Resolution 160740

..Title Recognizing and congratulating Rahim Thompson for founding The Chosen League, the only sponsored high school basketball league in the country, free of charge to the players and the fans. ..Body WHEREAS, Rahim Thompson founded The Chosen League in 2002 as a platform for the top high school basketball players in the region to play against one another at Cherashore Park, which is located at 10th Street and Olney Avenue in the Olney section of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson was inspired to create The Chosen League by the teachings and faith he gained from Le Peristyle Haitian Sanctuary, where he is a Gro Houngan and lifetime member; and WHEREAS, The Chosen League is not only a forum for top high school athletes to showcase their talents, but also a venue for the top players in the region to play one another. Additionally, many of the former players come back to coach and teach the next generation; and WHEREAS, Many players hope to get noticed by coaches and get a scholarship to play basketball and get an education in college. Since 2002, 1,300 players from the league have earned full or partial scholarships to college; and WHEREAS, Several collegiate players have been a part of The Chosen League, including Creighton floor general Maurice Watson, University of Miami point guard Jaquan Newton, and Duke forward Amile Jefferson; and WHEREAS, Several NBA players have also been a part of The Chosen League, including Miami Heat guard Wayne Ellington, Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia 76ers guard Gerald Henderson, Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris, and Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris; and WHEREAS, The games at 10th and Olney have become annual rites of passage for Philadelphia area high school ballplayers, and we hope this tradition continues for many more years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and recognizes Rahim Thompson for founding The Chosen League. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Rahim Thompson as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. ..End