I remember growing up playing in various tournaments in my neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn. This one hot summer day, I saw this kid by the name of LeVance Fields. I was coming from the store and my man said, “Lee Lee is killin’, son. He’s only in 7th grade too, son.” I said to myself, “He’s next from the hood to go.” As the years went by, his game only further expanded.

In high school, our teams would face-off in epic battles. The Brownsville Recreation Center 16 and under league was no joke back then. It was him and Eugene Lawrence (St. John’s alum and Brownsville native) in the back court. Just think about Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings and Brandon Jacobs of the New York Football Giants in the same back field. The games were always fun and exciting. Also another memory I have is when he shared the back court with Eugene Lawrence, and the front court was Antonio Pena (Villanova Wildcat), Saiquon Stone (Southern Mississippi University) and Terrence Portis (St Thomas Aquinas College) playing in S.T.A.Y. at The Cage on Mother Gaston and Sutter Ave. Fields came from a “crime-ridden” neighborhood where the game of basketball is a gateway for people to make it out. Every time he stepped on the floor as a Pittsburgh Panther, while donning the nickname “General Lee,” he put Brownsville on his back. Even though he went undrafted in this past year, he is still keeping the hood happy with his success on the court.

I recently caught up with and I asked him a couple of questions:

Besides all of the games you’ve played in the high school, AAU and collegiate level, what are your memories from playing in your neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn?

My memories would be just always having to bring my game and prove every time I was good enough to play with the older guys in the neighborhood.

Where you grew up, there were many individuals who were just as good as you. Who else do you think who could have played in a conference such as the Big East?

Some of them past away, but I would have to say John-John and Mike Jackson. For the two people that are alive, I would say Melly and Bucky. (FYI: The guys he named were NIIICCCCEEEEEEEEEEE!)

What was the best team you ever played for and why?
The best team I ever played for was my Pittsburgh Panther team during the 2008-2009 season. The reason why would be because it was the furthest we went since I attended the University of Pittsburgh. We reached #1 in the Country for the first time.

You played in the back court with Jessie Sapp, the former Georgetown Hoya, Brian McKenzie, current Providence Friar, Eugene Lawrence, St.John’s alum, Saiquon Stone of Southern Mississippi and many more in various leagues. Who would you play in the back court with two minutes to go in the 4th quarter?

This is a tough one, but I would play with my man Eugene Lawrence A.K.A Geno.

Why?

Because he is from Brownsville and we are tough as nails!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While watching you play ever since we were young, some people say you can’t shoot. Others say you’re over weight. What got you by on the floor?

I would say my toughness with me being from where I’m from. I’m the meaning of “product of my environment.” Yeah I would say I was a streaky shooter and I was a tad bit over weight, but I still led my team to more wins every year. I was the best player in the country under pressure.

REMEMBER THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where are you at now?

Right now I am playing in St. Petersburg, Russia.

How are the weather conditions out there?

It is cold! It has already snowed a couple of times here as well.

You come from a neighborhood where toughness is a necessity between the lines. What is some advice you can give to some of the little shorties from the neighborhood?

I would just say first off be yourself and don’t be afraid to be yourself and most importantly work hard. It’s like the saying, “if you can believe it, you can achieve it!”

Any shout outs?

I would like shout out the whole Brownsville, “The Middle” of course because that’s where I’m from and to everybody that watched me grow from a boy to a man.