As we know March is an important month for all basketball junkies, from the critically acclaimed NCAA March Madness to the Geico Nationals. The 10th annual National Championships included the top 8 perennial powerhouses in the nation. The Geico tournament has featured some of the best HS players in the past such as: Ben Simmons, Di'angelo Russell, Miles Bridges, Jaylen Brown, and Dwayne Bacon. Most names are pursing their careers at the NBA level. The headline of this year's tournament was future Blue Devil R.J.Barrett Jr. The 6'7 Forward led the Montverde Eagles (FL) to it's 4th Geico national title. The Eagles have commented their dominance all year, ending their season with a perfect 36-0 record. The Eagles defeated The University School (FL) 76-58, R.J. Barrett Jr. had another stellar performance recording a game-high 25 points, and 15 rebounds. With the win Montverde has wrote a new chapter in the history book, becoming the first team in HS history to win 4 national championships passing the legendary Findlay Prep (NV).

“ We’ve only had one goal all year, win that national championship. Nothing else.”

— -R.J.Barrett Jr.

Coming into the Geico Nationals ranked #1, the Eagles had high hopes of making history, also in quest of redemption after losing to La Lumiere (IN) in last year's championship game. This season Barrett Jr. has received national notoriety, which started in the summer of 2017 when he led the Canadian basketball program to a new dimension. He set the precedent for Canada Basketball, winning it's first Gold medal defeating USA. To say R.J. has had a good season is an understatement; Barrett Jr. continues to break barriers being the only Canadian high school player to win an international championship and high school national championship. Over the course of a decade we've witness great Canadian Talent such as: Myck Kabongo, Tristan Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Corey Joseph, and Anthony Bennett. What has separated R.J. for the in crowd is his ability to WIN! In order to cement your prominence in history you will be measured by winning. This is solely what has made R.J. Barrett Jr. special; it's his dominance that he imposes on the hardwood. The future #1 pick in the 2019 NBA draft looks to become the next best think out of Canada.

“It’s my third year I’ve got to leave with a championship! Just for the cultures, we’ve been working so hard and their so passionate about basketball, they do a lot of things other programs don’t do. ”

— R.J Barrett Jr.

In three seasons at Montverde Academy Barrett Jr. has emerged as the #1 prospect in the 2018 recruiting class. He will grace the hardwood alongside top recruits Zion Williamson, Tre Jones, and Cam Reddish at Duke next season; as they look to embark on their special journey at the NCAA level. The 2018 Geico National Championship title signifies the end to a great career and will have a profound impact on the legacy of Barrett Jr. His next goal isn't far-fetched as he sets his mind on " One-and-Done" , concluding his collegiate career to pursue his lifelong aspiration of playing in the NBA. I think its safe to say that R.J.Barrett Jr. is going down in the history books as one of the greatest high school players in Canadian Basketball history. Will he help led a top heavy Duke Blue Devil team pass the elite eight or will they fall short due to their inexperienced recruiting class?? I guess we shall wait and see how things transpire for Barrett Jr. next season.

Athlete: R.J. Barrett Jr.

Special Thanks: Slam High School (@slam_hs), Benshotit (@benshotit),

Who's Next (@whosnexths)

CEO of the Jelly Fam Ja’Quaye James and Co-founder Isaiah Washington has solely changed the culture for New York City basketball. The two guards used to battle against each other in summer tournaments for city supremacy and bragging rights. Now several years later, they've created an illustrious brand in which they've utilized their platform to inspire the youth and hoop community. They have took the city by storm as the Jelly Fam movement continues to expand exponentially across the globe. New York city has been publicly acknowledged for their rich culture of basketball and it’s pipeline to the top tier players. During the summer circuit top players travel throughout the tri-state area competing against NYC's top talent in hopes to gain national notoriety. Ja’Quaye is no stranger to the tough rigors that NYC basketball breeds, he epitomizes grit, determination, and drive one must have to make it out of the concrete jungle.

“Jelly fam started all in my crib, me and zay was sitting there ...I was like we need a group, matter of fact I would join Jelly Fam!”

— Ja'Quaye James

Ja’Quaye has been playing against men since he was in middle school, which transcended his game tremendously at the High school/ AAU level. Last summer, Ja’Quaye left his imprint on the blacktops winning both divisions in the 2017 Dyckman basketball tournament. In the HS Division he took home MVP Honours and in the College/pro division he defended his title. Ja’Quaye has wrote another chapter in his success story by making history in the league, in the last 3 season he has been crown 3 times which includes the 2 championships in one summer. In his last season at Teaneck HS Ja'Quaye looks to leave a lasting legacy and surpass all expectations. He’s become a member of the 2000-pt club; also emerging as one of the top PG in the tri-state area. Ja’Quaye has a natural knack for the bright lights, being the nephew of rap artist “Juelz Santana", Ja’Quaye's been the center of attention growing up. He’s been to observe the evolution of the hip-hop culture with it's interaction to sports. He witnessed the Diplomats at the peak of their careers, which solely influenced his creative mind as an athlete. The music industry also planted the seed to him about being a avid creator and thinking outside the box. To see the Jelly Fam flourish as a prominent basketball movement is quite impressive, Ja'Quaye never seem this happening in one of his wildest of dreams.

“I want the younger kids to keep pushing and you don’t need to follow nobody, create your own wave. The same way we created Jelly Fam there’s gonna be something else after us.”

— Ja'Quaye James

The 6’1 Gopher Guard Isaiah Washington has created a hoop-frenzy throughout NYC with his signature move “Jelly”. The Jelly is a finger roll, others refer to as the most infamous lay-up. “Jelly” originated from Milbank, where Anwar Hannon (Trainer) used to call out “Jelly” as players completed difficult finishes. Isaiah took the word and manifested something greater, now several years later he teamed up with childhood friend Ja’Quaye to start their hoop fraternity and movement. Due to their explosion on social media Jelly Fam has become the topic of discussion in every hoop community, the movement has become nationally recognized, which has shifted the culture of basketball into a creative realm. Isaiah’s Harlem roots and swagger have solely influenced his dominant play on the blacktops, which also has a profound imprint on NYC basketball as a whole. During his senior campaign in HS Isaiah decided that he was going to put NYC basketball back on the map, he could of attended the top prep schools across the nation but decided stay to be a home-grown star. The Harlem native was ranked the #1 prospect in NYC, receiving national notoriety more than any other prospect in the tri-state. This season Isaiah suited up for Richard Pitino and the Minnesota Gophers, during his freshman campaign he averaged 8.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.3 rebounds in 20 minutes per contest. Isaiah is the epitome of a NYC guard with his flash, charisma, and relenting will, he's been named " The Saviour" for NYC basketball. This off-season will be huge as Mr. Washington looks to live of to the weight of a whole tri-state over his shoulders; he definitely has big shoes to fill, as he's the next best thing out of Harlem.

“We’ve been dreaming to go into the NBA since we were kids, so no matter what you were gonna keep working hard, keep inspiring the youth, keep pumping Jelly Fam, and at the end of the day we gon be great.”

— Isaiah Washington

“My favourite part about Jelly Fam is just how much we inspire the youth. A lot kids can’t really look up to people that’s like us, everybody around their neighborhoods are doing things the wrong way. ”

— Isaiah Washington

The Unguarded got an exclusive look inside the story of Jelly Fam, while interviewing Ja’Quaye James (CEO), and Isaiah Washington (Co-founder) they talk about their history with the Jelly movement, while shedding light on their relationship on and off the court. They spoke on the importance of using their creative platform to inspire the youth to come and dropped some gems for the upcoming prospects as well as the hoop community. Here is the video on the Jelly Fam, Ja'Quaye and Isaiah Washington give you an exclusive look at their off-season grind. Be sure to watch!

Athletes: Isaiah Washington (@jellyfam_dimes) , Ja'Quaye James (@jf_g3)

Special Thanks: The Unguarded (@theunguarded), Jellyfam (@jellyfamofficial), (@dyckmanbasketball, (@ESPN)

We Sell Mindset, Not Products

The Golden Moment | 4th Time's A Charm / April 5, 2018 by Hussein Abdullahi

The "Jelly" Way | Pay It Forward / March 27, 2018 by Hussein Abdullahi