Greater Columbus Basketball Legend Association
GCBLA has achieved tremendous success within a brief period of time, due to the effort and focus of our Executive Committee and supporters.
We are actively soliciting new membership to enhance our brand and move GCBLA to the next level of “REMEMBERING OUR LEGENDS”
Edward "Skip" Young
2022 SPRING EDITION
OUR STORY
The GCBLA Commemorative Watch fundraisers has been extended! Contact Kenney Clark for Read More...
Secretary
Since 2013, the Greater Columbus Basketball Legend Association has inducted coaches, players, teams, media, and other individuals, All of the Inductees are celebrated for their outstanding achievements and accomplishments. Click here to learn more about our GCBLA Eligibility Process for inducting members.
After a rigorous selection criteria, another impressive slate of inductees will be enshrined at this 2022 gala.
The categories cover an array of accomplishments that have affected the sport of basketball in Central Ohio directly or indirectly. “Where Legends Are Remembered!” is much more than just a slogan at GCBLA - it is the core of our existence and is the driving force behind all that we do.
2022 Inductees:
I. Players / Coaches / Contributors
- JOYCE BEATTY - Ohio State Senator
- JENE DAVIS - Linden McKinley HS / Collegiate Coach
- FRAN FRAZIER - Social Activist / Humanitarian
- JERMAINE GUICE - Westerville South HS / Butler Univ.
- CLARK KELLOGG - Ambassador for the Sport of Basketball
- I. RAY MILLER - Media / Humanitarian
- JOHN PACE - Promoting Fashion, Entertainment, Basketball Events
- TODD PENN - Linden McKinley HS / OSU
- REGGIE RANKIN - Linden McKinley HS / Ohio Univ. / Warriors-NBA Scout
- JERRY SAUNDERS - Cols. Mohawk HS / Oberlin College / Social Activist
- D’WAN SHACKLEFORD VICEROY - Newark HS / OSU
- KATIE SMITH - OSU / WNBA-Player-Coach
- CHARLES E. TENNANT - Education / Founder, Africentric Early College
- ADAM TROY - Education / Humanitarian
- KEVIN WEAKLEY - Worthington Christian HS / Coach
II. Posthumous
- EDDIE CLARK - Cols. North HS / Texas Southern Univ.
- EDDIE GUICE - Linden McKinley HS / Coach - Worthington Summer League
- BRUCE HOWARD - Coach - Brookhaven HS / AAU
- GRANVILLE WAITERS - Cols. East HS / OSU
- BRIAN WILLIAMS - Cols. South HS / Univ. Cincinnati
our Inductees
Edward “Skip” Young, Co-Founder/President GCBLA
Skip graduated from Linden McKinley HS in 1967, whereas team co-captain, with Jim Cleamons, he lead the Panthers to their first OHSAA State Championship, and named tournament MVP, 1st team All-State, and All-American. Read more....
CENTRAL OHIO CAGERS ENJOY TOURNEY SUCCESS
Teams enjoyed much success during the 2022 OHSAA basketball tournament. There were 16 teams capturing District Titles or greater in a season with parity absent in recent years. Accomplishments included 2 State Titles, 1 State Runner-Up, 1 State Semi-Finalist, and 12 District Title winners. Read More...
GCBLA President, Edward "Skip" Young
Archivist/Historian
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GCBLA FOUNDERS
The idea of GCBLA was initially discussed during a conversation between Skip Young, current President, and his friend, John “Pineapple” Lewis, who thought it necessary to record the history of basketball legends from Franklin and surrounding counties in Central Ohio. Skip shared this idea with Dr. John Howard Jr., and Dr. Wallace Chandler, who had a similar idea some years prior, and thus they founded GCBLA, to honor Louis and other legendary players, coaches, teams, media personalities, and others who influenced the sport of basketball in Central Ohio. GCBLA wants to be responsible for telling their own story and assisting younger generation athletes in their academic and athletic pursuits.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED BY:
Dr. John Howard, Jr., Co-Founder
High School All-state and All-American Athlete in Basketball – State of Ohio
Most Valuable Freshman Basketball Player – University of Cincinnati (1963)
Most Valuable Basketball Player – University of Cincinnati (1968) (1,000 pt, score)
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SPORTS HISTORY IN OHIO
“A Century of Women’s Basketball, From Frailty to Final Four”, by John S. Holt and Marianna Trekell. The book focuses on the role, growth, development, and evolution of competitive Basketball between 1890-1930 and 1940-1980. Read More...
GCBLA 2017 HALL OF FAME
GCBLA OFFICERS
Sergeant-At-Arms
2022 WINTER EDITION
Dr. Wallace Chandler, Co-Founder
Long before his blood, sweat and tears were sacrificed in his quest for academic excellence and before the degrees were stockpiled, Wallace Chandler grew up in “Flytown” a rugged and unforgiving section of Columbus located a little south and east of the Ohio State campus. Read more....