Howard Garfinkel Inducted in 2016
Howard “Garf” Garfinkel
Howard “Garf” Garfinkel (1930-2016) is the co-founder of Five-Star Basketball Camp. Garfinkel was a top evaluator of basketball recruitment and summer basketball. Garf’s camp became a legendary proving ground with many legendary players attending Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Moses Malone, Isaiah Thomas, Grant Hill, Pearl Washington, Alonzo Mourning, and LeBron James to name a few.
Garfinkel played high school basketball at Barnard High School in The Bronx. In 1965, he started High School Basketball Illustrated, a scouting service that was based on New York area players. This was a major recruiting tool for 20 years, for college coaches nationwide looking for players in the city known for its basketball talent. His Five-Star Basketball Camp ran from 1966 until 2008 when the NCAA ended such camps.
By 1980, Garfinkel's camp was considered to be the mecca of summer basketball. His camps produced over 600 NBA players and 10,000 NCAA Division 1 players, operating in the Poconos, Virginia, and Pittsburgh. The camps were attended by players such as Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, LeBron James, Moses Malone, Vince Carter, Isiah Thomas, and Alonzo Mourning. Garfinkel worked with various legendary coaches such as Chuck Daly, Bobby Knight, Rick Pitino, and John Calipari.
Garfinkel was one of the founders of the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2014 into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. He was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Garfinkel played high school basketball at Barnard High School in The Bronx. In 1965, he started High School Basketball Illustrated, a scouting service that was based on New York area players. This was a major recruiting tool for 20 years, for college coaches nationwide looking for players in the city known for its basketball talent. His Five-Star Basketball Camp ran from 1966 until 2008 when the NCAA ended such camps.
By 1980, Garfinkel's camp was considered to be the mecca of summer basketball. His camps produced over 600 NBA players and 10,000 NCAA Division 1 players, operating in the Poconos, Virginia, and Pittsburgh. The camps were attended by players such as Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, LeBron James, Moses Malone, Vince Carter, Isiah Thomas, and Alonzo Mourning. Garfinkel worked with various legendary coaches such as Chuck Daly, Bobby Knight, Rick Pitino, and John Calipari.
Garfinkel was one of the founders of the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2014 into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. He was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.