The Real Deal in the Rock established itself as one of the nation’s top basketball showcases by bringing the nation’s top talent to one area. This year, the Real Deal can boast the best from Arkansas will be there, too.
The Arkansas Hawks, the Arkansas Wings, who did not participate in last year’s tournament, and and seven other teams based in Arkansas are entered in the Under-17 Division of the tournament, which begins play at 6 p.m. today at various locations throughout central Arkansas. The majority of the top division’s action will be played at P.A.R.K. (6915 Geyer Springs Road).
“I think this is good for Arkansas,” said Bill Ingram, the tournament’s founder, executive director and a coach for the Arkansas Hawks. “We like to see the most talented players in the country, but it’s good to have some home flavor too.”
This is the 10th year for the Real Deal, which started as a 28-team tournament in Fayetteville in 2005. The tournament moved to central Arkansas in 2009. Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, Mike Conley and Derrick Rose are just a few current NBA players to have participated in it.
One of most notable players participating this weekend is Malik Monk, a 6-3 sophomore who led Bentonville to the Class 7A state semifinals last month and was the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Sophomore of the Year.
“Monk played in the Real Deal several years ago, but he hasn’t since he’s become a household name in Arkansas,” Ingram said. “A lot of Arkansas fans will be interested in seeing him.”
Monk will be in uniform for the Wings, who will open tournament play on P.A.R.K.’s No. 1 court at 7:30 tonight.
The Real Deal’s 17-Under Division features 12 three team pools. Bracket play begins Saturday afternoon and the semifinals and championship games will be played Sunday.
Ingram said there are approximately 250 teams expected to play this weekend.
“That’s probably normal for what we’ve had the last couple of years,” Ingram said. “We’ve had more in some years, but we want to keep it at a manageable number.”
Houston-based TJ Ford Elite won last year’s title.
Real Deal schedule 17-UNDER DIVISION
POOL A
Team Penny vs. Arkansas Hawks, 8:35 p.m. today (1)
Arkansas Hawks vs. NYC Panthers, 8 a.m. Saturday (1)
NYC Panthers vs. Team Penny, 12:40 p.m. Saturday( 1)
POOL B
RL9 vs. Arkansas Wings, 7:30 p.m. today (1)
Memphis Magic vs. RL9, 9:10 a.m. Saturday (1)
Arkansas Wings vs. Memphis Magic, 11:30 a.m. Saturday (1)
POOL C
Nashville Celtics vs. Q-6 Allstars, 7:30 p.m. today (2)
Arkansas Hoyas vs. Nashville Celtics, 9:10 Saturday (2)
Q-6 Allstars vs. Arkansas Hoyas, 11:30 a.m. Saturday (2)
POOL D
New Orleans Elite vs. All Ohio Red, 9:40 p.m. today (2)
Deron Williams Elite vs. New Orleans Elite, 9:10 a.m. Saturday (3)
All Ohio Red vs. Deron Williams Elite, 11:30 a.m. Saturday (3)
POOL E
Arkansas Wings Hall vs. Georgia Stars, 6:25 p.m. today (1)
Southern Elite vs. Arkansas Wings Hall, 10:20 a.m. Saturday (2)
Georgia Stars vs. Southern Elite, 12:40 p.m. Saturday (2)
POOL F
Arkansas Blazers vs. Stackz Elite, 8:35 p.m. today (2)
Dallas Showtime vs. Arkansas Blazers, 8 a.m. Saturday (3)
Stackz Elite vs. Dallas Showtime, 10:30 a.m. Saturday (3)
POOL G
Team Pfab vs. Dallas Mustangs, 6:25 p.m. today (3)
Jackson Tigers vs. Team Pfab, 8 a.m. Saturday (2)
Dallas Mustangs vs. Jackson Tigers, 10:20 a.m. Saturday (1)
POOL H
La. Dream Team vs. Houston Superstars, 7:30 p.m. today (3)
ATL Select vs. Louisana Dream Team, 8 a.m. Saturday (4)
Houston Superstars vs. ATL Select, 10:20 a.m. Saturday (3)
POOL I
Semo Bulls vs. Houston Celtics, 8:35 p.m. today (3)
Arkansas Wildcats vs. Semo Bulls, 8 a.m. Saturday (4)
Houston Celtics vs. Arkansas Wildcats, 11:30 a.m. (4)
POOL J
Ark. Wings Select vs. Texas Select Elite, 6:25 p.m. today (4)
Hoop 4 Life vs. Arkansas Wings Select, 9:10 a.m Saturday (4)
Texas Select Elite vs. Hoop 4 Life, 12:40 p.m. Saturday (4)
POOL K
Arkansas Travelers vs. Dallas Hoyas, 7:30 p.m. today (4)
Tulsa Gators vs. Arkansas Travelers, 8 a.m. Saturday (5)
Dallas Hoyas vs. Tulsa Gators, 10:20 a.m. Saturday (5)
POOL L
Bama Kings vs. Arkansas Heat, 8:35 p.m. today (4)
Oklahoma Attack vs. Bama Kings, 9:10 a.m. Saturday (5)
Arkansas Heat vs. Oklahoma Attack, 11:30 a.m. Saturday (5)
(1) P.A.R.K Court 1; (2) P.A.R.K. Court 2; (3) P.A.R.K. Court 3; (4) McClellan main court; (5) McClellan auxiliary court
Sports, Pages 20 on 04/18/2014