Sandlots produce legends // Stories abound of Chamberlain, Russell, Rivers

Sites and sounds, sandlot-style . . .

Some 50-plus years ago, Sweetwater Clifton grew up four blocksfrom the Carter G. Woodson court, 48th and Michigan, a popular andsafe summer hangout for decades. In the 1930s, blacks weren'tpermitted to play with whites, so they hung out at Carter, which hada dirt and grass floor and no nets. It was, however, one of the fewplaces with two rims. Then Agis Bray became the first black to playon an all-white semipro team, and playgrounds became integrated inthe 1950s.

In the 1960s, the South Side playground at 71st and (now) KingDrive was the site of some of the country's best games. Stars cameout: Bulls. Cazzie Russell. Sometimes legends from other citiessuch as Wilt Chamberlain, who was said to have had a West Sidegirlfriend, Oscar Robertson and Connie Hawkins.

Marillac House and Gladstone were West Side hot spots for years.Marillac has had a sloped court and bent rims, but it also has hadIsiah Thomas, Mark Aguirre and a Playground Who's Who at its summertournament. The court, which unlike others had lights, was enclosedby an 18-foot fence and a ring of spectators. "Guys would sit arounddrinking wine and betting on games," says John "Buck" Paul, a formerhigh school and summer-league coach.

In the 1970s, indoor summer leagues were hot two nights a weekat the M.L. King Boys' Club and the Old Town Boys' Club, West Sidegyms frequented by local pros. Spectators packed in, and othersstood on shoulders outside to watch.

Summer stories abound. One night in 1973 at Old Town, aplayground legend tried to pull a gun on the Bulls' Bob Love after anargument. "The guy went to the locker room to get a gun," Paul says."I approached him about the situation, and I ejected him from theleague."

In 1980 at the LaGrange Youth Center outdoor tournament, GlennRivers, then a high school senior, scored 44 points. But he didn'tlead his team. Ricky Wilson, who many thought had more talent thanRivers, had 66.

Rivers is now an NBA veteran. Wilson made the grade on theplaygrounds but, like many others, not thereafter.