LOS ANGELES – What comes to mind when you hear “The Drew League”?
Probably LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, and Kobe Bryant. Maybe Frank “Nitty” Sessions or Ryan “Hezi God” Carter — local legends on the summer Pro-Am circuit at King Drew Magnet School in South Central L.A.
But for Drew League CEO Chaniel Smiley, who inherited the league from her father Dino, one of its original founders, the image she hopes people associate with isn’t a player. Or even a game.
It’s a feeling.
“I want people to have a positive standpoint on the Drew,” Smiley said. “I want them to feel like, when they come here, it’s a reunion. It’s a place where they can bring their whole family — very lively entertainment, a family environment where people can come together and have fellowship.”
That feeling will be on full display Saturday, Aug. 2, during the second annual Drew League Foundation Community Day, held at Charles Drew University in the middle of Compton and Watts.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., more than 35 vendors will set up shop for a day of safe fun, family bonding, and community support in South Central’s two most notorious neighborhoods.
The Drew League is a family. Community Day is a celebration — and expansion — of that family.
“It’s important because (the community) needs something positive to do,” said Angel Culpepper, President of the Drew League Foundation and lead organizer of the event. “It allows people to come together, mingle with neighbors, friends, and family. A lot of them already know each other from the Drew. It’s always a good time.”
Kids’ activities will include inflatable bounce houses, face painting, a video game truck, a hoop bus, and a roller skating rink courtesy of the Sunshine Skate Foundation, founded by former NBA veteran Cory Joseph.
Among other activities.
Essential health services will be offered as well, including free mammograms, HIV testing, blood pressure screenings, and more for underserved families. Over 200 free meals will be distributed.
Among other testing and awareness outreach.
And the guest list?
As star-studded as the players who’ve taken the Drew League court.
U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, civil rights attorney Areva Martin, activist Najee Ali, and California Assemblymember Mike Gipson are among the confirmed speakers and attendees.
Among other speakers.
Sports teams are showing up, too: the LA Galaxy, LAFC, LA Sparks, and LA Clippers will all have outreach teams and interactive booths on site.
It’s a wide-ranging event promoting positivity in the name of “Drew.”
“Everybody coming together and having fun,” Culpepper said. “Getting out of the streets, especially for the young people, and getting into a family-friendly environment. Instead of going out, getting in trouble, and doing something they’re not supposed to do.
Even with all the buzz and high-profile guests, demand for Community Day has grown so much that many vendors had to be turned away.
Culpepper holds a high standard. Some vendors were denied in favor of work-source partners offering job services to help lower Compton’s unemployment rate — a reflection of the deeper purpose behind the event.
Because while the Drew League’s on-court battles are legendary, and Community Day is its biggest moment of giving, the Foundation’s impact stretches far beyond a single afternoon — or even game weekends in the summer.
It’s always been more than basketball.
“We’re here Saturday, Sunday, and then we have outreach after,” Culpepper said. “When the league ends, the foundation stays. If someone’s getting evicted, they can call us. We have funding. We’ll pay the rent, do whatever we can to keep them housed.”
Yes, the NBA stars and streetball icons draw the crowds. And yes, the competition is elite — the Drew remains one of the most respected pro-ams in the country.
But Community Day is the league’s gift back to the people who make it matter. It’s about unity. Positivity. Support.
The Drew League is for some of the best hoopers in the world.
Community Day is for everybody.
“It’s not that many things that do take place in Watts that are very positive,” Smiley said. “We feel like this is a perfect opportunity to reintroduce different vendors who have been in the community for a long time to come out and support one another and this neighborhood.”
Drew League Community Day will be held Saturday, August 2, at Charles Drew University from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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