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.
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Last week, N.I.K.E. 1 won its fourth Pro City championship in five years. As UNC-bound Bounce Magazine reporter Trevor Kapp said, “Ain’t no Stopping Us Now” was the perfect song for Dean Murray’s boys this season. Read More »
N.I.K.E. 1 poses following the victory. Photo: Kevin Couliau.
By Trevor Kapp
After Darren Phillip connected on a jumper with two minutes left in the Pro City championship between N.I.K.E. 1 and PDG Queensbridge, the former Fairfield star ran back on defense with one finger the air. DP was simply pointing out the obvious. After a one-year hiatus, N.I.K.E. 1 was once again #1.
Dean Murray’s team defeated 2008-champion PDG Queensbridge, 134-107, Thursday night, giving the team its fourth Pro City title in five years.
“At the end of the day this is the best tournament in New York City and we’re one of the best teams in the city year in and year out. We wanted this and we got it done,” Phillip said. Read More »
Mookie Thomas connects on a free-throw during the first half.
By Trevor Kapp
“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” was the perfect choice for music during halftime of the game between #4 N.I.K.E. 1 and #1 Dyckman. It was an old song for an old team with lyrics that couldn’t have captured the moment any better.
There really was no stopping the 37-year-old Junie Sanders, or 32-year-old Darren Phillip or 31-year-old Tyrone Grant as the veteran-led N.I.K.E. 1 held an unfathomable 35-point lead at recess, eventually defeating the younger Dyckman, 119-107. Read More »
The X-Men defeated PDG Queensbridge in the first game.
As Gold’s Gym center Gordy Malone turned to his team’s bench and shouted, “He can’t guard me. He too little,” in reference to N.I.K.E. 1’s Darren Phillip, DP just stood there with a big smile on his face. Malone’s words might have rattled a youngster, but Primal Fear is too experienced, too shrewd and far too talented. An hour and a half later, he would have the last laugh.
The former Fairfield star drilled a jumper from the left baseline with one minute remaining to give N.I.K.E. 1 a five-point lead and put the game out of reach.
DP finished with 21 points, and Nick Carter and Rob Lewin combined for 44 as the ’07 champs defeated Gold’s Gym, 131-124. Read More »
Miguel “Miles High” Millien hit a teammate with a no look dish for an and one. He altered X-Men shots all night and even drilled multiple 15-footers. The 6-9 high-rising forward is showing he’s more than just a catch and dunk stud, and his all-around play Tuesday at Pro City is the main why Prime Time’s playoff hopes are still alive.
Millien shot 11-for-19, scoring 24 points and grabbing 6 rebounds, as James Ryan’s team defeated the X-Men, 127-121. Read More »
In the first game, the X-Men forced 25 turnovers to defeat Dyckman, 115-94.
Smush Parker, Antawn Dobie, J.R. Coleman and Mike Haynes combined for 81 points.
Adris “2 Hard 2 Guard” DeLeon had 22 points for the Uptowners.
Dyckman vs. N.I.K.E. 1
In the second game, former UConn guard Craig Austrie dropped 21 points and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Ryan Gomes added 18 as Dyckman defeated N.I.K.E. 1, 96-89. Read More »
