Fabulous Flournoy celebrated the Darius Defoe Legends Game in typically flamboyant style — and promised the first fixture dedicated to a Newcastle great won’t be the last.
On a flying visit from his day job with NBA powerhouse Philadelphia 76ers, the former Eagles playcaller rolled back the years in support of one of his greatest ever signings.
But on the final buzzer Flournoy told fans to expect more exhibition games shining a light on Newcastle’s famous faces — throwing TJ Walker’s name into the mix.
On a night no Eagles fan will ever forget, Defoe, watched by family and friends, was surrounded by a star-studded cast of former team-mates.
The one-club man has spent 20 consecutive seasons with the men in black and been on a remarkable journey that has yielded 27 titles to date.
No player deserved a ‘testimonial’ game more and Flournoy paid tribute to his friend and former team-mate before taking the opportunity to thank those responsible for sustaining a North East sporting powerhouse.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of the fans, the staff, the volunteers and all of the players who have pulled on an Eagles jersey in the past,” he said.
“And of course it wouldn’t have happened without Paul and Sam Blake. Let’s make this game a regular thing — let’s get TJ Walker over here!”
Walker, now based in the US, was one of the few notable absentees on a night when ‘Black’ took on ‘White’ in an exhibition game packed with thrills and spills.
Defoe represented both teams — swapping Black for White at the half — and a hugely entertaining affair went down to the wire.
On a night when ‘Prince’ Charles Smith (named as the new City of Birmingham Rockets coach last week) went head to head with Hollywood royalty Ian Whyte, and Drew Lasker jostled for position with fellow Sky Sports pundit Mike Tuck, the action was relentless.
Former GB star Drew Sullivan hooked up with Andrew Bridge and Andy Thomson joined forces with Kieron Achara as old rivalries and once productive partnerships kept a capacity crowd rapt.
At 48, Philly native Lynard Stewart looked like he could still handle himself in the cut and thrust of the British Basketball League and Olu Babalola, preparing for his first professional boxing bout, put in a seriously impressive shift.
Coaches Ian MacLeod and Gary Stronach went head to head with Dave Forrester and Flournoy on a night when rotations were more important than tactics — tired bodies littered the floor on the final buzzer.
And if Walker was unable to suit up alongside his old buddies then Jeremy Hyatt reminded the masses of a glorious bygone era when Newcastle were still building British basketball’s foremost dynasty.
But Defoe was the undoubted star of the show as he lit up both ends of the court for both teams — one memorable second half steal, coast-to-coast burst and flashy finish bringing the Vertu Motors Arena crowd to its feet.
And now supporters await news on whether the game’s most decorated player will sign on for a 21st season under Marc Steutel’s rejuvenated Eagles.
