SlamBall is back and perhaps better than ever.
In case you’ve forgotten what the heck SlamBall is, it’s a form of basketball played on trampolines under baskets with a little bit of soccer mixed in.
It was played sporadically in the early 2000s, with business ceasing twice in the United States; they also attempted two seasons in China in 2012 and 2016.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Wrath’s Steven Julian blocks Ozone’s Keith McGee at the Cox Pavilion on July 22, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/Getty Images for SlamBall)
However, it was announced last year that the sport would return to the US after a 15-year absence, and its inaugural fifth season began on Friday, with games seen on the ESPN networks.
The game does not have free kicks, instead it is one on one. under the edge. So, as one might imagine, emotions could run high quite quickly.
Saturday’s main event between Ozone and Wrath got testy. Remember, they wear padding and head protection because they can tackle each other and make pretty hard contact on slam dunks; after all, it’s called SlamBall.
Ozone’s Donavin Byrd, front, collides with Wrath’s Nick Parks at the Cox Pavilion on July 22, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/Getty Images for SlamBall)
CHARGERS’ AUSTIN EKELER SETS UP ZOOM WITH FELLOW RACERS IN EFFORT TO FIGHT MARKET DEPLETION: REPORT
But the head coaches objected to what happened, so Ozone’s Trevor Anderson and Wrath’s James Willis squared off before being separated by a referee and their respective players.
“This is SlamBall, come on!” said an announcer.
“This is what we came to see. Let them fight, ref, let them go,” said another before quickly backing away.
Several former college athletes are in the league this year, including No. 1 SlamBall draft pick Bryce Morgane, who played basketball at Florida A&M from 2017 to 2022.
Raymond Taylor, a former running back for Tulsa and Oklahoma State, is also in the league.
There’s also a pretty famous coach in Ken Carter: He was the head coach of all three of the first-place SlamBall teams, winning the league championship in 2002. But you might know him best as the subject of the 2005 movie “Coach Carter,” which highlights the coach’s real-life move to suspend his undefeated high school basketball team due to their academic achievements.
Ty McGee, right, of Wrath clashes with Keenan Love of Ozone at the Cox Pavilion on July 22, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/Getty Images for SlamBall)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
All league games are currently taking place in Las Vegas.
