Rapper CIU from Atlanta brings some “chainlink fence energy” to your ear with his joint “Put it on the Line.” So far it has received close to 200,000 views on youtube. The NBA’s finest are featured attacking the rim and finishing bodies with style.

Don’t get the video mixed up with the rawness produced by NYC’s Percee P., who has logged crazy production time with several hip hop legends based in NYC.

From Lou Richie in Oakland, California:

Lend a hand by donating shoes today. The earthquake in Haiti is a reminder of just how fragile our world is. In response to the devastation that affected so many, Triple Threat Academy’s ‘Project Shoe Assist’ is partnering with Soles4Souls and Sports Chalet to lend a helping hand.

Starting today, our Bladium (Alameda) and 24 Hour Fitness (San Ramon) locations will be accepting gently worn men’s, women’s & kids’ shoes until Saturday, January 30th. We only have 10 days, so please act fast. Please tie all shoes together before dropping off. Read More »

With Bobbito writing about his recent visit to Senegal, we figured it high time to revisit Marshall Cho’s charitable efforts in Mozambique. After the completion of the Bela Rosa Community Court in Maputo, Cho helped orchestrate a trip that brought four-time Olympian Teresa Edwards and NBA Champ Tracy Murray to Africa along with members from the Department of State for a dedication event at the Bela Rosa court and fundamentals clinics.

The duo blogged about their time spent in Mozambique here!

Read More »

Maybe the best French streetball player of all time (don’t forget Mo’ Sonko) signed a contract with CB Murcia this week. Everybody remembers Sy beating cats like Erron Maxey and Junie Sanders to get the crown at L.A. in the Nike Battleground King of the World. Since that day, Amara has played in France and in the D-League, searching a spot in the League. Read More »

Kemba Walker will admit it.

The kid they call EZ Pass hasn’t been operating UConn’s offense the way CT folks envisoned the Rucker Regular would the past few weeks, and UConn’s three-headed mauling machine of Walker-Stanley Robinson-Jerome Dyson hadn’t been leading the way they were supposed to during the program’s first three-game slide in three years.

“(Coach Blaney) told us (Walker, Dyson, Robinson) we’re the big three on this team and he wanted us to take the leadership role,” said Walker.

“All three of us haven’t been doing a great job with it, but lately throughout practice, we’ve been talking to the guys and trying to get them to step up.” Read More »

photo: slamonline.com

Basketball, broken down to its simplest compound, is about scoring more buckets than the team you’re playing against. The Semi-Automatic refers to players who leave bodies in their wake with their innate ability to get buckets. And from the minute he stepped onto Georgia Tech’s campus in ‘82-’83, until his eventual retirement from the NBA in ‘98, William Mark Price did the thing with pure excellence. Ask any seasoned playground vet with a street pedigree or one of the winningest coaches of all time and they’ll tell you the same.

In the early to mid ’80s, I began paying serious attention to what head coach Bobby Cremins – an exuberant, white-haired, passionate native New Yorker in his 30’s – was building in Atlanta at the Georgia Institute of Technology. A 7-foot Brooklyn cat named John Salley, who tore it up at Canarsie High School, was doing his thing out there along with a guard from Harlem named Bruce Dalrymple. I couldn’t resist the New York flavors and watched those teams every chance I could. And each time, I walked away more and more impressed with a kid from Enid, Oklahoma, who stood a shade under six-foot. Read More »

The CEO’s of the 3 Stripes Campaign: (L to R) Blake “Bless” Henderson, James “Cali” Callaham & Jack “DJ TouchBasis” Tell

“Throughout our lives, we have developed a strong love for the Adidas brand. Not only have we fallen in adoration with the style, but the true belief that “Nothing is Impossible”. As supporters and faithful customers of the fashion and sportswear brand, we each have become a walking and true testament to the upstanding motto of the company. Despite our struggles, trials, and tribulations within our personal lives, we have persevered and overcome each obstacle presented, untarnished and with lessons and accomplishments to show. Because we truly have a connection to the originality and creativity that is the foundation on which your company was built, we have established a “3 Stripes Campaign.

During my collegiate tenure at Norfolk State University, I’ve encountered and interacted with many individuals from different states and countries. Fortunately, I got to know three guys: James “Cali” Callaham, Blake “Bless” Henderson and Jack “DJ TouchBasis” Tell. We interacted with each other until we all had the pleasure of walking across the stage on Graduation Day. Read More »

This from UNDRCRWN’s Kari Cruz:

Haiti was hit by a second earthquake this morning (measuring 6.1) as the country reels from the devastating 7.0 earthquake only eight days ago. Last week’s quake killed an estimated 200,000 people, left 250,000 injured and made 1.5 million people homeless. Out of respect for those who have lost loved ones, their shelter and life’s basic necessities UNDRCRWN joins the rest of the world in grieving the tremendous losses to the people of Haiti.

Starting today, UNDRCRWN releases the “Assist Haiti” T-shirt for the Haiti Relief Effort. 100% OF THE PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED to YELE HAITI which is the organization supported by Wyclef Jean. Throughout the week of January 20th through January 27th, UNDRCRWN will also be donating 5% of their total web sales to YELE HAITI. The shirts retail for $20 and are now available at UNDRCRWN’s digital shop

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On a more personal note, I became fascinated with Haiti’s windswept Atlantic voodoo charm after reading a piece written by Mischa Berlinski about zombification in the country. I was considering a visit there this summer. I hope he’s alright. Here’s a link to the article: Into the Zombie Underworld.