WEST HARTFORD, CT. (WFSB) – The playoffs are officially underway for the 2025 Basketball Capital Pro-Am, an event that has a legacy dating back 27 years.
It spreads the love for the game of basketball all across the tri-state area.
The impact it has had on the game’s culture in Connecticut is massive.
“It’s something that you only see on the internet, and to actually be a part of it and have it be here in my home town is so special,” said Tanner Ostop, West Hartford.
Every year, kids who come to these games are inspired to pick up a basketball with the idea of maybe one day having the chance to hit the court themselves to compete.
“My dad always played in here. Here’s a Hartford native, he played at UConn, so it was only right that I was going to come growing up,” said Justice Ellison, a native of Windsor.
“I went to these games from when I was like ten years old, so I remember all these games and I get to play against some of the people I used to watch. So, I never thought or imagined that I’d be able to play in these games, and it’s been so fun to play against people I grew up playing against and people that have supported me since I was a child. It’s been a wonderful experience these past few years that I’ve been able to participate,” said Guy Ragland Jr, West Hartford.
Dreaming of playing in an event like this has the power to motivate young ballers to pursue their passion for the game. Ragland Jr played at Cornell and now has the opportunity to play professionally overseas in Slovakia.
“I never knew that playing pick up ball at the grammar school was going to turn into such a long journey, but we’ve been having a good time,” said Guy Ragland Sr.
Ostop, a Northwest Catholic alum, recently earned a spot playing for Fairfield University as a walk-on this past season.
“Just being able to come here and play in games and compete like we do during the winter, during our real season, I think it’s just such a blessing that we can now do that, and then still go back, play with our guys and play during the season,” he said.
With $20,000 on the line, the championship is set for next Friday, August 8th.
“You see everyone’s out in the crowd everyone’s yelling and cheering, so it’s super cool. It gets the community together. It gets us all together, guys that we know and grew up with. So it’s a super good feeling to just go out there and play,” said Ellison.
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