The LA Times
The Pride of the "Celtics"
Wallace "Chief" Prather Jr. - Atlanta Celtics AAU Basketball Program
I returned home from Colorado Springs on Sunday to find out that the world had lost another great man…Mr. Wallace Prather Jr.; known throughout the country for the work he's done with the Atlanta Celtics AAU basketball family (the Celtics are one of the top AAU programs in the country). Wallace along with his close
friend Karl McCray ran the fabled AAU power, which has produced such talent as Donell Harvey (former NBA Player), Dion Glover (former Atlanta Hawk), Josh Smith (Atlanta Hawks), Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), Greg Tinch (Univ. of Louisville) and B.J. Elder (Georgia Tech) just to name a few.
I had a chance over the last couple of years to develop a good working relationship with Coach Prather and came to understand the basketball brilliance behind that Fred Sanford like look scrolled across his face of wisdom as he looked over the top of his wire-rimed glasses. Like most people he knew (and he knew a lot of people) he would often call me “Coach”, “Chief” or just Larry. I kind of like the later two because it was almost like a sign of respect.
I don’t think there is a big-time college coach or recruiter that didn’t have his name and number set-up for speed dial in their cell phones, I know I did. If you ever came across Wallace and he was always on the phone you can bet your last dollar he was talking to some type of high powered hoops person or head coach.
His basketball influence reached all the way from the East coast, to the Southeast, the
Midwest and the West coast and not necessary the big cities in those areas. When you hear the term “Shaking the Bushes for Players”, I think Wallace created it because if a baller was located in some small rural town he knew about him and I think the fact that he took the time to show interest in players from those under developed areas endured him to a lot of people. Quite often the Celtics roster would be inundated with players like that (hungry and aggressive with a thrust to be the best). When Wallace Prather summoned you to play you can.
God must be putting together a top flight AAU program and needed someone to get it started and who better to put it together than “Coach”.
Proverbs 3:24 - 27 reads:
"When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes you will lie down and your sleep shall be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due; When it is in the power of your hand to do so. "
So to his family, friends, acquaintances, players and loved ones I say:
“Today lets morn the loss of a father, a coach, a mentor and a friend; but tomorrow let’s rise and celebrate the life that was Wallace “Chief” Prather Jr. “
Coach rest in peace !
Larry Williams - 4SHOT Sports
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