Hammen out indefinitely with partial meniscus tear.

Curtis J. Phillips forward Jim Hammen will miss the entirety of the upcoming summer league as a MRI earlier today revealed a partial meniscus tear of his knee.

Hammen along with team officials were aware of the possible tear but were hoping that wasn't the case. "Jim had been playing through pain and discomfort for the past two sessions but this past session it was more noticeable on and off the court. However we still had hope that everything would be alright but that obviously isn't the case" said CJP general manager and player Daniel Sondreal. Hammen is officially out for the summer league and any return after that is unknown at this time.

Hammen, 30, has played for team CJP in each of its 15 sessions since forming in the fall of 2009. "It is odd when he misses one game in a single session and it will be even more so when he misses an entire session" said Sondreal, who has played in over 300 official basketball games with Hammen since 1999.  

Team CJP is now in need of an additional player to replace Hammen for the upcoming summer session but will be holding his spot for whenever he returns to the hardwood. "With Jim out we are going to be a different looking team at times and will miss his clutch plays, scoring, and overall savvy play. We will do our best to continue playing winning and admirable basketball without him and look forward to his return hopefully in the fall" said Sondreal.

Back to back! Curtis J. Phillips (7-1) rides out Prime (1-6) 63-58 to win the 2013 Spring League Championship.

Game Notes

CJP won the 2013 Lawrence Park & Rec Spring League Championship and its second consecutive league championship. This the third Spring League Championship for team CJP and its fourth championship overall. CJP is now 2-0 all-time against Prime. It was CJP veteran Lane Leedahl's final game and his number 4 is now officially retired.

Curtis J. Phillips (6-1) stumbles late to S. Beasy & Company (3-4) 52-53

Game Notes

CJP is now 1-1 all-time versus S. Beasy & Company. CJP's 15 game win streak ended with the loss.

Curtis J. Phillips (6-0) takes Pete's Haack's (1-5) 74-54

Game Notes

CJP center Lane Leedahl missed the game due to being on vacation in Florida.

Curtis J. Phillips (5-0) exploits Topeka YMCA (1-4) 62-46

Game Notes

CJP forward Jim Hammen missed the game due to being in Florida for his upcoming wedding. CJP is now 4-0 all-time versus Topeka YMCA, formerly known as WTF...Are You Ewing?

CJP set to retire the number 4 in honor of Lane Leedahl.

What do Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons; Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks; Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings; Adrian Dantley, Utah Jazz and last but not least, Lane Leedahl, Curtis J. Phillips Basketball, all have in common?

They are black?

No.

They were all from North Dakota?

Uhhhh. No.

They all voted for Obama?

Not too sure on that one.

What then?

All of them have had, after this month, their jersey number 4 retired in honor of their outstanding contributions on the hardwood.

"There are very few world class basketball players that I can think of that could play all five positions on the court." said team owner Curtis J. Phillips. "In the past there were greats like Magic, Pippen, Havilcek and of course Wilt did it with the Harlem Globetrotters and then of course myself."

"Nowadays there are only two players that I personally know of that can showcase their skills on both offense and defense while playing in any of the five spots and that is Lebron and Lane."

"There was M & M in baseball with Mantle and Maris but in basketball we have L & L with Lebron and Lane."

Leedahl, who will be relocating with his wife and child to Rhode Island, has played an integral part for Curtis J. Phillips in leading them to an amazing five year run in the Lawrence, Kansas Men's Basketball League with 71 win, 31 loss record (in progress) including two perfect 7-0 seasons and 3 championships.

His hoop career started in Grade 4 in the driveways of Grand Forks, North Dakota where he dominated the O.P.P. Classic Two-on-Two tournaments either teaming or playing against lifelong friend and teammate Daniel Sondreal.

"I've been playing with Dan (on the basketball court) since we were kids," said the affable Leedahl. "While the rest of us get older and a bit out of shape, Dan just gets better and more aggressive and has started to take on a larger scoring role."

Of his time in a Curtis J. Phillips uniform Leedahl said: "It was a great team to play on in what is the greatest team game that has ever been developed. It (basketball) is a life sport not like others sports you play that have a shelf life."

"I will miss the camaraderie and rivalries and questionable officiating."

And we will miss you Lane.

Notes

Leedahl will be the first ever player to have his number and jersey retired into the Curtis J. Phillips Basketball Hall of Fame. Leedahl is believed to be the teams all-time leader in games played, offensive rebounds, blocked shots, time outs called, and opening tip offs won. Leedahl has 4 games remaining in his CJP career with the team currently 4-0. His number 4 jersey will become officially retired on May 22, 2013.

* Article written by Curtis J. Phillips. Notes provided by Daniel Sondreal. Image created by Jarrett Olson.