Donda Homecoming

           Over his 20+ year career, Ye West has been vocal about his love and adoration for the city he was born and raised in, so much so that he named his daughter Chicago West. It’s only right with this level of affinity for the “Windy City” the creative genius would bring his High-School team; Donda Academy, to Chicago for what is slated to be much bigger than a normal basketball game. The Donda Homecoming Event is what Chicago, and the culture as a whole, needs. This is about Chicago, and it's significant contribution to Basketball, Entertainment & Culture. The Donda Homecoming will feature 4 local powers (Kenwood, Simeon, Hillcrest & Chicago Prep), one of Nevada's top programs Coronado High School and the star studded Donda Academy team.

Saturday February 5th, 2022 @ Credit Union 1 Arena at UIC

Kenwood (IL) vs. Hillcrest (IL)

Simeon (IL) vs. Coronado (NV)

Donda Academy (CA) vs. Chicago Prep (IL)

*All games will be televised on NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) and streamed on Peacock (@peacockTV)*

          To some who are unfamiliar with the landscape of Grassroots Basketball and its often-exploitive inner workings; student athletes are the commodity in the billion-dollar business of sport. Shoe companies, Event Operators, and even the NCAA have long stripped Inner-Cities like Chicago of these “natural resources” with little to no return investment into the community or culture that they’re benefiting from. Enter the disruptors, the creators and revolutionaries who understand there’s a way to do business where it’s a win/win for everyone involved. The main-stream media attacks, demeans and tries as hard as possible to discredit the free thinkers who threaten the status-quo of people getting rich off the backs of “Amateur” Athletes. The un-measured/under-regulated marketplace where people dangle the ranking, all-star game and scholarship carrot in the face of young athletes willing to do anything to reach their goals and dreams needs to change and it starts with the reinvestment into the culture.

         Enter Darren Duncan, CEO of Gold Level Sports & Entertainment and creator of The Battle Series @TheBattleUs (Where competition and culture collide). Since founded, Gold Level Sports & Entertainment has utilized "The Battle” Basketball Showcase as a vehicle to highlight some of the top teams and players in the country. All showcases are nationally televised giving players and coaches the national attention their talents warrant. The most impressive part of this process has been seeing some of the players who were relatively unknown nationally prior to competing in a "The Battle" event gain a level of notoriety and ultimately receive opportunities to continue the pursuit of their academic & athletic goals/dreams. That’s what the “Donda Homecoming” will do for all involved. Nationally, people will recognize the talent that exists in Chicago and impact “Chi-Town” has on the past, present and future of basketball!

          Speaking of the past.. Chicago is one of basketball’s “meccas!” It’s credited with producing some of the greatest players in NBA history; (Isiah Thomas, Dwayne Wade, George Mikan, Derrick Rose, Tim Hardaway, Maurice Cheeks, Anthony Davis, Terry Cummings, Mark Aguire, Tony Allen, Michael Finley, Nick Anderson, Juwan Howard and Eddie Johnson to name a few.) Chicago is also birthplace to coaching legends Mike Kryzewski and Doc Rivers. The imprint and impact Chicago’s had on the history, and the future, of basketball is undeniable. As we enjoy Donda’s Homecoming we will ultimately celebrate Chicago’s contributions to the sport we all love while trying to identify the next player to carry the torch for the Windy City.

Basketball needs Chicago!

Top Players

o  Jaylen Drane- Simeon

o  Miles Rubin- Simeon

o   Trey Pettigrew- Kenwood (Signed with Nevada)

o  Darrin Ames- Kenwood (ESPN #48 in 2023)

o  Robert DIllingham- Donda Academy (ESPN #6 in 2023: Committed to NC State)

o  Zion Cruz- Donda Academy (ESPN #72 in 2022)

o  Jakhi Howard- Donda Academy (ESPN #14 in 2024)

o  Javonte “J.J.” Taylor- Donda Academy (ESPN #11 in 2023)

o  Richard “Pop Pop” Isaacs- Coronado (ESPN #77 in 2022: Signed with Texas Tech

o  Bryce Tillery- Hillcrest

o  Julio Montes- Chi Prep

“Every interview I'm representin' you, makin' you proud. Reach for the stars, so if you fall, you land on a cloud. Jump in the crowd, spark your lighters, wave 'em around. If you don't know by now, I'm talkin' 'bout Chi-Town!” Ye