About twelve years ago at Vancouver’s Kits Beach courts, I had the opportunity to meet an energetic, tempo pushing point guard named Joey “King Handles” Haywood. Although younger and smaller than anyone on the court, King Handles had a blend of confidence and arrogance that would serve him well throughout his future. Inspired by his older brother Gary and a ball handling wizard from volume 1 of the AND1 mixtape series by the name of Skip To My Lou, Haywood learned to play the game with a passion and flare. After trailblazing through the US and Japan as part of NOTIC, AND1 and YPA ball crews during the early part of the decade, I recently had the chance to catch up with the BC point guard… who is currently averaging 25ppg and 6apg in approximately 37 minutes of floor time for the Saint Mary’s Huskies.

*I was hoping that the perfect time to drop this piece would be Sunday evening after the Huskies advanced to the CIS Championships, however they were knocked out by St. FX in the AUS semi-final 79-78. Despite the loss, Haywood was named to the AUS First Team All-Stars for the second straight year*

Fast forwarding to his rookie year at Langara College, a young Handles found himself in a different type of hoops battle, as his style and attitude clashed with his coach. Leaving the program halfway through the season, because of the conflict, Haywood looks back now and believes that everything happened for a reason, one which lead him to the opportunity to grow as a person and travel the world, learning about different people and cultures that would have an impact on who is he today.

SL – Hitting the streetball scene at an early age, you created quite a stir for a city that wasn’t ready for that style. Why was the streetball game not as accepted in Vancouver as it was in the US and overseas?

JH – It wasn’t accepted in masses right away. The younger crowd enjoyed it, but the older guys kept wanting us to stick to the fundamentals. HOOP IT UP gave us a big crowd, whether they liked us or not, we still got a crowd, which in the end gave us our name and status in the city. Vancouver wasn’t ready for us at the time, which was too bad because we (NOTIC) were a group of kids trying to stay out of trouble and just do our own thing with basketball. It was funny because while we had a large following of youth and young adults cheering us on for our tricks, at the same time we had people trying to knock us down because we weren’t fundamental enough for them. Unfortunately most of the guys don’t play a lot of ball anymore, but it was crazy while it lasted, we were celebrities to some people, doing more than what other kids our ages were doing. It was cool, but some of the Notic crew didn’t really grow from it basketball wise. Vancouver is more of a fundamental basketball culture and it was a huge change that we brought to the city.

It was the same streetball fame that brought a cloud of darkness to the young pg’s “kingdom” as comments were made in a SLAM magazine piece, outlining his feelings on the streetball circuit, basketball race and how the game was viewed in Vancouver. Looking back on the article now, Haywood admits that he was just really mad at basketball in general and the city he lived in. Despite all his hard work and efforts, he felt that his style wasn’t accepted by the coaches and fans. After trying out for numerous “elite” and “provincial” teams and in his opinion not only handling (excuse the pun) his own, but dominating others, he was left off rosters.

Being a self described “hothead”, Haywood looks back at the fact that a number of people offered to help him on his basketball path, but never came through with their promises, leaving him to create something of himself on his own. In his early twenty’s Haywood started to understand the importance of increasing his fundamental skills, but as a 17-18 year old, some positive direction would have been appreciated. Although as he says “he did not intend to piss anyone off with the article”, even today Haywood doesn’t really regret stating his opinion as he, like many, believe that things happen for a reason and that maybe if he didn’t speak his mind at the time, it wouldn’t have opened not only other people’s eyes towards him, but more importantly his eyes towards what would be best for his future.

Taking advantage of the both the moment and his abilities, King Handles hit the larger scale streetball circuit with the YPA and AND1, along with a tour of Japan. Brought over by the P-Players crew, the different opportunity to check out different cultures and talent was something too good to pass up, and something that may not have been available had he not left Langara. In an environment described as far more advanced than North America, be it through academics, technology and what was even more surprising on the basketball scene with players laced head to toe in all the freshest gear.

SL – Did you ever see yourself playing a starting (and staring) role for a university team, averaging 25ppg and 5 apg, after your struggles at Langara?

JH – Honestly, I didn’t think that it would happen, but because I didn’t see a financial future with the streetball circuit, I needed to make a decision. AND1 wanted me to sign in 2008, but I really wanted to go to school and get my future set. Whether I have a future with basketball professionally down the road or not, I needed to make sure that I had something to fall back on for myself and my family. It’s funny though because right now I’m doing some of the same things that I was at Langara, just on a smaller scale. I am still playing with the same energy and passion, from time to time you might see a couple of quick crosses, but this time I’m nailing the jumper, whereas before sometimes people thought I just wanted to clown someone.

Over the past couple of years, Haywood has parlayed his talent and opportunity at St. Mary’s into becoming one of the country’s elite floor generals and would like to pursue his goal of playing at the professional level, however this time around he knows that there is still some work left to do. I asked Joey to give his thoughts on some of the doors that may have been opened to him.

Overseas – If the money was right, I might go, but it would need to be a situation that would help me be financially secure for a while. I could go back to school after I am finished or take summer courses, but if it wasn’t something that would give me security, I would rather finish my time here at St. Mary’s and get my psychology degree.

Globetrotters – I don’t know about joining the Globetrotters, they are cool and everything, but I want to move on completely from the streetball style to play legit, professional ball. The Trotters are a great squad, but that time has passed me.

Canadian National Team – Any opportunity to play for my country is a good thing. I had a chance once in 2008, but at the time my focus was elsewhere. Again, I don’t regret it, but if I am given another opportunity, I will definitely not pass it up. It is one of the reasons why I went back to school. It certainly help me get some exposure for my game to the professional leagues, as well as helping the team get to that next level. As of now I haven’t heard anything official from Team Canada, but I did have a chance to speak with the team from Trinidad and Tobago, which I would love to go play for if I can’t get on with the Canadian program. It would be an honor to represent for my parents home country.

While many hoop fans were introduced to “King Handles”, few have met Joey Haywood. Although focused on his future, Haywood has not forgotten his past or what has gotten him to this point. ” It’s a new Joey Haywood, I think King Handles is the old me, and while you might see a glimpse of him every now and then, I have a better understanding of what it takes for me and my team to be successful”. ” I want people to see me for the all the hard work that I have put in and that I am proving that I can do more than just streetball”. About five or six years ago, one might have walked into Bonsor Community Centre, or strolled along Kits Beach, and found Haywood working on tricks to better his chances of getting on with YPA or AND1, but over the past couple of years, Haywood has traded those tricks in and has focused on working on knocking down pull ups and three pointers on a consistent basis. “I don’t think I’m satisfied with where I am at right now, I don’t think that I am ever really going to be satisfied with my game”. While many have spoken those same words, few have worked as hard to change their game and live up to the statement.

During that one sunny day at Kits Beach, I met “King Handles” and over time I watched him from a distance, at times baffled by some of his decisions, but a fan of his ability. Last year, I had the honor of playing with the man, the myth, the legend, however this time it wasn’t “King Handles”…..this time I was introduced to Joey Haywood.