The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
This Eagle is landing
Former Norristown standout gives back, to his home court Wyatt taking part in NAACP community event
NORRISTOWN >> Khalif Wyatt’s basketball skills not only brought Norristown Area High School within a whisker of a state championship in 2008, but earned him a scholarship to Temple University, a tryout with the hometown 76ers and a chance to see the world playing overseas.
Now, as part of the Norristown Chapter of the NAACP’s first Multicultural Unity Day this coming Saturday, Wyatt will be bringing it all back home again.
“(An event organizer) reached out to my company,” said Wyatt. “I know the NAACP is a great organization, so I’m just glad to have the opportunity to be part of it.”
The 2009 NAHS graduate has put together a fullcourt basketball showcase, with two 10-man rosters of NAHS alumni on each team, to take place at the Elmwood Park basketball courts.
“We’re just going to go out
“We’re just going to go out there and play, for the sake of Norristown. We’re trying to get some older guys as well. It’ll be more for fun, but we also want to encourage competition.”
there and play, for the sake of Norristown,” said Wyatt, who said contemporaries Jalen Ramsey and Russell Graham will be among the participants. “We’re trying to get some older guys as well. It’ll be more for fun, but we also want to encourage competition.”
There will also be other activities, such as threepoint and half-court shooting contests, with prizes coming from his company, Marathon Sport.
“We’re going to have some contests and giveaways, and things of that nature. We will be opening those up to anyone in the crowd.”
As his website (www. marathonsportco.com) indicates, what Wyatt is planning for Saturday’s game is more of an ongoing journey of giving back to his hometown than something new, as he sponsors a Thanksgiving food drive and Christmas toy drive each year.
And there is the basketball end of it.
“In addition to apparel, we do camps and clinics and basketball training throughout the area,” said Wyatt.
Following his junior season at Norristown, Wyatt led the Eagles to the District One championship his senior year and was named second-team all-state.
After initially not earning much playing time as a freshman at Temple, Wyatt found himself in a similar role in college as in high school — as the go-to guy on a team bound for the postseason. He scored 31 points to spark a win over North Carolina State in the first round of the NCAA tournament before the Owls lost in the second, ending his career in 2013 with a tough loss against Indiana.
Based on averaging 20.5 points per game – as well as 2.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds – he was named Player of the Year in both the Atlantic 10 and Big 5.
Three days after barely missing the cut with the hometown 76ers, Wyatt found himself in a strange new land, China, playing for the Guangdong Southern Tigers, for whom he averaged 14.6 points per game in 28 contests) before returning stateside to play in the NBDL for the Springfield Armor (16.2 points per game in 20 outings).
It was then on to what is regarded as one of the top overseas circuits, the Israeli Basketball Super League.
From 2014-15 through to last season, 2018-19, he has played for three teams – Hapoel Eliot, Hapoel Holon and Ironi Nes Ziona – and also come close, just like in high school, from dethroning the powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv for the title.
“It’s been a great experience,” said Wyatt. “There are a lot of tourist things to do, good weather, good food and everybody speaks English. It’s been a pretty good time.
“Playing in Israel, I’ve been able to travel to other countries and play against other countries, I’m blessed and grateful for the opportunity to experience that.”
His hardware includes twice being named as a league first-team all-star and significant knee injury that has him on the mend.
Wyatt considers himself a “free agent” while he rehabs his knee, but has plans to continue using his basketball skills to expand his horizons while not forgetting where he came from.