Northbrook's COVID-19 3-On-3 Kids Basketball Tournament Still A Hit

NORTHBROOK, IL — When Craig Blumenfeld started a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for kids in the fall of 2020, he did so just to give young hoopers from Northbrook a chance to get together at a time when keeping a safe distance from one another was the norm.

But after the tournament that was conceived out of the pandemic gained popularity in its first year, Blumenfeld decided to keep it going in 2021 as a way to again give local players the chance to compete against one another while restrictions were still in place.

Now in its third year, the COVID-19 3-on-3 tournament is expected to draw its largest field yet.

This year’s event, which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 3, is expecting 10 teams with 3-4 players each with 40 families supporting the event, which continues to gain popularity both among the kids who play and the adults who come to watch. The tournament is sponsored locally by Josh’s Hot Dogs and Culver’s of Northbrook and is free of charge to participate.

Families are asked to bring non-perishables that will be donated, and tournament organizers will ask for cash donations for one of the Highland Park charitable organizations that have been set up to honor the victims of the July 4th parade mass shooting.

The teams can’t rely on outside coaching which Blumenfeld says makes it all about the kids and keeps the tournament on a competitive level that everyone can enjoy. After drawing eight teams in the inaugural event and nine last year, Blumenfeld said he expects this year’s tournament to reach double figures as organizers look to keep the event going on a yearly basis moving forward.

Blumenfeld, who hosts the tournament literally in his own backyard, admits expanding the tournament beyond 2020 was never part of the original plan. Teams, which are made up of players in the Class of 2029 and younger, represent families from Northbrook, Deerfield, Glenview, and Glencoe.

“The 2021 (event) was a celebration,” he said. “We had been through an entire year where basketball was really muted. We weren't competing like we used to as the feeder season were just scrimmages in our pods. Communities weren't allowed to compete against each other in 2021.

“2022 is a continuation. Parents were asking if I were doing it again and I was elated with their enthusiasm. Each year we have added more teams.”

For Blumenfeld, who grew up playing in local tournaments in Buffalo Grove like the Archie More tournament, the popular Gus Macker 3-on-3 tournament, and the Shoot The Bull tournament in Chicago, providing area kids with the chance to compete is just part of his way of giving back to the community.

“I plan to keep this going until there is no interest (or these boys get too big for my court in my yard,” Blumenfeld said. “I am so excited that our tournament has grown and I am hoping that I can provide a generation of memories I had for these kids.”