Drew League 5.77

Alvin Willis established the Drew League in 1973 with 6 teams. Willis believed this league could be a place for both young men and women of South Central Los Angeles to learn life lessons via the game of basketball!

As a long time friend and mentor to Dino Smiley, in 1985 Willis decided it was time to let Smiley have a shot at directing the league. By 1985 the league had grown from the original 6 teams to 10 teams. Today the league matches up 20 "invitation-only" teams to battle it out on the hardwood floor!

Almost 40 years ago, no one would have predicted that the gym at Charles Drew Junior High School on the corner of Compton and Firestone would play host to Southern California's toughest competition, attracting street-ball legends, collegiate athletes, and several NBA stars!