Kings from Queens
The Cardozo High Basketball Team Reunites
By Matt Caputo
Last Saturday afternoon, a crispy day made for playing pick-up ball, the squad from Queens, NY’s Benjamin Cardozo High School rolled deep to the playground, bringing their entire roster. Ever! Well, almost ever. Ron “The Teacher” Naclerio became Cardozo’s head coach in 1981 and is a one of the most well known high school coaches in the country. For years before A.A.U. basketball monopolized their weekends, Naclerio gathered his players, past and present, to attend an “open-run” of sorts in the school yard of Public School 46 in Queens, not far from Cardozo’s campus. Last year, Naclerio and some of his former players brought back the ritual and now hope to continue the Cardozo High School Basketball Reunion as annual event for years to come.
“This has to be the biggest high school basketball reunion ever! I counted close to 200 former Cardozo players that are here today,” Naclerio says, pausing from running around like a madman in the chaotic schoolyard. “They love being here. To see the guys come back on a consistent basis shows me that they felt something special while they were at Cardozo. It’s one more day for them to get the chance to be part of Cardozo.”
As the past and present Judges (fitting nickname seeing as Benjamin Cardozo was one of American’s greatest jurists) played a rather sloppy pick-up game, the rest who lined against the black chain-linked fence reminisced. The crowd was filled with the local players that only the diehards would know. Guys like Duane and Brian Woodward, are here, both guards who put in solid careers Boston College and the University of Rhode Island, respectively, and are playing pro ball now. Also, Duane Causewell, who played 11 years in the NBA, is here and St. John’s point guard Darryl Hill, who is looking towards a pro career of his own. Royal Ivey of the Atlanta Hawks, who finished his schooling at Blair Academy in New Jersey, even got invited. And you already know Bobbito “Basketball is the Coolest Sh?t You Can Do in New York” Garcia was there, just hanging out.
Kids swarmed former SLAM cover boy Rafer Alston with anything they could to get his autograph on. Alston’s wristwatch was practically cooling the entire park and with the NBA season totally over, he’s clearly at ease being home in Queens. While many of them know him as Rafer, or “Rafe,” others, the young ones, know him as “Skip to My Lou,” the kid with the phenomenal handle that sparked the AND1 craze. “Cardozo was great for me. To come from where I’m from in Queens and to go to a diverse school helped me in life,” Alston said. “From the teachers, counselors, and to the coaches, there is a family tradition at that school. I took a lot from that.”
While his Rockets team left the NBA playoffs early, Alston might be one of the most improved guards in pro basketball. Aside from the “Skip to My Lou” stuff, he’s a second-round pick that spent a year in the CBA and accepted an embarrassing demotion to the D-League three years into his NBA career. This year he started every game for the Rockets and averaged 13-plus points and 5-plus assists. Playground legend or not, Alston’s NBA numbers don’t lie. Having posted career highs in points, assists, steals, minutes player and some other stats this season, it’s clear that he’s a legitimate starting point guard in the league.
“I remember when I would be playing with the older guys from Cardozo,” Alston says. “The coaching and the legacy of the school and the basketball program is what everyone here identifies with. I come see them play when I’m in town and I’m glad to see that Coach can still get so many people to come out and support us.”
Alston isn’t the only one that is glad. For Naclerio, it’s good to be able to see the guys he used to coach, some of whom traveled from Florida, Georgia and California to spend a few hours in the park with their old coach and teammates. Still, there are some others who are excited because for them, it’s only the beginning.
“This is my first year here and I love it,” says Judges’ point guard Trinity Fields, who transferred in from nearby Holy Cross High School. “Especially because of the legacy for having great point guards. I want to follow in their footsteps, that’s why I wanted the chance to come to school here.”
You guys may remember this column I did last month about paralyzed Brooklyn basketball player Alonzo George. Well, there was a nice story out about him in the NY Post yesterday: he’s going to be at his school’s graduation.
32 Responses to “Kings from Queens”
Jun.27 at 2:14 pm
tike says:
First and maybe the last but nonetheless it was a good column….Good Sh*t Matt
Jun.27 at 2:20 pm
A-Money says:
Skip had a great year under-the-radar. Probably will have more dimes next year if Yao and TMac stay healthy. Whatever came of TMac saying to blame him for not getting out of the first round? Probably a big bonus check or sum lol
Jun.27 at 2:22 pm
AJ$ says:
first!
Jun.27 at 2:23 pm
Matt Caputo says:
Great choice of art…..I left out how I got that issue autographed!
Jun.27 at 2:28 pm
Jas says:
With Mike James back on the team I doubt Skip’ll be starting.
Jun.27 at 2:54 pm
RV says:
he had a good year, but his bad FG shooting, which has been consistently bad over like 4 or 5 seasons, needs to improve or they’ll keep trading him around
Jun.27 at 3:11 pm
Chukaz says:
Matt, do you hate your last name? Did you know that puto stand for gay in spanish? CaPUTO. That funny.
Jun.27 at 3:30 pm
Chukaz says:
I have a question for you, Matt. When did the Rockets get out of the Finals early? Last time I checked, they didn’t get out of the First round.
Jun.27 at 3:37 pm
Matt Caputo says:
herb.
Jun.27 at 3:40 pm
Matt Caputo says:
Chukaz probably never played a moment of basketball in his life. His constant presence on the web assures me of that. One of those internet dudes who was locked in a Long Island basement ny their parents, a borderline sexual deviant.
Jun.27 at 3:56 pm
Konate says:
Matt, good work as usual playa
LMAO @ above comment
Jun.27 at 4:06 pm
AJ$ says:
skip is my homie
Jun.27 at 4:59 pm
Styliztik Jones says:
The New York Times also did a story on this Cardozo reunion at PS 46 playground. I’m just wondering if anyone knows what’s the name of the wristwatch Rafer wears? I’ve seen him sport if for years now.
Jun.27 at 11:05 pm
howard says:
how da hell Rafer got a solo cover before Yao? That’s the reason why SLAM is not credible
Jun.27 at 11:25 pm
Ben Osborne says:
No one had even HEARD of Yao when Rafer got his cover (1997).
Jun.28 at 2:59 am
Chukaz says:
@Kaputo: I’m sorry, bro. It’s just that I wanted to write for the website and I asked forever and all of a sudden you start writting for the site. It just ain’t fair. And about me not playing Bball, I’m in my highschool’s Basketball team, so your wrong there, buddy. By the way, I can’t be locked in a Long Island basement by my parent for two reasons: 1) I’m from NM (that’s New Mexico and it IS in the US) and 2) My parents don’t have a basement.
Jun.28 at 3:05 am
Chukaz says:
By the way, Kaputo, if my parent did have a basement, I wouldn’t be locked there ’cause I’m strong enough to kick my parent’s @$$ + I’m new school which means that if I had to, I would. F*CK THE LAW!!!!!
Jun.28 at 3:10 am
Chukaz says:
Oh, crap. I mispelled Caputo. My bad.
Jun.28 at 5:08 am
Boing Dynasty says:
Just wanted to point out Chukaz wrote a paragraph defening himself against being from Long Island, and being locked in his basement. Yet, chose not to defend being branded a aborderline sexual deviant.
Jun.28 at 8:11 am
tike says:
Matt are you saying that his mothers a nmypho…oh and Slam 110 sucks
Jun.28 at 8:22 am
Caputo says:
Giving Rafer Alston a cover is the one thing that gives SLAM credability……Yao Ming, yeah, ok.
Jun.28 at 12:18 pm
tike says:
They guy isnt the best PG in the league thats for sure…so the cover basically sucks Slam Nice job…Bunch of idiots!!
Jun.28 at 1:58 pm
Greased Up Deaf Guy aka Clay Davis says:
the rockets left the finals early?? you could proofread your sh@t. the story was meandering
Jun.28 at 2:42 pm
Shiz says:
Speaking of sexual deviance, you forgot to mention the most deviant alum Cardozo High has ever seen…Mr. Ron “Hedgehog” Jeremy. Good article. Cappie’s a good writer. Howard and Tike are about 10 years late. And Chukaz is STILL a douche…That is all.
Jun.28 at 4:51 pm
Sammy says:
Good stuff Matt. Rafer is a classic. And Chukaz, Matt actually works at the magazine. Not a high school kid homie.
Jul.1 at 5:10 pm
An'Dre Hill says:
E’Twaun Moore ain’t gettin’ no luv
Aug.18 at 12:07 pm
Too Late says:
DATS CUZ E’Twaun Moore SUCKS
Aug.21 at 12:00 pm
Luis D. Liendo says:
I went to Francis Lewis HS down the block. I remember playing against him in 91-92 season. It was a fast break and he stoped at the free throw line to pull up for a jumper. Are center jumped out at him and he droped it under him and picked up the ball and layed it up for 2. He was the best ball handler back then and he is the best ball handler now. Keep your head up SKIP!
Aug.21 at 12:01 pm
Big Lu says:
My Story was about Rafer Alston(Sorry I didnt mention his name till the end of the story)
Sep.12 at 7:27 pm
Ankle Breaker says:
rafer is my streetball idol (i’m 9 years old)
Oct.26 at 1:40 pm
"Dan the Man" says:
jboogie is my idol (i’m 99 years young)!!!!
see this former AND 1 playa skip-to-my-lou on the way to the iron. www.macleem.com
Nov.27 at 10:05 am
Anthony Samuel says:
Wats up Slam. Whatever happend to the stories u all use to do on streetball legends. I would love to see an atricle on William Moody or Arthur Sivels