Serra great Henry Caruso back at Pro-Am

Caruso is taking a brief respite from Team Miami, though, and is instead intent on finishing out the San Francisco Pro-Am season. For 10 years, he has held a tentative roster spot on the South Bay squad led by head coach Ari Warmerdam in the eight-team San Francisco-based summer basketball league at Kezar Pavilion. Caruso made his season debut Monday, helping South Bay to a 111-99 win over East Bay to clinch a playoff berth.

“I really like that old-school vibe with the families and the bleachers ... and it always feels like when the playoffs start, more people show up,” Caruso said. “Obviously, the stakes are higher. So, I’m excited for next week.”

With South Bay, Caruso is reuniting with his former Serra teammate Eddie Stansberry. The two played together for the Padres in 2012-13 when Caruso was a senior and Stansberry was a freshman, prior to Stansberry transferring to Riordan. Also on roster are two Mitty graduates in Micheal Mitchell and Derek Sangster, and 2024 Serra graduate Ryan Pettis, set to enter his sophomore year at Fordham University, is expected to join the team at some point during the postseason.

South Bay needed a win Monday against an East Bay team that had already locked up the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

“The best game of the season,” Warmerdam said. “And Henry played lights out.”

Caruso, a 6-5 flex forward, made his presence felt with eight points, 11 rebounds and two steals. Stansberry led all scorers with 25 points.

“I think obviously when you’re a younger player playing in the Pro-Am, you have some nerves, but now it’s a lot more calming for me,” Caruso said.

Warmerdam said Caruso switched back seamlessly to the traditional five-on-five game, after the 30-year-old has been playing consistently on the 3x3 circuit.

“I think going 3-on-3, the level of fitness you have translates so much to 5-on-5 so much easier,” Warmerdam said. “He’s in phenomenal shape. So, it translated really easy for him.”

Caruso was an alternate for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and was on the 2024 AmeriCup squad, teaming with James Parrott, Mitch Hahn and Dylan Travis to bring home a championship from Puerto Rico, with Caruso capturing tournament MVP honors.

Most recently, the foursome competed in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Mongolia. Entering as the No. 1 seed, the US went 4-0 in pool play but got upset by Germany in the quarterfinals, settling for fifth place. The team is currently in Edmonton at part of the FIBA World Tour, with Andrew Kelly spelling Caruso on the roster. Caruso will rejoin the team Aug. 16 for a World Tour tournament in Lausanne, Switzerland.

When he arrived home in Burlingame, Caruso — South Bay’s longest tenured Pro-Am player — reached out to Warmerdam.

“In a humble Henry way: ‘If you need me’ — he said he’d be available for the rest of the playoffs,” Warmerdam said.

South Bay is back on the court next Tuesday for its playoff opener at 8 p.m. Warmerdam’s squad will take on the Bay Raiders. Dream Team, coached by Jefferson High School legend Bryan Thomasson, has clinched the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

The best-of-three championship series tips off Monday, Aug. 11, at 8 p.m. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 8 p.m. Game 3 is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14, if necessary.

Kezar Pavilion has been designated for renovation through the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department as part of the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond approved by San Francisco voters in 2020. The renovation has yet to break ground, Pro-Am league director Jon Greenberg said.

This is the 45th season for the San Francisco Pro-Am, with Greenberg at the helm since its inception.

“It’s an event in the city that’s been going on a number of year sand it’s part of the recreational playing of the Recreation & Park Department,” Greenberg said. “And it’s an avenue that families, young adults, people of all ethnic backgrounds can come out for an environment that’s rewarding in a place to come in enjoying some of the top talent in the Bay Area.”

Games are free to the public, and children are encouraged to shoot around on the main court during halftime and play stoppages.

“Fan turnout, I think there’s been a lot more energy post-COVID,” Warmerdam said. “Best energy that I’ve felt. A lot more kids shooting at halftime and breaks. I would say, post-COVID, this has been the most energy at Kezar throughout the season.”