Saving the next bright star, the Danny Rumph Classic Basketball Tournament

Philadelphia recently packed the Athletics Center at Community College of Philadelphia for the opening night of the annual Danny Rumph Memorial Classic.

The Philadelphia Summer Classic is in its 18th year and takes place in honor of Daniel E. Rumph II, a local Philadelphia basketball star who died suddenly of a heart condition in 2005.

From Germantown, Rumph attended high school in Philadelphia and made his way to Western Kentucky to play Division 1 ball in the Sun Belt Conference. In May of 2005, Rumph was playing pick-up basketball at a local recreation center, and after a game, he collapsed. He passed away due to a heart condition called cardiomyopathy. In honor of Rumph, his family and close friends started the Daniel E. Rumph II Foundation. The organization uses the Rumph Classic to bring awareness to cardiomyopathy, which is the leading cause of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth.

“The Rumph,” as it is called by locals, has turned into one of the premier summer basketball events on the East Coast. It has grown so much since its inception that there are local and professional players from around the world who have participated, including Dionte Christmas, Maalik Wayans, Hakim Warrick, and Marcus and Markeiff Morris. The tournament has gained traction in the NBA circles, and NBA players have participated as well. Some NBA players that have suited up for the Rumph include John Wall, James Harden, Jalen Brunson, and Tyrese Maxey.

This year’s event took place over the weekend and featured plenty of star power— the Philadelphia 76ers‘ own Paul Reed played against NBA player and Philly native Lamar Stevens. Delaware’s own Bones Hyland also suited up with an all-Delaware team on the first night of the tournament.