Kingdom League provides showcase for area talent
Monday, July 17, 2023
By Jarrod Ulrey
julrey@cbussports.com
4Deep’s Dibaji Walker puts up a shot against McGlade Max Pro in a Kingdom League game July 9 at Ohio Dominican. 4Deep won 106-85. Photo: John Hulkenberg
As he walked off the court July 16 at Ohio Dominican, the handshakes and hugs Trey Burke enjoyed for several minutes provided a fitting example of what the atmosphere is like for the dozens of players who participate in the Kingdom Summer League.
It’s more than just pickup basketball, though, for players like Burke and numerous others in the league who aspire to continue competing at the various stages of their basketball careers.
While competing for 4Deep, Burke flashed the intensity, shooting ability and speed that helped him play a key role as a prep junior when Northland won the 2009 Division I state championship and before leading Michigan to an NCAA runner-up finish in 2012-13.
Just as importantly to Burke is that he feels at home competing in central Ohio after spending most of the last decade in the NBA.
“It’s very fun and brings back a lot of memories,” Burke said. “There’s a lot of great players that came up in the City. I work every day. I know when the opportunity presents itself, I’m going to do what I always do, and that’s show that I belong. I’ve been an underdog my whole life. … I try to embrace it and keep that chip on my shoulder.
“(The Kingdom League) is a great event for the community. A lot of guys who were really big-time guys get a chance to come back and play. We don’t have a lot of positive stuff going on in the community, so any time we get a chance to play in front of the city we were raised in, I love it.”
While he spent last season in the NBA’s G League after averaging 9.6 points during an NBA career which began in 2013-14, the now 30-year-old Burke is one of the biggest stars of the Kingdom League’s weekly Sunday quadruple-header rotation among eight teams.
The other teams are Bexley Car Care, Reitano Sportscenter, Future, Hype 614, Buckeye Prep, Committed to My Craft and McGlade Max Pro.
The finale of games held July 16 featured Buckeye Prep, which includes former Northland and Ohio State star Jared Sullinger, against Committed to My Craft, which has been led by Travis Trice, originally from Dayton before playing at Michigan State and in Europe.
J.D. Weatherspoon, who joined Burke and Sullinger on Northland’s 2009 state championship team, also competes for Committed to My Craft.
Former Ohio State standout Aaron Craft plays for McGlade Max Pro along with 2008 Buckeye Valley graduate Scott Thomas, who scored a league-high 40 points in his team’s game July 16.
The league runs for eight weeks, with a championship game set for Aug. 13.
Coach Victor Dandridge leads a prayer before 4Deep faced McGlade Max Pro in a Kingdom League game July 9 at Ohio Dominican University. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Looking to grow their games
On the other side of their career compared to a player like Burke is Northland sophomore King Kendrick, who is the league’s youngest player.
Having an opportunity to compete in the Kingdom League isn’t lost on Kendrick, who plays for Bexley Car Care and battled against Burke’s team July 16.
With less than a minute to go, Kendrick drove coast-to-coast for a layup that proved a fitting reminder that his 33-point performance while helping the Vikings win the City League championship last winter wasn’t a fluke.
“I’m trying to get better,” Kendrick said. “All these players play in the highest levels, so I’m really just going out to get better, better and better. I don’t have anything to worry about because I’m playing against pros right now. I’m definitely staying in the gym every day. Last year was good, but this year is going to be way better.
“I love the whole atmosphere (of the Kingdom League), the music, the food … When I’m in transition, there’s not too many people that can stay in front of me. Usually (the Kingdom League games) are halfcourt basketball, but when you get into transition, you’ve got to go.”
For players like Tre Baumgardner, a 2018 Africentric graduate who helped the Nubians earn a Division III state runner-up finish as a senior, the league is about adding to their skillset.
Baumgardner, who scored 32 points for Reitano Sportscenter on July 9, graduated from Shawnee State but is hoping to catch on as a graduate transfer at the Division II level over the coming weeks.
“I just like the competition,” Baumgartner said. “There’s a lot of love and support (in the Kingdom League). It’s a great Sunday vibe and you’re definitely competing for one of the top leagues in the nation. Especially with the world being so crazy, it’s nice to come here on a Sunday and not worry about being shot up or anything.”
4Deep’s Cam Evans drives to the basket while McGlade Max Pro’s Kevin Vannatta defends in a Kingdom League game July 9 at Ohio Dominican. 4Deep won 106-85. Photo: John Hulkenberg
A deep collection of talent
During the 1990s, one of the go-to places for basketball throughout the summer months was the Worthington Summer League.
Once a heavy stop for college players, it was a well-attended weekly function that struck a chord with fans before transitioning into the McDonald’s Summer League from 2003-07 and eventually disbanding because of low attendance.
According to Johnny Clark, who formerly coached in both of those leagues and has been a trainer for more than three decades in central Ohio, the current group of players in the Kingdom Summer League rivals the talent that was on display in the Worthington Summer League.
The Kingdom Summer League began in 2014 and has continued to grow in talent and exposure each year according to Northland boys basketball coach Tihon Johnson, who also is the league’s director.
Johnson graduated from Columbus East in 2001 and went on to play for Idaho and overseas before becoming the Vikings’ coach in 2021-22.
“We started off playing at a rec center, took it to East High and South High and we’ve been (at Ohio Dominican) for three or four years,” Johnson said. “It’s really kind of blossomed since we got here. We’ve had a lot of NBA guys in years past and this is the first year we didn’t have any (current) Buckeyes. There’s probably about 15 or 16 guys that have NBA experience, and all the top guys from around here went Division I. A lot of guys I’ve known through training and competing against them. But we’ve always had a big collection of talent.
“You see little kids here, and it’s community oriented. We’ve just been coming together in the name of good basketball and having a good time.”
Donations are taken at the door for Johnson’s non-profit “Kingdom First” organization, which provides assistance to communities throughout Columbus.
On the court, players like former Westerville South standout brothers Kaleb Wesson and Andre Wesson and former Northland star Devon Moore are among the many who have taken advantage of opportunities to shine this summer.
The Wesson brothers helped the Wildcats win the 2016 Division I state title before heading off to Ohio State.
Kaleb Wesson is a free agent after competing in the Philippines last season and is hoping to catch on in Europe over the coming weeks.
“This is my third year playing in (the Kingdom League),” said Wesson, whose leaner build from his prep and college days was apparent while competing for Bexley Car Care. “I’ve just been doing what I can to make sure I can play for longer.”
Moore, who also is a member of Bexley Car Care along with the Wesson brothers, provided leadership for the Vikings’ emerging young core as a senior in 2007 when Sullinger was a sophomore and Burke was a freshman.
He went on to play for James Madison and has competed in Germany for the past several years.
“I’m thankful to be able to play,” the 33-year-old Moore said. “I started the buildup (at Northland). I’m either going back to the team I played for in Germany, or if I’m not, I’m just going to relax. I think I’m done. I got to play as much as I could and I enjoyed it.”