About

The Drew League

Alvin Wills established the Drew League in 1973 with 6 teams. Wills believed this league could be a place for young men and women of South Central Los Angeles to learn life lessons through basketball.

The Drew League’s goal was to help young people form meaningful relationships on the court that would spill over into the neighborhood, as well as build an institution that would bring top local high school, college, and pro players back to the community.

As a long time friend and mentor to Dino Smiley, in 1985 Wills decided it was time to let Smiley have a shot at directing the league. By 1985 the league had grown from the original 6 teams to 10 teams. Today the league matches up 28 “invitation-only” teams to battle it out on the hardwood.

Forty years ago, no one would have predicted that the gym at Charles Drew Junior High School on the corner of Compton and Firestone would play host to Southern California’s toughest competition, attracting streetball legends, collegiate athletes, and several NBA stars.

Our list of notable players and people could go on and on, but here are a few who have graced the Drew floor:

Kobe Bryant
Raymond Lewis
Lester Conner
Byron Scott
John Williams
Greg Anthony
LeBron James
Micheal Cooper
Kevin Durant
Paul Pierce
Allen Caveness
Andre Miller
Kenny “Bad Santa” Brunner
Bobby Brown
Jason Hart
Trevor Ariza
Craig Smith
Nick Young
Dorell Wright
Marcus Williams
JaVale McGee
Brandon Jennings
Demar Derozan
James Harden
Cuttino Mobley
Baron Davis
Casper Ware Jr.
Paul George
Metta World Peace
John Wall
JR Smith
Mo Spillers
Mike Brown
Dane Suttles
Casper Ware Sr.
Brandon Bowman
Doug Thomas
Dwayne Allen
Russell Brown
Jeff Calhoun
Rob “Sic-wit-it” Kennedy
Mark “Goggles” Neal
James “Gumby” Gray
Robert Smith
Lamar “Black pearl” Gayle

Not to mention the many well -known college, streetball, high school, and international pros that have played at the Drew.

The Drew has also been home to some special people like Eyleen Carlyle, the 1st female coach in the history of the league who went on to win coach of the year in the Drew Summer League.

The Drew has been a Mecca for west coast pro-am basketball for 40 years, and it is only getting stronger!