Photo courtesy: Philadelphia Inquirer; “Anton Klusener/ Staff Illustration. Photos: AP Images; Yong Kim/ Staff”

Earlier this week, Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Gina Mizell recounted what has been an incredible journey the past two decades of the Rumph Classic.

Danny’s Uncle, Marcus Owens, told her that the Sharif Bray’s 2011 game winner “was the seed that was planted” for something special in the city. In 2016, when James Harden showed up to play at La Salle, Owens added, “That’s when it just started going to the stratosphere.”

We encourage you to check out Mizell’s story here, as well as all the other Inquirer coverage throughout the weekend. Here’s an excerpt from, “‘Something special’ in Philly, the Danny Rumph Classic marks its 20th anniversary this week”:

Those up-and-comers are why Owens believes the Danny Rumph Classic will be “impossible to stop” for the upcoming 20 years. They join the loved ones who have been around since the beginning. The founders. And Danny’s mother, Viola “Candy” Owens. And Ms. Janet, who has long managed the tournament’s registration. And the volunteers.

Together, they have built a premier summer tournament, where signature Philly basketball moments happen. They have placed defibrillators in gyms all over the city.

And, for the next two decades, they want to continue to do right by Danny.

“Sometimes, you’re just speechless,” Owens said. “… We miss and love Danny every day. But we’re Christians, and we just can’t help but believe that he’s looking down on all of us with a big smile.”