The Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City will honor the legacy of Chris Ford with an inaugural basketball tournament.
“It is the club’s intention to hold this tournament for years to come, growing it into a mainstay of friendly competition in the spirit of Mr. Ford’s celebrated contributions to basketball,”club CEO Charles Wallace said.
Ford, who died earlier this year, was an Atlantic City native whose NBA career included playing for the Boston Celtics, where he was part of the 1981 championship team.
The Holy Spirit High School graduate also made the first official three-point shot in professional basketball history.
Ford came back to his hometown and coached kids at the club.
The tournament will consist of an eight-team elimination style bracket comprised of area sponsors, businesses and organizations.
The winning team will win the Club Cup, which will be engraved annually to commemorate that year’s winner.
“We are proud to host this inaugural tournament in memory of Chris Ford,” said Cookie Till, a club board member who is chairing the event. “His legacy has touched so many peers, colleagues, fans and youth in the Atlantic City area, and we are grateful that his family has accepted the honor on his behalf.”
The idea was the brain child of Elijah Langford, who promises some basketball professionals, including Jalen Brunson, Leon Rose, Jay Wright and Jumaine Jones.
There will be a presentation to the Ford family at a cocktail even Friday evening. Tickets are $100 each, and can be purchased online at acbgc.org/junemadness.
The weekend basketball games are open to the public. Admission is $10 per person. Those younger than 12 will be admitted free.
