The Civitan Summer Basketball League features top ranked player...

I had the chance to watch the Georgia Stars and future college basketball player Alex Poythress in one of their games at the Civitan Summer Basketball league.   I was quite impressed with the 6-foot-8 215 pound small forwards quickness, ability to tower over his opponents and other athletic abilities.

After the game, I also got the chance to interview Poythress, who is a native of Clarksville TN,  and a senior at Northeast High School.  Poythress said he is ranked No. 17. by EPSN and according to rivals.com he is ranked No. 38. in the nation.  Poythress said he has offers from over five schools including Duke, Vanderbilt, Ohio State University, Stanford, and Louisville.  Other offers include Kentucky, Memphis, Florida, West Virginia, Tennessee and a few more.

Poythress said for the summer he is participating in basketball camps, and "playing travel ball,".  

Poythress was happy to participate in the Civitan Summer Basketball League.

"I like the atmosphere, I like when it's a lot of people in the stands...the crowd gets into it," said Poythress.

With the talent Poythress has and the rate he is going at, there is no doubt that he will be playing D1 basketball and maybe on someones NBA team in the near future.

Third times a charm...

In the third year of operation, the Civitan Summer Basketball League is steadily growing .  The program, which is under the direction of first year coordinators Tanoris Shepard and Shavonda Burton, has grown from just a safe haven and time occupancy to urban neighborhood kids.  The program now includes teams from all over Michigan and outside of the state, and it focuses on building life skills, athletic skills, and networking.  


Programs like this are great for building self-esteem in future athletes and helping to develop their skills. Not only is this program good for things like that but its good for keeping youth out of trouble.  It helps youth utilize their time more constructively. 


I'm amazed with how much this program has grown. Watching this program develop from the first year to now i've seen the program go from as little as 20 teams (mainly from the urban areas) to at least 50 teams including urban and suburban area youth.


At the pace the program is going more growth can be expected in the future.