The life & style of a sneaker pimp”

What brought you to Italy: two things: the game invented by Dr. James A. Naismith..and my pop's side of the family tree(aka dual citizenship).

How long have you played basketball professionally  & where have you played? Six seasons was the duration of my professional career..playing throughout germany & italy along the way. The ability to live this dream i owe not to my years playing division one college basketball(although they surely gave me strength & experience)..but rather to my years in the playground tournaments of nyc. It was there where people took notice of my ability..it was there where i gained my toughness & intelligence on the court..and it was there where folks continually encouraged me to take my style of play to a bigger stage. So if i may?? I'd like to thank the streets..& the supporters who helped to keep hope alive!!

Which was your favorite team & place if they are not one in the same- why? That's a difficult question. I'd hate to discuss too deeply the politics behind the scene..but unfortunately over here your favorite teams are usually the ones that give you the least amount of problems when it comes time to collect your paycheck!! The ones that don't make you think about the business side of the game..cause they come correct & keep their word. Truth be told..is almost a shame when sport becomes a profession and negotiations come into play. Sooner or later one's motivation gets tied into the amount they earn..as opposed to just doing it for the love like when they started out as a child just pursuing a passion. Personally..my favorite teams have always been the ones that i've played on in the summer..for free..and thus minus the business headache. So instead of a favorite..i'll give you a top two: (1) my championship team from the 2006 italian summer league at lido di jesolo..and (2) team box & one from the summer playground tournament in giardini margherita.

Do you still play ? Yes.

Favorite place to play off the professional court? I can give you a top 10?? In no particular order..st. Nicholas..rodney park..tillary..mt. Morris..west 4th..lagoa rodrigo de freitas..giardini margherita..colle oppio..anywhere that involves hooping w/ my brothers eric, kinte & joe..and then last but certainly not least..will always be without a doubt running games down at the 14th street "y" with my ol' neighborhood fams..bobbito & ramon!!

What made you stop to pursue other other  dreams & talents? Basketball is in the veins..stop for too long and you begin to fiend for the feel of the rock on your fingertips..the rhythm of the ball's bounce on your ears..etc..etc..so i'll never really completely stop. It's part of who i am. It's just that at some point the game wasn't enough. I had done what i wanted to do and achieved many great things while playing professionally..but i needed another kind of fulfillment. One along other avenues of interest. I have many forms of expression, i feel a great need to let loose..these are things that had been placed indefinitely on the sidelines until i could give them the proper attention. So after getting to live out one dream..i decided it’s time to walk away from my commitments on the court..& shift the spotlight onto the next passion. So that's what i did..or rather..is what i am still in the process of doing with my writing..art..and collaborative projects.

When did you first become a certified sneaker pimp- (translation connoisseur, collector, & kicker of fly kicks!) ? I've been an admirer of sneaker design for about as long as i can remember..probably starting with the simple classic lowtop vans or the original nike waffle racer..but what really set it off for me were the b-boys of my time and the exaggeration of the shoe next to the clothes that that era's style of dress brought before my eyes. Actually turning them into the focal point of any outfit from then on; the clothes could be questionable..but the shoes always had to be flavorful and on point..even down to the way they were laced. Rocking shoes became an art form for me. It was my first pair of white on white leather cortez in 1st grade..followed by a pair of burgundy suede/dove grey puma striped/white soled low top ralph sampson signature model(exactly like the clyde..just the name changed)..that marked the turning point. The point where i could list every aspect of the shoe in exact detail. The point where i became a true..certifiable..sneaker junkie. I was in love with their designs..textures..& materials. And i still am..

What global places has basketball & your love of sneakers taken you to: i can't say either have taken me anywhere i wasn't already going before for the reason of fashion or friends. However..while on these voyages..two constants were always in play:

First..wherever the closest local court was located..believe i was getting in a game!! Not necessarily for the purpose of the sport..but for the beauty it brought to my travels. There's a poetic simplicity in being able to share a common love with others all around the globe. A common love that eludes all language barriers & ignores economic class. A common love that at least for the duration of it's play..is able to cancel out the problems of the day. It acts as a therapy..and a teacher..but ultimately can open doors to great experiences with our brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Second..wherever i touched down(just as i searched out the nearest court)..i would spend hours scouring the streets for sneaker stores..hoping for something unique. Something nobody back home would have. Soccer kicks..marathon shoes..it didn't matter what the sport..if they were fly and i figured i had or eventually would have an outfit idea to showcase the shoe properly..they were copped. So much so to the point that many a time new luggage had to be bought in order to have room for all the new acquisitions i was bringing back with me. 

How many kicks do you have in your current collection? Hard to say at the moment. A couple hundred?? I have a few different stash spots around the world..so counting them becomes difficult. I know here in my apartment in rome exist 8o pairs..but those are what i would consider the basic essentials. One day i'll get 'em all in one place..

What is the one that must make it out of the fire, if it’s the only one you can save? Honestly this hypothetical situation just leaves me crispy in the end..as i would probably lose my life trying to save them all!! Haha..

Which is the prize get that you are still longing for? I'd have to say nowadays i don't really long for much sneaker-wise. I have at least one of every shoe i ever loved as a kid..although some colors have eluded capture in my size from time to time..but that's okay too. However..in the spirit of the question..i will speak of the pair of special edition john lennon chuck taylors that i found while introducing my homegirl hadnet, who was visiting nyc from berlin, to one of my many secret spots for rare finds. Unfortunately for me/fortunately for her..they didn't have 'em in my size..but did have them for her. If i could get those..you would see a smile..but at the same time..am cool with knowing at least she did!!

If you could design your ultimate sneaker what would it be? describing it would seem like a bite on so many of the classics that are untouchable. Plus..for me at least..i have ultimate sneakers for many different occasions!! I will say this though..i don't believe there to be a sneaker more widely accepted & acknowledged in the world today than the original black canvas chuck taylor. It is truly perfect in design & function(even though outdated as a sports shoe). So for me..and my ultimate sneaker..you need look no further than that all time classic!!