NORFOLK, VA (WAVY) — Just a few years ago, Steven Whitley helped lead the Norfolk State Men’s Basketball team to an NIT Tournament upset over Alabama. Back in 2019, Whitley was running the Point Guard position.
Fast-forward to today, Whitley is still running Point Guard, but this time, he’s directing traffic toward something much greater.
On Sunday, August 11 at Churchland High School, Whitley will host the first ever ‘Home is Where the Heart is’ All-Star Basketball weekend. We’ll see some of the best basketball players to ever walk through and represent the 757 come back and compete in a 3-point and dunk contest, and close out the day with a full exhibition game. The unique twist to this game will be that the winner of the two contests, plus the All-Star Game MVP, will all receive $1,000 donations to either go toward their Alma Maters, or charity of their choice.
For Whitley, this particular event is over a year in the making, but it stretches WAY further back than that. He remarked on how much untapped potential comes through the 757. His goal with this event is for the next generation of Hampton Roads Hoopers to see some of the local icons on the court, and aspire to fill their shoes, and impact their communities in the same fashion.
A few of the former stars that’ll be on the court are listed below:
- Anthony Barber
- Joe Bryant Jr.
- Matt Coleman
- James Daniel
- Chris Evans
- Marcus Evans
- Devon Hall
- Franklin Hassell
- Keyontae Johnson
- Jermaine Marrow
- James McAdoo
- David McCormack
- Jaleel Nelson
- Dereon Seabron
- Briante Weber
Doors open at Churchland High School at 3 p.m. and festivities are set to kickoff at 3:45 p.m.
Check back here to see the latest updates from all contests, and interviews with some of the former local athletes. For more information on the event, click here.