WATCH: Bronx Street Renamed to Honor Basketball and Community Legend John ‘Boy Wonder’ Isaacs

John “Boy Wonder” Isaacs Way, a section of Hoe Avenue in the Bronx very aptly renamed in honor of the basketball pioneer and community legend.

This summer the City of New York renamed a portion of Hoe Avenue in the Bronx to John “Boy Wonder” Isaacs Way, in honor of the basketball pioneer and community legend.

The event, on June 27, 2015, included a dedication ceremony and the unveiling of the official street signs for the section of Hoe Avenue between E. 173rd and E. 174th Streets adjacent to the Hoe Avenue Boys & Girls Club, the place where “Mr. I,” as he was known affectionately, worked for over 50 years as a youth counselor.

Here for you to watch (below) is a video of the event, which coincided with the 18th Annual Hoe Avenue Boys & Girls Club Alumni and Old Timers Reunion. It includes comments by host Charles “Chuckie” Walker, the convocation by Minister Minerva Carmona, remarks by Madison Square Boys and Girls Club director of clubhouse operations Tony Forte, a statement by Black Fives Foundation founder and executive director Claude Johnson, and gratitudes from the Isaacs Family with comments by Karen (Cookie) Isaacs.

It is a great honor for someone to have a New York City street named after them.

Earlier this year, Isaacs was elected to be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of its Class of 2015.

News 12 Bronx was there to cover the event, and a number of basketball VIPs were on hand as well, including Richard “Pee Wee” Kirkland.

#Playground #basketball legend #PeeWeeKirkland was on hand for the street renaming festivities, along with his son, Pee Wee, Jr. The #legendary figure, who now coaches and runs #motivational programs for youth, is one of countless individuals whose careers and lives were touched by John "Boy Wonder" Isaacs, not only as #players but as people. "John Isaacs paved the way on the basketball court, not only street basketball but for the #NBA," says Kirkland. "He was a warrior on the court, but a giant when it comes to community service." #makehistorynow

A photo posted by Black Fives (@blackfives) on Jun 28, 2015 at 3:25am PDT

As of today, the section of #HoeAvenue in the #Bronx between #E173rd and #E174th Streets, adjacent to the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, is renamed John "Boy Wonder" Isaacs Way. Isaacs, a star player with the #NewYorkRens, #WashingtonBears, and other pro teams, was elected to the #Basketball Hall of Fame in February 2015. He won two world championships (Rens in 1939, Bears in 1943) and was a fiery on-court leader, making his biggest impact in ways that weren't kept track in box scores back then (assists, steals, rebounds, blocks, forced turnovers). After retiring, Isaacs worked as a youth counselor at #MadisonSquare for over 50 years, mentoring generations of #kids, #teens, and young adults. He had a way with them, and with everyone — it was the #JohnIsaacsWay. #makehistorynow

A photo posted by Black Fives (@blackfives) on Jun 27, 2015 at 6:25pm PDT

Celebrating family success…..

A photo posted by @frequentflyerp on Jul 7, 2015 at 4:32pm PDT