Beloved White Plains basketball league returns to the court with new venues
A cherished White Plains sports tradition is back in action following a year-long hiatus prompted by safety and community concerns.
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For more than 40 years, the Ferris World Ball League, also called the Ferris Basketball League, called the basketball courts at Gardella Park home.
However, the City of White Plains abruptly shut down the adult men's summer basketball league last August following a shooting that broke out after a game.
According to former White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong, the incident stemmed from a dispute between two groups of people. Three individuals from the Bronx sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Beyond safety concerns, neighborhood residents had also voiced frustration with the league’s growth, citing issues with litter and overcrowding.
To address those concerns without shuttering the program permanently, Mayor Justin Brasch and the city worked to restructure the league's operations.
"We've been working day in and day out to figure out the right way to alleviate the concerns of the community," said Brasch. "[We want to] make sure the other parts of the community that really love this tournament—that it's an important part for them and for our city—could continue in a way that works for everyone."
The adult league kicks off next Wednesday and runs through Sept. 3. The Men's League's games will no longer be played at Gardella Park; instead, they are relocating to two higher-capacity venues:
SUNY Purchase
Theodore D. Young Community Center in Greenburgh
City officials noted that both locations offer expanded parking and enhanced infrastructure capable of safely hosting larger crowds.
For those with the league, the return is a welcome sign of progress.
"I'm just glad that the mayor, the city, and the parks were able to come together and make this happen with us and continue this legacy," said Marquise Potillo, a commentator for the Ferris Basketball League, adding that the men's teams are eager to get back on the court.
While the adult league is moving to new venues, city officials stated there are currently no plans to relocate the high school basketball league from Gardella Park.
