It costs hundreds of dollars for courtside seats at the Petersen Events Center, but during the summer months, fans can see the area's basketball stars up close for free.

The Pittsburgh Basketball Club's Pro-Am League, played at the Greentree SportsPlex, is a showcase of players from local colleges, as well as homegrown stars who return home to Pittsburgh for the summer.

A six-team league sanctioned by the NCAA for Division I players, the Pro-Am has become a favorite destination for fans of Pitt, Duquesne and Robert Morris.

At the same time, the many WPIAL products who compete in the league make the Pro-Am a must-see for dedicated hoops fans in western Pennsylvania.

"It's funny. I'm a big basketball fan. I've been following basketball since I was a kid," said Sammie D'Agostino, who serves as the league's commissioner. "But I get here at about 6:20 for a 7 p.m. game, and there's 30 or 40 people here already.

"We knew that the league would be good for the players, but we didn't really understand how many people would enjoy coming out and watching the games. Actually, we need more space than what we have."

"As a fan, I'd definitely come watch," said former Penn Hills star Akida McClain, who plays in this year's Pro-Am League.

"It's great competition, and a lot of these players are going to be playing professionally after this. It's definitely good to come out and watch them here."

For McClain, who spent three years at Boston College before transferring to Indiana (Pa.) for his upcoming senior season, the league allows him to stay sharp against Division I competition and play in front of friends and family at the same time.

"It's a good way to challenge myself," McClain said. "Playing with better competition will help me get a lot better, so when I get to IUP next year, we can hopefully do some good things."

The list of players who attended WPIAL schools is a lengthy one. Players such as Jordan Greer (Baldwin), Chris Klimchock (Greensburg Salem), Griffin Abel (Penn-Trafford), Lance Jeter (Beaver Falls), Tim Frye (Mars Area), David Theis and Jason Duty (both Vincentian) are just a few of the many competitors who call Pittsburgh their hometown.

"It's getting more guys from this area to compete at a Division I level, and that's good for all the local colleges," D'Agostino said.

"I think the players have taken as much to the level of competition as the fans have. You see a lot of camaraderie among the players, and it builds a healthy respect between all of them."

Antonio DiMaria, who played at Sewickley Academy before finishing high school at Bishop Canevin, is using the Pro-Am League to keep his game sharp, as he prepares to transfer from Casper (Wyo.) Community College to the University of Wyoming.

While his junior college teammates largely are Division I-bound players themselves, the league enables DiMaria to compete against players of that caliber year-round, not just at school.

"It's nice to come home, but it's not really time off," DiMaria said.

"This is a tough league they've got going on, and it makes you stay sharp."

The central location of the SportsPlex makes it a good venue for the league

It allows the Pitt, Duquesne and Robert Morris players to carpool the short distance, while most of the homegrown talent lives less than 30 minutes away, as well.

"It makes it easy to get better because you don't have to go far to get a good run. I think it helps everyone in the city a lot," DiMaria said.

Helping to grow basketball in the city is one of the biggest goals of the league, which is why select elite high school players also are given invitations to play during the season.

Tyler Scott (Gateway), Aaron Johnson (Moon Area) and Brett McCormick (Upper St. Clair) all have played games in the league this season, while more local players could be invited as the season progresses.

The hope is that, with the exposure the current high school players get to collegiate competition, the local high school players will learn what the speed of Division I play is like before they ever put on a college uniform.

"I'm from Aliquippa, and I can remember when there used to be eight to 10 Division I players just out of Beaver County," D'Agostino said.

"It's certainly been a dry spell, and there's a number of factors for that. But I think the electricity that goes on at the Pete for Pitt and things like this league give the area kids something to look up to."

The Pro-Am League is winding down for 2009, with the final two sessions of regular-season play scheduled for Monday and Wednesday, from 7 to 10 p.m.

After that will be a playoff week, with first-round games starting at 7 p.m. July 20.

For a look at the Pro-Am League's full roster of players, visit the PBC's Web site, www.pittsburghbasketballclub.com.