Hoopsters looking to chase their dreams have a unique opportunity to showcase their skills this weekend.
Red Bull, the energy drink, is hosting King of the Rock, a one-on-one basketball tournament across the West Coast at six qualifying sites.
Here's the kicker, though: the finalists (eight from each qualifier) will play in a final tournament at The Yard at Alcatraz. Yes, that would be the jail that has been without inmates for over 50 years.
Check out more after the jump.
The local qualifier will be held tomorrow in Scottsdale at Grayhawk Park (20726 North 76th Way). Registration opens at 4 p.m. and the games start at 5 p.m. It is free to play.
The first 64 people to sign up will be entered into the bracket (meaning get there early), with the final eight advancing to Alcatraz, where the final will be played on September 18.
The Alcatraz finals will also by Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo.
The Scottsdale qualifier winner has their trip to San Francisco paid for. The other seven have to pay their own way.
Lindsay Robinson, a PR spokeswoman for Red Bull, said the event is open to anyone: men and women, amateurs and pros, and people of all ages.
There has been a 16-year-old competing as well as a man 46 years young. In one qualifier game, Robinson said, a five-foot, four inch man defeated a six-foot, ten inch behemoth.
Games will last five minutes and be subject to regulation hoops rules and scoring (2 and 3 pointers). All games will be played on a half-court layout with four games running at once, each with their own referee, court manager and scoreboard.
After each game the loser walks, and the winner must remain on the court to immediately face his next opponent. Thus, the more a player wins, the longer he plays. So while pure hoops ability is essential, endurance will also play a major role in overall victory.
Other cities hosting qualifiers include: Los Angeles (July 17), San Diego (July 24), Seattle (August 7), San Francisco (August 28) and Oakland (September 11).
For more info, go here.
