In the spring of 1983, a relatively unknown point guard named Keith Gatlin came up from his home in Greenville, N.C., to play for the United States team in the Capital Classic, then considered one of the premier high school all-star games in the country.
By the end of the night at the Capital Center in Landover, Gatlin showed his promise to Maryland fans in attendance, tipping in a shot to force overtime and scoring 18 points in a double-overtime loss to a local team led by guards Tommy Amaker and Muggsy Bogues.
On Friday night, the now 53-year-old Gatlin will return to coach in a game that helped launch his career in College Park.