Basketball-scout phenom assembles top talent at Phila U to raise cancer-research funds

Top high-school basketball players are flocking to Philadelphia’s East Falls section this weekend for a charity game called The Mary Kline Classic.

The all-star hoops contest is organized by Alex Kline, an 18-year-old basketball recruiting phenom from Lambertville, NJ. He’s already one of the top basketball recruiting experts in the country and many big-time college coaches swear by his website, The Recruit Scoop.

“I scout these players, see what they do well, see what they need to work on, kind of project what level they can play on whether it’s a very high level of college basketball or if it’s a lower level,” Kline said. And, after doing it for a few years, he’s developed “a good reputation.” 

Sunday event at Phila. U

Kline, a student at Syracuse University, started the charity high school basketball event that’s being held at Philadelphia University on Sunday.

The event is named in honor of Kline’s mother who was treated at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and died of brain cancer.  Kline said he organized the athletic event to raise awareness and money for cancer research. 

“Our goal is raising about $30,000 for both Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s cancer research and for the National Brain Tumor Society — because my mother, Mary Kline, had a brain tumor and passed away eight years ago,” he said.

Kline hopes people come away entertained by the great basketball and moved by the guest speakers, including an 11-year-old cancer survivor.

“Just to make an impact on people, leave an impression and you know, hopefully, set a trend,” Kline said. “This probably isn’t going to cure cancer, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Over the past two years, the event has raised $28,000 for cancer research.

The event is set for 5 p.m. at Philadelphia University’s Gallagher Center, 4201 Henry Ave. Doors open to the public at 2 p.m.