Basketball Diaries

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

2012-01-16T15:46:00.000-08:00

Today we all celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. one of histories greatest leaders ever. Jay Smooth over at ILLDOCTRINE highlights some of MLK Jr's most profound quotes that have been overshadowed by his "I have a dream" speech. Check it out!

We're Back!

2012-01-15T10:37:00.000-08:00

It's the long awaited return of two of Milwaukees favorite native sons. Philwaukee & ChrisConsin. Not sure how many of you are still with us but if we are lucky enough to still have a few readers/followers then we truly are grateful. It has been MONTHS, well almost a year since the last exchange. I come to you in regret but also with excitement for the future. We have posts that you may or may not find interesting about our travels from this offseason up until now with our current situations overseas. With Philwaukee being in Copenhagen, Denmark & myself 'deployed' once again in middle eastern lands. Saudi Arabia to be exact. Please stay tuned as we have more videos, updates, miscellaneous memoir material & other posts coming your way! Philwaukee & ChrisConsin proudly re-introduce to you...our BASKETBALL DIARIES.

The Black Mamba Strikes Again.

2011-02-26T14:12:00.000-08:00

This one is for Joshford.

The Hashemite Kingdom Of Jordan: WABA Tournament.

2011-01-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

Greetings from the country or shall I say The Kingdom of JORDAN. Although I have flown through Amman several times, this is my first time really getting to see some of the actual city itself. I am here with my team Jaish (Syria) to compete in West Asian Basketball Association tournament that is being held. I really am enjoying the country. The people have been friendly & they have a CHILI'S! It has been a fun, thrilling albeit tiring ride. Due to the genius scheduling of games we had to play four games in four days against some pretty formidable opponents. First we faced the Jordanian team who featured fellow BIG EAST alum Terrance Roberts (Syracuse) defeating them in a close game. Next was a scrappy Iraqi team that had lost some close ones. It all came down to the final seconds with yours truly grabbing an offensive rebound and scoring a jump hook with 1.8 seconds left. After a timeout we made an almost fatal mental error fouling them on a three point attempt! The stars must have been properly aligned for us because I haven't seen anyone miss THREE foul shots in a row! We escaped by a hair. A win is a win. Our third game was a bit personal for me. It was against my former team out of Lebanon (Champville). I am great friends with the coach & players. I was with them for almost two years. We joked & smiled in the hotel but when gametime came both sides knew that the amicable behavior had to take a back seat to fierce competitiveness. After three...i repeat...THREE overtimes my Syrian squad toughed it out & won by 1pt. I finished with 24pts, 16 rebs & 4 blks. It was a good feeling to come out on top against my old team especially in that fashion. A hard fought victory. Tonite, the final game of round one, we faced Iran's team (Mahram). They were big & had quick physical guards. The officiating was...*cough* questionable but hey can't blame that on my 4 fouls in one half, three being offensive. Mahram had yesterday off & we were feeling the fatigue. No excuses though because I still feel that we should've finished strong with a win. However we didn't pull it out & lost by 12. The end result is still positive for us because we advance as 3rd place in our bracket to face another team that I've played for in Lebanon..powerhouse Riyadi. I feel really blessed to be in this position & am excited about the rest of our regular season games in Syria & also the remainder of the WABA tournament. Wish us luck!

The Jordan Rules...Be Accountable.

2010-11-26T10:37:00.000-08:00

I love it. This is why there will never be another MJ. He set the tone for greatness in 'modern' hoops. So many people are quick to prematurely label up & coming phemons as the next MJ but I think that it is a disrespect to his legacy & does a disservice to the young guns trying to make their mark in the game of basketball. Lebron was bombarded with criticism for his "decision" & how it was made into a media circus. The entire thing was blown out of proportion in my opinion but it ended the argument of Lebron being in a class with MJ. This commercial just released by 'Jumpman' is pretty dope if you ask me. I miss the old NBA.

Family First.

2010-11-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

I'm currently in Istanbul, Turkey awaiting a connecting flight to Damascus, Syria. The wait in the airport has given me time to just sit down & reflect on my time home & think about the journey ahead. A new season is approaching & after a looong offseason I am excited to get back into action. The picture above means alot to me. Corine Charles is my grandmother, she has played a major role in my life. She helped raise me & taught me many lessons growing up that I carry with me today. I was able to spend quality time with her while in Milwaukee waiting for my ticket to Syria. In todays society I think that the importance of family gets overlooked. I can't lie, the constant traveling & pursuit of career goals have placed a rift in my relationship with some of my loved ones. I try to stay focused on the big picture but I hope they understand that even though my hoops journey keeps me away from home their presence is with me everywhere that I go. Not to sound corny or cliched but folks take the time to express your feelings to family members, I am learning to do the same.

Wright On.

2010-11-11T09:41:00.000-08:00

College Basketball is finally here! Back at 'Nova this used to be my favorite time of the year. ESPN teams up with Coach Wright to kick start the NCAA Men's Basketball season. Go Nova!

Decisions, Decisions...

2010-11-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

This summer Lebron James' free agency quickly became a media circus & in the end his move to South Beach made him a villain to critics. Fans called him a coward, a follower & said that he has tainted his legacy. Although I personally would've liked to see him stay in his homestate of Ohio, I didn't judge him as harshly as most of the world did. I'm curious to see how many casual fans who assassinated his character will jump back on the Lebron bangwagon when he has success in Miami. This commercial is a good response to Lebron detractors who crucified him for signing with the Heat. Well played "King" James.

Does Fast Lie?

2010-11-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

Adidas is stepping it up with this one. Pure comedy. This sounds like an Andre 3000 "The Love Below" era song gone awry haha. Shout out to the homey Derrick Rose who I happened to get to know during my summer league experience. He's a really down to earth cat who gave us a short clip for the video in the blog entry below. He's improving every year. Check it...

Basketball Diaries: NBA Summer League With The Chicago Bulls.

2010-11-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

Basketball Diaries: NBA Summer League, Chicago Bulls. from Philwaukee & ChrisConsin on Vimeo.

Sooo I kinda/sorta was in the NBA for like a week. With the video above, there was so much more I wanted to capture but while in Illinois I had to remind myself that I belonged there & shouldn't have my camera out at all times acting like a fan. I was torn. The whole experience was beyond what words can describe. When the Chicago Bulls scout called to invite me to tryouts I thought it was PHILWAUKEE pulling another one of his notorious pranks. It turned out to be the real deal & the next thing you know I was on a plane from Indiana to Chicago (yeah the NBA has money to blow haha) for a mini-camp to prove that I had what it takes to make an NBA summer league team. Although I had worked out in an NBA setting before & every summer I compete with NBA players this was a different "ball game" so to speak. This was 'the shot' that I'd been working for. I found out that I made the final cut for the summer league squad because on the last few days of training I noticed that a couple of guys that were there in the beginning were gone. Then it hit me! I didn't want to overreact, so I waited awhile before I told my people back home the news. When it was time to head to Orlando for the games it was official. Although I didn't make it to a regular season NBA roster or score a lucrative contract it was still a blessing. I competed with & met some very talented players. It let me know where I stood as a player & my performances in practices against some notable NBA talent gave me even more confidence. I received great coaching, improved my game & learned alot. God has given me several chances at 'the dream'. Who knows what will happen. In the meantime I will move forward with my career in international hoops. For the record I look nothing like Joakim Noah, just similiar hair.

Kick Starting The NBA Season In A BIG Way.

2010-10-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

As I gear up to head overseas to embark on yet another journey in international basketball I look to the NBA preseason hype for even more motivation. These NBA campaigns get me super excited for my upcoming season! This particular commercial was sent over to me by Philwaukee who is enjoying quite an amazing comeback to hoops (more on that soon!) in DENMARK. Heres to a BIG season for all of my hoopers stateside & abroad!

Locker Room Tunes: J.U.S.T.I.C.E League talks Rick Ross' "Aston Martin Music"

2010-09-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

Let The Story Begin - Aston Martin Music from Decatur Dan on Vimeo.

It can be argued that it was the summer of Rick Ross. His 'Teflon Don' album took him to a a new level as an artist. One particular song "Aston Martin Music", which features my favorite new artists Drake, happened to be my favorite track on the LP. The production team (J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League) behind the sonic gem sits down to discuss the intricacies of the beat. I love to hear how projects were created. The thought processes, techniques & ideas that go into the final product. To get the insight of the musicians is always pretty interesting. Can't wait to see how the video for the song turns out.

Top 50 NCAA Dunks...OUCH!

2010-09-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

This compilation of crazy dunks has been making quite a wave on b-ball blogs. Played with & against some of these high-flyers, just glad I didn't make the cut...on the receiving end of these facials. Dood...

VillanNostalgia: Villanova Basketball 2nd Annual Mini-Pro Camp.

2010-09-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

This week I was back on the mainline for the 2nd annual 'Villanova Basketball Mini-Pro Camp'. It is somewhat of a reunion where former players who are still playing professionally come back to work out & later on during the day we face the current wildcats. I attended the mini-camp last year & looked forward to seeing my extended Nova family this year. This year featured pros such as myself, Randy Foye (LA Clippers), Malik Allen ( Charlotte Bobcats), Shane Clark (Cyprus), Dante Cunningham (Portland Trailblazers) & UNC-grad Wayne Ellington (Minnesota Timberwolves) stopped through. Coaching was provided by some big time basketball guys. Jay Wright of course, Phil Ford, Brett Gunning (Houston Rockets), Pat Chambers (Boston University), Mike Dunleavy Sr., Alvin Williams & Doug West. I am honored to be apart of such a rich tradition at Villanova. This video was shown to us at the closing dinner & covers 25 years of Nova B-ball. Decades of attitude!

VillaNostalgia: Corey Fisher aka Mr. 105.

2010-08-16T22:20:00.000-07:00

I had to do a double take when I saw 105 points on the computer screen! I knew that Corey Fisher was one heck of a player & could squeeze his way to the basket from difficult angles but he's taken it a step further now. Recently at a summer league game in NYC Corey Fisher put his scoring arsenal on display. It could argued that defense isn't exactly on the to-do list at playground games like these however in any setting putting up 105 points is still a remarkable feat. I heard that the game featured some talented, proven players so he wasn't playing against complete slouches... legit buckets. I hope this scoring outburst coupled with an emphasis on DEFENSE will carry over into this upcoming season in the brutal Big East. Go Mr. 105!

Locker Room Tunes: Jesse Boykins III- "Amorous".

2010-08-09T06:48:00.000-07:00

Jesse Boykins III - Amorous (Official Music Video) from Jesse Boykins III on Vimeo.

Okay so this may not be your typical sound found in a locker room but I'm not always in the mood for hip-hop or upbeat tracks. A tune like this could very well be heard coming from my headphones after a game. I was hipped to this laid-back gem by my good friend Kraus Phade aka Mikey McFly whom I refer to as the "renaissance man" due to his versatile set of skills ( photography, journalism, rapping, etc...). Filmed in London, the visuals in this video are quite relaxing. Seeing the different couples scattered throughout England kind of makes me wish that I had a special someone to share my life experiences with. I have been focusing on my hoops career, basketball related things, the blog & other affairs in my everyday life so my attention is usually occupied by these endeavors. However I can't deny the feeling that this type of song evokes. The chest-pounding machismo & bravado found in the culture of street hoops that I grew up on gets placed on pause for now. Maybe I'm just getting old...

My Old Crib...Cyan Beach Resort.

2010-07-28T03:25:00.000-07:00

There's a saying that goes something like..."you don't know what you've got til it's gone". I know what I had when I had it & if I didn't know fully then lawd knows that I KNOW what I had NOW. Make any sense my friends? Well picture this... imagine going from weathering the frigidness of Milwaukee winters to being in the "Paris Of The Middle East". I played almost a year & a half in Lebanon & in my last season in Beirut my spot was THE BEST. I was in awe when I stepped foot into the beach resort chalet that would be my home for a few months. Cyan was located in the "Kaslik" area of Lebanon overlooking the Mediterranean Sea with a breathtaking view. I would wake up in the mornings & stare out of the window to see a postcard like setting. Palm trees, pools, the sea, green grass. It was a complete change of scenery from 6th & Chambers in Milwaukee for sure. Philwaukee came to visit me in Beirut & we spoke about how we had saw the world together (see CHINA vids) but this place ranks high on the list as one of the coolest spots that we've stayed. Check out the backyard of my old crib...

VillaNostalgia: Villanova Workouts.

2010-07-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

Many times I reminisce about the summers that I spent at 'Nova with my teammates. For most Villanova students it was usually the time for vacations & fun in the sun. Many kids would come back in the fall telling stories of the jersey shore, beach houses, trips abroad. Not us. Most of the guys that were on the squad hailed from the east coast & lived only about a 2 hour drive from the main line. Being from Milwaukee, I didn't get the weekends to head home. So I spent the majority of the summer days on campus. We would undergo some of the most grueling yet rewarding workouts that I've ever endured in my hoops career. Shooting, running, pulling chains, flipping tires, track work, plyometrics... everything it took to improve as a player, we took a shot at it. It made us closer, stronger & definitely prepared our bodies for the rigors of the big east battles. As I watch this video I'm taken down memory lane & so many stories come to mind when I think of preseason workouts/lifting etc.. Just as the older Wildcats that would return while I was on campus told us, I make sure to reiterate the sentiments that were expressed to me by 'Nova vets. "Enjoy it while it lasts". Live in the moment & seize every opportunity because in the real world there's no experience comparable to the life that we lived while at 'Nova. Check out this video that I found ( it gives me goosebumps). Ahhhh the good 'ol days.

Champion Sound.

2010-07-21T22:12:00.000-07:00

Basketball Diaries: Syrian Champ. Part Deux! from Philwaukee & ChrisConsin on Vimeo.

Here it is, visuals to our (Al Jeish) Championship celebration in Syria. Words can't express how special this experience was for me so I hope that the video does the moment justice!

Hometown Hoop Dreams.

2010-07-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Philwaukee's superb networking skills (long story) I came a step closer to making a lifetime dream of mine a reality. I was blessed with an opportunity to workout with the Milwaukee Bucks. I've worked out with a few NBA teams (Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls summer league team), been evaluated by NBA scouts, coaches & have been in an NBA setting but to actually have a chance in the city that I grew up in was different. I candidly remember being a 'young buck' sitting in the nosebleed sections of the Bradley Center with my cousin Lonnie squinting to catch the action. This was back in the day when Glenn Robinson aka BIG DOG was the man! Fast-forward to 2010 & the lanky little kid that grew up on 6th & Chambers was in the Bucks' practice facility. I focused on giving 110% in the drills but when we hit the showers I looked around the locker room & it hit me that I was actually auditioning for the organization that I grew up following and cheering for as a child in inner city Milwaukee. Although the workouts didn't result in me signing any lucrative contracts or causing a stir in the media a la Lebrons free agency, it still was an unforgettable benchmark in my career & I'm hoping that I get another shot so to speak. Close but no Red Auerbach.

P.S. Shoutout to Kelvin Sampson, Adrien Griffin & Joe Wolf!

All-League Awards...Again!

2010-07-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

And the winner is...me?!?! Last summer I was blessed enough to win several eurobasket.com awards in both Lebanon & Syria. This year it really comes as a bit of a surprise because of the ups & downs I went through this season. I started out in Lebanon but my season there was cut short because of a minor back injury. Days after the injury in Beirut my coach told me to not fret & ensured me that things would be okay. He advised me to rest up & we'd continue from there BUT the very next day I got a call from management informing me of my release from the Lebanese squad. That's typical in some areas overseas. There I was jobless & heading home to Milwaukee in the WINTER. Shortly after I landed with one of Syria's top teams mid-season. Several Americans from the team that I was joining had been shuffled around & replaced so I was cautious. I've witnessed the horror stories. Teams move players around like pieces to a puzzle, I didn't want to become another statistic. God was watching over me because I bounced back from the injury to help lead my team to a championship as you all may know if you've been following the entries. To make a long story short, the season in Syria ended with a bang & recently this years awards were announced. Once again for the second year straight, I was blessed to be honored as Center Of The Year, named to All-Import First Team, All-Defensive First Team, All-Syrian League First Team. It is truly gratifying to see the struggles & failures that I've faced this season result in receiving these accolades & a CHAMPIONSHIP. Last year I made a long list of 'thank yous' as if I was accepting a grammy. This time I'll keep it short so I won't forget to thank anyone who has helped me along the way. My accomplishments in the game of basketball is owed to my reliable support system (countless friends & family) & most importantly God. Anything is possible my friends, I'm living proof.
Asia-Basket.com All-Syrian League Awards 2009-10 - Jun 10, 2010 (by Ahmad Madwar)

Washington

Al Saman

Holmes

Correa

Charles

Player of the Year: Andrew Washington (191-G-84) of Talee'a

Guard of the Year: Andrew Washington (191-G-84) of Talee'a

Forward of the Year: Ryan Holmes (197-F/G-82) of Yarmouk

Center of the Year: Christien Charles (213-F/C-81) of Jeish
1st Team
G: Andrew Washington (191-84) of Talee'a
G: Nour Al Saman (188-78) of Jeish
F/G: Ryan Holmes (197-82) of Yarmouk
C: Marcelo Correa (208-77) of Jalaa

F/C: Christien Charles (213-81) of Jeish
All-Imports Team
G: Andrew Washington (191-84) of Talee'a
F/G: Ryan Holmes (197-82) of Yarmouk
F: Ryan Edwards (196-83) of Kasyoun
F: Marcus Brown (201-83) of Hurriya

F/C: Christien Charles (213-81) of Jeish
All-Defensive Team Ali Diarbakrly (180-G-82) of Ittihad Predrag Mijuskovic (189-G-78) of Wathba Ryan Holmes (197-F/G-82) of Yarmouk Christien Charles (213-F/C-81) of Jeish
Kenyon Gamble (212-C-82) of Ittihad
http://www.asia-basket.com/Syria/basketball.asp?NewsID=192706

VillaNostalgia: A Wildcat Summer.

2010-07-14T21:05:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy summer for 'Nova basketball family members. Seeing my brothers move forward in their careers is special because we grew into men together at Villanova under Coach Wrights tutelage. Randy Foye has just signed a deal with the LA Clippers for 2yrs, Kyle Lowry was being courted by a Lebron-less Cavaliers & the Rockets have reportedly matched Clevelands offer. Last but not least, recent 'Nova standout Scottie Reynolds has overcame some health issues to battle his way back into the mix of things making his presence felt with a 16pt. game in the NBA summer league. I wish them all the best of luck in these big time endeavors. I hope they know how motivational their stories on the road to basketball success have been to me in my own hoops journey. Seeing them shine & persevere year after year keeps me on my toes. They are GREAT people outside of the game of basketball & deserve every opportunity that they've EARNED. Goodluck fellow Wildcats & let's continue the tradition of ATTITUDE!

2010-07-11T22:13:00.000-07:00

Basketball Diaries: Lebanon. from Philwaukee & ChrisConsin on Vimeo.

Beirut, Lebanon is one of the most slept-on cities. Lebanons well-documented & overly publicized political turmoil overshadows everything else that the historical country has to offer. From first hand experience I can say that Lebanon is a beautiful place & I felt safe there. In terms of food, culture, *ahem* & women it ranks as one of the top places that I've played abroad. However, business etiquette is another story. While I was there I lived in an exclusive resort. My chalet overlooked the mediterranean sea. I used to wake up every morning & thank my lucky stars for being able to live in that fashion. When I look back I will always cherish the memories that I had there in the "paris of the middle east" & who knows maybe I'll land there again. Philwaukee paid me a visit & we did some sightseeing. Here are some scenes from our adventures in Lebanon (more to come)....

Locker Room Tunes: Dana Coppa's "I SEE NOW".

2010-07-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

Dana Coppafeel ft Micheal Mic Check "I See Now" Music video from Alphabang on Vimeo.

   Here's my official music video debut. I am a big fan of Milwaukee-based artist Dana Coppa & while I was home for about a week before heading to Syria this past season I was able to see him perform live a couple of times. We met & exchanged thoughts on Milwaukees music scene which he's been a mainstay of for years. Coppa is not only a dope wordsmith, he's also a very down to earth, real dude & I respect his work ethic. His efforts have paid off with quite a few accolades pouring in this year (Milwaukee Music Video Of The Year with his group KHB, song of the year "Danger" & several write-ups). His album "Coppa's Welfare Foods" is definitely worth checking for & folks not in the know will be pleasantly surprised at the level of talent the guy has been blessed with. Dana was kind enough to invite me to his video shoot & needless to say I was very excited about the opportunity to be featured in one of my favorite emcees videos. The song is titled "I SEE NOW" & was directed by Darren Cole whom has worked with the likes of Rick Ross, The Game, FRESH CUT COLLECTIVE, Prophetic. Some of the scenes were shot in FLOW CLOTHING COMPANY, a boutique in downtown Milwaukee. Milwaukee street wear heads should know that it's a haven for exclusive fashion. Shoutout to Dana Coppa, Darren Cole of ALPHABANG PRODUCTIONS & Patrick Jones of FLOW. Three major players in their respective professions. Music, Film & Clothing. Basketball Diaries is pleased to present...

   P.S. Be sure to cop Mr. Coppafeels album!
     http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/coppas-welfare-foods/id365786831

Philwaukee In "Dancing In Denmark".

2010-07-06T15:23:00.000-07:00

Basketball Diaries: Dancing In Denmark from Philwaukee & ChrisConsin on Vimeo.

Philwaukee has spent some time playing professionally in Denmark. Oprah once said that it's the "happiest country on earth" & by the the looks of it Philwaukee agrees. Here's footage of him showing off some of his dance steps in the streets of Copenhagen. Dancing In Denmark!