Dribble N’ Dimes

As we proceed... Dominican Season's next episode features Ronald Ramon. On this episode we speak with another Dominican - American who's impacted the Tri-State area brand of basketball. 

Double R played his high school basketball for coach Ed Gonzalez at All Hallows in the Bronx. A Bronx product himself, he grew up around many hoops influences throughout the city, but none greater than his very own father (Ronald Sr.) who was deep into the game as a player himself in the Dominican Republic. 

On this episode we'll learn about the journey basketball has taken him on and what influences helped him along the way.

We get into...

🏀 The Dominican pipeline from NYC to Pitt

🏀 Who Ronald looked up to as he was earning his stripes in NYC

🏀 What led him to a fruitful professional career in Brazil

🏀 How he landed on Jeff Capel's staff at the University of Pittsburgh

Tell a friend... it's your main source for the basketball stories that shape the brand of hoops played and experienced throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut... Dribble N' Dimes! 

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Mix & Mastering courtesy of DJ Trends

He played for the Dominican National team at age 16 under coach Orlando Antigua. As an 8th grader his AAU squad was ranked 20th in the nation and consisted of area phenoms Edgar Sosa, Curtis Kelly and Kashif Pratt. When it came time to choose a H.S. he did it differently and took his talents across the George Washington bridge to Paramus Catholic H.S. There he would play for former Los Angeles Laker Tony Campbell and against many NCAA/NBA pros on his way up the hoops ladder. When it came time to go to the next level he accepted legend John Chaney's recruitment offer and became a Temple Owl.

🏀How the Washington Heights Invitational impacts the community

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Mix & Mastering courtesy of DJ Trends

Back in the 80's the Big East was dominating the NCAA capturing the hearts and minds of hoops hopefuls everywhere. One such standout from the left coast watched in awe on the television as the Orangemen worked their opponents. He was hooked! When it came time to decide where to make his collegiate bones his mother gave her blessing and into the care of coach Jim Boeheim he went.

From there our guest took off! His freshman year he suited up alongside the likes of Sherman Douglas, Rony Seikaly, Billy Owens and Derrick Coleman. A member of the prestigious All Century team at Syracuse this current Oregon State assistant coach is on 2 All-Time lists at Syracuse (games played and points scored). 

He's a proud father of 2 boys (Stephen Jr. and Ethan) who have both played meaningful roles on Oregon State's basketball team.

On this episode, get to know South Central Los Angeles' own coach Stephen Thompson.

You'll learn..

🏀Why this California kid chose Syracuse

🏀The importance of education and how it made it possible for him to overachieve in hoops

🏀The significance the late Dwayne "Pearl" Washington had on him becoming an Orangeman

🏀How he and his teenage basketball teammates dominated in Denmark

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Mix & Mastering courtesy of DJ Trends

Coaches are meant to be some of the most impactful teachers in an athlete's life. On this episode we speak with a legendary NY coach who's touched the lives of hundreds. 

As the head coach of St. Raymond H.S. (Bronx, NY) he rocked the C.H.S.A.A. with powerhouse teams featuring standouts that earned athletic scholarships all across the land. His reputation as a top coaching talent paved the way for him to make the jump to the NCAA as an assistant coach at both the University of Richmond and DePaul. After his tenure in the NCAA he got landed at St. Rita's H.S. (Chicago) where he continued helping talented players maximize their talents.

In his 35+ years, he's had the pleasure of coaching some of New York City's most notable players (many featured on this podcast). Today he's the Director of College Athletics Recruiting, a Guidance Counselor and Head Coach at Gulliver Prep in Miami, FL. With us on Dribble N' Dimes... Coach Gary DeCesare.

Tune in and hear...

🏀Why Gary DeCesare decided to leave high school for the NCAA

🏀How he met Sonny Vacarro (credited with signing Michael Jordan to his first sneaker deal)

🏀How he's reconnected with a slew of former players via Zoom during COVID

🏀How Daon Merritt played a roll in his move to coach in the NCAA

🏀Why he coached NBA players Mitchell Robinson, Mo Bamba, Michael Porter Jr. and Trey Young

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Mix & Mastering courtesy of DJ Trends

Our guest grew up to a single mother in Queens' notorious 40 projects. He played at IS-8 where he made his junior high team, but got too confident too quickly and caught a taste of humble pie early, by missing the cut before entering High School. At Campus Magnet (formerly known as Andrew Jackson H.S.) he made the squad, but didn't quite meet the potential he and others saw he had. 

It wasn't until he got the opportunity to play JUCO for coach Tony Borges at Cayuga Community College that his game peaked. He learned to train his body and skills to improve his game. His journey led him to attend four colleges and come full circle back to Queens to finish up his degree. He's played overseas professionally and together with his wife founded Patient Grind training in an effort to partner with the community to promote and encourage passion in young adults through athletics. He's a published author and standup guy.

On this episode we welcome in Anthony Hodges.

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He was well known throughout the city. Ranked among the countries best coming into High School. Scored over 2,000 points in his middle school days over just two years at St. Helena Elementary. A phenom before there was a LeBron James. He played in the Pathmark Tournaments and packed out gyms wherever he went.

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Mix & Mastering courtesy of DJ Trends

Growing up in the Bronx our guest gravitated to the Gauchos early. With so much exposure to many of the areas' great talents in that 'Chos gym (several from Rice H.S.), it was engrained in him to dawn a Raiders uniform one day.

That goal was met and through it he was able to forge life long relationships with many of his teammates till this day. He never quite received the consistency he needed while a player at Seton Hall or Iona College to showcase his game. However, when those choice moments were offered he took full advantage. 

He's had his share of hard knocks, but as luck would have it was afforded the opportunity to work for Jordan brand. From there he buil strong relationships and today is a sports agent with Unlimited Sports Group, representing professional athletes all around the globe.

Play yourself NOT and listen to the journey of Kashif Pratt on this episode of Dribble N' Dimes.

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Mix & Mastering courtesy of DJ Trends

He grew up in Spanish Harlem and picked up the basketball early. His motivation to play took him to All Hallows, in the Bronx, where as a player he was the floor general and ensured teammates like the late Troy Truesdale ate plenty off his sensational dimes. He's been named on this very show as an inspirational coach by several players who'd touched the Dribble N' Dimes mics such as Randy Williams, Marvin McCullough and Ronald Ramon (to name a few).

Our guest attended Dowling college and after spending some time playing in Puerto Rico, he linked up with his homie (another Dribble N' Dimes alum) Tony Chiles to assist in coaching their alma mater All Hallows. Soon Tony would depart and that would set off decades of head coaching for our guest.

Today he sits at the helm of the Bishop Loughlin Lions basketball team as their head coach. As a coach he's done some extraordinary things like: Had 8 out of 10 - Twenty Win Seasons, helped kids earn 10 Division 1 scholarships and in a 10 season span racked up 4 city championships, 6 Brooklyn/Queens CHSAA finals appearances (with half of those ending in championship trophies).

He recently suffered a brain aneurism that left us all stunned, but incredibly hopeful. He's progressing well and aims to get back on the hardwood when he's cleared to make that transition. For now, hear him tell us the journey he has taken through basketball. On this episode, we welcome in coach Ed Gonzalez.

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Mix & Mastering courtesy of DJ Trends

From the swag filled streets of Harlem World USA this man took on all naysayers to achieve the dream of many by being drafted into the NBA. Prior to completing that feat this lanky phenom made a name for himself all across the ACC as a ferocious member of NC State's Wolfpack. While there his name rang as he led his team to countless victories against many of he league's top talent.

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This man hails from the same stomping grounds as New York legends Kenny the Jet Smith, Kenny Anderson and Hip Hop icon N.O.R.E. 

In those Lefrak city streets he honed his skills, competing against some of the best to do it out of the Q borough. Our guest was mentored by Vincent Smith through the Aim High program. He made his bones and earned a spot on the Monsignor McClancy H.S. basketball roster. He would go on to excel and through some trials ended up playing at and graduating from Texas State University. 

After graduation he remained close to the game and decided to start his very own national scouting service named Basketball Illustrated Sports. Through his service he provides over 150 college programs with his detailed observations of basketball's up and comers.

On this episode, we gets busy learning the story of Dain Ervin.

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Mix & Mastering courtesy of DJ Trends