Welcome to the Show

There’s an event that’s been circled on everyone’s calendar for the 2022 travel season and now it is finally here, get ready for one of the biggest stages thus far. Throughout the summer, HoopSeen provides many stages for future prospects to showcase their talents throughout the summer. 

There’s the Tip-Off and, of course, the monstrous Best of the South that continues to break attendance records, but nothing compares to the long tradition of Bob Gibbons. 

Some of the biggest teams come across the country for a chance to leave their mark at the Suwanee Sports Academy (SSA). Coming into its 29th year, Bob Gibbons has built a strong tradition and is responsible for hosting some of the biggest names in basketball history. 

To get more insight of just how great this event is, I sat down with our new VP to get his thoughts on his experience of the past and his mindset of what Bob Gibbons could be like in the future.

A Trip Down Memory Lane.

Since stepping into his new role as Hoopseen’s VP of Team Operations, Junard Hartley has been a man on a mission by bringing in some of the best teams across the southeast. Hartley now has his eyes set on raising the bar for Bob Gibbons and taking it somewhere it has never been before. 

He shared with us some of his past experiences at Bob Gibbons and what really comes to mind when you think about the magnitude of this event.

“When I think of Bob Gibbons, I immediately think of my first time connecting to MJ,” he said. “Being able to play in the Dean Dome, the practice facility, and all the rivalry campuses such as Duke, North Carolina, etc.”

He stated that Bob Gibbons also reminds him of all the great players he shared the floor with. 

“I'd played in that event from 14u- 16u (2003-05) with the Celtics and 17u (2006) with the Smyrna Stars,” he said.

“I've competed against DJ Augustine, Nolan Smith, Michael Beasley DC Assault, Cody Zeller, Eric Gordon Indy Elite, Derrick Rose with Mean Streets, playing up against Earl Clark, Wayne Ellington, Gerald Henderson, and Corey Fisher with JR Smith taunting us in his McDonald's Jersey. “ 

Hartley expressed that the atmosphere for Bob Gibbons was truly legendary, and he was able to witness some NBA greats like Kevin Durant and Greg Odom. He also brought up one of the greatest travel teams assembled with Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, and Randolph Morris. 

“They would have crowds around them because at that time, players could still go out of high school straight into the NBA, so the anticipation was always high.”

And with his tireless work as the VP of Team Operations, Hartley feels that Bob Gibbons can definitely go to the next level.

“In my role, I want to bring back the Future NBA Star appearances,” he said. “I want teams to consider this event the summertime 'City of Palms' where the best players have to play in order to be considered the best.”