“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!

Suggested Articles:

PUMA Hoops x Trevor Project Debut First Sneaker Together for Mental Health Awareness Month | #TheAltWithMel

Alternative Road Podcast: Blakk Soul Talks ‘Take Your Time’ Album, Working with Dr. Dre & more!

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

The post Former NBA Chicago Bulls Nate Robinson Compares Zach LaVine to Vince Carter | #TheAltWithMel appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Sports and entertainment journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary/Get Fit Radio

RESPECT Magazine’s own Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson joined the Little Miss Entertainment Show to discuss his start in sports reporting, which series of events led him to ask NBA commissioner Adam Silver about former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, Michael Jordan almost signing to Converse and more!

Check out RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson speaking with The Little Miss Entertainment Podcast Show! 

https://soundcloud.com/littlemissent/episode-76-brandon-scoop_b-robinson-interview

?New Episode Alert? This week on the #LMEPod we have none other than the sports guy himself Brandon @scoop_b Robinson. Scoop B, is an American sportswriter, journalist, sports analyst, columnist, editor and podcast host. We chat about how he got his start in the industry, his thoughts on the new “draft” style picks for the NBA All Star Game and so much more. Click the link in my bio to listen. Executive Producer: @awesome_nobody . . . #littlemissentertainment #LMEPod #nbaallstarweekend #lebronjames #kobebryant #superbowl52 #podcaster #applepodcast #soundcloud #stitcher #podsincolor #podcast #podernfamily #womenempowerment #blackgirlmagic #wocpodcast #woc #poc #blogger

A post shared by The Little Miss Ent. Podcast (@lilmissent) on Jan 29, 2018 at 7:02am PST

Suggested Articles:

Artist Mari and Producer Jimmy Lit Release Collaboration EP ‘Mari Lit’

Grammy-Nominated Artist Travis Greene Discusses ‘Crossover’, Meeting Jesus & More

The post Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson Discusses Michael Jordan, Bill Cosby, All-Star Weekend and more with the Little Miss Entertainment Show appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

NBA Writer Oliver Maroney. Photo Credit: Twitter

NBA writer Oliver Maroney checks in with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio & talks NBA and his budding career. Press Play below to listen!

Oliver Maroney is an authority on basketball. At the helm as columnist at Dime On Uproxx, you can catch him writing about anything from Bonzi Wells and the 2000s Portland Trail Blazers’ heyday, or former Cleveland Cavaliers point guard, Daniel ‘Boobie’ Gibson talking about serious matters like depression.

The Portland, Oregon-based rising columnist is currently the host of the B.O.S.S. Podcast with NBA impersonator BDot. Maroney has been carving his niche by building solid and genuine relationships with athletes and simply being himself.

Maroney is this week’s guest on the Scoop B Radio Podcast. We discussed the emergence of Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell, his experience hosting The Big 3 Show Podcast and pearls of wisdom for up-and-coming journalists. Press play above to listen.

While you’re at it, also check out his recent appearance on NBA TV.

My #danceface on @NBATV’s #PlayersOnly where @realchriswebber says I’d “lose my girlfriend.” pic.twitter.com/IlRjKrNgRi

— Oliver Maroney (@OMaroneyNBA) November 16, 2017

Suggested Articles:

The Next Big Showcase’s Cliff Po & DJ Tarzan Making Dreams Reality in NYC & NJ

Scoop B Radio: Turner Sports’ Steve Smith Talks Career & More

The post Scoop B: Rising journalist Oliver Maroney talks NBA, Big 3, appearing on NBA TV with Isiah Thomas & Chris Webber appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James will meet on Christmas Day. Photo Credit: Sports Illustratedoo

Today the NBA will launch a new “I’m Why” spot entitled “The Gift of Basketball” that highlights unforgettable NBA moments that get fans in the holiday spirit and bring us all together for the excitement of five marquee games on Christmas Day.

Part of the league’s global “This Is Why We Play” campaign, the spot’s vibrant holiday-themed graphics and jaw-dropping game footage are set to a classic version of “Jingle Bells,” and reminds fans why these exciting match ups make it feel like Christmas morning 5 times in one day.

 “The Gift of Basketball” spot will make its debut on Thurs (12/14) during the TNT primetime games between Los Angeles Lakers vs Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors.

This year, the NBA has made an effort not to have star players resting during nationally televised games so expect to see your favorites on the court. As noted on this page at MyTopSportsbooks, staying on top of the line-up is crucial if you’re planning on placing any bets on the games.

Last year the spotlight was on a healthy LeBron which lead to the Cavs defeating the Warriors 109 – 108. Keep an eye out for the line to move leading up to the big day here.

Christmas Day schedule: 

• Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks at 12:00p ET on ESPN
• Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors at 3:00p ET on ABC
• Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics at 5:30p ETon ABC
• Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City at 8:00p ET on ABC
• Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers at 10:30p ET on TNT

Suggested Articles:

The Next Big Showcase’s Cliff Po & DJ Tarzan Making Dreams Reality in NYC & NJ

Scoop B Radio: Turner Sports’ Steve Smith Talks Career & More

The post Scoop B: NBA launches “I’m Why” Christmas Campaign with Curry’s Warriors’ and LeBron’s Cavs as headliners appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

High school basketball phenoms Schea Cotton, and Lenny Cooke drop by Scoop B Radio with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Courtesy of Ismael ‘Calligrafist’ Sayeed (Calligrafist Photography/Scoop Vision Media)

In the last twenty years, the names Schea Cotton and Lenny Cooke carried much weight in AAU hoops. The two shined in an era where the preps to pros culture was the norm.

Cotton was the cream of the crop in the late 90s. Mentioned nationally among top players like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Baron Davis, Jermaine O’Neal and Stephen Jackson, the former high school All American was a star at Saint John Bosco and Mater Dei. Cotton averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds, leading Mater Dei to a 36–1 record.. Cotton declared for the 2000 NBA Draft where he went undrafted.

Check Out Lenny Cooke, Schea Cotton & Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson On Scoop B Radio

In 2001, Lenny Cooke, a Brooklyn, NY native, was a man among boys. Scouts ranked the 6’6 slasher ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony and Miami Heat’s Amar’e Stoudemire. Cooke was a stats stuffer at Northern Valley High School in Old Tappan, NJ. Cooke averaged 25 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks and looked primed to make a splash in the NBA. But just two years later, Cooke found himself playing ball not for an NBA team, but for the Shanghai Dongfang Sharks.

During an ABCD camp high school basketball tournament run by Sonny Vaccaro in Teaneck, NJ, Cooke’s AAU team went head to head with LeBron James’ team. Cooke’s team had the lead and possession of the basketball. James stole the ball, scored on a fast break and won the game, in a play that introduced the world to the Akron, Ohio born baller who was later featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the cover titled, “The Chosen One.” Many believed that that play was a turning point for Cooke’s career.

Dropping by Scoop B Radio, both Cooke and Cotton weighed in on the NBA’s age requirement that states that a player must be 19 years old or one year removed from their high school’s graduating class.

 “I mean I disagree a little bit,” Lenny Cooke told me on Scoop B Radio.

Added Cooke:

“Because I feel like when you making these kids go to school before they put their name in the draft they should have to do at least 2 years instead of one because two years you got, it take 2 years to get an associates degree. So if you’re just going for one year, it ain’t really benefitting you. You’re still a child. I mean, at the end of the day, one year’s not going to; you know what I’m saying, make you or break you. But at the same time, if you get hurt, you see what I’m saying?  Then you’re done.”

“I just feel that, you know, people shouldn’t be denied their right to work,” Sched Cotton told me on Scoop B Radio.

Schea Cotton added:

“You know, they do a lot of different things, but in tennis and you know, different sports, you see them turning pro at a young age. And soccer and baseball, we could go down the list. But in basketball, its dominated predominately by guys coming out of inner cities of North America and they make a big deal out of it. You know, one year of college is like a training ground for them to go on to the NBA, but like Lenny said: ‘if you get hurt you know, there’s no insurance for the student athlete.’ They need to do something about that, because you earn that scholarship every second of your day in college, you know whether you’re in study hall, whether you’re in individual workouts, the team practice; you know team meetings, whatever it may be. They monopolize your schedule, you don’t even know yourself at the end of the night, you just wanna hit the sack, you know? So things need to change, guys are making a lot of money for these universities as well as these coaches.”

Check Out Cooton Cooke Unedited

Suggested Articles:

The Next Big Showcase’s Cliff Po & DJ Tarzan Making Dreams Reality in NYC & NJ

Scoop B Radio: Turner Sports’ Steve Smith Talks Career & More

The post Scoop B: High School Hoops Legends Lenny Cooke & Schea Cotton Discuss NBA’s One And Done Rule appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony and RESPECT.Magazine managing editor Brandon ”Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Provided By: Ismael ‘Calligrafist’ Sayeed of Calligrafist Photography

The New York Knicks have not played a regular season game since their 114-113 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on April 12, yet they’re still front page news.

Two weeks ago, the orange and blue fired Phil Jackson as Knicks team President. Over the weekend, former Cleveland Cavaliers GM David Griffin removed his name as Jackson’s successor. According to ESPN reports, Griffin had difference of opinion with Knicks ownership over how much control he would have over basketball decisions.

The icing on the cake?

2013 Knicks draftee, Tim Hardaway Jr., played the role of prodigal son after averaging 14.5 points and 2.3 assists in 27 minutes per game as a part-time starter for the Atlanta Hawks. Last week Hardaway Jr. signed a four-year $71 million deal with the Knicks. Despite that signing, online sportsbook TopBet predicts crosstown rivals Brooklyn Nets will finish next season better than the Knicks.

This ushers in the question: Was Tim Hardaway Jr. brought back to the Knicks to replace currrent star Carmelo Anthony?

If that is the case, Hardaway Jr. will have a lot more fun playing under current Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek than he did playing under former Knicks coach Derek Fisher. My sources told me that during Hardaway Jr’s first stint in New York, he bore the burden of being the son of NBA legend Tim Hardaway Sr. I’m told both both Fisher and Hardaway Sr. weren’t the best of friends during their playing careers in the 90s and at times Fisher took that frustration out on Hardaway Jr.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, before being fired as team president of the Knicks, Phil Jackson openly discussed his want to ship Anthony to another team. Anthony, for the record put up decent stats, averaging 22.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season. It has been widely reported that Anthony, who has one year remaining on his current contract, is willing to waive his no-trade clause if he’s dealt to the Cavaliers or the Rockets.

On Sunday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, reported that the Knicks have a “renewed willingness” to make a deal that would send Anthony to the Houston Rockets following their acquisition of Hardaway Jr.

Anthony has always contended that New York is what he loves since arriving to the Big Apple in a blockbuster trade with the Denver Nuggets in 2011.

Before signing his five-year, $125 million max deal with the Knicks in the summer of 2014, Anthony sought out the services of brand strategist and consultant, Ben Ricciardi. Ricciardi, the CEO of the Burbank, California based Times 10 brand agency, has been trusted to spearhead roll-out brand initiatives with everyone from Adidas, Nike, the Houston Rockets’ James Harden and others.

In an interview with Scoop B Radio on Friday, Ricciardi, an expert and trusted authority of late via his expert analysis about Uber’s ousted CEO Travis Kalanick said that in 2013, he suggested to Anthony that he needed to show his connectedness to New York City through visual campaigns via social media. After all, Anthony was born in Brooklyn and lived in the borough throughout his teenage years before moving to Baltimore.

#TBT a couple of years ago this commercial with @carmeloanthony helped us grow to a whole different level. Big shout out to @whoischristianvazquez! Also amazing job by to business partner and CCO of @Times10 @mistermichaeladrian. #bentimes10 #carmeloanthony #times10

A post shared by Ben Ricciardi (@bentimes10) on Apr 6, 2017 at 6:57pm PDT

Last week, a video clip of Anthony’s workout with his trainer, Chris Brinkley littered the internet. The video showed Anthony running in the park at 2 A.M. Also last week, another video clip showed interim Knicks President Steve Mills and his Knicks staff chuckling at Anthony’s workout while seated and watching hoops at the NBA’s Orlando Summer League. ESPN’s Ian Begley stated that the Knicks declined to comment on the matter, making it difficult to know what, exactly, was going on at the game.

Knicks executives laughing at Carmelo’s workout tapes is all you need to know about that situation pic.twitter.com/43oGvgf278

— 12up (@12upSport) July 2, 2017

While that drew attention, Anthony’s on-camera off season routine is nothing new. Anthony’s ‘Define Yourself,’ a campaign that detailed how Anthony was changing his body and changing his shape was a fan favorite. According to Ricciardi, the concept all began over lunch with Anthony. “I’m hearing how hard he works and he’s working all through the night, every day on his game, on his body and redefining himself,” Ricciardi told me on Scoop B Radio.

Check out Ben Ricciardi and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio

 

“I went to him and said: ‘man, like, the world doesn’t know this and the world needs to know why you’re staying in New York.’ You were born in Red Hook and you grew up in Red Hook until you were 13 years old. Everyone thinks of you as a Baltimore kid, but really you’re a New York kid and this is your hometown, and you were raised in Red Hook.”

Ricciardi added:

“Secondarily, people think of you as lazy, they think of you as not working hard and I’m seeing you grinding on your shot, working every day, working with your coaches, working with your trainers, we need to get that out there to people.”

The experiment worked. Anthony’s workout routine has been legendary. In the summer of 2014, he shed about 30 to 40 pounds by cutting carbs and meat from his diet and dedicating to his workout routine. “It wasn’t more about my diet, it was more about the training that I was doing and really pushing myself to that limit,” Anthony told me after his weight loss.

Anthony has been adamant about his loyalty to the Knicks over the years. He told a room full of kids at his annual ProCamps basketball camp: “My window is closing, so I’m trying to get this championship to New York ASAP.”

Ben Ricciardi. Photo Credit: Instagram

Ricciardi and Anthony also collaborated on a visual called ‘This Is Why I Stayed,’ a visual that explained why he chose the Knicks over the Houston Rockets and other teams who were courting Anthony back in 2014. “That piece came out incredible and actually ended up being played Opening Night on all the jumbotrons at Madison Square Garden after the first timeout.”

A six time NBA All Star, Carmelo Anthony, 33 was the NBA’s scoring champion in 2013. Anthony holds the record for the most points scored by a Knick at Madison Square with 62. He’s also a three time USA basketball Olympic gold medalist.

The hardest part of working with Melo may surprise you: “He goes back and forth whether he wants people to see stuff or not,” said Ricciardi. “The stuff came out amazing but he’s always wishy-washy, which you get from celebrities, athletes and people like that. One day they’re all excited and gung-ho and then the next day they’re like: ‘I don’t know if I want the world to see this.’”

Suggested Articles:

The Next Big Showcase’s Cliff Po & DJ Tarzan Making Dreams Reality in NYC & NJ

Scoop B Radio: Turner Sports’ Steve Smith Talks Career & More

The post Scoop B: Meet Ben Ricciardi, The Brand Strategist Who Pushed Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony To Boast His NYC Roots appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.