The two most important things in Sharette Dixon’s life were her family and education.
The father of her three children, Kimani Young and the New York basketball community are once again banding together to make sure that her children get the support and education that they need.
On Saturday, the best boys and girls high school basketball players from New York City will take on their counterparts from New Jersey in a star-studded doubleheader at Bishop Loughlin High School. The girls game is at 5 p.m. and the boys game is at 7.
“Sharette always supported my passion for basketball and working with young people,” said Young, who played his college ball for legendary coach Don Haskins at UTEP. “But the most important thing to Sharette was education. We have once again combined those two loves – basketball and academics – in one great event.”
True to Dixon’s nature, the event will recognize players who have excelled academically. Players from each participating team will receive the Sharette Dixon Academic Excellence Award, which is given to players who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better throughout their high school careers.
Proceeds from the event will support a family education fund established in Sharette Dixon’s memory for her three children through The Sylvan Learning Center of New York.
Invited guests include former Sharette Dixon Classic participant and No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Kyrie Irving and former Rice and UConn star and first-round NBA selection Kemba Walker.
Here are the rosters (courtesy NY Post):
New York City boys: Isaiah Whitehead, Lincoln; Omar Calhoun, Christ the King; Brian Bernardi, Xaverian: Shamiek Sheppard, South Shore; Terrence Samuel, South Shore; Jermaine Lawrence, Cardozo, Chris Obekpa, Our Savior New American; Leroy Fludd, Boys & Girls; Daniel Dingle, St. Raymond; Isaiah Cousins, Mount Vernon; Kentan Facey, Long Island Lutheran; Joel Angus, Bishop Loughlin.
New Jersey boys: Melvin Johnson, St. Benedict’s Prep; Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony; Mike Young, Hudson Catholic, Dallas Anglin, Seton Hall Prep; Jimmy Hall, St. Anthony; Tyler Ennis, St. Benedict’s Prep; Brandon Taylor, Trenton Catholic; Jaren Sina, Gil St. Bernard; Reggie Cameron, Hudson Catholic; Jerome Frink, St. Anthony; Karl Towns, St. Joseph’s-Metutchen; and Quentin DeCosey, St. Joseph’s-Metuchen.
New York City girls: Bianca Cuevas, Nazareth; Aaliyah Lewis, Bishop Ford; Jasmine Nwajei, Mary Louis Academy; Jasmine Alston, Bishop Loughlin; Fannisha Price, South Shore; Brianna Butler, Nazareth; Sierra Calhoun, Christ the King; Shequana Harris, Murry Bergtraum; Jenice Winter, South Shore; Shakila Small, Medgar Evers; Ogechukwu Uwanaka, Morrisania; and Krystal Pearson, Truman.
New Jersey girls: Zaire O’Neil, Shabazz; DeAsia Jones, Shabazz; Aliyyah Hanford, Shabazz; Jakelle Gillcrest; Teaneck; Rebecca Sparks, Teaneck; Melanie Lockett, Holy Angels; Danaejah Grant, Piscataway; Brandy Harvey-Carr, Leap Academy; Teana Muldrow, East Orange; Michaela Mabrey, Manasquan; and Marina Mabrey, Manasquan.
