Former NBA player and Central High School alum Travis Best kneels next to his name on the floor at the dedication of the school’s Travis Best Court.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield honored its native son and NBA star Travis Best by naming the Central High School court where he once played in his honor.
The Dec. 22 ceremony was a full-circle moment for Best.
The hometown hero played point guard for the Central High School Golden Eagles from 1989 to 1991, leading the team to an undefeated season in 1991 and setting a state record 81-point game. He earned McDonald’s All-American honors, which recognizes the best high school basketball players in the nation.
Best continued to rack up accolades playing college ball with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Over the course of his college career, he ranked in the school’s top six ever in points, assists, minutes, 3-point field goals and steals.
In 1995, Best was drafted by the Indiana Pacers 23rd in the first-round of the NBA draft. A key player in the 2000 NBA Finals, the 5-foot, 11-inch player gained a reputation for being fast on the court. He played for the Pacers for seven seasons, before moving on to play for the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets. Best retired from the NBA in 2005, going on to play professionally in Russia, Italy and Poland during the latter half of the 2000s.
The court dedication came about when Executive Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreational Management Tom Ashe realized Best had no namesakes in the city and brought it to Sarno’s attention. Ashe said Sarno told him to rectify the situation.
At the ceremony, Central High School Principal Thaddeus Tokarz, who emceed the event, described Best as a “generational talent” and said, “It is only fitting that the place where greatness once ruled now bears the name of the man who defined it.”
Best was accompanied into the gymnasium by his former Golden Eagles teammates and sat next to his father, Leo Best, whom he recognized in his remarks. Tony Watkins, who coached Best at Central High School, also recognized the support Best’s family provided for their son and how Best’s mother, father and sister were consistently at his games.
Sherman Dillard, who was the assistant head coach at Georgia Tech, said that when he came to Springfield to recruit Best, he thought, “Oh my God, we have to have this gentleman.” Beyond Best’s skill on the court and charisma, Dillard said, “I never coached a young man that had so much talent that was so humble.”
A who’s who of local and state elected officials came out to congratulate Best, among them were state reps. Carlos Gonzalez and Bud Williams, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Springfield Superintendent Sonia Dinnall and School Committee members Barbara Gresham, LaTonia Monroe Naylor, Denise Hurst and members-elect Rosa Valentin and Ayana Crawford. Crawford went to school with Best and brought her yearbook to show him. He later re-signed it.
Recalling his first meeting with Best 40 years ago, Sarno said he was refereeing a basketball game at Warner School and saw an 11-year-old Best “carving through 16-year-olds like hot butter.” Sarno told Best, “We used to watch every one of your ball games.” Best did not forget about Springfield after making it to the NBA and has contributed to numerous community programs over the years, Sarno said.
Dinnall laughed, saying, “I’m a little starstruck. I’ve never met a member of the NBA.” She was full of pride that the city and Springfield Public Schools were recognizing “one of our own.” She said she was “most impressed by the way he conducted himself with character on and off the court.” Dinnall said, “Nothing but greatness comes from the city of Springfield,” and urged the students in the stands to “see yourself in this moment.”
Central High School student Malaysia Murphy said Best’s legend is well known throughout the school. “I think it’s good that they’re honoring him, giving respect and keeping his name alive here,” she said.
In the bleachers, Abe Quiles sat with friends Noah Green and Xavier McCall. “It’s the ‘best’ thing that ever happened here,” Quiles said, laughing at his pun. Green added, “Seriously, it’s a great thing. I think it’s going to be inspirational for the kids.”
Addressing the students, Best encouraged them to listen. “You can’t talk and learn at the same time,” he said, adding, “I’m pretty sure no one ever listened themselves out of a job.” He encouraged them to remember that they are walking the path of those who came before them. Before leaving the mic to unveil his name and player number on floor, he said, “When you hear the name Travis Best, it doesn’t mean perfect. It just means what I gave: my best.”
