Valley baller returns to King of the Rock contest; prelims set for Saturday in Tempe

Phoenix-based baller Gary Smith, 22, has played basketball in plenty of places.

He earned all-state honors playing at Glendale's Independence High School, then played college ball at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minnesota and Pima Community College in Tucson. He's played for semi-pro teams in Indiana and California and taken part in too many D-League camps, street ball events and dunk contests to count.

Still, nothing could have prepared him for playing under the lights at Alcatraz.

The historic island-bound prison on San Francisco Bay infamously referred to as "The Rock" was the venue for the 2010 Red Bull King of the Rock finals, a one-on-one basketball tournament in which Smith come one point shy of winning the whole thing.

This year, qualifier events in Tempe, 21 other U.S. cities and a dozen countries abroad will lead winners right back to Alcatraz for the grand final September 24. As a 2010 finalist, Smith earned an automatic berth into this year's final.

When he boarded a ferry for "The Rock" last September, Smith said the competitive nature that got him to Alcatraz in the first place blocked out most thoughts or fears about the prison.

"A lot of the history flashed in my mind, about the different inmates that have been there," Smith said. "But mainly, my objective was to win. That's all I could think about. I had nothing else on my mind but winning and bringing home the trophy to Phoenix."

Smith was just a few ill-fated bounces of the ball from making it happen, too. After going undefeated in six games at Grayhawk Park in Scottsdale and earning a spot in the field of 64 finalists, he won five straight on the foggy courts of Alcatraz to advance to the championship round.

Smith matched up with California's Isaiah "Clutch" Bowman, matching baskets in a grueling game until Bowman sunk a game-winning shot to break a 6-6 tie with two seconds on the clock to claim the King of the Rock title.

Bowman has since hosted Smith in his native Venice Beach and they have become friends, but Smith said he still looks forward to the prospect of a rematch when both return to "The Rock" next month.

"I have a chip on my shoulder with him," Smith said. "Even though he's my friend, I still have a chip on my shoulder with him. I would like to get that off this year."

Smith said he was nursing a knee injury during last year's tournament, which he said hampered his ability to get to the rim. With a clean bill of health and a new mindset heading into this year's installment, Smith said he thinks a victory is within reach.

"One thing I learned last year is I think I put too much emphasis on winning, rather than just playing my game and having fun and enjoying it for what it was," Smith said. "So what I want to do this year is take that weight of pressure and turn it into fun. Because at the end of the day, what is already meant to be is going to be."

Smith said that flash and boisterousness are more of a hindrance than a help in the one-on-one basketball format.

"I think sometimes, as ballplayers, we kind of take a glace at somebody and match them up and determine whether we'll win or lose," Smith said, "but understanding the game, you have to take into consideration that everybody is there for a reason. Never overlook anyone. Don't get too high and don't get too low. Just stay consistent and put your head down and get to work."

The first 64 players to register on-site starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 27 at the Student Recreation Complex on ASU's Tempe campus will square off in a single-elimination tournament. Each game will last five minutes The top two players at the end of the tournament will earn a trip to play in the championship on Alcatraz on September 24, hosted by Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo. The tournament is open to all professionals and amateurs 16 and up.

Red Bull King of the Rock qualifier, ASU Student Recreation Complex outdoor courts, 400 E. Apache Boulevard, Tempe, 480.965.8900, Saturday, August 27, 5 p.m., free