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Lonzo Ball wants to “lead his career” with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports

Just a few months ago, the Ball brother trio of Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, and LaMelo Ball, all signed with Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports for management and representation. While it could be speculated whether the trio would eventually sign with PUMA Hoops due to Jay Z’s title as Creative Director for the sportswear brand, Lonzo, the eldest, has decided to choose a different path with the announcement he will ultimately sign with Rich Paul of Klutch Sports per ESPN’s Malika Andrews.

Lonzo Ball is signing with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, per @malika_andrews

"I wanted to lead my career… It was the right time to make that call." pic.twitter.com/eNdAaAoDgq

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 14, 2020

“I wanted to lead my career,” Ball stated. “Picking my own representation — just solely as my decision — was step one in that process. For me, it was an easy call, and it was the right time to make that call.” Ball has had several different representatives since his professional career began in 2017. He previously was represented by family friend Harrison Gaines, before moving on to CAA, Creative Artists Agency, followed by Roc Nation Sports.

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Expectations for Ball were certainly high being the #2 overall pick for his hometown Los Angeles Lakers. They were prompted even higher thanks to his father, Lavar Ball, stating Lonzo was “better than Steph Curry” and deciding to not take any endorsement or sponsorship meetings and instead wearing his family’s ‘Big Baller Brand’ sneakers.

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Hopefully the 2020 – 2021 NBA season will be Ball’s best as he has recently begun to workout in preparation for it and has his eyes set on not just the playoffs, but, an award his teammate Brandon Ingram collected this year. “Once we get in the playoffs, we take it one game at a time,” Ball said. “For myself, I think Most Improved Player is definitely something I can get next year.”

Five-Star Hooper Makur Maker Commits to Howard University

The post Lonzo Ball Signs with Klutch Sports, leaving Jay Z’s Roc Nation appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. Over the last few months high-profile high school basketball prospects have begun to more seriously consider HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) to attend rather than the usual powerhouse division 1 basketball institutions. Normally, and over the past few years, these type of thoughts and conversations have been pipe-dreams rather than having a chance to become reality. Now, that is no longer the case.

This morning history has been made as Makur Maker, cousin of NBA player Thon Maker, has committed to Howard University and their head coach Kenny Blakeney over Kentucky, Memphis, and UCLA. In addition, Maker becomes the first and highest ranked prospect to commit to an HBCU since ESPN’s recruiting database began in 2007.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCLA7Q7B-7N/

The news was released via Maker’s Twitter account where he stated, “I was the 1st to announce my visit to Howard & other started to dream “what if”. I need to make the HBCU movement real so that others will follow. I hope I inspire guys like Mikey Williams to join me on this journey. I am committing to Howard U & coach Kenny Blakeney #MakerMob.

The Phoenix, Arizona native made news when he announced Howard was on his list of schools last year, and even more headlines once he visited the campus during their annual homecoming event. He has now become a central cog in the conversation of top talented prospects bringing attention and power back to their community through attending HBCU’s such as 2023 5 Star Mikey Williams has done over the last few months.

On your side my boy let’s shock the world!!! @MakurMaker https://t.co/XJ4JrgFmTH

— Mikey Williams (@619PRESIDENTIAL) July 3, 2020

Williams has become another high profile athlete who has begun to not only weigh the decision, but, publicly discuss what attending an HBCU would mean. In a recent Instagram post he stated, “This has been a thought for years..this didn’t just recently pop up in my head..What a lot of coaches don’t understand is that we don’t need them..WE CONTROL OUR OWN NARRATIVE!! I’m very thankful that God blessed me to be in the position to do that..We write our own stories..we determine what the next page in life is going to be..why does it always have to be the big universities? Why does it always have to be the big names? Have you ever thought about helping your own people out?? WE ARE THE REASON THAT THESE SCHOOLS HAVE SUCH BIG NAMES AND SUCH GOOD HISTORY..But in the end what do we get out of it?? What a lot of Top level athletes don’t understand is..If you’re a pro..than you’re a pro no matter what college you go to..even if you don’t go to college..if you’re a killer..YOU ARE GOING TO KILL ANYWHERE. Not enough people speak on things like this and I’ve been meaning to do so and put some word out but I figured this would be the perfect time to do it..Im going to keep it short and simple..I just wanted to let everybody know that I AM RIDING FOR MY PEOPLE! IM 10 TOES BEHIND THE BLACK COMMUNITY!! Any way I can help or make a change in the black community best believe I am going to do that. Only God knows what the future holds..But when that time does come that I have to narrow my schools down to whatever number it is…there WILL be multiple HBCU’s on that list! And they won’t just be there for show.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_POziJMMi/

Maker and Williams are both NBA level prospects and it will be intriguing going forward what Maker, and eventually Williams’, decisions mean for the college basketball landscape.

5 star basketball recruit, @MakurMaker, picks HOWARD UNIVERSITY over Kentucky, UCLA, and Memphis. @HowardU

“I need to make the HBCU movement real so that others will follow.” https://t.co/bR369VOLgE

— Anthony Antoine FOX 26 (@AnthonyTVNews) July 3, 2020

Make sure to keep checking back to RESPECT.Mag for more on #TheAltWithMel news!

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The post Five-Star Hooper Makur Maker Commits to Howard University appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

What exactly do you do for a career?

Manager for NBA and NFL Players. Handling everything off the court and off the field for them, as well as day to day operations for them.

What was the process for you to find what you wanted to do?

I’ve been a big sports fan and wanted to see how I can get involved in the industry. I kept researching and understanding what these athletes want and need and just went after it.

Can you tell us about your company?

I created my company ASL Sports Group four years ago and have had great success with it, representing close to 40 Million Dollars in contracts. I recently have started another agency called Forever Young Management which focuses on the social Media growth for hundreds of athletes as well as the business management side for many people.

What is your greatest success so far?

Signing my first NBA client at the age of 17 was the biggest thing that has happened yet. Living in New York and having the opportunity of representing Michael Beasley up until now, but being able to represent him while he was in New York with the Knicks was a great experience for me.

What are some of the challenges you faced along the way?

The biggest challenge I have faced up until now is getting criticized because of my age. Having many other agents and managers in the game tell me that I’m moving too fast and not taking the normal route that they all did, which isn’t smart. But now at 19, I look at the guys that are 30 and 40 years old who have told me that, and now I look at them and laugh because I’ve achieved more than a large amount of them in just a few years.

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur?

All you need is a grind if you are ready to work and hustle and you are willing to put in 18 hours a day then you will succeed.

What is the advice you would give to a young entrepreneur?

Go after what you want in life. Don’t just follow everyone and get trapped into a 9 to 5 like everyone else because that’s the norm. Be different, even though you will get criticized and called out for it. At the end of the day, you know what you’re going after.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My father. He’s built the same determination and put the same motivation into me to be
successful.

You can find Ariel Levy on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/ariellevy/

The post Teenage Athlete Manager Ariel Levy Talks Career, Accomplishments, & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post Influencer / College Basketball Star Davion Robinson Appears on ‘Corey Taylor Talks’ Podcast appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Marcus Patterson’s professional basketball career kicked off in 2019-2020 with a bang. The Bronx, NY native bursted onto the scene in Portugal playing for Portimonense SC. He averaged 22 points per game, 9 rebounds per game, and 2 steals for game. Patterson plays a well all-around game, but what makes him stick out?

Patterson is a two-way guard that can guard the1 through 4 spot. His length and athleticism can give the two guard positions a fit on the defensive end. He also has a quick release which combined with his length gives him an advantage on the offensive end as well. The defensive end is where Patterson really thrives, though.

The Sage graduate displayed quick hands on defense this winter, which led him to lead his team in steals per game. Patterson is able to anticipate on a very high level and beat the ball handler to the spot which makes it very difficult to score on him. Patterson brings it on the defensive end on every single possession with high intensity. 

Patterson thrives on the defensive end, but he isn’t a slouch on the offensive end either. Patterson has a smooth stroke from the outside which allows him to keep the defense honest. He is also able to use his quickness to his advantage and get to the rim at a very good pace. 

The 25-year old has also proven to be a great leader and winner. Patterson was a captain his senior year at The Sage Colleges and led Portimonense SC into a playoff position before the Coronavirus Outbreak. Patterson leads by example with the effort he shows at all times and is someone his teammates look up to. 

Patterson remains unsigned for the 2020-2021 season but is someone who should be on many professional teams radars around Europe.

The post Marcus Patterson: The Basketball Player You Need To Know appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

I checked in on Daniel on is Journey in football the tight end position and fitness endeavors 

Respect: What is Fitness football Fantasy’? 

D.Wilcox:; My Publicist Eddie Rhodman, Isaiah Stanback who won a Superbowl with the Seattle Seahawks and myself put our heads together for a great workout for ordinary people to train like an NFL player. We probably had over 100 people on Superbowl weekend out and over 350 sign up. It was a great atmosphere in little Haiti in Miami

Respect: What did you think that experience gave to the people who attended ?

D.Wilcox: I life everything is about respect. I think we gain a lot of respect from the people who participated. In order to play football you have really hone in on your technique. When people got tired we made sure to slow things down and fix their technique. When people get tired their technique falters so so by correcting their technique we put them in position to go hard and that’s when you gain the respect 

RESPECT.:  You essentially floated from position to position when you first got into the league: Do you think Daniel Wilcox then would be an asset to the NFL now?

D.Wilcox : When I came in i literally floated around from position top position. John Gruden in Tampa didn’t know what to do with me. They moved me from running back to fullback to wide receiver and every time they move you you’re learning a totally new position. When I got to Baltimore, when I got my title as H back so Brian Bullock was the first one to say your an H back so he literally created a position for me/  Fast Forward 10 years later everybody is playing with H backs.

Respect:  Where do you see the  Ravens getting better as a team? 

D.WIlcox: This is the first time in team history where people are afraid to play the Ravens offense with the edition of Lamar Jackson.. When I played Ray Lewis told us all y’all have to do is score 21 because we are going to make sure the other team doesn’t score 21 points. They are not going to have a running back over 100 yards” so if we scored 3 touchdown we were going to win every game. Now you have to to stop the raven offense from scoring 40 points and that is scary

Respect: Do you see Lamar Jackson taking another Step this year?

D.Wilcox; Well I’ll put it like this when you were a freshman in high school  you were the low guy on the totem pole by the time you were a senior you were almost invincible. Same thing happens when you get to college. This is Lamar year 3 so basically he like a Junior is High school or college so this is when he is going to start to feel himself build a sense of confidence by being in the same offense. He might start making his own check at the line of scrimmage. And Next year when he is in his fourth year he is going to be on top of his game!

Check out the Rest if the interview Below .. .#Houseofboompodcast

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Richard Heistand has been waiting for this moment since a very early age. The moment he got behind the wheel, Richard knew that motorsport was his calling. Richard will take on Le Mans in a Ferrari with British team JMW Motorsport.  This will be Heistand’s first opportunity to tackle the track also known as La Sarthe for the round-the-clock race. 

Richard shares, “24 hours of Le Mans is undoubtedly the most famous car race in the world. It is quite an honor and privilege for me to be a part of it. My team and I are prepping up not only to participate but also to win.” He adds, “24 Hours of Le Mans will be a true test of endurance and efficiency. In all these years of racing, it will be the first time I would challenge my mind, body, and skills to such a degree.” Previously, he has participated in 12 Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona, and many more. These races are all great preparation for what Heistand will face at Le Mans, but no challenge is quite like the one that man and machine face at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Some of the most successful drivers at 24 Hours of Le Mans have been Tom Kristensen of Denmark, Jacky Ickx of Belgium, and Derek Bell of the United Kingdom, among other mavens. Whether or not Richard Heistand will join the high ranks is something only those 24 hours will tell. 

The post Bob Akin Award Winner Richard Heistand Gears up for Le Mans 24 Hours appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.