Aug. 27--As a product of Chicago's West Side and the Chicago Public League, Howard Moore said he is driven to provide more opportunities for students and help end violence in the city.
Moore, a former Wisconsin assistant and ex-UIC head coach, has teamed with his former Taft High teammate Kenny Pratt and former Westinghouse standout Jimmy Sanders to organize the "Legends Taking Back the Streets" basketball tournament. The event will take place Saturday and Sunday at Crane High School and feature many Chicago basketball legends.
"There's something that can be done and this is a start," said Moore, who will be working as an analyst for the Big Ten Network this basketball season. "At least we'll get some dialogue and communication and strategy and ideas. It gets the ball rolling, bringing VIPs together who love and care about this great city."
The well-known players expected to attend the double-elimination five-on-five tournament include Tim Hardaway, Sonny and Jabari Parker and Antoine Walker. Jamie Brandon, once a standout at King High School, and Ronnie Fields, who starred at Farragut, will be among the participants.
Moore is also working on starting a mentoring program for the city's youth.
"There's a badge of honor (having played in the Public League), but with that badge of honor is a responsibility," Moore said. "It's about coming back to our community to make a difference and trying to take away all the negative stuff going on in the city right now."
sryan@tribpub.com
