Congrats on 18 years of Venice Ball!
Veniceball began in 2006 as a community tournament on the legendary courts of Venice Beach, and has become one of the most prominent summer leagues in the World. A meeting place for world-class athletes, entertainers, artists, creators, and global citizens.
From building courts all over the world to hosting premier basketball events, to winning 4 of our own World championships, they are just getting started. Their dedicated team lives by three words: Game Never Stops.
A message from our friends Venice Ball
Under the radiant California sun the Venice Basketball League (VBL), in collaboration with PUMA Hoops and Essentia® Hydroboost, proudly concludes another unforgettable Ron Beals Day, also known as “Legends Day.” This year’s event, marking the grand finale of VBL’s 19th season, transformed Venice Beach into a celebration of life for Chris “SlowMo” Coatello and Frank “Where’s my Cheese” Wallace. It also honored the many legends who have shaped these courts and continue to inspire generations.
The day was a living tribute to the Venice community, featuring over 50 plaques and trophies, alongside 50 LV flower bouquets, recognizing the legends still making waves in the game. PUMA Hoops generously provided 150 pairs of shoes and collaboration merchandise to the VBL community, Essentia® HydroBoost was offered complimentary to the VBL community, providing supercharged daily hydration, while Pizza Girl nourished our champions.
The All-Star Lineup and Thrilling Contests
Kicking off with a youth clinic, the event saw NBA champion Danny Green and dribbling maestro God ShammGod share their skills with the future stars of the game.
The celebrity game, hosted by Cassy Athena and Baron Davis curated in partnership with Ball Dawg, was a highlight, showcasing guest appearance by Marko Jaric, Tracy Mills, Streetball icons like Sik Wit It and Tyler Glover went head-to-head with with comedian Justin Silva kept the crowd entertained, social media sensations Mr. Hotspot and Kenny Chao, delivering electrifying moments on the court. The game winning SHUTDOWN moment came from Smoove Ukraine incredible half court between the legs prayer , GAME! The 2016 VBL #1 Draft pick turned hoop sensation Alan “White Iverson” Paestrano claimed another celeb game MVP trophy with 34 points.
The Dunk Contest was nothing short of spectacular, with LA’s own NFL Hall of Famer Reggie Bush, Trinidad James, and the Lakers’ newest talent, Armel Traore, serving as judges. The crowd erupted as dunkers Tyler Currie, Chris Staples, Elijah Bonds, Amir Smith, 5’4 Ty 2.0, and the champion of the day, Donavan Hawkins shut down the Beach forever engraving his name into to the dunk game
Beyond the Court: Entertainment and Unforgettable Performances
The excitement extended beyond the basketball action, with comedian Justin Silva stealing the show during the celebrity game. Musical performances by Inglewood’s D Smoke, Compton AV, The Drummers of Compton, and the legendary Tommy The Clown surprised the kids with an epic dance battle at half court. With surprise appearances by West Coast icons Dom Kennedy, Reason and Symba adding to the day’s unforgettable vibe.
A Day of Triumphs and Milestones
From the early morning to the late evening (9am-9pm), the event was packed with non-stop action. Highlights included the 3×3 tournament for players over 50, where 83-year-old Norm proved age is just a number. Robin “Sik Wit It” Kennedy, at 55, claimed the tournament MVP title, dazzling the crowd alongside 7-foot VBL veteran David “White Shadow” Vik and Sean “Inches” Jackson, who capped the tournament with a show-stopping dunk.
The Love & Basketball mixed 2v2 tournament, which began in Paris under the Eiffel Tower earlier this year, featured the Frenchies Angie and Yannis, who won an all-expenses-paid trip to Venice. However, they came up short in the semis against the —2024 VBL Champ and new Hall Of Fame inductee AJ “Chosen One” Harris and 2024 VWL Champ and social media sensation Daylan Bonner, crowned as the the King and Queen, couple of the year 2X champs in one day “Oh what a day!’
The VWL back-to-back champions Lady Sweat, led by Kendra Williams and Coach Phil Handy, secured another undefeated season. The VBL championship game was a fierce battle between BBall Junkies, with Ryan “Hezi God” Carter leading The Mecca to triumph securing their first VBL title.
A Toast to the Legends
Veniceball founder Nick Ansom reflected on the day, saying, “This Legends Day was one for the BOOKS. Grateful for our incredible PUMA and Essentia® Hydroboost sponsorship, our incredible team of staff and interns and another opportunity to bring the community together. With all of the nonsense happening in the world right now we need to keep on embracing our differences and come together more than ever before. It’s a true blessing to be able to be in this position to honor the legends of the past, recognize the legends of today, and introduce the legends of tomorrow. My ears are still ringing and I can’t wait for what’s next…”
View pics by Venice Paparazzi
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View pics courtesy of Venice Ball!
Venice Ball Founder Nick Ansom
