracy advance his mission of making OBL a global must see, must participate and must engage with brand of basketball.”

“Battle of the Cities” will take an expanded version of the original OBL, with elite one-on-one athletes bringing their own vision, culture and prestige tied to the city from where they grew up, played and/or call home. Each city-based team will have a four man roster, comprised of players who best reflect the tradition, values and basketball culture of the city the 1 v 1 team represents, hand selected by the Owners/GMs. “OBL: Battle of the Cities” will take place over multiple weeks in Orlando, Florida, where McGrady was raised playing 1 v 1 himself, from May 15 to June 30, with teams competing for the swagger, pride, and identity of every city represented.

The naming of Bogues and Brown completes the elite list that will manage OBL Teams in “Battle of the Cities.”

They are:

  • Team Orlando- Vince Carter, Team Washington
  • DC – Quinn Cook, two-time NBA Champion
  • Team Miami – Tim Hardaway Sr., five-time NBA All-Star
  • Team New York – Jadakiss, recording star and basketball insider
  • Team Chicago – Larenz Tate, actor, film producer, basketball aficionado
  • Team Raleigh – John Wall, five-time NBA All-Star
  • Team Atlanta – Jaylen Brown, star of the Boston Celtics
  • Team Baltimore – Muggsy Bogues, 14 year NBA veteran

OBL will host a multi-week season where eight initial cities will field teams featuring hoopers who fit the criteria of embodying the heart and essence of their respective cities, bringing a unique and dynamic aspect to their representation. Cities battle for pride and prize, each sending out one player at a time in 1-on-1 matchups. Thrilling, quick games that keep audiences on the edge of their seat. The production will feature intense game-play, as well as a deeper look into player backgrounds and real individual stories centering on highlighting players’ talent and authenticity.

Additional announcements on rosters, media and other elements will continue to be rolled out in the coming weeks.

TOPPS Celebrates Silver Anniversary Of Ripken’s Streak Record Breaker

It was considered one of baseball’s most unbreakable records. But on September 6, 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. added to his Hall of Fame resumé by playing in his 2131st consecutive game, eclipsing the mark of another immortal, Lou Gehrig, in front of the home fans at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Now, a quarter century later, in celebration of the achievement, the all-time great shortstop has worked with TOPPS to curate two special edition collectible card series which tell the story of his journey to 2131, the magical night—which included a Ripken home run—and the day he finally ended the streak four years later.

The Ripken set will be available for a limited time beginning on Sunday, 25 years to the day he passed Gehrig, in a deluxe collector’s edition which includes a Ripken autograph card as well as a standard edition. Cards will depict numerous highlights of his career as well as other players and games Ripken selected as personally most memorable.

“Baseball cards have been a part of my family’s life for years, and I couldn’t be happier to be working with TOPPS to create this set,” said Ripken, whose father Cal Sr. coached and managed and brother Bill also played in the Majors. “I selected cards that represent special moments and people that have made my life in baseball special, and ones that I think fans will enjoy collecting.”

“Cal Ripken’s ‘Ironman’ streak is one of the sport’s classic records, set by one of its most popular players ever,” said Jeff Heckman, Topps’ Global Director of Ecommerce. “We are excited that Cal wanted to commemorate this 25th anniversary with cards that represent what the game means to him, in the context of this achievement.”