Ellington

This year's NBA Finals were thrilling, with the Golden State Warriors becoming NBA champions. Slowly, the league is changing from isolation basketball, where eight guys stand and watch a superstar go one-on-one with a defender, to a completely team-oriented game.

While everyone waits for football to begin, Mississippi basketball fans can see more of the sport this summer. In Vicksburg, the River City Summer League kicks off this Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27.

River City is for professional players and those hoping to join the professional ranks at some point or to get noticed by professional leagues. The league is a tool to help players stay in shape during the long offseason. It boasts some names that Mississippi basketball fans will likely recognize.

One player many in the metro area might remember is Dundrecous Nelson, a two-time Dandy Dozen pick out of Murrah High School and was the MVP of the 2012 Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game. Nelson was also a member of the Ole Miss basketball team in 2012 before he was kicked off due to run-ins with the law, mainly over smoking marijuana.

Another former Dandy Dozen playing in the league is MyChal Ammons out of Vicksburg High School. Ammons played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game and college basketball at the University of South Alabama. The former Gator left South Alabama 2014 before his senior year to play professional basketball. He signed a contract to play in Macedonia overseas after leaving school.

Metro area hoops fans might also remember LeAntwan Luckett out of Ridgeland High School. Luckett was twice named SWAC Player of the Week for his play at Alcorn State University this past season and received the title of first-team All-SWAC 2015 after the 
season ended.

Also playing the league will be former Vicksburg High School and Jackson Showboats star Jonathan Phelps. The former Dandy Dozen player is working to stay in shape to continue his professional career.

The best part about catching some hoops at games for this league is that admission is free. Basketball fans will get to see some names they know without any money coming out of their pocket.

Games will be at the Jackson Street Community Center gym (923 Walnut Street, Vicksburg, 601-631-3723), with games beginning June 26-27 and resuming on July 10-11 and July 24-25. The league ends after games on Aug. 7-8. Tipoff for games is 6 p.m. on Fridays and 9 a.m. on Saturdays. For more information follow @rivercityleague on Twitter.

Follow Bryan Flynn at jfpsports.com, @jfpsports and at facebook.com/jfpsports.