Rising Stars Gold
Location: Illinois
Region: GBOA North
Coach: Brian Davis
NBA Alumni:
NCAA Alums: Todd Babington (Austin Paey), Peter Boehm (Harvard University), Kevin Bulger (Columbia University), Jason Davidson (Davidson University), Ceola Clark (Western Illinois), John Cox (Drake University), Javon Coney (Colorado University), Emanuel Gatier (Tennessee State), Jeff Jordan (University of Illinois), Raffi Mantilla (Yale University), Danny Monckton (Penn University), Jonathon Montgomery (Northern Iowa), Dan Nelms (Davidson University), Pat Nelson (Wisconsin-Green Bay), Grant Supernant (St. Francis (P.A.), Nichael Thompson (Northwestern University), Eric Williams (Wake Forest University), John Williams (Florida A&M), Chris Wrobeleski (Cornell University), Jake Linfors (Albany University), Kevin Stineman (Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville).
Founded: 1993
Joy of the Game/Rising Stars is owned by Michael Weinstein. In the past five years Rising Stars have sent over 100 players to play basketball for Division I, II, III and the NAIA. This season, the Rising Stars hold a record of 14-6. They are a very successful organization, winning numerous tournaments and qualifying for the AAU Nationals. The players are being heavily recruited from Division 1 prospects.
Cully Payne of the Rising Stars Gold committed to the University of Alabama over the weekend, less than two weeks after backing out of the verbal commitment he made to DePaul in 2005. Payne was offered a scholarship from Alabama after attending an invitation-only elite camp on Saturday and Sunday, and soon after accepted on Sunday afternoon. Payne averaged 17 ppg as a junior with Schaumburg High School last season. He also has had a lot of success with the Rising Stars in the summer circuit, including his appearance at the GBOA North tournament in May. Many other schools were heavily pursuing Payne after his de-commitment including Iowa, Miami, Loyola, and Davidson.
