The New York Panthers
According to founder and director Gary Charles, the NY Panthers Basketball program is designed to promote and support competitive basketball teams, enhance and improve player's skill, and foster an environment of sportsmanship and teamwork.
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The philosophy is quite simple; teach the fundamentals of basketball make it fun and keep it fair. "Once a Panther, Always a Panther" is their slogan.
Founded in 1988, Charles said, "We started as Roosevelt PAL, changed the name in 1991 to Long Island Panthers and in 2003 we changed it to New York Panthers."
Under the direction of Charles and assistant directors, Marlon Bottoms and Nate Cadogan, the Panthers are always regarding as a highly competitive squad.
The team has produced such talents as former or current NBA or College stars such as Lamar Odom, Speedy Claxton, Charlie Villanueva, Curtis Sumpter, Duane Woodard, Joakim Noah and Jason Fraser.
Based in Baldwin, NY, the Panthers are the proud title holders of an impressive 17 championships from the iS8/Nike, one of the toughest and most notable leagues in the northeast. Charles added, "The Panthers have been in the final four, thirteen of the last fifteen years."
The 17U team under head coach by Paul Ruddock and assistant coaches Cedrick Ellison and Duane Woodward they feature the talent of Wesley Myers, 6'3" Deshawn Richmond from Curtis HS as well as 6'8" Joshua Wilcolme and 6'7" Travis Charles from Abraham Lincoln HS amongst others.
The 16U squad is coached by Devine Smith and Mike Chapman. Amongst their players are Andre' Berry and Aaron Edmonds
The older team will be participating in the Pittsburgh Jam Fest, Real Deal in the Rock (AK), Rumble in the Bronx (NY), Hoop Group Tournaments as well as the Fab 48 tournaments in Vegas.
Currently, Panthers teams are playing in the iS8/Nike Spring H.S. Classic.