John “Mookie” Thomas helped lead N.I.K.E. 1 to a Pro City title this summer. Photo: Kevin Couliau.

The first time I heard John “Mookie” Thomas talk, I knew what he was about.

“Terrence! You were supposed to call me at 9. Now I gotta call you back,” is what he left on my voicemail.

He wasn’t really yelling nor was he really mad. The tone in his voice simply said, ‘Yo, young man. Handle ya B-I !’

With many of Crooklyn’s finest calling Mookie an older brother/uncle figure, I guess it was only right that I got the same treatment. Mookie’s all about responsibility and earning everything given to him, which was never more evident than at the Nike TOC.

After being considered heavy favorites, Mookie’s team (Pro City’s N.I.K.E. 1) might as well have been defensive cones against Brooklyn rival, the X-Men. En route to first a round schlaking 89-56, the rest of the team had mentally packed their bags and left the gym a long time before the refs had to issue an impromptu mercy rule (for the fans sake). Even though his team was getting punched, Mookie kept playing and showed just why he’s respected here and everywhere he goes.

With the new Nike T.O.C./Elite 24 game issue of Bounce out, what better time to catch up with one of Crooklyn’s finest?

Most people know how well you did at St. Francis but you actually started college somewhere else right?

I went to Genesee CC first and I played for Bill Van Gundy
(father of “Stan the Stache” and Jeff Van Gundy). Playing for him prepared me for everything.

Word? Sounds like he’s an old school dude, what did he prepare you for and how?

Most of my coaches were great and he was mad cool off the court. But when it was time to practice he took things serious and at first I didn’t realize that. One time he literally kicked me in practice and let me know it wasn’t a game. I straightened up and learned not to play around. He taught me discipline.

Then you went to St. Francis and helped them reach the playoffs for the first time. How’d that feel bring some success back home?

Bigger schools recruited me but I knew I’d play right away there. I was blessed to be in an environment where I helped change the program around.

What was your first experience with pro-ball like?

First I went to play for the IBA with Booger (Smith) and I got cut. I had to take a long bus ride home. I worked mad hard and the next year I went to England and it was cool cuz there was like five other Americans.

After that you went off to Egypt right?

Yea and it was a good experience but it was tough. No one spoke English, no nightlife and it was really just ball all the time. It was a hard adjustment but I made it through and I might head back because we won a chip out there.

How does playing overseas compare to playing in NYC?

The city is fun for me. Overseas is my job and more structured. I play with all my boys during the summer or against them, so it’s just about fun.

Your considered a big influence on a lot of young guards right now. Who were some of the guys you looked up to growing up?

I had a chance to play with Terminator, Booger, Lamont Jones, Vinny Vegas and Diamond. All those guys were players I stole stuff from. Diamond definitely took me under his wing too and is like family to me. I was like 16 when he started taking me to play all over.

So when do you think you became one of NYC’s best guards?

I’m humble to the point where it’s hard for me to even say that. I think I’m one of the best but I think other people say that cuz everywhere I go, I do my thing. Mike Bivins (host of the EBC highlight show) told me I was one of the best gaurds in NYC. Two summers ago, Mousey took me, Junie, DP, Murda and Stixx to Boston for Mike Bivins tourney. I was guarding Delonte West full court for the whole game and we beat them. A few years ago, Mike James was dropping like 30 a game and I shut him down. I respect the game and I never half ass it. When NBA guys go against me, I won’t back down-I just can’t let anybody get the best of me.

Who are some of the players who impress you the most?

Jiggy Josh from Most Hated, (Seton Hall’s) Keon Lawrence impresses me a lot with his composure. Kemba , Dwight and 2 Hard 2 Guard are tough too but Eugene Lawrence is me to a T. I think when I’m done he’s gunna hold down BK. Gary Ervin is pretty good too.

Where does Nike 1 rank among the top teams right now?

Nike 1is the best I’ve ever seen. The best team I was on was Black Wall Street at the Rucker.  The funny thing is, moat of the guys from that team are on Nike1. But Nike1 has to be one of the best teams I’ve seen to date.

After such a great season and another chip at Pro City the only thing I can ask is what happened at TOC?

We just self destructed, they played a half court trap/zone and we were missing two pieces that we really needed, our zone busters, Ty Grant and DP. You kill a zone from the inside.

Your right but…it got so bad that the refs had to call the game and Even Bobbito had to admit he’d never seen a team quit like that. Keep it funky, where u disappointed in your guys in anyway? Cuz at one point, you and Kay were the only ones still playing.

Nah I couldn’t be disappointed because we lost to a great team. I just know if Ty grant or DP would have played it would have been a different game. I’m gunna play hard up 30 or down 30.

Even with that loss, u still think Nike 1 is one of the best out?

Oh yes we are, cuz we beat the best of the best. Hunter is the best tournament out there; it gets no better than Hunter and we won 4 outta 5 yrs.

I feel you. So I know your taking time off from hooping overseas right now, so what have you been up to and where are you going to play next?

I don’t know yet where im going but my times off I just try to stay in the gym.

Kavon Lytch, Mini Mookie and Mookie at Pro City Photo by Kevin Couliau