RON BROWN
Either you’ve been under the proverbial rock the past 40-plus years or you’re just another pickleballer (oh just relax will ya, we all know pickleball is not a real sport, just something to do when you get old and can’t run anymore. Yeah, I said it, but you were thinking it! And you’re welcome!)…
This reference is offered in the event that you don’t know the three basketball legends I speak of…Ron Brown, Jeff Baldwin, and Bobby Franklin. They, along with 22 other Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Western Pa. all-time greats, will be returning to what used to be considered the basketball hub of the East Coast…Western Pa.! (It’s important to note that Ron, Jeff, and Bobby are co-sponsors of the event and members of the Achieving Greatness Inc. Advisory Board.)
They will be returning to the Steel City from all sections of the U.S. to be a part of the continuing basketball learning tree of the Connie “The Hawk” Hawkins “Legends” youth basketball camp for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade boys and girls.
Now that you’ve heard the names, you are quickly reminded of the greatness that once operated on the Pittsburgh pro, college, high school, and schoolyard basketball courts. Greats like Chuck Cooper, Connie Hawkins, Kenny Durrett, Ricky Coleman, Jeep Kelley, Mary Myers, Norm Nixon, Ron Carter, Sam Clancy, Maurice Lucas, Jennifer Bruce, Jarrett Durham, Charles Smith, Karen Hall, Darelle Porter, Kirk Bruce, “Big John” Marshall, Billy Varner, Myron Brown, Mark McCloud, Chip Harris, Morrie “Skylab” Cox, Tim Appleton and countless others who paved the way for future greatness.
Ron Brown will be coming in from Virginia where he’s been retired from a tremendous corporate career. Brown was a 1970 high school All-American star out of Columbia Prep H.S. in New York City. Recruited by the likes of N.C. State, Maryland and Columbia just to name a few. Even though he caught the eye of legendary coaches John Wooden, Billy Packer and Norm Sloan, he went on to superstar status at Penn State where he helped establish big-time basketball at a big-time college football program.
Drafted by the Boston Celtics, Ron continued his pro career with the New Jersey Nets before injuries had their way. He recalls the importance and the impact of seeing those who came before him such as Willis Reed, Bob “Butterbean” Love, and Earl Monroe, and knows how he can have the same effect on today’s youth. Most importantly, helping them understand some of the pillars of success: commitment, humility, learning, and most of all, perseverance.
JEFF BALDWIN IN THE GROUP PHOTO.
Flying in from Houston will be former General Braddock H.S. basketball and football star Jeff Baldwin. Little wonder he and his schoolyard neighbors all went on to great collegiate and professional success, given that playing each other every day could only lead to greatness…by the way, those neighbors being Billy Knight, Hosea Champine, Pete Harris, Eric Jefferson, Terry Knight…well, who are we kidding…all the Knights, just to name a few.
A 1972 Pa. state title, first team All-Section Basketball, and All-Conference wide receiver and D-back, Baldwin bypassed the lure of Pitt, Michigan State and West Virginia to keep it family-local at Duquesne University, where he was a member of the famed 1979-1980 Norm Nixon-led Duquesne Dukes NIT and NCAA teams.
J.B., now working in the energy sector corporately and as an entrepreneur, gives major props to his success as a standout high school and college athlete to discipline, commitment, and attention to detail and wants to pass that on to this year’s campers. To this day he’s reminded of the impact the guys he looked up to had on him. Most notably, Reggie Fry and Kenny Reaves, who had a 12-season career with the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. To this day, J.B. remembers and also echoes what was taught to him!
BOBBY FRANKLIN WITH HEAD COACH JERRY CONBOY
I think it says somewhere in “The Good Book,” “The first shall be last and the last shall be first”…wait, what? (You know you can’t quote me on “The Good Book,” but Lord knows I try to be good!) Point being, last and certainly not least of the Big 3 is the great Bobby Franklin. And let me tell you right from the start, if anybody knows anything about motivating kids, it’s Bobby Franklin. The man spent 40-plus corporate years with the Mattel toys corporation and traveled the globe improving the lives of young people and bringing Christmas smiles to their faces for a lifetime of memories.
As you know, we don’t normally take too kindly to Cleveland folks, but in this case we have to. Simply put, if the man can score 40 on you anytime he wanted to, you put aside the whole Cleveland thing. Add to that, his Mr. Basketball H.S. title, growing up against the grain and surviving the parts of town that some don’t or can’t! Bobby Franklin arrived in Pittsburgh after a series of incidents that catapulted his basketball career to Point Park University, where under the grip and guidance of the late, great Coach Jerry Convoy, Bobby went on to become the all-time leading scorer at Point Park, scoring over 2,000 points on his way to Hall of Fame glory.
Now hold on, wait a minute, I know what you’re about to say, and you would be wrong…OK, let me say it out loud for ya, “Well, it was only Point Park, not Pitt, Duquesne or even Robert Morris.” And your attempt at trying to be right about something would fall short yet again, given that…off the book…The Point Park Boys were kicking the basketball butts of all the other schools on a regular basis!
Take your pick, if it was The Centre Avenue “Y,” The “Due Brown” League Fifth Avenue, The Pitt Fieldhouse, The Jack Crossan Tournament in Vandergrift, The Brookville Invitational, or the nationally-recognized Connie Hawkins Pro/Am Summer League…Bobby and Lloyd Franklin, Terry Peavy, Larry “Un-Real” Gordon, Kevin “Dr. K.” Walls, Melvin Paul, and Sonny Lewis, the Point Park Pioneers were kicking butt and taking names…
Being the only African American in the “upper echelon” of Mattel for years, Franklin can deliver the messages of hard work, mental toughness, and a never-quit attitude to the kids at camp like none other.
By the way, in case you needed further validation, the great Norm Nixon—L.A. Lakers world champion—said, and I quote, “Bobby Franklin is as good as any guard I’ve ever played with and deserved to be in the NBA!”
Most important, Saturday, May 30, 2026, one day only, 8 a.m. registration, child must be registered by a parent, guardian, or coach. Campers get T-shirt – cap – bookbag – skills and drills – lunch and games…and it’s FREE FREE FREE!!! Penn Hills Senior H.S., 309 Collins Drive. For more information, call Achieving Greatness Inc. at 412-902-5761.
Along with all this greatness, we are proud to announce that several other legendary players will be coming home for this spectacular event. Former Donora High School star Ulice Payne, who went on to win an NCAA title with Marquette University in 1977 and then became the first African American President of a Major League Baseball team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Shawn Hawkins—the grandson of Connie Hawkins, who posted a great career at Long Beach State, a L.A. Lakers draftee, and career overseas in the European League. Ron Carter—Perry H.S. great—all-time greatest player in VMI history and drafted in the second round by the L.A. Lakers. Karen Hall—UNLV; Darrin Walls—Waynesburg College (now Waynesburg University); Darren Morningstar—Pitt and the Dallas Mavs; and Pittsburgh’s own Darelle Porter—Perry H.S. basketball and football legend—University of Pittsburgh superstar!
See you at camp, don’t be late.
