The basketball talent that once thrived in Pittsburgh may have dwindled over the years, but there are still young players like Jaydan Brown who are determined to make their mark on the city’s basketball legacy.
As the steel mills closed and the city’s population decreased, the flow of college prospects from Pittsburgh slowed down. With fewer places for city kids to play and suburban players focusing more on football, basketball took a backseat in western Pennsylvania.
However, at the Ammon Community Recreation Center in the Hill District, the Ozanam Basketball Program is keeping the basketball spirit alive. Run by Darrelle Porter, a former Pitt player and coach, the program provides mentorship, meals, and a place for kids to hone their basketball skills.
Porter, who missed witnessing Jerome Lane’s famous backboard-shattering dunk in 1988, shares stories of local legends like Maurice Lucas and DeJuan Blair with the young players, inspiring them to aim for greatness. Despite basketball being overlooked in the city, players like Jaydan Brown remain determined to write their own chapter in Pittsburgh’s basketball history.
With mentors like Porter guiding them and the legacy of past basketball stars hanging above them on the court, these young players are determined to prove that Pittsburgh still has the potential to produce top basketball talent.
