Rezball
From Hoopedia
Rezball (sometimes spelled "Rez Ball"), short for reservation ball, is the term used to describe the avid Native American following of basketball and in some areas the style of play of their Native American teams.
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Style of Play
Rezball is transition-based basketball that forces tempo with aggressive play, quick scoring (or at least shooting) and assertive defense that looks to force turnovers through pressing or half-court traps. There are slight variations from program to program. Keys to a good rezball offense are sound fundamentals and being in very good condition.
Following
The Apache and Navajo tribes in northeastern Arizona and northwesthern New Mexico are home to several high schools. In these areas basketball reigns supreme, and towns come to a standstill during basketball season. In Arizona, three of the top six largest crowds at a boys basketball game are rezball games (regardless of school size), with the second highest ever being a game between an Apache powerhouse and a Navajo powerhouse.
- 16,010 Phoenix Shadow Mountain 81, Tempe Corona del Sol 56 1996 (America West Arena)
- 16,010 Tuba City 66, Whiteriver Alchesay 60 2000 (America West Arena)
- 15,379 Phoenix Shadow Mountain 79, Centrallia, (Illinois) 76 1995 (Kiel Center / St. Louis)
- 14,270 Tuba City 69, Coolidge 57 2001 (America West Arena)
- 14,219 Tuba City 65, Winslow 62 2001 (America West Arena)
- 14,123 Tempe McClintock 71, Phoenix Brophy Prep 67 1986 (Arizona State University)
Also the top three largest crowds for a girl's game were reservation teams.
- 16,010 Winslow 40, Monument Valley 39 (2000, America West Arena / Semifinals)
- 10,588 Window Rock 53, Winslow 47 (1992, Walkup Skydome)
- 10,000 Winslow 76, Monument Valley 69 (2004, America West Arena)
NABI
Every year the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community host the Native American Basketball Invitational, an all native tournament sponsored by the Phoenix Suns and Nike. In its third year, it has become recognized as the premier all-native tournament in North America. It hosts over 60+ teams from all over the U.S. and Canada, and is instrumental in showcasing the talent of Native American teams to college recruiters, most of whom would not travel to the remote reservation towns to watch them play.
