BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — Friday was a day of basketball, music and community at Leith Park in Buffalo. Former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson teamed up with local businesses, artists and creators to host the first-ever celebrity basketball tournament.
Rob Neves
“We’re just revitalizing our competitive edge and bringing our communities together,” Johnson told 7 Newscaster Jeff Russo. “We have 16 teams from different regions and that’s what we’re trying to build, kind of a stronger cohesive atmosphere.”
Rob Neves
Johnson, who lives in California, says serving the Buffalo community is his passion. “Being part of this community from a player’s point of view, I wanted to tell them that it was real. My love and passion for this city was real. What they gave me on the field. It was like the love we had was genuine through it all,” Johnson said.
Rob Neves
Johnson teamed up with Pop Grease, Nita Grease, and Drusky to tackle tournaments that included free food and vendors.
Buffalo Local Artists Tea Banger, Melo Datruf, Illy Biemin, Aintochu, 2Flaw$sy, Thatcher, Shortcake, Kara Bishop, Clito Smooth, Rio Lux, Doboy Kui, Young Slice, Dub Deuces, J Vesey and Lil Will were scheduled to perform throughout the show. that day.
“You don’t see a lot of this around Buffalo,” said Jevon Sharp, a former basketball player who grew up near Leith Park and attended the tournament. , it will be good for children growing up. ”
Johnson said spectators at the event should expect to see “elite streetball” and expect the event to grow year after year. “Hopefully it will be bigger and better,” Johnson said. “I want them to understand that this is not for us. This is for you. See, this is your business exposed and it’s for you. Please shine a spotlight on us and use our platform for years to come.”
