Summer basketball as taken New York City by storm but come October one team will be ready to bring the Lightning. On Saturday, August 11 the New York Lightning of the American Basketball Association (ABA) held their first of three try-outs at Vincent Lombardi Field House on the Fordham University campus in the Bronx.
Owned and coached by Bronx native Willie Negron the New York Lightning are gearing up for their first full season in the ABA. Coming off a 2-3 record in their preliminary season the Lightning look to shake things up in the Northeast Conference.
“I am very excited for the upcoming season, this is the first of three tryouts here at Vincent Lombardi Field House and I am very Thankful to Fordham for allowing us to try out here,” said Negron.
The Lightning are not just playing for themselves but also to continue the legacy of Coach Negron’s brother Robert “Surrob” Negron. Surrob was a well-known photographer a fixture in the NYC basketball community and beloved by his peers. His legacy is something these future lightning players are well aware of.
“The team is in the legacy of my brother Robert Surrob Negron who passed away eight years ago, this opportunity to play in honor of him is something you have to cherish,” said Negron. “I’m looking forward to playing for his brother’s legacy, just playing for someone that means something to someone else is probably the best thing you can do,” said guard Steven Guzman.
While the official schedule has yet to be released, the Lightning will be making trips to Pittsburgh, Massachusetts, Scranton, and many other places. But Negron knows the Lightning will need to bring their “A” game in order to come out with wins in this division.
“The main focus for the New Lightning success and to win is for us to keep opponents under 100 points if we do that we will be very successful,” said Negron.
The Lightning roster is not set in stone yet as they have two more tryout days to find the right talent for the upcoming ABA season. For more information and news follow the New York Lightning on Facebook, Twitter, and their gofundme page (https://www.gofundme.com/Robert-Surrob-Negron).