photo:si.com
For those who regularly follow this series, you know that this space has been dedicated to some special players, teams, coaches and events that the playground has been instrumental in making possible. For the most part, “The Playground Gave Us…” has dipped into the past. Today, it’s time for some New Jack Swing.
Gilbert Jay Arenas, a.k.a. Agent Zero a.k.a. The Hibachi, represents everything that this blog stands for - heart, struggle, determination and an unwavering strength, desire and belief in oneself forged by coming up on the asphalt.
Born in Florida, where his great grandfather had migrated from Cuba a century earlier, Gil’s teenage mother was ill prepared for motherhood. After numerous run-ins with the law due to a drug addiction, the authorities made arrangements to place the young boy in foster care.
photo: si.com
His pops, Gilbert Arenas Sr., was a fullback for the University of Miami Hurricanes football team when Jim Kelly was the starting QB in ‘80. He’d lost touch with his son’s mother after college but after receiving a frantic phone call in ‘85, he drove to Miami from his home in Tampa to take custody of his three-year-old boy.
photo: si.com
When Agent Zero was seven, he piled into a car with his pops who had appeared on the first two episodes of Miami Vice. They drove to California with visions of Hollywood success and riches through his dad’s acting aspirations. They arrived with a dream, $25 and were homeless.
“We were car people,” Arenas told Fred Barnes of The Washingtonian. Eventually, they found refuge at a YMCA, sleeping on mattresses in the auditorium.
photo: si.com
When Gilbert Sr. interviewed for a job at a furniture store, the boss noticed lil’ Gil dribbling a ball between his legs near the car. The boss happened to be a hoops fan and because of Agent Zero’s yo-yo handles, pops got a job and a loan to get an apartment. Pops then got a second job working the night shift for UPS and managed to get small gigs in movies, tv shows, soap operas and commercials.
At the age of eleven, Agent Zero became a full fledged hoop fiend. He balled after school and became a fixture on the neighborhood courts. When Pops went to work the night shift, Gil snuck out to ball until the wee hours of the A.M.
photo: si.com
His father coached him on a park league team but wouldn’t give him much burn because the other boys were older and bigger. He explained that the object was to win, not to give his boy some burn.
So what did Gil do? He showed up at the next game wearing the uniform of the opposing team and dropped 15 on his dad’s crew.
As a 5′9″ freshman in high school, he hit the park with the rise of the sun each morning and put in work until the other players showed up for their summer league runs. Afterwards, he worked on his game and ran pick-up until way past dark. By his senior year, he was already being called the greatest scorer ever in the San Fernando Valley.
photo: si.com
At the University of Arizona, not many people thought he’d see much playing time on a talented team with Jason Gardner, Luke Walton, Loren Woods and Richard Jefferson. He took the number zero to motivate himself because everyone told him that’s how many minutes he’d play. Lute Olson asked him to redshirt as a freshman, thinking that he wouldn’t beat out starting two-guard Ruben Douglas.
During summer pick up runs, Agent Zero lulled the comp to sleep with nothing but pull-up jimmy’s. When the whistle blew on official practices, he toyed with cats with his penetration and slams, passing, rebounding and propensity to strip the rock and block shots. After a few weeks of getting the Hibachi treatment, Douglas transferred to New Mexico where he eventually led the country in scoring.
photo: si.com
Gil started as a freshman and as a soph in ‘01, led the ‘Cats to the National Championship game against Duke. The next part of the story has become common knowledge - came out early and fell to the second round, picked behind cats like Kwame Brown, Rodney White, Joseph Forte (No Mustard, where you at?), Kirk Haston, Michael Bradley, Jerryl Sasser and Trenton Hassell, among others. Disrespected once again, Gil did the same thing he did at ‘Zona - he binged on dudes.
Two years later he became the most significant acquisition for the Wizards (previously known as the Bullets) since the trade that brought “The Big E”, Elvin Hayes who teamed with Big Wes Unseld for the organization’s only chip in ‘78. Gil has brought an energy, sense of anticipation and electricity into the building not seen since Rod Strickland and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe were running the point for the franshise.
photo:si.com
The Caron Butler, Hibachi and Antawn Jamison three-headed monster? Severe triple-threat! If you don’t really understand, you better peep the Wiz when Gil gets the knee back to full strength.
Want to see the full repertoire in full bloom? Peep the 60 he dropped on the Lakers, where he gave the world’s premier perimeter defender, Mr. Kobe Bean Bryant, 31 in the 4th!
With his multi-millions securely banked, Gil still goes back to his roots every summer. When he first touched down in D.C., he made his way out to the Barry Farms Goodman League (peep Bounce Issue #15 for that Goodman flava).
“Gil told me that in any city, if there’s a top playground league, you have to go there to make your mark,” said Goodman Commish, the hilarious Miles Rawls. “Once he started coming, he started bringing the other Wizards with him.” He also brought the major newspapers and TV networks, who followed him into the PJ’s, giving the Goodman its much overdue light.
Agent Zero showed up in Southeast D.C., one of America’s worst hoods, climbing out of his Lambourghini in the projects with no posse, no security force, no sense of entitlement and no pretension - just a fiend looking for a run. When he ain’t hurt, the Hibachi is out amongst the people getting his playground love on. Check the Hibachi ashpalt technique -
When it comes down to the streets and grassroots level, the Hibachi is relevant Real Deal Holyfield. He’s genuine, no doubt about it. The asphalt game gave him everything he needed to go from homeless kid to worldwide superstar. The game was his refuge, the court was his classroom and the sky is the limit. Enjoy this dude! He’s one of us.
photo:si.com
THE PLAYGROUND IS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT IS THE SOLUTION!
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
fan says:
Don’t forget about the 55 a few days later he gave nash & company in regulation light. This dude is my favorite player in the league. They say he’s a nut and two other guys on his team were able to avg 20+(Not easy). If you were a Lebron fan you were introduced to Agent Zero in that series(WAR). I would hate to see a healthy baron and him anywhere on any court. I pray to see them at hunter college or anywhere in NY ballin. One of the most entertaining players in the league. Get well soon we all miss you.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
PFTB says:
Gil and Ron Artest are two of the REALEST cats in the NBA (you too B.Diddy).Like to see players not afraid to go into the community and let the REAL fans see & touch them.
Good piece Ali.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
funkalot says:
Yo, fan
I have to agree with you about Gil and Baron together. They have caught wreck, especially up at EBC. Gil will put it on folks. He is a certifiable “killa”. Dude is definitely one of my favorite ballers and after watching his “realness” in the video clip, I have profound respect.
Ps. Ali, you must do a piece on Baron Davis. He is the coldest PG in the “L”. Peep the YouTube clips of him handling, passing and dunking. Simply, ridiculous!
Great job, this “Playground Gave Us Series” is infinite. A documentary or book may be in the offing. Hmm, “funk” for thought!
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
fan says:
2nd best scorer in the league behind Jesus Bryant and in Front of politcally incorrect Carmelo Anthony. All are impossible to stop from scoring. 2 Easy Diddy and Bron-Bron finish my list.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
ali says:
hey PFTB,
Gilbert and Ron-Ron are alike in many ways. some say a bit quirky, eccentric but in between the lines, they give it all. and they get their trainin’ on in the parks where people, who can’t afford the duckets to take the fam to an NBA game, can see the world’s best at no cost. Priceless!
People talk about Melo, Bronnie, D-Wade and Chris Paul as the leaders of the new school. I might be wrong but Hibachi is only 25 or 26, not even in his prime. Anybody that averages close to 30 as a pg, while 2 of his teammates are catching 20 plus, money is mad nice. And the boogie in his step, whether it’s a 35 foot pull-up or coming down the lane hard, has the streets written all over it.
Funk,
now you know b-diddy’s got files in “the playground gave us…” archives.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:49 pm
ali says:
hey fan,
i can see why he’s your favorite. he’s worth the price of admission. i’ve seen him at the verizon center and at barry farms and, bottom line, he’s getting his buckets on whoever’s in front of him.
you mentioned the double nickel against pheonix. what about the game winners from beyond the arc, raining down with improbable frequency. when that Hibachi gets hot, step back.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:58 pm
khalfani says:
hes my cousin in law
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Mr. Dimes says:
He’s my homeboy in law lmao
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
bball says:
Is it just me or does Jamal Crawford game resemble Gil’s game in a way just a little more out of control and a little more handle. If he’d tighten up like hibachi he could be as scary or worst sometimes (Check 52 against the heat you tube retarted. He’s stupid on the streets too. Knick 4 Life
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Kenny Patt says:
Only thing that could stop him is injuries (Out until at least dec.).
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:24 am
Dan the Man says:
Another good old good one from Ali ! You should do one on Kermit Washington former Laker. He was treated unfairly and blackballed. He deserves another chance. Make it happen Ali!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgqUZ1IAA_8
http://thestartingfive.net/2008/07/30/kermit-washingtons-remarkable-redemption/
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:21 am
Mizzo says:
Nice deal on Gil bruh. Will definitely be checking back here. This was a very nice read. I’m a writer myself and never knew about his Pops runnin’ the rock for the U. Dude always gives it to you straight in the locker room in a time where some seem to hid behind corporate interests. I should have added Gil to this piece because he’s Black Mustard personified…
http://thestartingfive.net/2008/08/27/black-mustard-a-commentary-on-why-some-black-athletes-celebrate/
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:56 am
ali says:
mizzo,
very nice stuff on the black mustard. i go to thestartingfive.net on occasion and always enjoy the read.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:25 am
ali says:
mr dimes,
gilbert’s my play cousin.
kenny,
the injury situation does give some people cause for concern.
one thing gil’s taken some heat about is his propensity to work too hard, which may not be the best thing for his knee. he’s legendary for being in the wizards practice gym at crazy hours, running steps and working on his game. and the front office was not happy about him running at barry farms the summer before last as part of his rehab.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:45 am
Jaquam says:
yo ali good piece on this one players like gil, kobe,lebron and others are Reason why a NY basketball fan like me doesn’t have a favorite team i like Gil’s competitiveness an attitude that goes along with it because its like with him when he gets way ahead of his opponent he just like gives them hell and his game winners would make the other teams feel like crap he’s unstoppable though and i hope he fully recovers because the wizards need him.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:07 am
ali says:
thanks jaquam,
i love all the nice young fellas in the league today but still bleed knicks colors. the generation before me had clyde, bradley, willis reed, earl “the pearl” and those great red holtzman coached teams.
my generation had the incomparable bernard king, the only man that dominique wilkins said he feared on the court. the next generation had some very good teams with patrick, mase, oak, doc rivers, derek harper, allen houston, sprewell and camby. although those teams never won the big one, the garden was still hot like sauce.
i love gil, chris paul, bronnie, melo, d-wade and the all the talented young fellas, but i’m still waiting for the knicks to make it back to the top of the mountain. it’s hard being a knick fan.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 am
Jeremy Ripley a.k.a. Cheesecake says:
My favorite story from Gilbert’s trying hoops tapestry is when his varsity high school coach told him he’d never be more than a starter on JV. He promptly transferred to the rival school and torched his ol’ team in-season!
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Mizzo says:
Thanks Ali. Keep pumpin’ bruh.
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:50 am
ali says:
yes jeremy,
that’s a perfect illustration of how, when he feels disrespected, agent zero comes out in full effect. his pops didn’t give him any run, so gil suits up for a rival park team and torches his dad’s crew.
And when the varsity coach told him he’d reached his ceiling as a freshman on the jv squad at birmingham hs, gil transfers to ulysses s. grant which was ways away in terms of commuting. But he started on varsity as a soph at grant and was voted LA All-City and conference player of the year 3 years in a row.
so think about if he took that coaches word as gospel. goes to show that it just ain’t the physical skills. kwame brown, the #1 pick in gil’s draft has all the physical tools. and i’ll leave the rest up to you.
It’s about hard work, attitude, will to win and other intagibles that lift certain people to greatness. wonder where that coach is now, the one who told him he’d never play varsity? probably an advisor to the McCain campaign.
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Blk Caesar says:
Good looking on the Hibachi joint… I have made one of my “got hoops will travel” trips the last 2 out of 3 years for the Cavs vs. Wiz playoff showdowns and man watching him and Lebron go at is something. Gil shoots from Chambers Street effortlessly.. I can appreciate anyone that continues to work at being great despite naysayers.. I am concerned about his injury problems though.. He’s out till December but I am fearful he may not fully recover.. Didn’t Gil drop that double nickel on PHX b/c D’antoni was one of the coaches that cut him from the US squad.. I think I remember reading Gil saying he was going to give the business to the teams who coaches were associated with the US team.. Even mentioned he wished he could play against Duke again or something like that.. Gotta love a dude like that!
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
ali says:
blk ceaser,
gotta love a dude like that! no doubt. he gave it to phx because he said he was gonna give it to the whole team usa coaching staff. and remember when larry brown was destroying the knicks and his reputation, think it was ‘05, didn’t vote for gil on the all star team. hibachi killed ‘em, started off scoring like 15 points in the first 6 minutes. every bucket,he looked at lb like he had three heads while the wizards were hysterical. afterwards he called it a vendetta game.
what people don’t know is that he does some phenomenal stuff with kids. money, time, all of it spent unselfishly. cats see him walking around downtown washington, or riding his bike through rush hour traffic. people love that dude in DC.
and i would tongue kiss a piranha to get courtside seats for a playoff game between the wiz and cavs, to see agent zero and bronnie go at it.
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
PFTB says:
Ali,
Even if we took basketball out of the equation,Gil is a special person.Strong mentally, he didn’t let the doubters stop him from being where he is today.This is a man who could’ve easily said “I guess y’all are right”
But he knew what talent he possessed no matter what others thought.Basically Gil would’ve been successful no matter what career path he took.Just because of his mental strength and confidence in himself.
Qualities that only a few have.He’s worked for everything he has and these are the guys you like to see get paid,cause they deserve it.
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:47 pm
ali says:
i couldn’t have written it better PFTB. and i think those qualities shine through with gil and others like him. that’s why they have an impact on people.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
yo, that clip of him at barry farms was the best, even if it was repetitive (sorry, can’t help but be an editor) . . .
honestly, i get tired of reading the whole ‘well, they slept on me so i used that as fuel . . . ’story, as it’s documented time and time again, year after year, from high school, college to pro. in his case though, it’s refreshing cuz the way he comes back is incomparable. ill props to gil, man. y viva Cuba libre!
September 27th, 2008 at 7:08 am
dj ho says:
hey ali, u have to give us a playground gave us white chocolate now that he’s retired.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Dan the Man says:
Ali
Check out the Earl the Pearl giving advice to Agent 0 at the 3:57 mark !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA-wUzA18lk