Dee’s hoops tourney puts spotlight on kids

MIAMI — On the baseball field, Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon is used to being the center of attention. The 28-year-old is a two-time All-Star, a former National League batting champion, a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award winner.

One of the fastest players in the game, Gordon is accustomed to being on the go. But Saturday, he was perfectly fine with being a spectator and putting the spotlight on his community. The third annual Dee Gordon Hometown Basketball Tournament was again a big hit in Avon Park, Fla.

“It’s bigger than me,” Gordon said. “It’s about the community. It’s about the kids. They get to have fun.”

The six-team, double-elimination tournament tipped off around 11 a.m. ET, and the last game concluded about 5:30 p.m. Funds raised benefitted the Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County. 

All eyes in the area were on the one court. About 1,500 people watched over the course of the day.

“There’s one outdoor court,” Gordon said. “It’s pretty much, you’re on center stage. You’ve got to show what you’ve got because everybody’s …

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