M. Hoops stars join the Force

Penn basketball alums Michael Jordan and Paul Romanczuk are sharing the same hardwood once again.

This time, though, they're getting paid.

Jordan and Romanczuk, along with several other area college players have signed on with the Philadelphia Force, a team in the newly-formed National Rookie League.

The NRL played its first-ever games last Sunday as the Baltimore Blaze beat the Washington Justice 104-101, and the Force came from behind to beat the Gotham City Knights 110-112.

The NRL is geared toward 18-24 year olds and consists of six teams, the four that played on Sunday and two traveling teams.

Jordan is only a few months removed from collegiate basketball, while Romanczuk, a 1999 Wharton grad, has been away from the sport for more than a year.

"I just hope to make some money playing the game that I love," Romanczuk said. "And if this is a stepping-stone to get me looked at and everything, then great. Hopefully, that's what comes about."

Both Romanczuk and Jordan played competitively against most of their current teammates. The Force includes several former Big 5 players, like Temple guards Rasheed Brokenborough and Lynard Stewart, La Salle's Donnie Carr Drexel's Chris Burch.

"It's all right," Jordan said of playing against some of his former Big 5 foes. "We practice hard against each other. You go out and play hard every opportunity you get. It's good to play with some of these guys when after playing against them for so long. I think we've got some talented guys, it's just a matter of time before we all get it together and working."

Romanczuk admitted to feeling a little rust himself.

"It was tough to get back practicing and get back into it after a year off," Romanczuk said. "I haven't played competitive basketball for over a year now, so hopefully this league will help me get back into the swing of things."

The rapport between Jordan and Romanczuk hasn't suffered any in the year off, as they traded barbs back and forth during the interview.

"[Jordan] still doesn't pass as much as I'd like him to," Romanczuk joked.

"[Romanczuk] still can't catch the ball, or make free throws or go defend," Jordan kidded back.

For all their joking, it was obvious that Jordan and Romanczuk immensely enjoyed being back on the court together.

"It's great playing with Mike again," Romanczuk said. "I've always enjoyed playing with Mike. [He's] a great point guard with a great knowledge of the game."

"It's good to see [Romanczuk] back out there playing again," Jordan said. "I feel real comfortable when he's out there on the floor."

Both Jordan and Romanczuk have impressed the Force coach, former Temple great Howard Evans, who has both Romanczuk and Jordan as his starters at the moment.

"Romanczuk is very deceptive physically," Evans said. He's strong, a good leaper, a good shooter. I've watched Mike grow up since he was in fourth grade. I'm trying him to be more of a vocal leader and be more consistent."

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