The winners of this year's Budweiser Slam, Hackney, leave this weekend set for Harlem, New York. Their exact destination is the most competitive basketball playground in the world — Holcombe Rucker Memorial Park, or "Rucker Park", where they will get a chance to sample the stateside atmosphere and attitude first hand.

Amaechi camp Members of Hackney celebrate after winning the Budweiser Slam.
Here they will be taking on the top amateur and college players that the US has to offer, and will be under pressure from some of the best ball lifters and 360 dunkers outside of the NBA. Matches take place on Aug. 14 and 15 under the watchful eye of Hackney coach Joe White. Hackney will be up against specially selected representative teams from the best of the Rucker Park tournament.

Legends past and present have graced the Rucker Park court over the last 20 years prior to their transition into the NBA. "Mousey," coach of the "Bad Boys," has had many of them in his team, including Chicago's Elton Brand who was co-winner of the NBA's Schick Rookie of the Year Award last year.

Hackney faces a tough challenge if they are going to beat the host teams, which are undoubtedly some of the most competitive and entertaining in the game. These men have honed their skills and passion for the game on the playground courts, and come dreaming of NBA recognition. It will take sweat and grit to beat their determination. The Hackney Team is:

Joe White - Coach
Rodney Alexander
Steve Ogujimi
Lee McCarthy
Patrick White
Ben Smart
Mansour Mbye
Jonathan Lavinier
Errol Seamen

Puff Daddy, founder of "Bad Boy" Records, will be joining the huge crowds for this unique spectacle on asphalt, which is sponsored by the likes of: Loud Records, Jive Records, Mecca, Slam Magazine, XXL Magazine, Pelle Pelle, Atlantic Records, Arista Records, Boss, Dofat Entertainment, Gee Street Records and Mary J. Blige. This year they should all be in for something special as Hackney, the UK's first ever team to play in the Rucker, bring their own inspiration to the game born from the culture of urban London.

Hackney will be in for a treat of their own as NBA star John Amaechi will be taking them around New York during their visit. The team will also be travelling to see behind the scenes at the practice facility of the New Jersey Nets, as well as visiting the NBAE Store and the NBA Studios.

The Hackney Team are off to Harlem and we'll be tracking their progress for the whole trip on:www.nba.com/uk.