Brooklyn Bred, Harlem Raised, “God Shammgod” Has Arrived
This story starts long before a packed crowd at the Rucker or MSG's Big East Tournament. NYC Basketball Legend God Shammgod was born in Crown Heights, Brooklyn in 1976, when Brooklyn was a drug-infested community surrounded by poverty and gang violence. At the age of 9, Shammgod and his family relocated to Harlem. Harlem was known for its unique influx of urban culture — from art, fashion, hip-hop, and basketball; Harlem World was the place to be.
As a senior Shammgod emerged as a top guard in the class of 1995 leading La Salle Academy to a 24-2 record.
Photo by Ron Hamilton
“I used to tell people, ‘I got the heart of a Brooklyn person, but in my mind, I’m a Harlem person. A Harlem person is about making money, making their life better and becoming better as a person, you know.”
Shortly after arriving in Harlem, Shammgod became influenced by Harlem's wave of culture. He would then meet his first childhood friend that happened to be Mason Betha (Ma$e). Mase became responsible for introducing Shammgod to uptown’s hoop culture, showing him the Harlem way. Everyone knows the role of Hip-Hop and Sports played in urban youth culture, especially in NYC. For the two Harlemites, it introduced them to a vivid dream, a way out of the hood, and immersed them in the culture.
“The first kid I got cool with was this dude Mason Betha, and he introduced me to the culture. Mase was like ... you know how every school got that one kid?”
Millions are inner-city kids turned to hoops as an outlet or a way to make it out of the neighbourhood. Harlem become globally recognized from the early day of Rucker Park. NBA Legends Julius Dr. J Irving, Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would grace the Harlem community with their presence, putting on a show for thousands in attendance. Several years later, Shammgod battled against basketball giants: Stephon Marbury, Skip 2 My Lou, and Alimoe. These games were iconic battles that attracted celebrities such as JAY-Z, Fat Joe, P.Diddy, Dame Dash, and more. This was the culmination of the EBC (Entertainer's Ball Classic).
HARLEM WORLD
In 1997, Mase dropped his first studio album titled Harlem World, the same year God Shammgod made his NBA debut.
The two developed a brotherhood that illuminate Harlem World for many years to come. In 1997, Rapper Mase dropped his debut album Harlem World, the same year Shammgod made his NBA debut. Who thought that two kids from Harlem would make it on the world's biggest stage? Harlem gave birth to one of the most influential rappers of our time, not to mention the start of a legacy called God Shammgod.
The Student & The Teacher
In every neighbourhood, if you were considered the top hooper, you got a different type of admiration, respect, and most importantly, all the young kids would look up to you as a role model. For Shammgod, one defining moment would change the direction of his career for years to come. In middle school, Shammgod's PE teacher was former NBA Champion Nate “Tiny” Archibald. Archibald had a 14-year playing career with the Cincinnati Royals and the famed Boston Celtics, where he won a world championship in 1981.
Photo Courtesy of NBAE Getty Images
“Hey, Mr. Archibald, this is crazy but … did you used to play for the Celtics?” ”
Archibald and Shammgod never got off on the right foot. Archibald came from a linage of old-school points like Earl Monroe, Pistol Pete, and Bob Cousy. One day Shammgod saw his gym teacher Mr. Achibald on VHS and was blown away. From that day forward, Shammgod was open to learning from the NBA legend. Archibald served as a mentor to Shammgod, showing him the value of having a vicious handle, but most importantly, Archibald was planting seeds in future teacher Shammgod.
Class Of ‘95
As a senior, Shammgod emerged as a top guard in the 1995 class. Shammgod was then was named a McDonald’s All-American along with seven future NBA all-stars: Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves), Paul Pierce(Boston Celtics), Vince Carter (Toronto Raptors, Stephon Marbury (New Jersey Nets), Chauncey Billups (Boston Celtics), Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Vancouver Grizzlies), and Antwan Jamison (Golden State Warriors). Some consider that the 1995 class is regarded as the best McDonald's All-American group in history.
CLASS OF ‘95
1995 McDonald’s All-American game featured seven future NBA All-stars.
Following the McDonalds All-American Game, Shammgod’s then got invited to Sonny Vacarro’s ACBD Camp in New Jersey, where he was roommates with a skinny kid from Italy who happened to be Kobe Bryant (rest in peace). The other players would pick on Kobe for being a foreign-raised player that was trigger happy with the ball. After camp one session, Joe Bryant (father of Kobe) asked if Shammgod can show Kobe some moves.
“That was the start of a great, great, great, great friendship between me and Kobe. A bond that’s forever. ”
Picture that, Shammgod teaching Kobe Bryant some of his tricks and working on his crossover... Crazy right! So at 6:00 am, Kobe and Shammgod would be grinding away before camp doing intense ball-handling drills. From that day forward, the two created a bond that was deeper than they imagined at that moment. The realization had come to fruition for Shammgod about the value of teaching the game to the future generation of hoopers.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
From being regarded as one of the best guards to ever come out of NYC, Shammgod reflects on the journey from learning valuable lessons from his mentor Tiny Archibald to him working with basketball legend Kobe Bryant; Everything comes in full circle. After Shammgod’s playing career, which started in the NBA and took him overseas, the Second chapter of his story will continue to write itself; The student has now become the teacher.
Photo courtesy @yahoocanada
“t dawned on me that I really wanted to be a coach. I wanted to help the next generation. ”
Shammgod has committed to imparting his wisdom to the next generation of hoopers. He comes from a long lineage of OG basketball players and has navigated through the trenches when NYC was a war-zone. Shammgod currently serves as the Dallas Maverick's Player development coach, where he takes a hands-on approach with top players such as Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Kristaps Porzingis. Shammgod created a global phenomenon with the addition of the Shammgod crossover, which is arguably the most impactful move in basketball history. From Harlem world to the NBA, the legend of Shammgod continues shedding light on millions of basketball players across the globe. Legends never die!