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Local NBA Hopefuls Show Off Skills For Westchester Knicks

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. – Dozens of NBA hopefuls looking to live out their dream laced up and took their game to Ardsley on Saturday as they attempted to make the cut with the Westchester Knicks.

Westchester Knicks General Manager Allan Houston addressing the NBA hopefuls at the tryout.

Westchester Knicks General Manager Allan Houston addressing the NBA hopefuls at the tryout.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla
The Westchester Knicks held an open tryout on Saturday.

The Westchester Knicks held an open tryout on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla
It was a rainbow of pinnies at House of Sports in Ardsley.

It was a rainbow of pinnies at House of Sports in Ardsley.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla
The Westchester Knicks are hopeful of adding some local talent to their roster.

The Westchester Knicks are hopeful of adding some local talent to their roster.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla
This will be the first year that the Westchester Knicks play in the County Center in White Plains.

This will be the first year that the Westchester Knicks play in the County Center in White Plains.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla
Westchester Knicks General Manager Allan Houston addressing the media before the tryout.

Westchester Knicks General Manager Allan Houston addressing the media before the tryout.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla
The tryout was held at House of Sports in Ardsley.

The tryout was held at House of Sports in Ardsley.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla
Allan Houston gave the tryout participants a speech about heart before drills started.

Allan Houston gave the tryout participants a speech about heart before drills started.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla
There were multiple drills and exercise for those looking to make the Westchester Knicks.

There were multiple drills and exercise for those looking to make the Westchester Knicks.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla

NBA hopefuls being run through drills at House of Sports in Ardsley.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla

The shootaround before the Westchester Knicks tryout.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla

House of Sports was the place to be for hoops stars and fans alike, as the Knicks sought to bolster their roster with some hometown flavor during an open tryout in front of some of the D-League affiliate’s top brass.

For a $150 fee, nearly 100 of the area’s top players showed off their skills in a series of drills and exercises designed by Westchester Knick officials.

General Manager Allan Houston, a Knicks legend in his own right, said that they were hopeful of finding some talent in the deep pool of players that showed up to the tryout.

“It’s exciting," Houston said. "You get to see people start living out their dreams. Not everyone will get there, but it’s good training for everyone. It’s only one day here, but it’s my experience that we’ll have enough and see enough to get an idea (of the player’s abilities).”

The Westchester Knicks, formerly the Erie BayHawks who were an affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers – will serve as a feeder club for the professional squad an hour south. As the roster is currently constituted, it will be loaded with undrafted former college stars, players with the potential to reach the NBA and former professional and international players that need fine tuning before they can benefit the parent club.

Houston said that he has worked closely with the pro club, and has already begun reaping the benefits of having 13-time NBA champion Phil Jackson running the ship as president.

"What’s great about (working alongside Jackson) is how he manages his personality and just talking to him about basketball,” he said. “(I’ve learned) that to develop a player you have to know who they are as a person first.”

The county has been quick to embrace the Westchester Knicks, who continue preparing for their inaugural season calling the Westchester County Center in White Plains home. They selected 16 players in the expansion draft, and hope that some of the local talent will earn an invitation to training camp.

“A lot of people from Westchester have supported us, there’s been a lot of talk in the community about how excited they are, because they can’t get to Madison Square Garden, but want to watch basketball,” Houston said. “Hopefully we have some players on the team that can be a part of the Westchester community.” 

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