​NORFOLK — The Hampton Roads 7 Cities Pro-Am Summer League basketball makes its return for a 21st season this Sunday. Led by James Flood Jr., the league has long been a boon for area players and coaches, and this year is no exception. “We’ve worked hard in preparing for another summer of exciting basketball,” Flood said. “Fans should continue to come out and witness the growth of players they watched in high school and see how they’ve progressed. We are truly excited to begin another summer and to showcase the talent taking part from professional ranks, as well as Division I, II, III, and JUCO programs. It promises to be an exciting time.”
The slate features free admission with donations welcome, and tip-offs begin at noon Sunday at Norview High School. The Forum Ballers will open against Daddy James BBQ, followed by Built Different vs. SWAMP at 1:15 p.m. At 2:30 p.m., Partna Ballers take on Tidewater Wildcats, with the 3:45 p.m. finale pitting Harvey Lindsay against NewRunz.
A number of notable players have confirmed their participation, including Norfolk State’s Keon Mitchell and Jordan Skyers, Virginia Union’s Jamari Garnett, and former local standouts Clarence Rupert and Greg Heckstall. Mitchell, a 6-foot-2 guard, helped lead Norview High to the Class 5 state title last season and earned the 2026 All-Tidewater Boys Basketball Player of the Year honors. He averaged 27 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals per game for the Pilots last season and topped the 1,000-point career milestone.
Skyers, a 6-foot-3 guard from Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, arrives as one of the program’s highest-rated recruits. He held offers from 16 programs, including Power Five schools such as Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, and Virginia, and was ranked among ESPN’s Top 40 combination guards.
Garnett captured MVP honors last year after helping his team to the league championship, averaging 28 points per game. Rupert, who helped lead Maury High to a Class 5 state title in 2019, played collegiately at Saint Peter’s, contributing to the Peacocks’ MAAC Tournament run and Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He also played at Southern Illinois and Iona and is currently pursuing professional opportunities in Uruguay. Heckstall, a Norview alum who played at Hampton University, is also continuing his professional career in Europe, currently based in Finland.
Local coaches emphasize the Pro-Am’s value as a proving ground for rising stars. They note that the highly competitive format provides a chance to be evaluated against some of the region’s top talent, sharpening skills, boosting confidence, and increasing exposure. “The Pro-Am is a crucial part of player development,” said Cliff Coleman, head coach at Bryant & Stratton and father to former Maury stars Matt and Chase Coleman. “Our players gain essential experience with the shot clock and the fundamentals of competitive play within a structured environment.”