There's so much talent in West Memphis, but why don't they get the love they deserve? The lack of access in her town inspired her to migrate to the Big Apple where opportunity is limitless. Life as a filmmaker is something special - especially when you combine it with the game of basketball. Even music played a huge role when it came to her making the decision to move to NYC. She's currently a video producer/editor for Slam magazine, and couldn't be more proud to be apart of such a wonderful group of people. Ciara Ingram sat down with us and discussed her journey as a storyteller and what it means to inspire young women today.

Her mom noticed she wasn't so intrigued with taking piano lessons, so she put her in sports instead. She was the talk around town during her high school days, but got a rude awakening once she arrived at Emmanuel College. Although she faced some adversity, Coach Wentworth stresses the fact that she never quit! We sat down with Coach and spoke about the numerous amounts of opportunities she's received just from showing up and being consistent. She also expresses her love for Seward Park High School where she currently holds the Head Coach position - and also the challenges that come with coaching boys from urban communities. The pandemic put a stop to NYC High School sports this year, but Coach found a way to give her players a season anyway! She then chimes in on women basketball players and how coaches should decipher certain situations when issues occur. Lastly, we discussed the pros and cons of the PSAL and what we can do to improve.

While earning two degrees from NYU, becoming the first athletic director at Harlem Children's Zone, and winning back to back championships as a Head Coach at Promise Academy II, she still isn't satisfied! Coach Jones discusses how the game of basketball impacted her life and how she is empowering young women leaders through her non for profit organization Grow Our Game.

At 27 years old, it makes him the youngest 4-year head coach/athletic director in college history. From Bedstuy, the Brooklyn native sits down and explains his journey and how he got there.

It wasn't the battles against Lebron and Melo that should've allure you, because it was much deeper than that! It was the way he conversed with them - calling Melo over to his section, putting his hand on top of his head, asking him how much he scored in his previous game as if he was his little brother. It was the private charter being sent to him from his guardian Debbie Bortner, after being in the club until 4am the night before an AAU game. And no one told him he was out of pocket - he was "Lenny Cooke" for God's sake! It wasn't who he played that convinced you he was the #1 ranked player in the nation, it was how he was treated - and how he treated others! However, when your ego is bigger than your game (..and boy did he have game!), the results are almost never in your favor.

As far as friends, there are only a few who stuck around and remained loyal. But he still finds himself reaching out to everyone else without feeling the reciprocation.

It was tough entering the draft and not hearing his name called. And it took years to overcome that pain - especially when your son's favorite player is Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony and he's begging you to sit down and watch the game with him. But as time went on, Lenny just had to accept it was over. Now starting his own non-profit organization and becoming the assistant coach at Atlantic City High, he sees life through a different lens. The documentary wasn't a false tale, but he didn't agree with how it ended. Which is why he is now pursuing his book that tells the full story about his life - especially being in a brutal car accident 2 years after the draft that almost costed him his life.

When it's all said and done, Lenny just wants to be the blueprint for kids who want to pursue their dreams through the sport of basketball. And if he can help just one kid, he knows he's doing something right.

His father didn't give him any room to have an opinion yet. He was either washing uniforms, recording stats, or making sure kids got to and from the hotel on time. And he didn't have a choice - it was mandatory! His Dad's approach to the game never seizes to amaze him - which is why he has a difficult time understanding his older brother's (Coach Debo) desire of wanting to be on his own so bad. He's all for independence, but when your father is highly respected throughout the basketball realm, why not take some pages out of his playbook.

Once he stepped into fatherhood, his mindset shifted to finances immediately! Coach worked three jobs which barely gave him time to pursue his coaching career the way he wanted. But with a little advice from his father - and realizing how miserable life was without basketball - he decided to put his all into coaching.

After being the Assistant JV Coach at Monsignor Scanlan High School, and losing in a championship game his first year as the Head Coach of the freshman team - he still feels as though he doesn't get the recognition he deserves. He has a hard time adjusting to the social media era, and it's tough seeing how much praise a person can receive from posting videos on Instagram when they might've not deserved it just yet.

Coach BJ still feels he has a lot more to accomplish, but he is definitely aware of his progression as a basketball coach.

The challenges of being a 19 year old Latino kid from the Bronx only made him want to work harder. He gives all the credit to his grandmother who raised him and kept him away from all the negativity the streets had to offer.

It was 1999 - just days before he was going into the Navy after graduating from Walton High School. His coach suggested he coach a tournament before he went off to serve his country - and the rest is history! "...maybe this is my calling..." the 19 year old said after coming out of his first game victorious.

Due to his battle with scoliosis, he was discharged from the Navy and found himself at his old stomping grounds - LPAC! After winning numerous games and gaining recognition, Vic found himself away from his family more and more - which motivated him to start hiring other coaches who were as passionate as him. There were obstacles however ; when a bunch of men with credentials are in one room it is hard to get everyone on the same page for the same cause. It all worked out in the end though!

With over 1,000 players coached, over 300 championships won, and 4 lifetime achievement awards, Coach Vic finally feels like he is getting the respect he deserves.

If you don't know anything else, you know he bleeds Harlem!

Growing up in the inner city taught him some valuable lessons - even the ones that almost costed him his life. However, he's honest about the education he received from being in the streets. He takes some of those lessons and incorporates it in his restaurant at Cove Lounge on Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem (which he gives all the credit to his sister for). And he also expresses how he adjusted to the pandemic.

It all started at Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club - showing up as a volunteer to later becoming one of the most respected people in the basketball circuit. Having the experience of both a coach and an Athletic Director at numerous institutions has given him some power, but when it came to his relationship with his kids, he found himself having to take the backseat. Even when you and your kid's mother aren't on the same page athletically, there can either be misunderstanding or a lack of communication.

When you see the work he's done with his non-profit organizations (Team New York, #COUNCILHIM, etc.) you have an idea of what he wants to do for his community and who he wants to be remembered as. So saying that...

Coach Billy Council has announced he will be running for Harlem City Council District 9!!!

Let's change the game!!!

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How don't you fall in love with the game as a kid when Kareem Reid is walking in and out of your house, and you're playing video games with Stephon Marbury right before you drive him to a game in a Riverside Church van?

Growing up in Patterson projects will teach you some valuable lessons - but the one that stuck out most for Coach Debo was LOYALTY. "I'm a father to all the kids who don't got fathers!" Whether it be finances, driving a kid to a game, giving advice, or just being there overall, Coach Debo has helped in some way, form or fashion. And being the son of Coach Bingo (founder of Bingo All Stars), those character traits were embedded since birth. But he doesn't do too well with walking in the shadows of others - he appreciates the process of finding his own way. He has a "ride or die" mentality, and he's criticized for it on the court at times.

Speaking of court, Coach Debo had some run ins with the law - but can honestly say that he's retired from the streets and the feeling is nothing short of amazing. His vulnerability about this subject will allow us to understand both the temporary fulfillment, and the everlasting consequences that come with this way of living. When asked what he wanted to be remembered as, he said, "...just a good dude man!"

It was a pleasure!

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He's known for being tough as a coach, but he doesn't wear it as a badge of honor. Looking back on how he handled certain situations, Coach admits he would've done things differently (especially with his own kids). However, his passion for the game is undeniable - and it's when players either don't play hard or play smart that makes him cringe. We can all agree though, that without Coach's toughness and high expectations on the court, his oldest son wouldn't be where he is today. When you google Mark Jerome, his son Ty Jerome (who currently plays for the Phoenix Suns) automatically pops up. Coach speaks on the pros and cons of coaching your own kid and the resources that comes with it. Lastly, coming from a household with mixed parents (black mother, white father), there was never a moment he didn't consider himself black! And when both parents are on the front line of the Civil Rights Movement, the experience and understanding of your culture is on another level.

It has been a long time coming - but it was definitely worth while!

Thanks Coach!

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