Philly basketball legend Cuttino Mobley strolled into the Community College of Philadelphia gym for the Danny Rumph Classic, just hoping to watch some good hoops.
That quickly changed on Sunday morning.
Day four of the Rumph featured an alumni game but the former NBA player chose to watch from the sidelines rather than lace his shoes up. That is until some of Mobley’s friends got in his ear to play in the friendly exhibition.
“It took a second because it wasn’t my thing to play in it,” Mobley said. “I wanted to play early this morning.”
It let Mobley have a chance to play with some of his friends in the city he calls home. The former Rockets guard was unsure of how many minutes he would get, playing mostly in the first half and sparingly in the second.
“It was fun,” Mobley said. “Anytime I can get home and see some of the guys you grew up with. The camaraderie is what you miss. I had a lot of fun.”
Mobley played 12 seasons in the NBA for four teams, including six for the Houston Rockets. Prior to his time in the pro’s he made a name for himself at Rhode Island and was named A-10 player of the year in 1998.
His reputation garnered him as one of the best hoopers to grace the Philly hardwood. The City of Brotherly love has produced players like the Morris twins, Hakim Warrick and Tone Carr who have all donned jerseys at the Rumph.
For Mobley, the tournament shows just that; The history of the sport in the city.
“It’s history,” Mobley said. “It’s kind of the symbolism of Philadelphia and coming together. The camaraderie and giving back.”
