Castro posing for upcoming show America's Next Sports Star

Four months ago, we featured Courtney Castro as one of New York’s best-kept secrets. Since then, he’s lit up tournaments like Hoops In The Sun, Rodney Park, and the upstart Lower Manhattan Classic. Castro has taken his game to the pro-level and even explored the Hollywood scene. He’s no longer a secret!

“Winning MVP at West 4th Street was the highlight of my summer last year,” Castro said. “Before that, people thought I was one-dimensional and I proved them wrong. A lot of guys never thought I had a pro-type of game either, and now I’m trying to prove them wrong too.”

This past July, Castro was recommended through a friend to tryout for a movie roll in the upcoming movie Just Right, which stars Queen Latifah and Common. He beat out some 300 other hopefuls and said something about the role felt right from the jump.

“The casting directors told us that we’d be competing for a chance to be one of the main extras in the movie, as Common’s teammate,” he said. “I made it and there was a lot of different scenes but it’s ball, so it’s familiar to me.”

Castro and the cast ran designed plays scripted for the movie. During some of the on-set drills and pick-up games, Castro’s natural knack for the game shined enough that he caught the eye of one of the Nets trainers. By the end of the shoot, Nets head coach Lawrence Frank approached him and invited him to workout with the team.

“Just to even talk to an NBA coach was a blessing,” Castro said. “I know a lot of guys that deserve a chance like that but never got it. Coach Frank was mad cool too, he was really like one of the fellas.”

From Sept. 21-25, Castro tested his skills against Terrence Williams, Keyon Dooling, Jarvis Hayes, the artist formerly known as “Skip” and NBA All-Star Devin Harris. He’d seen his share of NBA guards before but never a whole roster, so he admitted that he was a lil shook at first. However, it didn’t take long for the fan to disappear and the go-getter to come out.

Castro spent that week not only fitting in with, but actually impressing the players and coaches alike. Doing simple things like diving for for loose balls (pause Bobbito), playing great defense and boom, bye-bying pros with his automatic three-point range let them know he wasn’t the average “If I only had a shot” player. Showing up for practice two hours early to work on drills and get up shots let the team know he was hungry for real.

“I spent most of my time talking to the coaches, and they were really encouraging,” Castro said. “They basically said I was doing fine and to just keep doing what I’m doing.”

Castro earned a lot of respect but the Nets had 15 players under contract, so there just wasn’t a spot for him this time around. He didn’t get an NBA contract but he learned a lot about himself and the game he loves.

Castro chased his dream of earning the right to sit in this chair. Don't be suprised if you see him there soon.

“This experience taught me that I can play at this level. I know I can hit an open shot, I can defend and those are my specialties,” Castro said. “If you have a specialty, take advantage of it. If you’re a point guard, make passes, don’t try to be a shooter. If you’re a shooter, don’t try to be a point. Just do what you do best.”

Along with spreading love, facing obstacles and making a way for yourself seem to be part of the Brooklyn way as well. This Brownsville native won’t stop here and is staying focused on his goal. He knows his clock is ticking but stranger things have happened (Mario Ellie, Bruce Bowen and Jamario Moon were all late bloomers when they made the jump).

“My time is coming,” said Castro of his NBA chances.”Once I play overseas and show my skills, it’s a wrap after that-I’m wrapping up the world.”

After word got out about his story, Castro became more sought after than Vinnie Chase on HBO’s Entourage. The New York Post, The Daily News and TV station Brooklyn News 12 came knocking to uncover the kid-called Castro.

“This summer has been a life-changing experience for me,” Castro said. “I’ve had a lot of TV time, articles being written about me and a lot of people are starting to take notice. I just wanna make sure everyone realizes that I put in work. This ain’t no fluke.”

Castro shouldn’t worry that much cause real-recognize-real. Teams from Germany, Turkey and Puerto Rico have all showed hella interest in the Jumpman’s services. He’s also a top contender for a roster spot on the new NBDL team, the Maine Red Claws. Aside from his pro team aspirations, he’s also competing in a new reality TV show called America’s Next Sports Star. The show will air Tuesday, November 3 (Today) at 6 p.m. EST on the sports channel Versus.

On the show, hosted by former Bulls sharp-shooter Craig Hodges, Castro will compete against other unsigned ballers in drills, games and other challenges that display his talent. If he’s the last man standing, he’ll win a one-year contract with a top agency (one that houses some big-name NBA players). America votes on who wins, a la American Idol.

Castro’s on his grind and says he already appreciates the opportunities that he’s earned. It’s been a tough road, but he’s convinced that this is just the beginning.

“I was just looking at my high school tape the other day and I was thinking, ‘Damn, if I played then like I do now, I’d prolly be in the league or in a top league overseas,” he said. “But this long process has made me appreciate the game more. Instead of it being like, oh I’m only gonna play for the money, I’m playing because this is what I love to do.”

Castro also explained what keeps him going.

“Just to say that I made it. Playing in the NBA is my dream and I’ma fight for it,” he said. “I’ve been overseas, but I want to make this my career, be able to retire and start something new. When I’m done hoopin’, I want to start an outreach program to reach out to troubled youth.”

Word-life.

To check out Castro on America’s Next Sports Star log on to:

http://www.americasnextsportsstar.com/