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It's been a while since I've had a blog post but then again it's been a while since I've mixed and mingled with the basketball scene at all. And that isn't by mistake. I've actually done a lot of soul searching and I've come to a lot of conclusions. And the first conclusion I arrived at was that I owe everyone an apology who I have butted heads with sine I've been in the business. And I am going to explain exactly why.

I APOLOGIZE FOR HAVING A HEART AND NOT ALWAYS KEEPING IT JUST BUSINESS
Like I said before I did a lot of soul search and realized "I'm one of the few in the business who have one." I did so many things in the past that got me no where. Things I did without being compensated and more so than often was used against me later on. It's crazy because I developed a "bad reputation" because I was loyal to the former powers that be at the artist formerly known as Hoop Magic. I did all these things with the hopes that I would forever be straight. Likewise with the artist formerly known as Triple Threat. These same people who I watched from a distance in hs and college, who I watched tell other kids my age to be anything they wanted or say things like "whatever I can do to help." Who would have thought that it was all bullshit and it really meant "If I can't eat off you imma throw salt" or "if there's an opportunity for me to exploit you or cut you out of a deal to get more money for myself I'll take it." But after deep thought I realized that it's actually my fault. I should have know that at 17 when adults warn kids about how hard the real world it meant that the people who are actually schooling you are some of the biggest opportunists and scumbags.... BAR NONE... So I apologize. I should have known better.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THINKING THE RACE/AGE CARDS WOULDN'T BE PLAYED
Now I really owe you guys an apology for this oversight. Because I knew the reasons behind things like affirmative action or the NCAA ruling that requires at least one minority on every college bench. Or even teams and school that have to interview a mandatory number of candidates before making a hire. And why is that? Because the general perception (though ignorant) is that young African Americans belong on the court and older African Americans  can go no further that the front office at best but at least a coach. So with me being young, educated and experienced I should have expected backlash from trying to go beyond all that and become an owner and create jobs as opposed to searching for them. I mean lets be real, that same rule of thumb applies in grassroots basketball. How many minorities have started organizations that run various events year round full time? Lets take the young thing out of it even though majority of these guys use that as the sole reason to not do business. But really how many? Cause I can name guys like Big Shots, Hoop Group, Vision Sports, Pump Brothers, DC Metro Showcase to name a few. Boo Williams, Jimmy Salmons... true but didn't really get the events popping until they had major funding behind them. And by no means is it a black white thing itsa a perception thing. THE BLACK FOLKS BELONG ON THE COURT OR SIDELINE. And I set out a long time ago to break that habit by running legit well run talent filled events. But was I received with open arms? Did guys extend opportunities? A few. Majority hated, overly criticized and threw salt. I know I know that's a casualty of success. So I apologize, I should have known better.

I APOLOGIZE FOR BELIEVING PEOPLE WOULD ACTUAL MEAN WHAT THEY SAY
I slipped on this one too because one of my favorite games growing up was poker. And that's all business is people who bluff their hand and some who play it and win or lose. I never was that good at poker. I guess I should have practiced. I apologize, I should have known better.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THINKING EDUCATION AND CLASS WERE FACTORS IN THE BUSINESS
Well that was just stupid of me too. The genre of business celebrates guys who get pepper sprayed at major events, or chase after refs all without any formal means of specialized or certified training. But I say in a post how I THOUGHT about sending my goons on someone and the message board geeks run with it. My bad I apologize, I should have known better.

I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT APOLOGIZING SOONER
I've since done like Jay-z and smartened up opened the market up. Which is why we recently released our first documentary entitled  "THE VACA" which depicts our company vacation to NC. We also purchased a company car and are set to release our short film... "Dribble With Your Head Up and Eyes Open"coming soon. We have 4 high school showcases coming up and right back down Cesar Chavez for fall league. So I guess I should also be saying thanks to alot of you guys for showing me so much and forcing me to soul search. Did I mention our online shop will be launching in 2 weeks? Man I feel reformed.

This may be my most personal blog to date (if that's even possible). But instead of pointing out flaws in others I'm going to blog about Arize. In previous blogs I have talked about some of the things I go through in my endeavors but I don't think people understand Arize period. The good the bad and the ugly. I don't think people understand why I take things in business so personal, or why I get emotional when I feel I've been done wrong. and how can I blame you? You don't really know me, my struggles, my insecurities, my life period and many don't. But in this blog that will change and when its all said and done I will ask... CAN I LIVE?

The phrase CAN I LIVE comes from Jay Z who as as many of you know I quote often, it was his first album back when he was crossing over from underground legend to mainstream success. I find myself feeling this way. I mean don't get me wrong I was doing well as hoop magic but I never saw myself doing what I'm doing now. Making hundreds of thousands, having agents and other forms of representation to negotiate with potential sponsors and endorsement deals. Having a band who went from known to one of the best in the city playing alongside of some of the countries biggest stars. Going to clubs and walking in with out any form of a pat down. VIP tables, free bottles, all types of attention from females both old and young. Its a lot for a 25 year old to handle. I can honestly say it got to my head. I began to feel I was untouchable. Despite how shady things went down in Chantilly I did what I said I would do and built this company. and in two short years I became a household name. The band itself got me passes in almost any hood in the area. And I can't remember the last time I waited in a line. Everywhere I go it seems like someone knows me, regardless of if I know them or not. But the thing I didn't bargain for is the other side of notoriety.

BASKETBALL-
I'll start with the basketball. See the reason why I can talk about the money I've made from basketball is because the one thing people in basketball and in events period do is count your money. If I had a dollar for every person who either asked me how much I made from an event, or said "yall must have made about 20k from that last event" or "I heard yall made a killing at your last event and I heard yall concessions was booming" or just something to that effect I wouldn't need MTB cause I could pay my bills with that. Then there's the YOU GOT IT moments, people asking me to "borrow" money which you will never get back because "you got it" or going out with friends and them asking you to pick up the check EVERY TIME because "you got it" or even guys who work for you and feel they should make more from the event because they feel the event made a certain amount aka "you got it." CAN I LIVE?

Then there are the people who come out of no where and want to get close to you or get put on. I call that the "meal ticket moment." I saw a guy I went to high school with at a basketball game and when I went to shake his hand he was like naw. I was like what's wrong with you and he was like you been suppose to put me on. It's like I'm not allowed to say no I have to put EVERYONE on even thought before the success these guys weren't interested. They didn't pass out not one flier or invest not one dollar. You also have the older guys who come to me at game and say the same thing "I'm trying to do an event with you lets sit down and talk." Or "can you email me all your contacts." Are you serious? I remember when these guys weren't event answer my phone calls or were telling me that I was too young and should wait my turn. Now you want to do business and I can't say no. If I do I'm the young arrogant asshole? CAN I LIVE?

I can't even tell you how how many refs, or event personnel I've had to replace due to the fact that they started asking for more money only because of how much they ASSUMED we were making? Or tried to scheme me out of more money saying things like "you were $300 short." I had to stop paying in cash because it got so bad. I stopped going on message boards after my falling out with Capitol Hoops but I've been told by enough people the type of things are said about me on message boards (some of which I may deserve). Or how people completely misunderstand the More Than Basketball message and actually root against us. Its crazy to me because I didn't start any of these things with Takeover, Capitol Hoops, Hoop Magic, DeMatha or i95 Ballerz, these are all retaliations. They took my events to Takeover after I gave my life to them building THEIR business, they threw me out of the gym without even getting their facts, they called me for a meeting then tried to get others to run the events I came up with. They took events I thought up and took them to a competitor, they decided to boycott my events regardless of me inviting them and having the best talent. I responded but most don't see it like that. Just imagine what I haven't spoken about, the issues that exist with people who I don't feel are relevant enough to mention. I often sit up many a night and wonder if I would get more love if I were a 25 year old white kid like Capitol Hoops who isn't near as credible or educated but gets so many passes and so much support. Sometimes I really believe the whole crab in the bucket thing is real. CAN I LIVE?

GOGO BAND-
The band is aka for the streets and one of the things I learned from Jay Z is that the streets is always watching and talking. People know when you have new shoes, a new female around you even a new haircut. So when you do an event at Trinity University and 3,000 people come many of whom are inner city kids who know me from the band and know how we've come up it completely changes their perspective on you. They look at you like a lotto ticket and if they know they can't align themselves with you to be in a position to get put on then they are either gonna plot on you, rob you, hate on you or maybe even kill you. Its like successes elephant in the room. Some may try and do something to you just for the name which to a person in the streets is just as important as the money.

Then there is the female element of it or shall I say GROUPIE LOVE. I mean don't get me wrong anyone who knows me knows that I've always kept a bad chick or two but when you get that notoriety its a whole different beast. At our last show with Travis Porter a girl walked up to me at the bar and said "Do you have a condom on you" I'm like why and she says " Cause I wanna do it to you back stage when yall start playing again" And yall know how the girls in our generation dance. Its crazy too because I know some of their parents or brothers through basketball. Or I remember a lot of them when they were 16-17 4 years ago when I started now they are 20-21(some may be 18 or 19). Sound fun don't it? But you're forgetting how much females talk. How when you're known that they will use you to make a name for themselves. Or try and get pregnant on you. And the worst part is that they may lie on you or feel like you're not paying them attention or you hit it and quit it or might be dating a cold blooded killer who is either locked up and sends his people on you or will just get at you himself. I makes it not even worth it. I'm not event going to go into the baby mama drama cause that's just cliche at this point but that is VERY ugly. And the money just makes things worse. CAN I LIVE?

PERSONAL LIFE-
Then you have to actually try and live a normal life even though you're no longer normal. You begin to live your life hoping not to make mistakes or be an example or end up on the wrong side of history. And my upbringing wasn't without drama. I still have people out there who I was beefing with or is beefing with a friend of mine who if they catch me slipping would let me have it. I been shot at a few times over the last few years. Or been in a few fights with guys I had issues with back in the day but we ran into each other and it was what it was. I've even had my former roommate (a DeMatha grad and former player) come to court voluntarily to testify against me in court for an issue I had that stemmed from college. Speaking on things like drug distribution and weapon possession, assault and a bunch of other lies. I got a few guys who want to get at me because we were friends and I slept with their girlfriends (which was wrong). And they feel it's a principle thing. Or friends who I did put on but couldn't separate business from friendship and couldn't handle me firing them. I got jumped by two of my childhood friends because of it, nothing serious just some scratches and a few kicks in the back. See whether you know this or not a lot of people still consider 24-25 to be kids and people who are that age still do young things. I am not perfect myself. I too have a lot of maturing to do and in time I hope it will come. but as for now I'm just wondering CAN I LIVE?

I hope I gave readers an insight into my world. It is good but definitely has its bad moments. I'm sure after writing this people will take it all the wrong way and focus on the details as opposed to the message but hey I guess if I'm going to take the money and the benefits I have to accept the bullshit that comes with it. The lies, the hate, the prejudice, the stereotypes everything. I always thought these things wouldn't happen to me but that also goes to show that I'm still learning. But damn... CAN I LIVE?

See you Sunday at Takoma Academy for the Live For The Bump Mid Season Showcase...all pun intended. Action begins at 4:30pm

I didn’t realize that my blog would be so popular but with over 10,000 views, hundreds of phone calls and more emails then I could imagine I realized that now more than ever before I have the whole areas attention. And after yet another successful event at a COLLEGE VENUE and another event less than six weeks away, I decided that another blog was in order. For those of you hip to the title you can already guess what this blog is about. But for those who aren’t, here is the whole line and where the title came from…

“Is you sayin something? Uh uh YOU CAN’T TELL ME NOTHIN” from Kanye West.

So it’s obvious that I’m feeling myself…. Pause… But why shouldn’t I be? I mean what we at More Than Basketball have been able to do is really history in the making. And that’s just the basketball part. People don’t even know the notoriety my band (Google TO has or how many mainstream rap artists we have played with or are booked to play with, or how many shows a week we have where we perform in front of hundreds to thousands of people. Or my rap artist, (Google Champ Yon) who just released the second of 4 music videos with tens of thousands of views and has a bunch of shows lined up. Or my fashion line Swagger and Substance clothing or my online television show In the Life w/ Jrock that I am the executive producer of. With all that the basketball part is easy. Just like its going be easy to retire The Rock like Vince McMahon this summer with our 2^nd annual Born to Bump Summer League at Takoma Academy.

So in this blog I’m going to address the haters, non believers and competitors and simply ask IS YOU SAYIN SOMETHING and tell them exactly why YOU CAN”T TELL ME NOTHIN all while explaining why the Born to Bump SL is the new standard for Summer basketball.

Reason 1: IS IT JUST ME OR DO IT JUST BE TOO DAMN HOT IN THERE…

Because Juan Hill just got to Takoma and they haven’t been known for having rich basketball tradition, a lot of people don’t even know just how nice that gym is. It mite be the best gym in the area. Its college sized and they want basketball to be the flagship.  They have a new floor, AC and upper level seating. The only thing missing was your boy coming in there with the best talent and organization this side of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. I mention Juan Hill because he along with the other points of contact for the venues that I hold events at know what I have been trying to tell the rest of the basketball world for two years now. They believed when others didn’t and decided to put their reputations on the line and take a chance on the boy wonder. And I put my life on the fact that they won’t regret it.

Reason 2: YOU HAVE THE WCAC SCHOOLS BUT WHO SAYS THAT I NEED THEM

I mean it’s a known fact that McNamara shows love and is a big part of the movement and hopefully we can get them this summer. Ryken is a believer as well. But McNamara took a chance when NOONE else from that league did, including the boys on Madison street or their new joke of a trainer. In fact, we met this summer to discuss some potential events I could run at their new facility saying things like “We want to be as closely associated with you as we can” or “It will be an honor to say we took part in helping you get to the next level.” So I bought in and put some things on paper. Guess how long it took them to get back to me? I’m still waiting. But oddly enough they decided take that info to you know who to try and do what I came up with, just like those guys out VA or Capitol Poop did with VMG. How do I know you ask? Because the Grape Vines I hear from have three stripes and are like family. We may fight each other but we will never just let anyone else do the other dirty. So with what we did Saturday at Trinity I just have one question for you, your AAU affiliate, your sloppy seconded trainer, your sponsor and basically you’re whole damn movement…. Which event was better? Compare the numbers, compare the atmosphere… And by the way, I told yall then that Q. Cook was leaving, mainly because he didn’t feel you could prepare him for the pro level even with your little trainer. And he’s right. How many pros have you produced since you have been there? Danny Ferry and Adrian Dantly are old as hell now. And they were part of the Morgan Wooten regime anyways. But Kevin Durant’s not neither is Grevis Vasquez or Linas Kleiza and you know who they played for. You also know how many pros Oak Hill has had. So I ask…IS YOU SAYIN SOMETHIN…UH UH...YOU CAN’T TELL ME NOTHIN!!!

Reason 3: SPEAKING OF CAPITOL POOP…

For all my readers who were at Trinity Saturday or for the few who heard guess who decided to cover the event? You guessed it, he did it in a cowardly way though. He didn’t come holla at me or nothing he just stood around for a while then took out his tiny home video sized camera and started recording. I walked over to him and was like I could be real petty right now and not only put you out but have my goons get real disrespectful as well and take it past basketball. Cause you know I’m a boss now and worth to much to get my hands dirty. I told him how dumb he was for ever jumping ship and how that event or the event at Bowie State could have easily been associated with CH and how none of these other guys can do what I do. I also told him what I been telling him which is that these older dudes don’t have love for us and by the look in his face he knew I was right. He felt it, I mean he was standing in the middle of my success looking real weak standing next to nationally known sites like Hoopmixtape and Ball Is Life, neither of which even heard of his little site.

Speaking of those sites I know a lot of you are probably saying that it was mature of him to swallow his pride and I should leave him alone but that’s only because you don’t know the real reason he was there. When I was told why I just smiled because I always knew he wasn’t worth two cent and now I know he hasn’t even earned that much either. Can you believe that this dude actually went to each of those entities and said and I quote “I have actually lost money doing this, how do you guys make money cause I haven’t made a penny yet” (thus my comment to him not making two cents). After hearing this and laughing at him for about ten minutes I realized that I don’t even want to do business with him. Or associate my million dollar brand with his little top 100 camp.  So with i95 Camperz (get it yet) not even having video on their site imagine what I think of them.  And DC No Fans you’re not even worthy of mentioning. As far as I’m concerned you never have to cover an MTB event again. So for all you LOCAL media guys I ask…IS YOU SAYIN SOMETHIN…UH UH...YOU CAN’T TELL ME NOTHIN!!!  

Reason 4:  PROXIMITY IS NO LONGER AN ISSUE

Last summer we started off at Georgetown Prep and ended up at Champions Field house, which for some of the teams was a long ride. But this year, we are in Takoma Park, which according to MapQuest is 12 minutes from High Point and the same distance from the highway. We are right outside the city and with the parody and diversity in the league last year just imagine what we have in store this summer (we already have commitments from Suitland and National Christian in addition to last years teams).  And of coarse all games are under one roof and we have a JV and both girls divisions.  We are also going to be running two games at the same time until the last game where it will be our featured game of the night giving those teams the opportunity to play the long way and get the college feel.

If the boys in Chantilly and the guys at High Point taught us anything it’s that the location is secondary to the talent. On one side of the coin one entity believed that having a nice facility would be a saving grace and relationships, organization and proximity were secondary, which we all now know was wrong. And on the other side of the coin the other guys think that having good teams with nothing else to offer would last. Well actually it does if there isn’t anyone doing better. But the basketball community hasn’t seen a league that has the combination of a great facility with great competition.  Not to mention top flight structure, organization and parody. I guarantee you there won’t be an all WCAC final four in this league.  And with two successful events at universities under our belt and another at Takoma Academy just weeks away we invite those mentioned before as well as the MCRD summer league to prove otherwise.          

Reason 5: IT’S NOT JUST A LEAGUE, ITS AN EVENT, IN FACT IT’S A PART OF A MOVEMENT

We also will be doing raffles twice a week, will be playing music throughout the day, and will overall be creating a live atmosphere that will be enjoyable to coaches, players and fans alike.

As we continue promoting the league will also be promoting our Diamond In The Rough Unsigned Senior Camp and our 2^nd Annual College Tour. You see with us its so much MORE THAN BASKETBALL, it’s a lifestyle, a mentality, opportunity and us doing anything we can to help produce better people and professionals. Do you know how many of these private school educated kids that can’t tell you what HBCU stands for? We are trying to break the thinking process from both player and parent who really believe that basketball is their only option to a scholarship. We are pushing young people to be well rounded individuals and we make ourselves the example.

Reason 6: OLD FOLKS TALKIN BOUT BACK IN MY DAY….WELL HOMIE THIS IS MY DAY

Reason six is another line from that same Kanye West song which is my and my unit in a nutshell just reminding everyone in the basketball world that their time is up and our time is now. That right there is reason enough to join our league and get with our movement. TOB or Champyon should be performing at every schools dance, homecoming or prom. Jrock should be hosting with either DJ Kool or DJ Teck on the 1s and 2s. We will sooner rather than later become the sole standard of Sports & Entertainment and overall professional excellence in the DMV. If not us then who? These other guys have had their chance and failed so why not keep running with us? We haven’t and almost seems like can’t miss, regardless of location or venue. Whether Cesar Chavez or Bowie State, Capital Sports Complex or Trinity, Takoma Academy or Deanwood (shhh, more details coming) we shooting 100%. So for all those who said we were too young, too arrogant, said we wouldn’t last without the Curtis Symonds or shoe company cosign, talked shit on a message board, associated yourself with a competitor, or just threw salt or tried to knock the way we eat… IS YOU SAYIN SOMETHING…UH UH YOU CAN”T TELL ME NOTHING….

SEE YOU AT TAKOMA FEBRUARY 20^th

As many can tell the more popular my blog gets the more real I keep it. I'm not writing these blogs for attention, publicity or to try at be an Internet gangsta. I just like to articulate thoughts in transcript form. And when I do decide to pull a card or let people know the truth without telling I am always able to reinforce my statements with facts and numbers, the two things and this world that never lie.

So when I say the name "Team Takeover" or its President or HNIC (you know we don't mention names) I just have to ask one question... What exactly have you taken over? I feel in all actuality that they shouldn't even have that name.

I'd like to write this blog in the form of a battle rap cause after I was kicked out of the National High School Hoops Festival I declared war, and I don't mean the card game. So Imma take a line from either the 50 Cent - Ja Rule battle raps or the Jay Z - Nas battle and break it down cause that little dude let that Nike check get to his head and forgot who's started this running events hustle and who helped you even get your little deal.

DAMN HOMIE...IN HIGH SCHOOL YOU WAS THE MAN HOMIE...
When I was in high school Newport School was popping, I went up there a couple times for their open gyms but mainly watched. I remember you, you were the JV coach and varsity assistant.  But you made the majority of the subs and called the majority of the plays. My man played JV up there so I used to go to his games. I used to see your intensity and I was like this dude is gonna be one hell of a head coach one day. I used to see how cool you were with the players off the court. You were perfect at separating the two. And you had a son who plays basketball and you never played favorites. I can really say that I respected you and it was real. You just didn't realize that I still saw myself as one day being more relevant in basketball and I didn't realize how you letting me get close was actually just part of your plot to take what I put my blood, sweat and tears in to build. The only reason why your plan didn't work was because I never wanted to play little brother...I liked the role of BOSS better.

YOU HAD A SPARK WHEN YOU STARTED BUT NOW YOU JUST GARBAGE
I remember when I first got to Hoop Magic and you told me that you wanted to do an event down there, it's like it was yesterday. at that point you still only knew me from Hoop Group and now Hoop Magic. But to hear that from you and I was only about 21-22, that was a big deal. I remember Demarr Johnson, Rodney White, Jamison Brewer. I was at those Newport games. And most important I was trying to get on. I went home, thought up a catchy name for the tournament (The Triple Threat Triple S), had my man design the logo, promoted and got the majority of the PAYING TEAMS and pretty much made it so that you would just walk in the gym look good and coach your team. It ran well and organized for 2 years but wait...did you even have the event this year? And why is that? Aren't you with Nike? Aren't you the man? Aren't you the one who painted the picture to Curtis Symonds that I wasn't needed and you could do what I do? Please

CAUSE A N@#$GA WEAR A KOUFI IT DON'T MEAN THAT HE NICE
The Koufi (I apologize if I spelled it wrong) symbolizes the Nike deal. Its like after you got that you forgot where you came from and how you got there. You began to forget who really put you on. And I get it, you got a deal now so people treat you differently, you get more attention , some gear, yeah I get all that. BUT I was the one who was picking coaches up from airports or delivering money to your house or taking kids down to Bob Gibbons for you. I was up for hours making sure your schedule for your tourney was set up for you to make it to the finals. Me and my people were passing out fliers at Mason games or Maryland games for that event that you threw me out of when it was in its first year.

Then you want to run around scream that I used your name to promote my event because I used Takeovaboyz? First off do you know what my band TOB stands for? Mind you they been out since 2004 when you were still under Arty. And what was the name of that Adidas t AAU team Devin Ebanks played for his 17 under summer coached by his father in 08? Why would I want to use yall name or Ebanks name rather when yall aren't successful at anything besides coaching? You didn't have your tournament, Baltimore Elite's joint looked good but made no dough cause of all the free teams (you know I still got people on the inside who keep me posted). You have to remember small teams were only supporting you cause of me. They don't fuck with yall because you steal players. Then you want to scream to one of my men at the event "Where's your man Arize at so we can show him what a real tournament looks like"  but get mad cause of what Capitol Poop or DC No Fans tells you I said or I put on a flyer.

You have a Nike deal, had endless radio promotion, DeMatha's gym (Their coach did some fake shit over the summer by the way, that might be the next blog) all those "big name" teams and still didn't do numbers. We had had more people at the McNamara - Roosevelt game at Bowie State than you did all day. You're twice my age, have half the education (which is why you coach AAU and never head coach at a high School, that requires a degree) and I didn't event get to my big event at Trinity with all my "big name" teams. You got I95 Camperz pushing your event and I don't event speak to those guys and your shit still doesn't pop. So I understand why you threw me out. I mean look at me. In my short time in basketball I have gone from Hoop Group at 21 to Hoop Magic at 22 and built it up from SCRATCH to the point where you tried to weasel your way in there to try and capitalize on all my blood, sweat and tears. And now I got MTB. My band has performed with Gucci Mane, Wacka Flocka, Nicki Minaj, Wale, you name it and if I'm lying just ask around. Ask yall children (cause yall are old and have kids in my age bracket). They be in the functions. Ask your old player who wear my clothes. You can't compete even with a Nike deal cause you're not real.

JAY PUT YOU ON X MAN YOU HOT NOW YOU WALK AROUND LIKE YOU A BIG SHOT
In this business everyone gets put on but you act like Curtis Malone didn't put you on. How did you even get DJ to Newport? How did you get your name in AAU? You used to say that Triple Threat or Takeover made my events and without yall playing they would suck. Well in two years of being on my own I haven't done any AAU events I don't use DeMatha or PVI so what's your argument now? I don't and never will need you. That's the main reason that I decided to run with Assault until you know who decided to be off that bullshit and try and play tough guy (I'm save that one for a future blog too).

AND YOU DID YOU KNOW WHAT WITH YOU KNOW WHO
And the main reason why I will NEVER squash this shit even though my camp thinks I should is that sneaky ass snake ass shit you and those people out in Chantilly pulled. You really thought I didn't see it coming? And you really thought that I was going to let you guys run MY certified events that July? You must have lost your brains. I seen the lack of loyalty in both parties and I just sat back and waited for it to go down. No way was I going to let you guys eat off my blood and sweat. I mean Hoop Magic will let Saddam Husein run a tournament in there as thirsty as they are and were. But for all I did for you and as loyal as I was you tried to "Takeover" what I built from the ground up? Same names, same deals, all that. And you says I'm jocking your style? Little man you want to be Arize more than you know it but you're so out of touch and frankly not smart enough to make it happen. And I always knew that which is why I was never worried. You can coach and recruit but that's where it ends. When it comes to running these events you don't stand a chance....EVEN IF GOD SPONSORED YOUR SHIT!!! Stay in your lane homes cause this is a young mans game and frankly your just TOO DAMN OLD...all of you are. Yall might as well bring Nima back

TAKEOVER THE BREAKS OVER NIGGA!!!
See you at Trinity...or actually sit your ass outside in the cold like I did cause you're not allowed in. You might try and talk to the Trinity people to take that event. And when DeMatha gets tired of playing in your average events and embarrassing their program playing in others just because a family member is on the staff he will come on board too. Cause as long as I'm around yall aint  takin over nothing...And remember I'm 25 and still aint even get my sponsorship yet. So who's really taking over?

It's a little after 3 am Friday morning or "Black Friday" as it's known as. For anyone who knows me they probably know that Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays so of coarse I ate good. I'm doing my usual routine a little Facebook (I think I like it more since I saw The Social Network, kind of cool that FB got him billions and we are like 10 days apart) a little Twitter, watching some college basketball...it's always important to watch your event alumni. Gives you sort of that proud feeling like a big brother. Since the band is off tonight I'm trying to figure out if I want to chill out for the night, go out to Ed Joseph's victory party (he just won a national body paint contest),  #TheBigThanksgivingParty at Layla Lounge or to see Backyard at DC Star (the owner usually gives me a few free tickets so I can sell them outside cheap and get some quick bucks).

The game ended...Notre Dame won (Eric Atkins, event alumni, gets ALOT of playing time by the way) I started flipping through the channels, and stumbled across "Beef" on the Fuse Network and Damon Dash was talking. It was the "Death of Roc-a-fella Records" episode. The last time I saw it was before I owned my own company so I figured it would e the perfect time to see it again. It was so perfect it ended up ruining my evening so I guess that's the reason I'm even writing this.

I got so upset because I realized that I'm in a similar situation with my business partner where we are grinding to build our company because the shoe companies don't take us seriously. We are investing not only our own money but our LIVES in the thought  that we can do with High School Basketball what Jay Z, Damon Dash and Kareem Biggs did with rap.  Why did I get upset you ask? Because in the end they broke up and went their separate ways. Whether they want to admit it or not NOTORIETY, MONEY AND SUCCESS CHANGE EVERYTHING.

I sent Rod (that's my business partner by the way) a text saying "We can never end up like Jay Z and Dame Dash cuz we in this shit together for LIFE." He replied "HELL YEAH" I went back to watching the show and put a status on both Twitter and Facebook saying "Crazy how best friends become strangers....or better yet estranged...scary shit" and kept watching TV as I ignored call after call from band members, friends and females who all wanted my time tonight.

Still don't get why i didn't go out? Because I began to have that urge for knowledge. You know it's funny because if you talk to people about me they will say that I'm a young arrogant asshole who never listens. But like I told my teachers in high school, my professors in college and people I deal with in basketball, what is being told is secondary to who it's coming from and how qualified in my eyes they are to say it. Because in this world if you have wisdom and can't apply in into anything more than a lecture, you're just a dreamer. The point is that I often Youtube a lot of successful people and just listen to them speak. How they say things, how they answer questions, deal with hate and just live their lives as successful people. I learn a lot from them and I take a lot and apply it to my life all while keeping the foundation of who I am in tact as much as possible.

At this point I'm not even tripping about going out. I mean the band played last night in a packed house, my man Quinn Cook (here goes the hate) hit me up and told me he was in town and he wanted to party with us (you know TOB is his favorite band), so he met us up there. And before you start hating he's not the first kid who has partied with me. Trent, Ibn, Timmone, Kavon come see our band play all the time and I even got a table at the WPGC Birthday Bash with Jason Clark this summer partying with Nikki Minaj and more. So I mean that ain't nothing new.

And as far as partying with the stars, TOB, my band (well there's 3 managers Walk Jam is the main manager, Rod and I are his assistants). But in the time I've been with them we have played with Gucci Mane, Wacka Flocka, Currency and endless college homecomings. Radio play is a regular thing and we are even doing our own 18 and up  shows at  DC Star and The Scene. 

The one thing I didn't bargain for which was what inevitably destroyed my night is how much bullshit a person has to go through just to get to this point  let alone to actually make it for real. For all the young people that know just how close TOB is to super stardom know what it comes with but only those on the inside know how crazy it really is. Things like young girls who see you at shows and you pay them no attention but they hit you on facebook randomly with all types of messages. Or sneak into 18 up clubs with fake ids and lie to you about their age. Or the girl with a boyfriend now you got s18-19 yearold who wants to fight ypu because he thinks you hit his girl. Or the girl who is too easy who either tries to set you up, get you jumped, try you like your sweet so you can spend on them or just try or get their 15 minutes off the strength of you. Or the Eye-Candy worthy girls who are regulars at the shows. They are of age but only like you because you have money or because of your status. I guess to females it's cool to say they slept with a guy in a band or a manger. They look at you while on stage and you can read their lips practically saying "I want you" or my favorite "Can I come back stage with you?" And these girls are by no means unattractive. Some be on stage partying with us. Or make their way back stage. It can get crazy.

And that's just the gogo side. The regular club scene is just as wild but they just front and hide it better. I learned most of that dealing with my new rap artist Champ Yon. He himself has only been rapping for about 2 years but he is dating Sydney Lauren (just google her) so that made his buzz rise at a fast pace. Not to mention how many shows we have done just for him to perform at. And people like his material. But since being in that world I've learned a lot about image. The fact that young people these days have to be fresh from head to toes. Because everyone is always looking at you and there is a perceived image of what you should be wearing or riding in or if you have to wait in line or not or if you have a table. Streets talk, and when you're the hot topic it becomes a job. But don't get me wrong, there are benefits to that as well. You get to indulge yourself in the world of video girls, models, singers, actresses, high priced dancers who work at places like Stadium Club or do private parties for the Redskins or Wizards. They are on their grind and the respect yours. There is very little talking needed because they already know all about you and since they know we shoot music videos for Champ already and they know we are getting money IT"S ON! But on the flip side you see female who becomes desperate for the fame. Because they have put ALL their marbles into their looks and know that they won't last forever. You see breast jobs, surgically enhanced butts and worst of all NO PLAN B. They don't have too many real things to say and you can't take them seriously because the are a condom bust away from being taken care of by some rich business man, rapper or athlete.

Another thing that people forget to mention when pursuing millions is how many friends turn against you. Some of my best friends that I have known since the sand box I have lost touch with. Some because I didn't hire them. Some because they couldn't separate friends from business or didn't know how to play the game. Some because they wanted to be treated like me when they are not me. Some from money, some didn't know how to take instructions and the rest just didn't get it. I fought a few, some ran up on me, been bad mouthed and some more crap over this basketball dream of mine. One of the main reasons why I keep the team I have so close  is because they are still standing after the dust settled and there have seen so many before them come and go. Some harder to swallow then others but I had to sever ties and move on. And believe me I am far from an angel. I have schemed on my friends, slept with a few of their girlfriends and things of that nature but damn. I guess karma is a bitch.

As I'm watching these Jay Z  interviews he mentions the word "hate" and that definitely struck a nerve. See in this digital era we live in its easy for people to find out about what you do or how you think. 1 out of every 9 people have a facebook page, it's public information and in my line of work I'm exposed to a lot of people. The two scariest things about hate is that it can come from anyone no matter the age or how successful and some people whoe hate or hate on you won't say anything for years just continue to come around you fake as shit. There are a lot of people in basketball who hate on me because of my relationship with Montrose. Or because I'm young, making money and not having to be at noone's office at 9 am to do it. Some guys who went to school with me hate because they had "harder" majors and feel they should be where I am. Some hate because of the women they see me with and worst of all some hate on me just because.  It's crazy but that's the world we live in and I had to learn to accept it. There is a dude I was beefing with in high school who still to this day will try to fight me or shoot at me when he sees me. Yeah shoot at me, that happened over the summer. Not to mention random things like an attempted car jacking back in May or being sued by some felonious referee organization who tried to put DC Assaults bill on me. It's an epidemic.

At this point I'm watching another interview and this is on Nas, he was discussing his battle with Jay Z back in 2002. How he couldn't believe the mother of his child  turned on him and started sleeping with Allen Iverson and Jay Z. You remember the line..."me and the boy AI got more in common that just ballin and rhymin get it more in Carmen." I got very upset off that because of how my relationship went down hill because of my dreams. No she never slept with a friend or competitor but she did her fair share of disloyal shit. From my days at Hoop Magic and Hoop Group everyone knew me as the young kid in love with his college sweet heart. But then came the notoriety and there went the relationship. It's still remains a sensitive subject but we brought a beautiful baby girl into the world so i'll just say this and leave it alone. A pretty girl, college educated, well spoken who looks like a model but the mannerisms of a librarian does not have what it takes to ride with a person like myself in this type of business. Their lack of ambition, restraint and loyalty will eventually come to the surface. They become more and more insecure and don't care about the long term or your dreams. They care about the fact that you have a baby and she needs food and diapers. And we all know how females can go hard, especially if they feel they are number 2 to anything. Not to mention how weak minded some of them can be and start listening to the wrong people. Basketball has always been my first love and More Than Basketball is like that new chick who you always wanted and you can see yourself with forever. Unfortunately she wasn't.

At this point with all this racing through my head my phone rings. It's Rod, he tells me he's outside my house and he has the fliers for our next event at Bowie State on December 18th. I go outside and see a couple dudes who live around my way they telling me about their plans I small talk a little then go to the car. I hop in the back seat and talk for a while. We talk band stuff, Champ stuff Bowie stuff, future stuff like how we plans to retire The Rock summer league like I did Charlie Weber when I was at Hoop Magic. I get the fliers and by the time I got back in my house I was like I think this should be a blog entry. I figure I got plenty of chances to go out this weekend. Plus iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit's Fridaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!! And in this lifestyle of mine there is always a move to make and always something to do. See you at Bowie State.

The High School basketball season is finally here. Although we run events year round the actual high school season is something different. Why you ask? There are a few reasons...

REASON ONE: ANY EVENT OUTSIDE OF THE SEASON HAS THAT AAU FEEL TO IT

As many of you all probably know my claim to fame in basketball was running AAU events. But since the inception of More Than Basketball we have put more of an emphasis on high school events and in fact our season showcases have become the staple of our notoriety and success.

The reason we even decided to step almost completely away from AAU among other reasons was the lack of integrity. Mainly from the teams, parents and players in the area. 19 year old kids playing 15U, coaches fighting refs or other coaches, parents hating on other players on the team or having intimate relationships with the coaches to give their kids an advantage. And I won't even begin to discuss what happens on the road.

Now don't get me wrong I know the unwritten code of conduct about things I can and can not  speak on because I'm no angel myself and I definitely have done and do things that might be frowned upon by others but I do reserve the right to remove myself and move on to something with a bit more integrity. Remember I said "a bit" cause high school hoops has alot of its own issues as well. The  major difference being the emphasis on education.

And as I have said time and time before Curtis Malone has done A LOT of great things for kids, coaches and parents that he doesn't even speak on. Letting kids stay with him, getting his coaches college jobs and even purchasing plane tickets for parents. Not to mention years and years of monetary assistance. He was and still is someone I look up to in the business but even he has taken a step back and let others handle things.

REASON TWO: THE AAU MARKET IS OVER SATURATED

With guys like Curtis stepping back and making room for others it brought about a lot of good and bad. Not to mention people seeing the things I was doing at Hoop Magic at the tender age of 21 everyone and their mama decided that the administrative side of basketball was "easy" and involved minimal education or ability to make happen. Why? I have no idea but tournaments began popping up all over the place. Former coaches, trainers and parents of players decided to pursue a career in event operation which is fine BUT the part that is not fine is that they didn't take the time to get proper training or knowledge they just decided to do it and learn on the fly.  WHICH IS A COMPLETE AND UTTER DISRESPECT TO THE GAME!!!

Everyone starting running tournaments without trainers, which is the ultimate thumbs down. Teams weren't showing up or dropping out. They were having to change the schedule on the fly and just showed that they had no business in the business.

The political aspect took a whole new level when it came to who was in whose pool or  who played who out of pool play etc. Not to mention the increasing number of teams. Its like every parent who thinks their kids won't have an opportunity just starts their own team. Or they might just start their own team so they can get the fees from parents and run piss poor camps and get the kids in their programs to attend. They pray on parents who don't know better and sell a pipe dream to kids who will NEVER play college basketball and if they did wouldn't be going to school for free.

In a nutshell people's inability to stay in their lane forced people to have bad experiences and made a bad name for everyone HOOP MAGIC INCLUDED. Some say in a weird way that I'm responsible because if I wasn't so young and so good at it and able to attract top players like John wall they would have never thought it was possible so .... I APOLOGIZE.

As for assault as far as scheduling and running of the teams were concerned they didn't miss a beat but their product began getting watered down because they allowed people to attach the Assault name to poorly operated events. And I'll leave it like that cause they are known to take things waaaaaay out of proportion and there is a special someone in the Assault family that I don't want to take the wrong way.


REASON THREE: OUR ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL SHOWCASES ARE THE BREAD AND BUTTER OF MTB

Here are the events and event details, as you can see our momentum and reputation are solid and we are 5 or more years from 30. As opposed to our competitors who said hi to 30 8-15 years ago.

WINTER SHOWCASE

Games to be played at...
BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
14000 Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD 20715-9465
www.bowiestate.edu

DECEMBER 18, 2010-

12:00pm: Suitland vs Southern

2:00pm: Frederick Douglass vs Spingarn (DC)

4:00pm: Riverdale Baptist vs Polytech (DE)

6:00pm: Friendly vs St. Mary's Ryken

8:00pm: Bishop McNamara vs Eleanor Roosevelt

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THE UPTOWN HOOPFEST

Games to be played at...
TRINITY UNIVERSITY
125 Michigan Ave NE Washington, DC 20017
www.trinitydc.edu

JANUARY 8, 2011-
Noon: HD Woodson girls vs Riverdale Baptist (MD) girls
1:40pm: Polytech (DE) vs Atlantic Shores (VA)
3:20pm: National Christian (MD) vs Friends Central (PA)
5pm: Bishop McNamara (MD) vs  Bullis School (MD)
6:40pm: Princeton Day (MD) vs  Flora MacDonald (NC)
8:20pm: Calvin Coolidge vs Montrose Christian (MD)
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MORE THAN BASKETBALL MID-SEASON SHOWCASE

Games to be played at...
TAKOMA ACADEMY
8120 Carroll Avenue Takoma Park, Maryland 20912
(301) 434-4700
www. class="f">ta.edu/

FEBRUARY, 20 2011
4pm: Takoma Academy vs. Montrose Christian (JV game)
5:30pm: Princeton Day vs. Blueridge School (VA)
7:30pm: Takoma Academy vs. Montrose Christian School

REASON FOUR: THEY ARE STUDENT ATHLETES AND THE HS SEASON ENSURES THAT

With their being no eligibility rule as far as grades wise AAU lacks a sense of educational values. So many more kids are not qualifying going to JUCO's or just not playing at all. Others have the skill to play at the large institutions but lack the discipline or ability to handle the work load. High School is the opposite no grades no plays and there is zero tolerance. I graduated from FAMU and I know what it takes to walk that stage. So here we are, set to go into another season, excited about these events we have coming up looking forward to seeing the talent we have on display.

Let me start off by saying that if you read the title and believe that I'm about to write a bunch of bad things about anyone or do any type of "telling" then your sadly mistaken. In fact I wont even mention a name. Its just that I just continue to hear from various sources that mis management was one of the main reasons why the camp went so bad. And with More Than Basketball being the partnering entity I feel it is in the best interest of our Company to let the people know what the reality is.

First off lets start with what the facts are...

Fact 1.) EVERYONE CAN'T RUN EVENTS...WELL GOOD EVENTS THAT IS.
Contrary to what many people think or believe running high level events featuring some of the top talent not just regionally but nationally is not easy. And in this past year as I have stepped back from AAU to focus on high school events many who have tried have failed ...badly. Some had events that looked good but had minimal profit because good teams/players equals free teams/players which equals politics. The point is that these events take intelligence, savy, confidence, patience and the ability to think and decide in a hurry...oh yeah and I forgot swagg, it maybe most important. It also take the proper training and experience. People tell me all the time how surprised they are at my age and what I have been able to accomplish. But this is 10 years in the making. From throwing neighborhood 3 on 3's & 5 on 5's at 16 years of age with REAL OFFICIALS. To working summers and winters with the MCRD serving as the gym supervisor from age 17 until about 22. Then while at FAMU working various college camps & high level AAU events, shout out to Jimmy Salmons for the referral & opportunity. He was probably the only one of all the guys I came across who really saw it in me. Then Hoop Group at the age of 21 and the 2nd minority. Then Hoop Magic at 22, everyone said I was a fool, Chantilly was too far. And now I have my own at 24. So when someone who didn't finish high school, knows anything about reporting revenue made from events for tax purposes, waivers, trainers,  proper registration forms, LLC or even a business bank account and works at Denny's how dare that person say that it was mis management. I have worked too hard to do this thing the "right way" earning stripes & paying dues.

Fact 2.)  LETS NOT FORGET WHO ACTUALLY RUNS EVENTS FOR A LIVING AND WHO'S JUST A CAMERA MAN WITH A SITE
When we first brought the idea to them we were in the midst of the hottest fall league in the area and the weekend before so many parents were asking us if its worth missing a game in such a good league. That's when it hit me that I would take a week off from the league and give league participants a discount to boost the camp attendance. Lets not forget I had 18 teams (and charged at the door last year too) the list of teams is still up there to give you and idea of how many Chavez league participants were in camp. I ended up having to put a significant amount of money up for addition shirts, whistles, basketballs. etc to ensure that any event with my name on it would be run to the best of my abilities. Regardless if I just walked into an unprofessional mockery of the game of basketball and the craft of event operation. Then once we got there for setup I met the staff. I knew the majority of them so I was comfortable (there were far less than the 15 he told me he had, maybe because he told them he wasn't paying staff) but there was one guy and like I said no names but from the looks of things Lady Capitol Hoops may be even a bigger joke than the actual. And for those who were there and the many parents who complained about the partner of the company constantly being on joke time and showing favoritism. Let also not forget I brought another camera and cameraman because you weren't equipped to do the ONLY THING YOU CAN DO which is to record games on all courts. Did he ever mention who brought that clown who led the morning exercises and talked a bunch of motivational non sense. He was at Montrose but I think he's at DeMatha now. I did thinking it would make the camp look more official. And guess who had to pay him? You guessed correct cause although I think he's a joke he put on a good show...sort of like the circus. Or whose idea it was to sponsor the dunk contest and give away items from my clothing line which many of those kids still wear. So did the day start out rough...no doubt but look who and what I was working with.

WHEN YOU SIT UP IN THE BLEACHERS ALL DAY AND YOU SAY THAT WAS THE BETTER DAY THAT MEANS I SAVED YOUR CAMP.
At lunch break we had a meeting. Things were going so bad that I told him that he has to just fall back and let me handle things. I had to just treat the event like it was my own. Putting kids on new teams by grade and creating schedules off the top of my head and instead of having a coach per team I just had teams who weren't playing sit in the bleachers and I assigned each coach a bench and said don't move on with any team just stay at the bench I assigned to you and just coach who I send there. That will also help us evaluate for all stars and game MVP's. Don't believe me? Just ask a staff member or parent or kid. Ask Team Takeover if they are worried when I run events, ask DC Assault, Montrose, Gilbert Arenas, Nike Baltimore Elite. So this little camp doesn't compare. And as anyone knows things got MUCH better after lunch and on the second day.

THE AFTERMATH TELLS ALL TRUTHS...WHO CAN VAUCH FOR YOU? WHO STILL WANTS TO DEAL WITH YOU?
After camp was over staff kept asking me if they were getting paid. I replied that it wasn't my event I'm just running it. Capital Sports Complex did alot for us (printing, basketballs, etc) and were obviously done wrong because the camp isn't there this year but oddly enough my FALL HIGH SCHOOL SHOWCASE will be there the 23rd & 24th. I know tons of parents that I talk to at my fall league who says that the event is a joke and they won't be back. Oddly enough majority of my same teams are back down Chavez. So was MTB really the reason? What ever happened to the Student Athlete of the month? And you're for the kids huh...

NEW MANAGEMENT? OFFICIAL PARTNERS?
You say so much about new management and you've called one of my competitors you're Official Partner (and Keith Veney is a good dude but you know there's no friends in this business) but by you attaching yourself to someone else it limits your ability to do what your whole site stands for EVALUATING &  EXPOSING AMATEUR TALENT. How can you do that when you pick and choose events not based on he talent but on your personal feelings for the person running it. Those other guys do the same thing (you know the Forest hiker, I shouldn't have said that cause we supposedly squashed it but I haven't seen him down Chavez so) but it hasn't hurt me . Cause at the end of the day you can't deny that we GET IT DONE...we consistently bring the best talent and are the most organized and the top basketball entities in our area can stamp that. If this year is suppose to be so much better why have you already changed the date twice? And now its the weekend before tryouts start? Do you really think kids want to risk injury? And where have you been promoting? Do you know how many people have caught on to your joke of a rankings and your old school site and stop going on there. How long ago did Takeover win the Peach Jam? You're still not done? Let me give you a tip ( you know not the $5 you're used after they pay the check, but some actual advice) Don't quit your day job boss Cause you're not gonna last long.

As More Than Basketball celebrated its 1 year anniversary a few weeks ago I could not help but to reflect. Reflect on the good, the bad, the ugly...and at times it got very ugly. The times where it was Hoop Magic who? Where? Chantilly? To the present. It began August 2009, I had just completed my final AAU event (Certified Big Time Bump) at Hoop Magic and was set to embark on this life long voyage that is now known as More Than Basketball.

Wait, I think I should rewind some. About 30 days before, the buzz began to get out that I was thinking about leaving Hoop Magic to do my own thing began to spread. By who I can't answer but  I can say that once it did I realized exactly what the term "dog eat dog world" meant. Vicious gossip spreaders with malicious money motivated agendas like irresponsible websites used to make money and boost their children began to whisper in both Hoop Magic & my ears having us wonder about one another. They were wondering what type of events I would be running, would I become a competitor to what I helped build and if I could still be trusted in meetings or alone in the offices. I began wondering if they were gonna allow me to still do events there or if they were bringing in someone new I think we all know who they let "TAKE OVER."

As July began and my time with Hoop Magic was coming closer and closer to an end tensions between myself and them began to rise more and more. Things were being said in meetings like "We would have gotten there anyways" or "Nice floors won't save you". There were obvious differences in long and short term visions and overall operational concepts so much so that it got to the point where so many things were said and the trust had dwindled so much that both sides were just trying to make it through July.

Needless to say a divorcee was inevitable it was just a matter of whether it would be neat or messy. But when a significant amount of funds went unspoken for at the Live Period Tip Off in early July the situation did just that...it TIPPED OFF!!! A combination of finger pointing from both sides, the lack of trust  that had developed and the bottled up tension and questions  that had been manifesting and most important...the leeches who continue to put BULLSHIT in their ears about me and vice versa took us to the point of no reconciliation.

Now that we are all caught up I'll continue where I left off. After the Big Time Bump I had one event left under Hoop Magic but it wasn't until December so I decided that I would do a fall league in the city to kind of introduce myself as an independent entity and quickly answer any question about my abilities to Captain my own ship. We ended up selecting Cesar Chavez as our location and the fact that we are back this year with an even better cast of teams shows how successful that was. In the midst of the Fall League we decided to help out Capitol Hoops (for the right price of course) by canceling our fall league games that weekend and handling the administrative and operation portions (among other things) of their Top 100 camp. And I have to admit all though the first half of the first day started off shaky it was still a great event.

I fulfilled my final obligation to Hoop Magic with the Virginia High School Season Tip Off. I'll admit it probably wasn't my best work but the games were competitive and It was a good way to go out. Now that I was completely unassociated with Hoop Magic and headed into a new year it was More Than Basketball from here on out. With maybe my biggest high school showcase and MTB event yet just a week and fresh off TWO major snow storms to end the year I was in high spirits. That is until that faithful day I walked into Coolidge Senior high which was suppose to be the location for the event and heard the unfortunate words that I was unable to have the event there. Not for any reason other than the powers that be with the DC Schools heard that a young guys was doing an event that had the potential to make a lot of money and like Frank White said in King of New York THEY WANTED IN!!! So they tried to tax me with all these security and police fees (in excess of 10K) that they demanded 48hrs before the event which in turn nullified any thought of walking out of the event with a profit or holding the event there. That left me scrambling for a location by Saturday and it was Wednesday when I got the news.

 One of my guy from DC Assault referred me to the guys over at Northwestern saying that I could probably get their gym and I did.....for about 48 hours. But the combination of
a greedy AD who saw a young guy scrambling for a location last minute compounded with the opportunity  to  make a marginal profit for doing close to nothing more than opening and locking the doors...I mean come on $100 an hour for her and the another person to let teams in and out of the locker rooms? PLEASE!!! Regardless I was still gonna do it until someone upstairs heard what was going on and decided to do the same things that were done to me in DC.  Little did they know that while I was in the Principal's office awaiting what I knew was gonna be a no my good friend over at Riverdale Baptist texted me some of the most beautiful words I have ever read. It said "If things don't work out at Northwestern we got your back."

By the time Northwestern gave me the nod I had already confirmed with Riverdale and called my business partner giving him instructions on how we will go about contacting all the teams and staff AGAIN telling them we are changing venues AGAIN going out in the middle of winter putting fliers on cars AGAIN and doing all this in less the than 24 hours. It was 3:45pm Friday and the first game was noon Saturday. None the less I'm sure everyone knows how well that event turned out.

We then headed into summer which was very important because we were attempting to host our first annual "Born to Bump" Summer League. As I was calling different schools and attempting to secure a location I got an email from the head basketball coach at Georgetown Prep saying he's been trying to do a summer league at Prep for years and they want to partner up and a bunch more blah blah blah which I came to later find out. So I drew up the proposal, played the waiting game and went to a few meetings at the Hanley Center. When it was all said and done I got a yes and proceeded with the promotion. About a week before the first day a participating coach calls me and says that there is a rumor going around that the coach has left the school and that it will affect the league...funny he must have know what happens when a kid in his mid 20s with a name like mine tries to do events at Prep without a trusted middle man. Cause next thing I know I get a call from the facilities director (no not the coach he still hasn't called me to this day) saying that if I still wanted to do the league the gym will cost 15k...yeah 15 THOUSAND. So we were left scrambling for a location. We were able to secure a location but it wasn't close to the caliber of Prep and it made what could have been a great summer league a good one.

Regardless we made it threw and even though I received TONS of negative emails, posts to my feed back page and remarks from parents & coaches we made it through. And I did what any 25 year old business person would do. I listened, took notes and made changes to avoid a situations like these from ever happening again. And the biggest changes are 1.) Understand that THERE ARE NO FRIENDS IN BUSINESS. 2.) A mans word in business means as much as a two week old twitter post and 3.) Remembering that what doesn't kill you MAKES YOU HUNGRIER.

So here we are...A year in...Back down Chavez...match ups  and locations FIRMLY secure for the showcases and the memories and wisdom taken from the good, bad and ugly of the last 12 months. If there were ever a time I believed I would make it....THAT TIME IS NOW....MY TIME IS NOW and as you learned from reading I'm not taking no for an answer.

This Article was written by Arize Ifejika

NEWBO REPORT
BLOG #2

    With DMV rapper Wale releasing his debut album and Kevin Durant making his first All Star team we at More Than Basketball thought it was a good time to highlight the fact that the DMV (DC, MD & VA) has quickly become a national hotbed for talent in the entertainment field and across the sports landscape.    

    In music we witnessed history as Wale & DC area gogo band UCE (Uncalled For Experience) were the house band for the 2009 VMAs last year which is amazing to many because for so long gogo music and DMV rappers in general has never seen a mainstream artist come from this area and gain such national attention.

    While on the court we see such DC area stars as Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) & Mike Beasley (Miami Heat) we taken with the number 2 picks in the 2007 & 2008 drafts respectively. And both are making major impacts for their teams. Kevin Durant is 3rd in the NBA in scoring while Mike Beasley is 2nd on the Heat in scoring behind Dwayne Wade.
   
    In a time where it seems all eyes are focused on DC with the inauguration of a new president, oddly enough he is a basketball fanatic and is in the know in regards to music, a new sense of motivation and "swagger" has been entrenched in the DMV and it shows. More and more talents on the court and stage have continued in their footsteps and are dominating the local music scene, college basketball and high school basketball.
   
    In music you have Champ Yon whose hot singles "Slam Dunk" and "Rock For My City" are playing in every DC area club, Tabi Boney  has had 3 music videos in national circulation and UCE just put out a single "Pat Your Weave" that is circulating on all major television networks.

    In sports you see Chris Wright and Austin Freeman lighting leading Georgetown to a top 10 ranking, Scottie Reynolds is a player of the year candidate at Villanova, Nolan Smith is one of Dukes leading scorers and Kris Joseph is college basketball's most improved player. Let not forget about NBA guys such as Jeff Green, Sam Young & Ty Lawson who are major contributors to NBA teams.

In my opinion the next step is for someone to take the corporate route to continue to provide exposure for the next generation and to find creative ways to intertwine the two.

Can you say More Than Basketball?

    THE NEWBO REPORT
    BLOG #1

    With all of the scandals, acts of infidelity and downright mistakes made by some of the most recognizable sports, entertainment and political figures it is safe to say that we can make the determination that NO ONE IS SQUEAKY CLEAN!!! We are all human and capable of making mistakes or being cheaters or being liars or even doing things that make people scratch wonder what you were thinking.

    But I'm here to say that it's ok, in todays society where everything and everyone has a support group or a following that will ride in your favor for better or for worse you can come back from just about anything. Where 10-15 years ago your mistakes would follow you forever, these days you will find that people will actually get behind you even more when the find you have a chink in your armour.

    I know I can't speak for everyone, but I personally feel as if I can relate to Kobe Bryant and Tiger Woods alittle bit more because I now know that they are not these perfect people the media built them up tp be. Growing up watching them on TV knowing young girls who talked about some of the things they would do to them if the ever had a chance I always wondered if they would ever act out it. As I got older and started to know girl who actually had sexual encounter with public figures and how they went about offering sexual advances I refused to believe ANY MARRIED MAN could refuse. Are Tiger & Kobe wrong? I'm not here to judge all I can say is that I feel I can relate to them alittle better, the same for Michael Jordan.

    And it doesn't just stop at infidelity. Marijuana use is another thing, Michael Phelps was caught doing something that is done by so many. And who is to say that just because he got caught one time that he has only ever done it one time or that he doesn't still do it? Was Michael Phelps wrong? Either way I'm not mad at him because now I feel like I can relate to him because I know he is a real person and not some robot who just swims and practices swimming.

    Plaxicco Burress is another good example, he is 4 months into a 2 year prison sentence for once again doing something that many do. Gilbert Arenas & Javaris Crittendon are soon to be in the same boat because guns have no place in clubs or locker rooms and I will say that. But at the same time I personally don't but I know alot of people who have a new found respect for all three of those men because they see that they have imperfections.

In closing I know that alot of these examples I used today have negative stigmas & connotations but that it the world we live in and for parents (I am now one too) who are trying to raise their children in gated communities or putting outrageous restrictions on them to keep them from lifes harsh realities addressing these issues head first will do alot better than them seeing it on TV and trying to search for the answers. And for all you athletes or aspiring athletes just know that those who came before have made mistakes and had many transgressions and were able to come back from them. Just know that noone is squeaky clean...but its ok.

2010: THE YEAR OF THE NEW BLACK OVERCLASS