The 2015-16 season marks the 60th anniversary of the Big 5, Philadelphia’s top men’s college basketball teamsLaSalle, UPenn, Saint Joseph's, Temple, and Villanova. No other city has schools that participate in a full round robin, which has grown in popularity in such a sports-driven city.
Philadelphia’s Big Five highlights the history of these five schools, their basketball programs, and their unique relationship with one another. Author Skip Clayton has interviewed twenty prominent figures from each school to get a look into some of the biggest moments in Big 5 history. One chapter focuses exclusively on the legendary coaches from these teams, including several who went on to coach in the NBA (three from UPenn, three from Saint Joseph’s, and one from Temple), and four who became general managers. Clayton also provides stats on how each Big 5 team did against each other in the City Series games, the most exciting events for Big 5 fans.
Some of the one hundred legends highlighted include:
LaSalle: LaMichael Brooks, Joe Bryant, Ken Durrett
UPenn: Steve Bilsky, Corky Calhoun, Ron Haigler
Saint Joseph’s: Cliff Anderson, Jameer Nelson, Delonte West
Temple: John Baum, Mark Macon, Aaron McKie
Villanova: Wali Jones, Ed Pinckney, Jim Washington
Coaches: Tom Gola, Jack McKinney, Rollie Massimino
Philadelphia’s Big Five is a great read for Big 5 alumni and all fans of Philadelphia basketball!
