LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the memory of Conrad McRae upon
the occasion of renaming the basketball courts at Dean Street Playground
in his honor on Sunday, August 29, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to pay trib-
ute to the memory of Conrad McRae upon the occasion of renaming the
basketball courts at Dean Street Playground in his honor on Sunday,
August 29, 2010; and
WHEREAS, On this fine day, a great honor will be bestowed in Conrad
McRae's honor; the New York City Parks Department has agreed to rename
the basketball courts from Dean Street Playground to "The Conrad McRae
Basketball Courts" in his loving memory and in appreciation of the leag-
ue he began before he passed; and
WHEREAS, Conrad McRae attended Brooklyn Technical High School where he
excelled at basketball; he earned the nickname "McNasty" while playing
in the Entertainers' Basketball Classic in Harlem's famous Rucker Park;
in high school, he was named PSAL High School All-City from 1986-89,
selected to the 1989 McDonald's All-American Team and participated in
the Junior Olympics; and
WHEREAS, After high school, Conrad McRae accepted a scholarship to
Syracuse University, playing under legendary basketball coach Jim
Boeheim; Conrad's tenacity, athleticism and defensive skills turned him
into a second round draft pick in 1993 by the Washington Bullets;
although he never played in the NBA, he went on to play for the Fort
Wayne Fury of the CBA in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Afterwards, Conrad McRae moved on to play basketball in
Europe, eventually starring on several European teams in Turkey, France,
Italy and Greece; he helped Efes Pilsen S.K. of Istanbul to win the
European Championship Korac Cup of 1996, and also reached the Italian
championship finals in the 1996-1997 season with Teamsystem Bologna; and
WHEREAS, On July 10, 2000, Conrad McRae died at the age of 29 during
an Orlando Magic summer league practice; in his memory, the former Dean
Street Park Tournament, a tournament Conrad helped to develop, was
renamed the Conrad McRae/McNasty Tournament shortly after his death; and
WHEREAS, The Conrad McRae/McNasty Tournament serves the 11-15 year-old
players at Dean Street Park Playground in Park Slope, Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, Conrad McRae always knew that basketball would be a positive
vehicle to help many Brooklyn youth; he made sure to have a community
family component instituted within the league, including the Conrad
McRae annual Family Day which is sponsored by the league; in addition, a
Student Athlete Development Series and Job Training/Life Skill Program
was formed; these accomplishments are all a testament to Conrad's vision
and legacy; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who have
enhanced the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our
recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the memory of Conrad McRae upon the occasion of renaming the
basketball courts at Dean Street Playground in his honor on Sunday,
August 29, 2010; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Anton Marchand, President, Conrad McRae Youth League, and to
the family of Conrad McRae.