By Yovany Moreno

The San Francisco Bay Area Pro-Am Basketball League Returns to Legendary Kezar Pavilion For One Last Season

The 2024 season of the San Francisco Bay Area Professional-Amateur Basketball League, better known as the SF Bay Area Pro-Am, is back this summer. Eight teams from San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area are competing and showcasing their talents in front of families, fans and scouts.

With the season in full swing and teams vying for playoff spots, the intensity is palpable. Best of all, the games are completely free to the public, allowing basketball enthusiasts to enjoy competitive pro-am basketball at the historic Kezar Pavilion throughout the summer – an experience that will soon come to an end.

The SF Bay Area Pro-Am league uniquely blends professional and amateur players. Established in 1979 by Jon Greenberg, a former NBA referee, the league has successfully run for more than 40 summers. Initially held at the Potrero Hill Recreation Center, the games were moved to Kezar Pavilion due to its growing popularity.

Kezar Pavilion, built in 1924, exudes an old-school charm but lacks modern amenities, like air conditioning. The spotlight shines on the center court while the stands remain dimmed, offering an intimate setting that contrasts sharply with larger venues, like Madison Square Garden in New York, or San Francisco’s Chase Center, where jumbotrons and halftime shows dominate the experience. At Kezar, spectators can sit close to the action, and during halftime, kids are invited to take the court and shoot some baskets until the buzzer sounds.

Jon Greenberg’s passion for the game drives the league’s mission. As he stated on the league’s website, his goal was to “share his passion for the game by organizing a summer league where amateur players could further develop their skills and even play against some professional players from all around the world.” Greenberg emphasizes that “opportunity is the operative word,” highlighting the league’s role in opening doors for aspiring players.

For those trying to make a name in basketball, the Pro-Am league presents an invaluable opportunity.

“The league is NCAA and NBA approved and features current and former college, high school, and recreational players, along with national and international pros,” Greenberg explained. “There are no league tryouts; each team has an open roster policy, allowing coaches to add players throughout the season.”

Notable NBA players who have graced the Pro-Am courts include Steph Curry, Jeremy Lin, Aaron Gordon, Gary Payton, Kevin Johnson, Gilbert Arenas, Brian Shaw, Jason Kidd and Kurt Rambis, who was actually discovered at the Pro-Am. Their participation elevates the competition while allowing them to hone their skills during the summer.

The league’s open-door policy welcomes players from around the world to test their abilities at Kezar Pavilion. On any given night, from Monday through Thursday, fans can witness local and international talent competing fiercely. Miles Lewis is a talented player for SF City under coach Carl Jacobs.

“I was born in Oakland, grew up in Sacramento, and just transferred to Cal Poly,” Lewis said. “I drive up here; it’s part of my life now.”

Another standout player is Alex Gil-Fernandez, a Mexican American from Palo Alto, who possesses meticulous footwork. He recently led the South Bay Spartans to a 109-99 victory over the Oakland Believers. Gil-Fernandez shared that he has played for Cal State San Marcos and internationally for the Dorados de Chihuahua in Mexico.

The diversity of players at Kezar Pavilion makes for a unique atmosphere, extra special given that admission is free. Longtime basketball enthusiast Ben Sakdi has attended every game since the league’s inception.

“I love coming to the games,” Sakdi said.

While sitting alongside his friend Shawn Callon, Sakdi reminisced about memorable moments, including watching legends like Kurt Rambis and Jason Kidd.

“You can see that guy over there in the blue jacket? That’s James Pain. I watched him in 1981 when he scored six three-pointers in a game, and now he’s 73,” Sakdi said with a smile.

Shawn Callon confirmed Sakdi’s dedication.

“He hasn’t missed a game,” Callon said. He added that the second half of the season typically sees the arrival of bigger names. “You can check sanfranciscoproam.com for the schedule, history and legends who have attended. You can always find us here; we sit right here.”

However, this year marks the last summer at Kezar Pavilion before renovations begin on the 100-year-old pavillion. According to the SF Recreation and Park Department, in partnership with the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Kezar Pavilion will be remodeled to enhance recreational activities and serve as a disaster response facility in case of emergencies. This project is set to commence in the fall.

Regular season games take place Monday through Thursday at 8 p.m. in June and July. Playoffs will begin on Aug. 5. The location of future Pro-Am games after this year has yet to be determined. Learn more at Sanfranciscoproam.com.