Nike World Basketball Festival Tips Off at Barry Farms, D.C. Armory

The 2012 Nike World Basketball Festival tipped off in Washington, D.C. July 13 at the Barry Farms dwelling court in Southeast Washington, D.C., home of the famous George Goodman Summer Basketball League.

Team Nike’s New York City squad faced off against the Goodman League All-Stars, featuring fan favorites such as former And-1 Tour star Baby Shaq and former Georgetown University guard Chris Wright.

The Goodman League All-Stars took advantage of their home court advantage, beating New York City, 113-110.

Among the fans in the crowd were Oklahoma City Thunder stars Kevin Durant and James Harden, both members of the U.S. National team that will compete in the London Olympics this summer. The U.S. National team was in D.C. over the weekend to compete in an international exhibition game against Brazil’s national team July 16 at the Verizon Center.

After the game, Durant, a native of Prince George’s County, Md., tweeted “Team DC got them NY boys out the way down the Farms tonight. Move em!”

Former legendary Georgetown University coach John Thompson Jr. was also in attendance for the game.

Thompson also attended the second day of the World Basketball Festival, held at the D.C. Armory in Northeast D.C., on July 14. He sat front row beside Goodman League commissioner and announcer Miles Rawls. Harden also showed up, along with fellow U.S. National teammates Tyson Chandler and Anthony Davis.

The festival’s second day featured a game between Team New York City and Team Chicago, with NYC winning, 123-113 in overtime.

After the game, Howard University’s marching band performed for the crowd, followed by a performance from rapper Wale.

The day was capped off with a headliner contest between Team L.A., and Team D.C., featuring former Maryland star James Gist and former Tennessee University and Suitland High School star Bobby Maze.

During the game, the crowd began to chant, “We want Miles,” calling for Miles Rawls to take over as announcer for the game, much like he would during a regular Goodman League game. Rawls smiled and waved back to the crowd. Team L.A. defeated Team D.C., 103-95.