Basketball Capital Pro-Am hosts 2nd Community Day at Jim Calhoun Sports Arena at USJ

Before entering the Basketball Capital Pro-Am, formerly known as the Greater Hartford Pro-Am, on Sunday, about a dozen tables were set up offering a wide range of information — as well as freebies — from various sectors of Hartford Healthcare, the city of Hartford and radio station Hot 93.7.

But the entrance to Jim Calhoun Middle School at Saint Joseph’s University was impossible to miss.

The new mural covers the entire wall next to the door, and above it is the words “Welcome to The Jim” in big, bold letters, a nod to the accomplishments of the venue’s patron, the legendary former UConn and Saint Joseph’s men’s basketball coach.

This was the second time the pro-am had hosted a “Community Day,” where spectators could attend a medical clinic, receive free food and drinks, and then watch a tripleheader basketball game.

“When Pete (Higgins) started this, it was about the community and it’s always been about the community for him since 1997. Everybody loves (Community Day), it’s our way of giving back to the community, in addition to all the things we do in the summer for the pro-am,” league commissioner Anthony Price told The Courant.

Hosted at the University of Saint Joseph and with Hartford Healthcare as the title sponsor for the second time, the pro-am has grown and attracted more attention. Much of that, Price says, is due to the gym’s name.

“This is a gym that Jim Calhoun built,” Price said. “Just the mention of his name brings a lot of publicity and attention. People want to come and see a gym that Jim Calhoun built, and it’s a lot more accessible than the one in Middletown, especially for people from the suburbs in the Hartford area. So this was phenomenal, it’s a newer gym in the area, so (moving) meant everything to us.”

Price, also an author, recently published the first issue of his CT Hoops magazine, featuring players from around the state at every level, including Calhoun, who is the subject of a cover story. It can be purchased for $10 at pro-am games or online at theminibooks.com.

The end of the pro-am season, which began June 15, is approaching, with the playoffs set to begin Wednesday. A best-of-three championship series is scheduled for Aug. 5, 7 and 9, if necessary. Admission to all matches is free.