Dyaisha Fair managed to get some shots at the third annual Keyz to the City Basketball Showcase.
Perhaps the most prolific scorer in the gym, the Rochester All-American point guard was not on any of Saturday’s star rosters at Gates Chile. Fair was there as a spectator, comfortably dressed in a Syracuse University t-shirt, jeans and Yeezy flip flops, unequipped to drop buckets on the kids she was shooting with between games. basketball.
Fair instead used her presence to let go of her knowledge. The Orange guard and former Edison Tech star was clearly concerned about the recent Rochester shootings and spoke out at the well-attended hoops event. Jason “J-Mac” McElwain, who was in a car accident last month, also attended Keyz to the City and shared the same sentiments.
One of the reasons Fair returned home was to shed light on the positive events — such as KTTC — emerging from her hometown during a summer masked by violence.
“Everyone knows what’s going on and how our city is right now. It brings us all together and it shows there’s good here,” Fair told the Democrat and Chronicle on Saturday. “It’s not about the negative things happening around us. It shows that we are capable of doing something positive.”
“Get them off the street”
Jason McElwain appeared to be in good health.
J-Mac, famous for his 3-point shootout for Greece Athena 17 years ago, was hit by a car while cycling in June. He had nine broken ribs, a broken shoulder blade and a punctured lung, his brother Josh told the D&C last month.
But McElwain was not in Keyz to the City to update his health. He urged people to keep children off the streets as he addressed the audience at the microphone. Spectators erupted in loud applause.
“We have to keep the kids on the pitch, get them off the streets. That’s the most important thing,” McElwain said. “Keep them off the streets. This is the most important thing for our young people right now. Thanks a lot. God bless you.
Rochester’s 43rd homicide of the year, and the city’s ninth this month, occurred early Saturday morning. KTTC founder Deyshonee Much said it was the “perfect” time for Fair and McElwain to deliver their messages. Much’s goal is to turn their three-game event into a league that spans multiple weekends throughout the summer. His Rising Star camp is scheduled for Sunday at Gates Chile.
“We all know the problem we face here in Rochester,” Much said. “I can only do my part. I can use my tool, which is basketball right now, to bring the community together. I really believe that if we can keep this event going, for several weekends in the summer, I think it will help with keeping guys off the streets.”
Much success on Saturday when he welcomed hundreds of people during his KTTC showcase. Hometown stars like John Ivy, Supreme Hannah, Quinton Rose and Christian Jones put on a show for the hometown crowd with a range of alley-oop dunks, sharp 3-point shots and handfuls of the ball off a rope. Even Much made some key pieces. Professional play was as good as expected with Team Tap winning 108-107.
“I liked it. The crowd was live,” Much said. “The guys I expected to show up, they did just that. Great performances from a few guys that we highlighted ahead of the event. Overall I’m really happy. I really want to thank the community for coming today.”
What’s next for Dyaisha Fair?
Dyaisha Fair is already one of the most prolific goalscorers in the country.
A former Rochester All-Greater Player of the Year at Edison Tech, Fair’s 771 points were second in the nation while playing at Buffalo in 2021-22, where she earned All-America honorable mention honors after leading the Bulls in the NCAA Tournament as a junior.
With an almost certain professional career waiting beyond college, what’s left for Fair in Syracuse? Fair has spent the summer bonding with his new Orange teammates. On the court, the all-around guard wants to improve her readings and ability control pace as she prepares for Atlantic Coast Conference competition.
Anyone who knows coach Felisha Legette-Jack isn’t shocked that Fair — and three of her Buffalo teammates — followed their adoring coach from UB to SU.
“It was just her passion, what she stands for and her level of care,” Fair said of Legette-Jack. “It’s bigger than the basketball game with her.”
Battle of Upstate New York
Rochester’s Keepers is hosting their Battle of Upstate NY basketball tournament.
The regional tournament is scheduled for Saturday, July 30 at Eastridge High School. Tickets are $15 at the door. The tournament starts at 2 p.m.
Previously an all-star game, Rochester’s Keepers became a four-team playoff between regional all-star teams. Buffalo will face Syracuse at 2 p.m. Rochester will face Finger Lakes in the next semifinal. The winners advance to the championship game.
Division I prospect Turner Harris, the former Northstar Christian Academy star, will play for Rochester after earning MVP honors in last year’s All-Star Game. Harris has just completed his junior season at the National Christian Academy in Maryland. John Paul Mobley Jr. (Bishop Gorman, Nevada), Damarius Owens (Western Reserve Academy, Ohio) and Trey Autry (Western Reserve Academy, Ohio) are a few other Division I prospects expected to play in the event.
Rochester’s Keepers founder Thierry Ngarambe says hoop stars won’t just compete against elite talent, they’ll also have the chance to form a fraternity and learn about college recruiting.
“Honestly, I just want to celebrate upstate New York because I truly believe that we are a home base for basketball and produce a lot of ELITE ball players. We just need more exposure. My vision is to have all eyes on Rochester every summer because it’s going to be the place to be if you’re the best player in New York,” Ngarambe said.