We have to honor the best Pro – Am coaches who volunteer their time to the New York City basketball community. These coaches will get their players to compete anywhere or anytime in the NYC-NJ Tristate area. Their teams will be at City College, Rucker Park, the EBC, West 4th Street, FIT, Hunter College, or any gym or playground their teams will put on an outstanding performance.
Jim Couch Dyckman – Mr Couch has been in the coach game for years as he spend the Summer days and nights in New York City. Mr Couch took not only basketball seriously, he made sure his players who played with him on the college and high school level excel. Mr Couch also had produced the most NBA players to play in the Pro-Am League, West 4th, Rucker Park, and Pro City League. He had Mark Jackson, Walter Berry, Lloyd Daniels, Ken Bannister, Rodney & Scooter McCray, Kenny Smith, and numerous players. He also spend time teaching stars such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ray Felix, and other great NYC legends.
James Ryans Primetime – Coach Ryans was intense on the sidelines and yes he had his share of ballers as well. He had Anthony Mason RIP, Elmer Anderson, James “Speedy” Williams, and other top guns. His teams won many summer and winter league championships. He also was a coach and General Manager in the USBL. In addition, he had a brief stint as a scout with the New York Knicks. After his experience with scouting the Knicks he went back to his roots coach in the Pro-Am as well as the top basketball tournaments.
Sid Jones United Brooklyn – This man was a class act, and a genuine guy. Sid Coach NBA players such as Lloyd Daniels, Mark Jackson, Chris Mullin, St John’s alumni players, and other top players in the NYC area. Sid teams will come out on top in various tournaments in the NYC area. One of the best rivals is with James Ryans Primetime squad in the Pro City league at Hunter every summer. These two teams battle it out for the championship on a few occasions. Sid Jones served as an assistant coach with the Long Island Surf for a couple of seasons. RIP to Sid Jones!
Ted Jones Courtsmen AA – Ted Jones team was a dominant force in the NBA Pro-Am in the 80’s. The Courtsmen were on top of the Pro-Am in the summer and winter leagues. In addition, his team performed in the West 4th St, Rucker, and other top leagues in the NYC. His squad was deep with Trent Tate, Michael Thompson, Fred Oglesby, Kurt Joeseph, and have his top player Ed Pinckney during the summer leagues. Ted was a mentor to a lot of his players and the youth. RIP to Coach Jones!
Bill Motley Harlem USA – Coach Motley build some good teams back in the late 70’s and 80’s. His Harlem USA squad became a competitive team in the NY Summer Pro league at Xavier HS. However, his dynasty came at the West 4th Street Summer Classic. His team dominated the competition and went on to capture numerous titles. His top players were Mario Ellie, Anthony Rogers, David Maxwell, Mike Henderson former NBA Referee, Clark Ellie RIP, and the rest of the other cast. RIP to Bill Motley.
These were the best of the best and we give them their flowers for making a difference in the Summer basketball leagues. Jim Couch and Ted Jones are in the New York City basketball Hall of Fame. We want to say thank you for giving to the game and salute to you guys. You make us basketball junkies inspire to come watch your teams put on a show.
