Julian Vasquez wins Red Bull King Of The Rock’s Miami qualifier for 2nd Year In A Row :::: Events

Miami – July 23rd, 2012 – A crowd of 300 Miami locals came out for the 2nd Annual Red Bull King of the Rock qualifier in Miami. Several former college players as well as street ballers stepped onto the Jose Marti courts in Miami’s Little Havana to dominate the competition in this unique one-on-one basketball event. Hosted by legendary Hip Hop artist Prince Markie Dee formally of the Fat Boys alongside DJ Epps, a total of 75 players lined up starting at 11AM some traveling in from Coco Beach but only the first 64 were able to make the cut and braved it out in the blazing Miami heat. For a 2nd year in a row it came down to the same two finalists New York native and former Jr. College Indian River State Point Guard Julian Vasquez and Miami North Western Graduate Tavaris Roper. Roper was no match for the power of Vasquez who shut out his competitor in the final head to head battle.

“Some dude almost passed out to win, 20 stacks on the line. I’m going to play my ass off….if I win it it will be an early Christmas/Birthday gift. Trying to Win it for the Home Team”
Red Bull King of the Rock, a one-on-one basketball tournament where the finals are held on the island of Alcatraz, is hosting a qualifier in Atlanta. First held in 2010, Red Bull King of the Rock is the only official sporting event held on Alcatraz and the first time basketball has been played on the hard concrete of The Rock since the inmates left the island more than 50 years ago. The tournament has expanded to qualifiers in 27 Countries (including 33 in the United States) with the second southeast stop in Miami, FL on July 21st. The event’s international reach is sure to make the competition this year tougher than ever. Miami’s top players will battle it out with only two moving on to The Yard at Alcatraz for the final showdown on September 22, hosted by Rajon Rondo.
There are only two options: win and continue on, or lose and go home. Games will last five minutes and be subject to regulation hoops rules and scoring (two and three pointers). Winners must immediately hop to the next court to face another player, so while pure hoops ability is essential, strategy and endurance will also play a major role in overall victory. Players have to be tough to make it to The Rock, but must also play smart – five fouls equals an automatic loss.