As I watched UCLA MBB hoop at the latest installment of the Rico Hines runs in the Men's Gym, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. The who's who of pros and high-level college players, including the UCLA Men's Basketball team, brought back memories of my own experiences at these legendary pickup games.
I first discovered the Men's Gym runs in the 80s, tagging along with MJ and observing from the sidelines. It was a basketball education like no other, with legends like Magic Johnson, Kiki Vandewhe, Norm Nixon, Reggie Miller, and Jack Haley regularly in attendance. My own chance to participate came in 1991, as a sophomore in High-School at Montclair Prep in Van Nuys. I was fortunate enough to fill out a lineup featuring Mitchell Butler, Don MacLean, Darrick Martin, Shon Tarver, and Tyus Edney - a daunting challenge, to say the least.
While I struggled to keep up, I also had moments of triumph. But more importantly, I gained invaluable insight from my fellow players. Darrick and Mitchell took me under their wing, walking me through defensive rotations and sharing tips on trailing screens or where to spot up. Their kindness and willingness to teach left an indelible mark on my understanding of the game.
That's the true beauty of these runs - they offer a unique opportunity for college players to test their skills against the best in the world while learning nuances of the game that can't be taught in a traditional setting. The UCLA Men's Basketball team, led by Kobe Johnson, demonstrated this perfectly in their recent matchups against James Harden, Jaime Jaquez, and other NBA talent.
As the Bruins squad showed, the value of these runs extends beyond the wins and losses. It's about the growth, the education, and the chance to learn from the best. As I reflect on my own experiences, I'm reminded that the Men's Gym runs are more than just pickup games - they're a rite of passage for all UCLA basketball players.
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