Billy Rieser aka White Jesus The Latest / Mar 25, 2009 / 10:01 am

By Ali

In Bounce Magazine’s phenomenal White Issue, #14, we examined and paid homage to our caucasion brethren that made an impact on the NYC asphalt and had the streets on fire. One of our featured legends was Billy Rieser, aka White Jesus, whose slam dunk repertoire and flair will forever be honored in the annals of our history and culture. He enjoyed rock star status while at the famed Benjamin Franklin High School where he would scrimmage against underclassmen like Walter “The Truth” Berry and Richie “The Animal” Adams. Bill put in work as a young buck on the asphalt with, and against, other royalty like Herman “Helicopter” Knowings and Joe “The Destroyer” Hammond. Bill has released a new book that illuminates his journey from the asphalt of East Harlem to his renewed life and sense of purpose through Christianity. In the trailer above, he gives us a brief teaser. I just received my copy and can’t wait to read it through.

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7 Responses to “Billy Rieser aka White Jesus”

1. March 25th, 2009 at 11:36 am

   Steve Lyon says:

   I’m the Editor-in-Chief at the publishing company responsible for Bill’s book and when I first heard his story 3 years ago, all I could think was ‘Wow.’ Hope everyone who reads it has the same reaction–and that you find his journey from ‘legend to something so much more’ genuine and authentic.

2. March 25th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

   ali says:

   steve,

   i was the fortunate writer assigned to assemble the piece that bounce magazine did on bill for our white issue, #14. his story is indeed phenomenal and reads more like a hollywood script that one’s true life story. he’s a fascinating guy with a great story to tell. and i’m glad we could assist him in getting the word out.

   and from a hoops perspective, billy rieser aka white jesus had it goin’ on like hot buttered popcorn! ask anyone who saw him at the laguardia house or on the playgrounds. he was the highest jumping, hardest dunking white fella that nyc ever produced.

3. March 25th, 2009 at 3:12 pm

   Casey Lee says:

   Any footage on Billy Rieser? I smell a documentary if any footage lies intact..

   “White Jesus” –> interesting name considering Christianity’s view of Jesus’ physical appearance as being ‘white’

4. March 25th, 2009 at 6:00 pm

   ali says:

   there’s probably some footage of bill in college. not sure about at franklin or in the parks.

5. March 25th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

   LA says:

   Billy was sick… there are so many legends about him on various runs in NYC and I want to believe all of them…

   he paved the way for this kid right here…

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbaH52JI3So

6. March 26th, 2009 at 8:53 am

   illest says:

   casey lee…you are going down a very ill avenue with that one.

7. March 26th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

   Kenny Patt says:

   I saw him play in the mid 80’s if my memory serves well. He could still dunk with ease then. Think I saw him vs Ice Reynolds, Carey Scurry, Beetle Washington and those guys. Mike Dunleavy sr. had a bro that played in Rucker park at that time as well. EBC was on 139th and Lenox then. These guys were playing in the Pro Rucker , but it was falling off by then.

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