Sheldon Bailey Talks Leading VBL to 2025 Real Run Summer League Title
Sheldon Bailey led VBL to the 2025 Real Run Summer League championship, transforming a slow start into a dominant finish and celebrating with LA hoops legends.
Sheldon Bailey Reflects on Coaching VBL to the 2025 Real Run Summer League Championship [@thruthelensla]
The Venice Ball League (VBL) won the prestigious 2025 Real Run Summer League, where Sheldon Bailey, a versatile actor, athlete, and basketball coach, recently made headlines. This victory not only solidified Bailey’s standing within the Los Angeles basketball community but also showcased the city’s thriving basketball culture.
The Real Run Summer League: A Breeding Ground for Elite Talent
The Real Run Summer League, a basketball event, recognizes itself as a leader in Southern California, featuring Division I standouts, JUCO prospects, post-graduates, and emerging high school stars. In the summer, this league serves as a showcase for athletes looking to prove themselves on one of the most competitive stages in basketball. Bailey’s VBL team faced tough competition from the start, with top-tier teams full of collegiate and semi-professional talent. Bailey’s team managed to win the trophy despite being deemed the least likely to win the championship and given only a 30% chance of victory in the pre-finals.
A Rocky Start Turns into Championship Glory
The season began with numerous difficulties. VBL’s first three games resulted in a 1–2 record, leading to concerns about their ability to compete against the league’s top teams. Jazz Gardner, a 7-footer who is highly skilled and entering his junior year at Saint Mary’s, was a key addition to the roster that changed everything. Gardner and his brother Jiyan Gardner, sons of LA hoops legend Jelani Gardner, brought size, skill, and a winning mentality to the squad. VBL became a champion contender because of its presence.
“It was special coaching those brothers with their father present, while also coaching my own son,” Bailey reflected. “Moments like that are what make this game so meaningful.”
Family, Legacy, and Leadership
Bailey’s balance of fatherhood and coaching excellence during this championship run is genuinely remarkable. His son began every game as a combo guard, making a significant contribution to the team’s success. The emotional impact of coaching alongside family, both his own and the Gardners, made an already memorable season even more memorable.
“Winning this title with my son before sending him off to Sunrise Christian Academy for his post-grad year was incredible,” Bailey said. “It’s something I’ll cherish forever.”
The Road to Redemption: Avenging Early Losses
VBL’s addition of the Gardner brothers led to an unprecedented seven-game winning streak, defeating the No. 1 seed in the semifinals and securing a decisive victory against Cal State Dominguez Hills’ Division II team in the championship. Bailey’s new roster was underestimated by their finals opponent, a squad that had beaten VBL by 30 points earlier in the season. This time, VBL dominated from start to finish, winning the Real Run Summer League Championship dominantly.
“We weren’t the same team,” Bailey explained. “We came prepared, we executed, and we made a statement.”
Bailey acknowledged the recognition:
“To have Pooh Jeter and DeAnthony Langston there to hand us the trophy was surreal. These are guys who have done so much for basketball, not just in LA but worldwide. It meant everything.”
Building Momentum: Venice Beach League and Beyond
The Real Run wasn’t the sole reason for VBL’s success. One of the most iconic summer basketball tournaments in the country, the Venice Beach League, was where the team made an impressive run. Despite falling short in the quarterfinals, just an hour after their Real Run championship game, their performance further established VBL as a force in Southern California basketball. Bailey has ambitions for even greater accomplishments in the future.
“Who knows what next summer holds?” he said. “Maybe we go after the Drew League, maybe we take Venice Beach. But for now, this one means a lot. LA hoops is alive and thriving.”
Sheldon Bailey’s Coaching Future: A Career Path in the Making?
This championship has sparked discussions about Bailey’s coaching potential. Bailey’s basketball IQ, leadership, and ability to develop talent have made him known for his abilities that go beyond acting and playing.
“Coaching is something I enjoy and consider as a possible career path when the fit is right,” Bailey admitted. His track record suggests that with the right opportunity, he could excel at higher levels of the game.
Why This Win Matters for LA Basketball
The 2025 Real Run Summer League Championship is a more significant accomplishment than merely a trophy. Los Angeles is highlighted as the hub of basketball excellence, where legends, up-and-comers, and passionate mentors, such as Sheldon Bailey, continue to shape the game’s future.
This victory strengthens the reputation of LA as a proving ground for greatness, a city known for producing basketball icons. Preparation, resilience, and the unbreakable bond of family in sports are all evident in Sheldon Bailey’s victory with VBL. Stories like this remind us why LA’s basketball scene is at the heart of the city’s culture as it continues to grow.
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