DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST BIBLE (S. MARBURY)

SCOUTING REPORT: #STEPHONMARBURY aka 'STARBURY' aka 'THE POLO KING'

"Stephon was the epitome of two things-having no fear, and instant offense. Anytime we needed a bucket, all we had to say was 'Steph go to work!' U could see that he came from a basketball family. Mr. Marbury, and his brothers trusted Dermon & I with Steph from the ages of 9 thru 12. The three brothers were determined to make sure that he made it! Any kid that can pull-up from half court with ease, is a kid that's dangerous. He instantly snatched the other teams confidence when he did that. The kid had the total offensive package, with a basketball I.Q. that was off the charts. His fearlessness, and confidence was totally different. He was a game changer. I knew that he was gonna be a pro at nine years old! Good kid, never talked back. Always wanted to learn. We've had a lot of pros come out of N.Y.C., but Steph was different. I haven't seen a kid like him in a long time!"

Maxwell Cole Sr. aka Coach Bingo
(Stephon's AAU Coach at Young Life & Riverside)

                    THE D.E.N. EFFECT

     What can I say about Steph. The guy was the definition of a #childprodigy. Everyone knew that he was going to be a pro at some point. It was just a matter of time. The way he walked, his swagger, and skill-set on the court was something that I never saw before. Yes, there were other New York City basketball prodigies. When people talk about the legend of #KennyAnderson, and #Jason Kidd-they say the same thing. These guys set trends, and captured the imagination of so many at such an early age. They were different. Extraordinarily special when it came to making magic with that rock. They were destined for greatness. I heard stories about the wizardry of K.A., but I didn't witness it. I lived thru the Stephon Marbury era. The one advantage that he did have, that none of his peers were able to access was the will, knowledge, and the #tutelage of 3 older brothers that were pros in their own right. Don, Eric, and Norman Marbury-AKA the DEN effect. Their will was on 1,000!!! They were driven by the fact that one Marbury had to make it big. When you add that burning commitment to the extreme skill-set that they all possessed, you have Stephon Marbury. Those three deserve a lot of credit! They were gonna give Steph everything he needed from a physical, mental, and business standpoint. Obviously, Steph had to consistently show up and do the work, and deal with the pressure from the critics-so you have to give him credit for that!

                   THE BEGINNING

     1986. That was the year that I met Stephon for the very first time. It was at the Patterson Projects in the Bronx. The Gauchos (Coach Dave Jones is from Patterson) were hosting their Roundball Tournament in the back park. He was 9 years old. Skinny, with a baby face. However, the air of confidence that he walked into the park with was astounding. This is a kid from Coney Island that never stepped foot into one of the most #notorious housing projects in the South Bronx, but it didn't matter. When he was in his #domain-he owned it! Someone asked, "Who's that?" Coach Bingo Cole (Who brought Stephon to the park & coached him with Coach Dermon Player up to that point.) responded right away, "That's Stephon Marbury, the number one nine year old in the country!" From that point on, he was on my radar. Who didn't want to compete against the best player in the country for his age group? I wanted to compete against the best. Starbury (That wasn't his #moniker then.) presented a challenge. We played with and against each other at least 100 plus time. However, being adversaries was the most fun part. Having the assignment of guarding the offensive weapon that he was, is where I #refined my defensive craft, and gained the reputation as a stopper. When you are a weapon, you represent fear to others that are in your #realm. I represented an option for dealing with that weapon. His #alliance with the Riverside Church, and mine with the Gauchos. Arguably the top two AAU programs in the country. In the same city-that in itself is crazy. Here's what you have to understand about Steph's game. The things that you witnessed him do in the NBA wasn't anything new to those that competed against him at this beginning stage. He did all of these things at twelve years old.

             SWAGGER ON A TRILLION

     As Coach Bingo stated in his quote, one area that Mr. Marbury never fell short in was #confidence! Sometimes he might of come across as cocky, or arrogant, but it was just a byproduct of how confident he was in his skills. To be great at anything, you must possess this quality. I don't care if it's a sport, business, or being the best student in the classroom-you have to believe in yourself to the utmost. When you work as hard as Starbury did to be great, that will get your mindset believing that you're better than your competition. That's one thing that I don't think his peers really realized at the time. How hard he worked on his craft. I know I didn't. I just saw this gifted player and thought that it came naturally. The kid worked his ass off. That confidence in oneself can sometimes rub other people the wrong way. Steph knew that it was going to be him or someone else that was going to make it. He wasn't going to tear himself down to make someone else feel good. Off the court it wasn't personal, but on the court he was going to let you know that he was better than you. His brothers understood how important confidence was on the court. They pumped that confidence kool aid into him day in and day out. So how could he act any different amongst his peers and on the court? He was the definition of swagger!

                        THE PACKAGE

     Steph could do anything that he wanted on the court. You can #attribute that to the hard work that he put in with his brothers and on his own. When you're a regular ball player you put in regular work. When you're talking about a prodigy, the magic number is 10,000 hours. They reach that number sooner than anyone else ever will. It takes an unbelievable amount of dedication, focus, and discipline. Regular kids want to hang with friends, play video games, and just chill. It doesn't work that way for a prodigy. They want to master their craft! Steph's #handle was fluent. He could attack the basket, while being under control going in both directions. Crossovers, thru the legs, behind the back, stutter steps, hesitation, and spin moves. He had it all in his bag. Those are great skill, but the historians of the game have seen that before. His #courtvision was #impeccable. He could dominate a game by getting 20 assists-taking only 5 shots. Once again, that was already done prior to him showcasing that ability. His #knowledge of the game was #impeccable. I can envision his older brothers sitting down with him to break down the game of all the great players-watching film together, and breaking down every aspect. The way that he saw the game, and made the right play nine out of ten times was special. However, the other point guard #savants before him were able to exhibit this every time they stepped foot on the court. To be a complete basketball player, you must excel at all of these skills! In my opinion, what really separated Steph from all of the great point guards that came before him and after him was his ability to shoot the ball. That was the game changer for him. #KennyAnderson mastered the pull-up jumper as a young phenom. #JasonKidd wasn't considered a great shooter in high school-he became a consistent shooter late in his career. #RandyLivingston was a dominant, explosive pg that did whatever he wanted on the court. I mention these guys because I have a lot of respect for them. I also bring these guys up because you have to mention them in the conversation of the the top 5 point guards in high school ever! No of them possessed the range, fluidity, and lift that Stephon Marbury had on his jump shot! He was deadly in all three phase-catch and shoot, pulling up out of the pick and roll, and pulling up off the dribble (half court & transition). You have all heard the #legend of him taking one dribble over half-court and knocking down the pull-up with ease. Not once, not twice, but consistently with ease. Not out of #desperation, but because he could. All legend that you hear about isn't always true! You can trust me on this one though, I was there. Fortunately, I wasn't on the receiving end of on of those half court bombs!

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST'S DEFENSIVE STRATEGY:

     The only chance that you had with guarding Stephon Marbury was to make him uncomfortable-that's it! He was to great of an offensive player to give him any space or room to breath. Conversely, you had to stay in his space, and frustrate him. That's easier said than done. Especially if you didn't have a defensive mentality. How do you accomplish this feat? First and foremost, you had to #deny him the ball by any means necessary. Once he got the ball in his hands, you were at his mercy. The game plan has to be to forget about all of the other four players on the floor and just focus on complete denial. It's very hard to do because it takes a ton of physical and mental discipline, but that's the only way. Secondly, you had to be physical with him. Early on in his career, he wasn't as strong as he eventually became in the pros. I used to always try to bump him, and use my forearm to try to wear him down and frustrate him. Hoping that it would take a toll on him physically. Lastly, you had to come to grips with the fact that you were going to get embarrassed at some point in that game. I remember playing against Steph and Riverside one time at Tolentine High School-can't remember the tournament. He shook me to the floor one time, and I got back up and kept playing. You can't let a moment like that break you. Against a talent like that, you will never completely shut them down. You just try to limit their touches, make them take tough shots, and make them work as hard as possible to get the ball. Steph will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play the game from NYC. He had a legendary career. He was the man ever since he was 7 years old. It is extremely difficult to be touted as the number 1 prospect at anything in life, and continue to get better. Say what you want about Starbury, but you can't say that he didn't accomplish that. It was a pleasure to compete against him. He made me better. I hope that he would say the same thing about me. I never told Steph this, but I'm proud of the great career that you had, proud to say I competed against you, and I'm proud to say that we won a gold medal together as teammates! Thank you for being special and showing up every time you stepped on the court!

CONTACT INFO:
1-833-LOCK-U-UP

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST BIBLE (K. THOMPSON)

SCOUTING REPORT: #KERRYTHOMPSON, aka 'GOAT', aka 'The Natural Controller'

  "Goat was the most talented scorer that I ever played with. At age 11, 12, and 13-he was dropping 40's and 30's in unlimited tournaments around our neighborhood. His offensive skills were unbelievable and ahead of it's time. He hit off the backboard shots from deep, and hit the deep range pull-up effortlessly. He also had the layup game with both hands. Goat's scoring ability was unbelievable!"
-Wali 'World' Burgos
(Patterson Legend/Stevenson High School Standout/Writer & Director of "Checklist" The Play) 

  THE TRIANGLE-PATTERSON, MOTT HAVEN, & MITCHEL

     If #BruceSimms was the first person that I had to physically #hone my #defensive #skills (#stance, #lateralmovement, #footwork, #handeyecoordination, #balance) against, then #KerryThompson was the guy that prepared me from a #mentalcapacity. You have to be able to understand the landscape of basketball in the #80's #SouthBronx where I grew up. Three housing projects co-existed within 3 minutes of one another, and 3 #cultures were exploding at the same time. Basketball, hip-hop, and the drug culture were all strong forces-you had to make a choice. Luckily for me, I chose to hoop. I grew up in the #PattersonProjects, Kerry grew up in #MottHaven, and #RodStrickland and the Strickland brothers (Byron & Steve) grew up in #MitchelProjects. The battles that were waged between these 3 projects before I took the stage were legendary! I give you this background so that you can understand how connected, yet disconnect each project was. If you grew up in one of these three projects, you represented that turf so to speak. You played on the courts where you lived, and not in the other hood-unless there was a local tournament.

              ROUNDBALL CLASSIC

     I remember the 2nd Annual #GauchosRoundballClassic like it was yesterday. The year was #1986. Patterson native, and Gauchos Coach #DaveJones brought the #prestigious tournament to the projects. It wasn't just a tournament, it was an outlet for local inner-city kids to do something positive.  It #represented #hope, and a way out!!! Till this day, people still talk about those games. That's when I began to hear the #exploits of this individual named Kerry 'Goat'. We never crossed paths on the AAU circuit, so I had no idea who he was. (I believe Kerry is one year older than me.) That goes to show you how #urbanlegend works. "Kerry had 45." "50 the other day." "55 last week." I never told him this, but the things that he was doing from an offensive standpoint were #mythical. That's when my #mindset started to take over. I didn't know who this cat was, how old he was, or how tall. I just knew that when I laced up against this guy called 'Goat', he wasn't going to score 50 on me. I was going to cut his point total in half. If he was used to getting 50, he was only going to get 25 against me. To an #explosive scorer, that means a lot. That #demoralizes them. It hurts their #ego, and makes them uncomfortable! That was a #pledge/#mantra that I repeated to myself! Kerry Thompson #fueled that passion in me. I wasn't going to let him embarrass me. He put the battery in my back!

     HERE'S WHY THEY CALL HIM THE GOAT

     Lefty's just have the ability to change the game! They're different, very hard to adapt to. That was Kerry, he was a lefty. He had the entire offensive #reportoire at such an early age. #Scoring was in his genes-his brother #TroyMurray was a smooth, dominant scorer in his own right. #Terrorizing defenders in the #NYC #PSAL, (Public School Athletic League) Troy Murray taught Kerry the game.  "I took my brother Kerry with me to one of my games when I had 45 or 50. After that game, he realized that none of those guys could stop me, and he trusted me to get him better. He put the work in. We used to make 100 jumpers a day, work on his handle, and his legs-doing vertical backboard taps", said Troy Murray.  No different from Jordan #honing Pippen's skill-set. Goat was destined to be a great scorer! Kerry's #confidence/#swagger was sky high. That was probably his biggest #asset! He would #intimidate guys before the game-if you weren't strong mentally. He wasn't ashamed to tell you that he was about to #embarrass you. All of the great scorers have that #braggadocious attitude. Handle-check! The #shiftiness to break you down either way, and the explosiveness to go up top (Dunk on you.)-check!  However, if you were going to score that many points-you better be able to shoot the rock. The 'Natural Controller' did that with his eyes closed!!! He had the same ability that Bruce Simms had. Those guys kept you off balance as a defender. Give them too much room, and they knock it down. Play them too close, and they blow by you and get to the rim, or pull-up. Great #playmaker as well. The guy was just the ultimate offensive weapon. He could explode at any time. Once he got going, it was nothing you could do. The only chance that you had was to make him work before he got the ball. Try to #deny, keep it out of his hands, and limit his touches.

                   MATCHING UP

     Interestingly enough, I only had the pleasure of matching up against Goat 2 times in our playing career. Out of the 2 games, we split. An interesting story took place as a result of playing against Kerry & his Walton High School team. The year is #93', when my St. Raymond's team (#KareemReid, #TylerBrown, #CharltonClarke etc.) matched up with Walton at the Gauchos Gym. I don't remember the final score, or how much Kerry had, but the end result was a loss. #GaryDeCesare didn't take that loss in stride at all. "Keep your uniforms on, we're going back to the gym", he said. Once we get back to St. Raymond's High School, he tells us to wait in the gym. While waiting in the gym, you feel the A.C. blasting. He rolls out a T.V. on a portable stand and we proceed to watch the Walton game that we just played in. It had to be only 20 minutes, but it felt like forever. We stood there freezing, while Gary D. verbally lit into each one of us about how terribly we just played. There was a reason for him being that extreme in that moment, that's the genius that Coach Decesare is. He knew that we would face Walton down the road in the State Championship, and that's exactly what happened. That State Championship game against Walton was over before it started-we beat them convincingly. That seed that GD planted in our heads made us want to never feel that way again.

     Hopefully, Kerry would tell you that I made him work, and challenged him a little bit. I would think that he respected how hard I worked on the #defensiveend. The only way that you get guys like Kerry Thompson to respect you, is by working hard and #competing. If you dont-they will have their way with you. The truth of the matter is that Kerry Thompson was an offensive #genius! When you played against him, all you could do was hope that he had an off night. Thank you Kerry!!!

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST'S DEFENSIVE STRATEGY: Make him work as much as possible before the catch. Deny, and try to get him frustrated. Once he catches, you have to crowd him, and force him to his weaker hand. (Right) Live with the results of him shooting contested 18 to 25 foot jumpers. You have a better chance with that than you do with him attacking the basket to score and get others involved. Turn him into a passer by sending a double team if you have to. It's proven that he can beat you by scoring the ball!

Contact Info:
1-833-LOCK-U-UP

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST BIBLE (B. SIMMS)

SCOUTING REPORT: #BRUCESIMMS aka 'Cut Em Loose Bruce'

     "Growing up in the 90's era, the #competition was off the charts! I felt like I wasn't getting the same opportunity that other players were. I was very #determined to get better! So, everyday I went out and worked on my game. Shooting, ball-handling drills, and conditioning. You name it, I did it. Whatever it took to be a better basketball player."
-Bruce Simms

     The very first #defensiveassignment that I ever had to face came in the form of one of my childhood friends, and a friend of mine till this day-Bruce Simms. Bruce & I grew up in the same neighborhood, (#PattersonProjects in the #SouthBronx) and #competed on a daily basis. That era of basketball in the late 80's and 90's was amazing. The level of talent was insane. You had three projects within a 5 min radius, (Patterson, #MottHaven, and #Mitchel) and all we wanted to do was play basketball all day. That was our high. That was our thrill. Nothing else mattered. We played basketball all day long. We only took a 10 minute break at some point to get water from the #firehydrant, or go to the store to get a 50 cent juice that four dudes had to share. (Sorry, Gatorade didn't exist. If it did, it wasn't in the budget-lol.) We were all friends off the court, but when we were on it-we wanted to kill one another!!! This is the era of '#YoungLife', '#TS Bucks', '#MilbankFlyers', '#Gauchos', and '#Riverside'. To be considered one of the best, you had to be able to not only make one of these teams-you had to produce! Bruce Simms was one of the best and he held his own everywhere that he played.

     'Cut Em Loose' Bruce' was no joke. He had the total #offensivepackage-very strong physically & mentally. In terms of physical tools, he was very fast, explosive, and had a lot of #bounce! I always admired his #athleticism. His #handle was very strong. #Adept at attacking the basket with either hand. All NYC guards were able to break you down and get to the basket, but what separated Bruce was the fact that he possessed a smooth jumper. You had to respect his ability to #catchandshoot. However, if you #closedout to hard, or played him to close-he would blow by you and #pullup. Bruce was a handful to guard. He would dominate and score in bunches. Even though he could score the ball so well, he was also a great #passer. On certain days, you just had to hope that he missed. That was your only chance of being able to contain him. Trying to intimidate Bruce physically wouldn't work, because he was strong as a bull and mentally tough. He wasn't going to back down from a fight/challenge. I probably never told him this, but that's the quality that I admired about him the most!

     Ultimately, B. Simms was the first offensive weapon that I really had to mentally prepare for everyday. He would literally embarrass you. Playing against Bruce made me a better defensive player by default. If I could challenge him and make him work for every point he scored-I did my job. You couldn't let him get any easy buckets. If I forced him to take a tough shot and he made it, I was ok with that. Mr. Simms was just that good of an offensive player. The name Bruce Simms rings bells all across the five boroughs to true basketball heads. He dominated at #JaneAddams high school & #WestchesterCommunityCollege, before he earned a #Division1 scholarship to #MercerUniversity. My guy continues to play recreation hoops today, and can still get buckets. Off the court, Bruce is a great family man, as well as a successful role model residing in NYC!

     Thank you 'Cut Em Loose Bruce'! You were that driving offensive force that pushed me to the limit every single day. You always challenged me, and never let me off the hook. Guarding you helped me become a '#defensivespecialist'-even though I know you didn't realize the effect that you had on me. You were a bad man brother! Thank you friend!!!

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST DEFENSIVE STRATEGY: You have to be arms distance at all times. Sense of urgency on the close out, however you can't crowd him or he will blow by you with either hand. Try to force him to his weaker hand, (left hand) even though it isn't really a weakness. You have to be physical with him, even though he thrives off of physical play. Best case scenario, you have to live with him taking #contested 2's & 3's. Can't allow him to get to the rim where he can finish with either hand and get his teammates involved. That's where he is most effective! MUST DENY him and make him work to get the ball. Keep it out of his hands and make others try to make plays. That's your best option!!!

Contact Info:
1-833-LOCK-U-UP

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST BIBLE

THE BEGINNING

     My first defensive assignment was given to me in the summer of 89'. That was the summer that I became the 'Defensive Specialist', aka 'The Sheriff', aka the 'Defensive Stopper'. They all were great nicknames, names that I never made up for myself-they were given by coaches and peers. It felt good to get that validation, but with validation comes expectations. Once you develop a #reputation, you have to #produce. Not once or twice, but every time you step on the court!!! Let me take you back to the beginning-before the #defensive titles were given to me.

     I told this story before, and it never gets old. I always believe in giving credit to people when it's due. To all of those guards that I shut down, and harassed over the years-it's not my fault! I formally apologize. Eric Harris Sr. is the one to blame. He's the one that put the battery in my back. He instilled the #mindset/#mentality that it takes to be a defensive assassin. His rationale was very simple, but it made a ton of sense. (Keep reading and I will tell you why.) That 1989 Gauchos team that I was blessed to be on was serious. When I say serious, I mean we didn't lose games. Period!!! If you weren't there, that was when NYC basketball was the best in the country hands down!!! There weren't 1,000 AAU teams. You had to be good enough to make the two majors. Gauchos or Riverside. That was your goal. Eventually, you wanted to make one of those rosters. On the Gauchos side, player development took place on a daily basis. Mr. Paige was the #wizard/#mastertrainer! Everything started and went thru him. His teaching tools & methods were so advanced and ahead of it's time. He's the GOAT, there will never be another like Mr. Paige. The #architect of that team was Coach Dave Jones. He was the #disciplinarian/#fatherfigure that everyone respected. Both of those guys were straight shooters and always told you the truth. They didn't care what your response would be. They didn't care if it would hurt your feelings, or if you decided to go to another team based on your feelings getting hurt. As a matter of fact, they wanted you to go elsewhere-because that meant you weren't mentally tough! Besides, you didn't want to leave once you cracked the Gauchos code.

     You don't become the best team in the country by accident. We bust our ass physically and mentally every single day. (Everyone was the right age!!!) We also had a lot of talent, as well as guys that played their role to make the team successful. Our #big3 was #TylerBrown, #DennisKeenan, and #WallyLynch. Wally was the point guard & the orchestrator of the show. He always set the table on the court, and made sure that guys did what they had to off the court. He was a natural born leader! Tyler Brown was our main #scorer. He was 6'5 at 12 years old, and dominated the game from the very beginning. Tyler was a child #prodigy! You can still catch him on the summer circuit today getting buckets-one of the most underrated players in NYC history. Dennis was our Chris Mullin. A pure #shooter at 6'5 that could also get to the rack. A tough as nails white boy that wasn't going to back down from anyone. We had so much other #talent on that team as well. Here's where Eric Harris' genius kicked in. With that #lineup, my dad knew that my major contribution wouldn't be on the #offensiveend. However, a #defensive contribution was much needed! He said, "Don't focus your efforts & energy on the offensive end. You can be more #valuable to this team by being a #lockdown defender. Your points will come off of your defense. Coach Dave, and any coach that you play for moving forward will always need you on the court. Offense comes and goes, defense is consistent. Defense will be your weapon!" I took heed to what he said. Mr. Paige and Dave Jones prepared us physically and mentally to be great. The rest was up to us. I was ready!!!

     We travel to Indianapolis, Indiana for the 1989 AAU tournament and it wasn't fair. We go undefeated, and win all of our games easily by #doublefigures. It was a total #teameffort that whole tournament! From an individual standpoint, my sole purpose was to shut down any guard that I matched up against every time I stepped on the court. It didn't matter if they were from the midwest, down south, or the west coast. I wanted the competition to be put on notice that there was a 'Defensive Specialist' that they had to deal with from NYC for years to come!!!

Contact Info:
1-833-LOCK-U-UP

GARY DECESARE-THE MASTERMIND THAT BUILT THE ST. RAYMOND'S BASKETBALL LEGACY (PART 1 OF 3)

Legend. Trendsetter. Trailblazer. Pioneer. Visionary. Risk Taker. Polarizing Figure.

"#Coaching is a calling to Gary.  He has an unbelievable feeling for the plight of the kids.  His ability to connect and understand the problems of the kids and some of the families makes him special.  His strength is his #character, and he's been consistent with that for the 40 plus years that he's been doing this.  He fought for every kid that played for him to be in the #DapperDan game, get into #ABCD camp, and most importantly-get a college scholarship.  Gary, Pam, and the kids are family to my wife Pam and I."
-Sonny Vaccaro (Basketball/Brand/Marketing Icon)

"The first time I saw St Raymond’s play was in the #GreatAlaskaHighSchoolClassic when I was growing up in Anchorage. This was before I was in high school. It was the team with Terrence Rencher and Orlando Antigua. They played hard, #physical, #confident and with an #edge. There was no show boating or flamboyant play, it was serious and all business. The team played unselfish, together and seemed to have one another’s back. Fast forward 5-6 years, and I found myself playing against St Raymond’s in the high school holiday tourney games as a junior and as a senior. Both times, the games were for the championship of the tournaments we were playing in. One was in #PineBluff, Arkansas and the other was at the Great Alaska HS Classic. Again the thing that stood out was the #physicality, #toughness and the #discipline of his teams. They were well coached and all business. They played #hard and they played #together. They made it extremely difficult for teams to score against them and unfortunately they got the better of us in both matchups." 
-#TrajanLangdon (Duke Great, Brooklyn Nets Assistant G.M.)

"I knew I had to bring my A game because I always knew that Gary DeCesare had his teams prepared and ready to go. I had to work extra harder in the summer, he helped make me the player that I became.  Going against St. Raymond's was always a war!"
-#ShammgodWells (Lasalle Academy, McDonald's All-American, Providence Friars Great, Dallas Mavericks)

    INTRO

#GaryDeCesare is an iconic figure in the basketball world.  Forget about minimizing his contributions to just New York.  The 'Gary DeCesare Effect' is felt all over the world.  If you love the Villanova Wildcats, Coach DeCesare had a major influence on #GaryMassey and #AllanRay.   Are you a die-hard Texas Longhorn fan?  Guess who brought you #TerrenceRencher?  University of Illinois assistant coach #OrlandoAntigua calls him a father figure. #Emmanuel'Book'Richardson says that Gary DeCesare "saved his life."  The #ABCDAll-AmericanCamp continues to be a legendary moment in time-as the director of the camp, he helped mold a generation of great NBA players. (Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Stephon Marbury, and Shaun Livinston)  The point is that Gary DeCesare influenced  so many individuals that went on to have a major impact on and off the basketball court.  The amount of names that went on to play #Division1 basketball under Gary D. at St. Raymond's is way too long to list. (Over 40 players.)  The show is still going on, just in a different part of the country.  His blueprint works no matter where you put him.    When Gary DeCesare is given the opportunity to run a program-three things are guaranteed to happen.   Number one, and most important of them all, is the fact that Gary will be a father figure to those kids.  Secondly, that program will be successful and compete for a championship every year.  Lastly, major Division 1 programs will come knocking.  The man is still changing lives, accomplishing more milestones, and raising three extraordinary kids of his own with his beautiful wife Pam.  Having the opportunity to play for coach DeCesare changed my life!  Take a journey with me and discover why his St. Raymond's program was such a #behemoth during a time when N.Y.C. basketball reigned supreme!!!

   THE BEGINNING  

     It all started in the Parkchester Condiminiums in the North Bronx on September 1st, 1963.  On this date in basketball history-Gloria DeCesare gave birth to an individual that would change the game.  Gloria defined the role of a 'strong single mother', raising Gary and his two sisters at 2053 McGraw Avenue.   St. Raymonds High School for Boys in the Bronx, New York #operated as a high major Division 1 college program that disguised itself as a high school, playing in the #C.H.S.A.A. (Catholic High School Athletic Association) league.That's the best way to describe Gary's brilliance and the stronghold that he had on N.Y.C. as the Head Coach of the #premier program. 1986-87 is the year DeCesare took over for the man that started building the 1st phase of the Raven program-Bob Della Bovi, till his departure in 2002 for the college ranks.  We did everything that any elite college program would do.  Everything was done 1st class-that was his #signature #trademark.  We traveled the world. (Alaska, Hawaii, Myrtle Beach, Arkansas, Missouri and Kissimmee, Florida just to name a few.)  I remember thinking to myself, "What the hell is in Alaska?"  As a kid from the #SouthBronx, you really didn't understand the magnitude of what was taking place.  It obviously turned out to be a great experience. The host families were the best and we won the #GreatAlaskanShootout.  That's also the first time that we played against phenom #TrajanLangdon. (Duke & my U.S.A. Basketball Gold medal teammate.)  We played against the best competition every game. (#FelipeLopez & Rice, Stephon Marbury & Lincoln, #ShammgodWells & LaSalle, Jason Kidd & St. Joseph's, #RasheedWallace & Simon Gratz, #KeithBoothe & Dunbar.) 

     The on the court responsibilities of performing at a high level in games and 3 hour practices were mentally and physically demanding in itself, but that was just one phase of being a #student-athlete under Gary DeCesare.  As I mentioned earlier, we were a D1 program. There was mandatory #studyhall before every practice.  If you were were a no show you didn't play.  We all had to meet #academic standards.  Grades came first.  The guy was the #deanofdiscipline for christ sake.  No grades, forget about #donning that orange, white, and blue jersey. #WeightTraining. #SportsPsychology.  #CommunityService.  All of these components were a part of the St. Rays DNA.  As a player, you had to accept that.  If you didnt, he had no problem telling you that you couldn't be on the team. It wasn't just about basketball, it was about preparing young men for the real world. 

     BUILT DECESARE TOUGH

     Division 1 Head Coaches have to perform consistently under very stressful circumstances.  If they don't perform, the end result is that they won't be employed by that University anymore.  That's why they make the big bucks-they understand what they signed up for.  Knowing that your job security is always in jeopardy, you better choose the young men that are going to represent your program on and off the court very wisely!  With Gary #strategically building the program, there was no better product for a D1 coach to choose from.  St. Raymonds was the hottest commodity.  #TomPenders expected Terrence Rencher to be sensational as a Freshman.  #JohnCalipari knew that he could push and #critique #DanaDingle & #CharltonClarke and not have to worry about them #transferring to another school. They were built DeCesare tough! #NolanRichardson knew that he could trust #KareemReid to run his National Championship program and perform in those pressure packed road arenas in the S.E.C. (South Eastern Conference) After all, he played for a coach/program with a stellar reputation.  #Contributing as a freshman at U Mass, Minnesota, N.C. State, Villanova or Pitt wasn't an option, you were expected to perform because you were a St. Rays kid.  There was a level of #excellence associated with the program.  We were all used to the #rigors of a D1 athlete. Coach DeCesare was the driving force behind that. We also received the best #gear.  Let me repeat that, the best gear in the country-hands down.  You had to earn the right to receive that St. Rays bag of gear.  Once you had it, you were on cloud nine.  (Three sets of uniforms, two sets of mesh practice shorts & jerseys, St. Rays elite socks-before #NikeElite socks, compression shorts, St. Rays t-shirts, hats, sweat suits, jackets.)  I remember one season when we received like six pairs of kicks.  Some D1 programs weren't doing it on that level.  I still don't know how he did it.

     The numbers speak for themselves. 289 wins & 138 losses as the Head Coach at St. Raymonds.  4 City Championships & 2 State titles.  When you have that type of dominance in NYC, the mecca of basketball-you're bound to rub some people the wrong way and piss them off. Coach comes across as the loud and aggressive Bobby Knight type.  He is extremely confident and that may come across as arrogant and cocky.  However, when you get to know him, you really understand what the man is all about.  He will bend over backwards for anyone that he cares about.  When you do your #research, look at the long list of talent that coach produced. The McDonald's All-Americans.  Current pros that are still supporting their families.  Most importantly, Gary DeCesare mentored a ton of men that are having a positive impact on society today.  He'll take that statistic over wins and losses any day.

EARLY APPRENTICESHIP

    "I first met Gary when I was coaching elementary school ball and he was a very young player at St. Helenas.  There were three things that contributed to Gary's success. Three things that are priceless!  The first thing was the fact that he knew what he wanted to be. He made up his mind very early that he wanted to coach. Secondly, he has great organizational skills.  Lastly, the guy was a sponge.  He wanted to know about everything I was doing and the reasons why.  He was an integral part of what was going on at St. Raymond's when I was the Head Coach.  He recruited Eddie Rivera, Michael Thompson, and Chucky Martin.  He turned out to be a very good man, and that's what's most important to me. The only credit that I'll take is the life lessons that he learned from me."
-#BobDellaBovi (St. Rays Head Coach 1979-85')

TRAINWITHERICHARRIS: Thx for taking the time out to talk 'Big Time' (my nickname for Coach DeCesare), I appreciate it!

Gary DeCesare: Thx for having me #defensivespecialist. Lol.

TWEH: How many times does DeCesare get mispelled or mispronounced on a daily basis? Always wanted to ask you that.

GD: Everyday.

TWEH: Congrats on going into the C.H.S.A.A. Hall of Fame this year. What did it mean?

GD: It meant that I had some great players over the years at St. Raymond's. Thank you to all of my players, assistant coaches, managers, principals and parents over the years. Thx to my wife Pam as well.

TWEH: When were you born?

GD:  Sept 1st, 1963.

TWEH: Where did you grow up Coach?

GD: 2053 McGraw ave.  The East section of Parkchester.

TWEH: What was your family life like?

GD: I grew up in a single parent home with two sisters.

TWEH: What was your mom's name?

GD: Gloria.

TWEH: Bless her heart.

GD: She was a very hard working woman and a great provider.  She is no longer with us. Thank you mom!

TWEH: Who introduced you to the game of basketball? We all owe him a lot of credit and thx.

GD: Nobody really introduced me to the game of basketball. I just loved all sports.

TWEH: What middle/high school did you attend?

GD: I attended St. Helena's middle school, and St. Raymond's High School.

TWEH: College?

GD: Iona College.

TWEH: What was Gary DeCesare's mind-set like in regards to basketball as a middle school kid going into HS? Were you expecting to play varsity?

GD: I loved playing the game, but I made my mind up in middle school that I wanted to pursue coaching. I played on the varsity for 2 years, but coaching was my true passion!

TWEH: What prompted that decision?

GD: My first coaching job at 13/14 years old was at St. Helena's grammar school in the Bronx. Msgr. Thomas Deravin gave me a great opportunity.  I loved it.  I'm forever grateful to him for that!  That experience gave me the desire to want to coach on the high school level.

TWEH: Who was the coach that inspired you to want to be a coach?

GD: Bob Della Bovi.

TWEH: When did you first meet Coach Della Bovi?  What did you think of him?

GD: I first met him at St. Raymond's.  I thought he was an up and coming star that wanted to build a program.  He was very organized and got a break to coach at Manhattan College.

TWEH: Who was the coach of St. Rays your freshman year?  When did you play for Bovi? What was his philosophy/coaching style?

GD: A guy by the name of Brian Spears was the varsity coach my first 3 years. Coach Della Bovi coached me my senior year.  He used an up tempo style of play. What I loved about him was the fact that he always tried new things. He wasn't afraid to make mistakes.

TWEH: Were you coaching at St. Helena's and assisting at St. Rays at the same time?

GD: Yes.

TWEH: On a scale of 1 to 10, where did St. Raymond's rank in terms of being considered a #premier program when you played for Bovi and was his assistant?

GD: I would say about a 5/6. We were one of the better teams in the league.  My goal was to take it to the national level.

TWEH: Who were the top dogs?

GD: Tolentine, Molloy, and Christ the King.

TWEH: How much of Della Bovi's  style rubbed off on you as a coach?

GD:  A lot of Bovi's style rubbed off on me. I added components from other coaches as well. I always went to college practices to learn, and I still do till this day.  Every October 1st I go to 4 or 5 college practices.  The day you stop learning your craft is the day you should get out the game.

TWEH: How long were you his assistant?

GD: 4 years.

TWEH: How old were you when you took over the program?  How did you prepare yourself for that moment?

GD: 22.  I always envisioned that moment happening for myself. I didn't know when it would come.  I just tried to do everything in my power to prepare. I tried to stay busy by assisting Della Bovi and coaching my team at St. Helenas at the same time. Always trying to get better.  Going to those college practices and studying other great coaches and programs.

TWEH: That was always your saying, "It's better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared."

GD: Exactly.

TWEH: What are your thoughts on other legendary coaches like #MorganWooten (Dematha), #StuVetter, #JackCurran (Molloy), #BobbyHurley (St. Anthony's), #PerryWatson (Southwestern), #MauriceHicks (Rice), and #TinyMorton (Lincoln)? I consider Coach Curran, Mo, Tiny,  #BobbyHartstein (Lincoln) and you to be the coaches that would be on the New York Coaches Mt. Rushmore. What's your N.Y.C.M.R.?

GD: I respect all of those guys, because they put the  #studentathlete's best interest at heart first. They also tried to always coach and teach the game the right way.  Most importantly, we all try to produce quality people.  That N.Y.C.M.R. list is perfect, the only thing I would change is adding #BobOliva.

TWEH: How could I forget Bob Oliva?

GD: I followed Bob Oliva's blueprint. His teams always traveled.  #ChristTheKing was the most successful program in NY when I started coaching. This was after the #KennyAnderson era at Molloy.

TWEH: Mo Hicks is a great guy. I look at him as a #mentor.  Mo will share info if you ask for it.  On top of that, he has contributed so much to the game.  Mo took the baton from you and became the face of NYC basketball.  He told me that, "Gary's #blueprint was so pefect, that it was a no brainer to follow it."  So it turns out that you influenced Mo Hicks the same way that Bob Oliva influenced you.  Thoughts?

GD: It's definitely a compliment.  Mo doesn't get the credit that he deserves.  The guy won championships in the #P.S.A.L. (Public School Athletic League) and the #C.H.S.A.A.  He should be in the CHSAA Hall of Fame next.  Tons of wins and produced so many quality people/players.

TWEH: You had some legendary battles vs him & Rice back in the day. Any of those games stand out?

GD: I just remember all of those games being a battle, and being intense.  You had to always be on point when playing against Mo. He would take advantage of the mistakes that you made.

TWEH: What were Mo's strengths as a coach?

GD: Mo was a really great motivator and in game coach.  His teams were always well prepared and they played hard!

TWEH: The five #pillars of the St. Rays program in my opinion are #GaryMassey, #DarrylReid, #ChuckieMartin, #EddieRivera, and #MichaelThompson.  What made those individuals so special? (Gary D. was technically G. Massey's assistant coach.)

GD: They all worked 110% to get better day in and day out.  Each individual took ownership for wanting to take the program to the next level. They were all #receptive to coaching?

TWEH: #GaryMassey is arguably the best player to come out of St. Raymond's.  How receptive was he to this scrawny, inexperienced assistant coach?

GD: Gary was unbelievable. He worked really hard and was the first player I coached to take it to an elite level.  All of those guys respected how hard I worked.  They believed that I could bring something to the table to get them better.

“The first time I actually met Gary was my sophomore year when I was moved up to varsity. I thought he was a player because he looked so young. To be so young, he was always ‘x and o’ smart. The thing that I remember most about Gary is that he was a basketball genius early. He had a basketball mind. His knowledge of basketball, not just ‘x’s and o’s,’ but his knowledge of how to reach out to his players, and how to get the most out of them. He had a knack for that.  I vividly  remember one day when we were dragging in practice and Della Bovi asked Gary, 'What should I do?' Gary told him to kick me out of practice.  Bovi told him, 'Why should I kick Massey out, he didn't do anything wrong.'  Gary told him that if he kicked me out, the other players would step it up.  It worked, the guys responded. Gary had to be about 18 years old with that knowledge!"
-Gary Massey (Original Raven, Villanova Wildcat Great)

TWEH: #DarrylReid personifies what every St. Rays player should be about.  He was mentally and physically tough, aggressive, and skilled.  Legend has it that when you took over that first season, his mind-set was, "Give me the ball and let me do what I do."  At what point did he buy into what your plans were for the team?

GD: I don't remember that. Darryl was great and he bought in from day one.  I remember his dad passing and doing what I could to help him and his family.  He saw that I cared about him even more as a person and not just as a basketball player.  On the court he was a monster.

"I was on my way to #Stevenson until Della Bovi and DeCesare got a hold of my parents.  They convinced them that St. Ray's was a better fit.  Gary took over the program when I was a senior.  We had a great year, he taught me so much on and off the court.  He groomed me into the man I am today. My dad passed away my senior year in 87'. I will never forget how he was there for my family and I.  He became a #fatherfigure to me. I appreciate that till this day. I love Gary DeCesare!"
-Darryl Reid (Original Raven, Southwest Missouri State Great)

TWEH: #EddieRivera is a legend, yet people tend to forget how good he was.  The stories of him and #KennyAnderson battling are epic. What made Eddie so good?

GD: I established a great relationship with Eddie's mentor/grade school coach at St. Luke's.  A guy named Perry Walker.  You had to have a connection with the grade school coaches at that time.  Eddie had an unbelievable feel for the game.  He was tough, could shoot it, and was great in transition.  A nightmare for opposing point guards.

"Coach DeCesare was my Junior Varsity Head Coach in 1985-86'.  So I got a taste of him at his youngest and hungriest stage.  He helped me tremendously, I needed direction.  He saved my life!"
-Eddie Rivera (Original Raven, University of Texas El Paso Great, Puerto Rico Basketball Legend)

TWEH: #MikeThompson and #ChuckieMartin were the prototypical St. Rays 2 guards.  They were both smooth and could shoot the rock.  What were your memories of them?

GD: They always wanted to get better.  When you talk about family, that's what Michael was to me.  I coached him from middle school through high school.  His mom and dad were great. (RIP Harry Thompson) Michael was athletic and shot the ball really well.  The same goes for Chuckie. Very aggressive on the offensive end. That's how he got the nickname 'Chuckie', he shot it every time.  Those two wanted to get better, win games, and take the program to the next level.

"Gary DeCesare was an extremely mature coach at such a young age. His attention to detail was one of his many hallmarks. His fiery, in-your-face coaching style brought out the best in all of his players. None of his coaching peers were more prepared for scrimmages or games than him."
-Michael Thompson (Original Raven, Drexel University Great)

TWEH: What memorable moment stands out for you in regards to your first team as a Varsity Head Coach?

GD: I knew all of those guys pretty well because I recruited them. Chucky played at Sacred Heart, Eddie at St. Luke's, and Mike played for me at St. Helena's.  Darryl was a senior and a great leader. We were only a few years apart in age-I related to them. The moment I remember is the changing of the guard. We played Tolentine for the Archdiocese Championship in front of a packed house at Mount St. Michael and beat them.  They were #2 in the country.

TWEH: How did you get Darryl, Chuck, Eddie and Mike to Rays?

GD: I coached Michael since the 5th grade at St. Helena's.  I coached against Chucky and Eddie on that level as well. So I would always tell them about St. Raymond's. I believe Bovi was able to get Darryl to come.

TWEH: Is it safe to say that you were a great recruiter as well?

GD: I was just fortune to be in a position at St. Helena's where I could get to know the players and their parents.  I was also able to see the next wave of talent.

TWEH: They were all special in their own right.  That started your run of producing D1 talent. Hit after hit after hit. (Villanova, U.T.E.P., Monmouth, Southwest Missouri State, and Drexel) How involved were you in the college recruiting process back then? What was your early strategy to get your players exposure?

GD: I was heavily involved. Della Bovi gave me the responsibility of taking the lead on Gary Massey's recruiting early on at 15/16 years old.  It was on the job training. I was awestruck at first in terms of dealing with all of those high profile coaches. However, it turned out to be a blessing.  When I became the Head Coach, I knew the inner workings of the recruiting process. It also helped that I was able to build those relationships. I had a lot of talented players.  I just had to get the coaches to come see them play. The kids took care of the rest.

TWEH: Let's talk about your favorite topic-#AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball. The #Gauchos AAU program was great to me.  #LouD'almedia & the coaching staff (#Mr. Paige #DaveJones, #NathanMcCants, #TommySwinton, #DaveMcCollin, #JayDeas) provided so many opportunities for thousands of inner-city kids in the NYC area. The same goes for #ErnieLorch (RIP) and the #RiversideHawks coaching staff.  How were you able to get the top players from each AAU program? The Gauchos & Riverside usually sent their players to particular schools. That says a lot about the program you were building at Rays. 

GD: I basically sat down with Lou D'almedia (Gauchos Founder) and Ernie Lorch (Riverside Hawks Founder) individually and explained the vision for my program and the benefits of them both sending kids to St. Rays.  What happened prior to that was they would both steer kids to particular schools.  The problem with that was all of those kids wouldn't be able to get an opportunity to play at that one school.  It made sense to them, and both AAU programs would send kids to St. Rays.

TWEH: That changed the game!

GD: Ernie came to the game when we played Tolentine and he said, "I like the way you coach and treat the kids.  I want to send some of my players to you."

TWEH: Who were the first players to come to Rays?

GD: Terrence and Book were the first to come.  They probably weren't good enough to play at Tolentine at that time. They needed another outlet.

TWEH: It turned out to be a perfect match!

GD: Yes indeed!

TWEH: You can't forget about the financial contributions that those guys made. Lou & Mr. Lorch paid thousands of dollars in tuition over the years.

GD: Yes, they made it possible for so many kids to experience a Catholic school education.

TWEH: It seemed like a perfect marriage.  What sparked the clash between you and those legendary programs?  The result was the birth of the #BronxRavens.

GD: They started to think that just because they paid a kids tuition-we control and own them.  I didn't agree with that. I felt that the parents owned the kid.  The problem was that those guys were only helping players one, two, three, four, and five.  We started to get real good, but there was no place for players seven through twelve to play in the summer.  Those guys weren't getting exposure.

TWEH: So for you it came down to getting your players more exposure?

GD: Of course!  I remember meeting with Ernie and telling him that I'm going to take my team and start my own AAU program to get my kids some exposure.  Ernie understood and even donated money to help me start the Bronx Ravens.  We became so good that their kids wanted to play for us.  #AndreBarrett (Gauchos) and #KennySatterfield ( Riverside) were the first notable players.  That's why I hired #ArtieGreen. He had a great #rapport with those guys.  Artie did a great job!  He brought some of his kids too.

TWEH: I know they didn't take that too well.

GD: They were pissed.  Kenny and Andre were two of the best players in the country.  Lou also wasn't happy when #ErnestBrown played for us for the whole summer.  They tried to paint the picture that if you go to St. Rays, you had to play for the Bronx Ravens.  As I said, my main motivation was to always put the kids in a better position.

TWEH: How did it feel to have players from #rival teams playing for you?

GD: It made us feel like we were doing the right thing by the kids. I told Artie that I didn't want that many outside kids.  We had a few though.

TWEH: What year was the #BronxRavens formed?  How long were the Bronx Ravens around? Win percentage?

GD: I would say 95'/96'. It was so long ago.  We were around for five or six years.  We won more than we lost.

TWEH: Do you feel like you started a trend with that?

GD: I never looked at it that way.  I still see some high school teams doing it now.

TWEH: What do you think of the current AAU system?

GD: Here's what I tell kids all the time about AAU basketball. With the current model, you can play 8 games at a weekend AAU tournament.  If you're good, you can get 50 shots.  You can get 500 shots in an hour working on your game in the gym by yourself.  So from a skill standpoint, you don't get better playing all of those games.  I also think that's why you see so many injuries-the kids play too many games.

TWEH: On the flip side, you can pick up 10 high major offers if you play well.

GD: If you're good, these schools will find you no matter what you do.

TWEH: You're right!

GD: How did you get to Minnesota?

TWEH: #ABCD camp.

GD: I don't know if you know this, but we were at ABCD in Ypsilanti, Michigan and I went to Subway for lunch. Behind me was #MikeAnderson (Assistant coach at Arkansas), and behind him was #MiltonBarnes (Assistant at Minnesota). We started talking and I told them that I had two great guards playing. One would fit perfect for the #Big10 and the other would be great for the up and down style of the #SEC.  You guys both played well and they called me to say that they wanted to recruit you and Kareem. If you played bad, it wouldn't of happened. That took place over lunch at Subway.

TWEH: That's crazy! Thanks for selling me coach. It was actually your idea for me to play on the Michigan team. We wound up winning the championship. The NYC team had too many players. Could that same #scenario happen today?

GD: The problem with today's college coaches is that they won't take the high school coach's word. If it's a Big 10 school-they want to know if another Big 10 school is #recruiting the player, and they want to see film before they start recruiting the kid.

TWEH: How did your involvement in the ABCD camp come about?  What was your role?  Any memories stand out from that time?

GD: Sonny needed someone to run the camp, and Howard Garfinkle highly recommended Billy Aberer. (Former LaSalle Academy Head Coach.) He was running it out in California at the time when Terrence and Orlando were there. Aberer was an organized guy and everything needed to be black and white.  To work for Sonny, you have to be able to change on the fly. Billy wasn’t able to do that. I was there watching the camp and Sonny pulled me out of the stands to run the camp. The rest is history. My role was to make sure that the right talent was there, balance the teams, and manage it on a day to day.  I had a lot of help with making sure the right kids across the country were there. I was too caught up in making sure the camp ran right to get caught up in the hoopla.

TWEH: What was the #impact of ABCD under your direction?

GD: ABCD gave the top 120 kids in the country a chance to showcase their talent and compete against their peers.  We tried to do the best we could in terms of teaching the game, as well as life lessons.  It's still being talked about today.

TWEH: What was your personal/business relationship with #SonnyVaccaro?

GD: I went to Pittsburgh for a basketball clinic. I met Sonny and his wife on an elevator ride. I didnt know who he was. He asked me where I coached and I told him that i was trying to build a program in New York. He gave me his fax number and said let me know if I could help.  I sent him about 24 shoe sizes, and asked for sweat suits and bags. Two weeks later he sent the stuff. Thats how we met. He and his wife Pam became close friends with my wife Pam and I. We are friends till this day.  It all goes back to relationships. Sonny helped me strengthen the program and move it in the right direction.

TWEH: Sonny calls you family. When did you realize how powerful he was?

GD: We are family. I knew that he had power and influence, but I never used it to benefit me personally.  I always tried to get Sonny's help in regards to enhancing the program.

TWEH: What was the best advice that Sonny ever gave you in regards to basketball? Life?

GD: I guess the main thing is to not care what people think about you.  The only thing that matters is what your true intentions are.  A lot of times, people make up perceptions of you when you are successful.  You have to get to know people before you judge them.

TWEH: You two are similar in terms of being #misunderstood.  What should people know about Sonny as a person, and what he tried to do for the game of basketball?

GD: He really cared about the kids.  Like me, that was his main priority. At the core, that was the bond that we shared.

TWEH: What was Sonny's involvement with the Bronx Ravens?

GD: He was very supportive of the Bronx Ravens and what we were trying to do.

TWEH: Will there ever be another #genius like Sonny? What should his #legacy be?

GD: No, he is 1 of 1. Sonny's legacy is that he changed the game for the better on all #levels!  He was a risk taker.  His goal was always to help the kids.  It's a blessing to be able to call him a friend.  I'm very appecitive of what he's meant to my family and my programs over the years.

TWEH: What do you remember about #HowardGarfinkle and the original Five Star?

GD: Garf was a great human being.  RIP to him.  He is a legend.  Those camps and the talent level that showed up was insane. If you weren't fired by Garf multiple times, you weren't one of his favorites.  He fired me many times.  He really cared about helping the kids.  Five Star will never be duplicated.  Back then, you had to be special to be a camper at Five Star. That orange t-shirt meant something.

TWEH: Should prep players be able to go to the pros?  If a player does go to college, how many years should he have to do?  Do you feel collegiate athletes should get paid?

GD: Why not? They definitely should be able to.  If a kid is good enough and can take care of his family, he should have that opportunity.  You can in every other sport.  The college minimum is a joke. It doesn't matter if a kid goes for one or two years, they're just using that time to get to the NBA.  They're not using that time to focus on being the best student.  Coach Cal and Coach K are taking these guy, but in actuality they're just renting them.  It's a stupid rule!

TWEH: Describe the N.C.A.A. (National Collegiate Athletic Association) in one word?

GD: Unfair.

TWEH: Let's switch gears for a second. How did you meet your beautiful wife Pam DeCesare?  You know that's your biggest accomplishment!

GD: Pam's sister and I were in the same class at St. Helena's.  We used to always go to Father Derivan's sleep away camp every summer.  She was a counselor at the camp. That's how we met. We got married in 93.

TWEH: Did she know that she was getting involved with this mad basketball scientist?

GD: No.

TWEH: You two have raised 3 beautiful/smart kids.  How proud are you two of them?

GD: Gary Jr., T.J., and Amanda.  We're very proud of them.  The boys are in college and Amanda is in high school. We love them so much. They're a joy to be around.

TWEH: Thank you Mrs. DeCesare for everything that you did for the team and for me personally.  Also want to thank you for telling Coach to take it easy on us at times.

GD: Lol.

TWEH: All-time 15 man St. Rays roster. Who makes the cut?

GD: In no particular order. (1)Darryl Reid, (2) Chuckie Martin, (3) Mike Thompson, (4) Eddie Rivera, (5)Terrence Rencher, (6) Orlando Antigua, )7) Emmanuel 'Book' Richardson, (8) Dana Dingle (9)Tyler Brown, (10) Eric Harris, (11) Kareem Reid, (12) Charlton Clarke, (13) Allan Ray, (14) Julius Hodge, (15) Pete Mulligan,  Majestic Mapp (*Gary Massey would obviously be on the list, but Gary D. was his assistant coach.)

TWEH: Toughest coach/team that u had to compete against? Why?

GD: Those Rice teams coached by #LouDemello.(Rice Head Coach before Mo.)  They had so much talent and size.  The competition level was through the roof.  Lou did a great job. Those were fun times!

TWEH: Is there any coach/team that u wish you coached against? Why?

GD: I can't say so. We played against some great competition all over the country.  The game allowed us to travel the world.

TWEH: People don't understand how rich NYC used to be in terms of the talent that was produced on a yearly basis. How would you describe the CHSAA during the 80's and 90's?

GD: I always called it the 'Baby Big East'. Every team had four or five D1 players. Every game was a war-you had to bring it
or you would get beat.

"Coach challenged me in ways no other coach had up to that point. We spent a lot of time talking about the game, players and went to a lot of college games. He told us his vision for the program.  For me, there was never any doubt because I saw what he put into it on a daily basis.
I didn't want to go to Tolentine because it was already a program legacy there. I wanted to be part of building a legacy at a place like  Rays. Book and I took the idea of going to St. Rays to the Riverside Church and they supported us."
-Terrence Rencher (91' City Champion, Texas Longhorn Great, University of San Diego Assistant Coach)

TWEH: Obviously, the 91' team didn't become champions in one year.  What was that maturation process like that ultimately resulted in your 1st city title?

GD: We had that core group (Terrence, O & Book) as sophomores.  We played a tough schedule that year.  I believe we were something like 10-16 that year. We got into the playoffs and played that #KhalidReeves led #ChristTheKing team.  It was a great game and we wound up losing by 6. As juniors, we were the opposite, 16-6 record.  Their senior year I knew we were going to be really good.  We were 25-3.  That was a three year plan.

TWEH: Going into the 90-91 season, did you feel like that was the year for your 1st city championship.  That team was stacked!

GD: I believed that those guys went through so many wars together and they were ready. We had all of the #components.

TWEH: So #TerrenceRencher, and #Emmanuel'Book'Richardson were gifted to you by #ErnieLorch. How did you get #OrlandoAntigua to come?

GD: I didn't. I tried to get Orlando, but he was set on going to Tolentine.  I don't remember why he changed his mind.

TWEH: T Rencher was that dude! As a freshman in 91', he was the guy that everyone wanted to be.  Winning #Mr.Basketball and exploding at Texas was huge for the program.  Did you see that coming?

GD: Terrence worked really hard. He wanted to be great.  His game developed every year that he played.  I couldn't predict every thing that happened for him, but with that work ethic, I knew that the sky was the limit for him.

TWEH:  Orlando was dominant on both ends of the floor.  He was that charasmatic leader on the court and in the school hallways.  How much did his game grow from his sophomore year?

GD: The same with Orlando.  He was a gym rat.  I pushed him and Terrence, but they wanted it.  They knew what it felt like to get beat and not be the best in the city.  Orlando got better on both ends of the floor.  It goes back to hard work. When your two best players work that hard, everyone follows.

TWEH: T and O received most of the national praise (Google the #TimCrothers 'Two For The Road' #SportsIllustrated article from 91'.), but everyone knows that Book was the heartbeat/emotional leader of the team. Without him, there's no championship in 91'.  You tormented him more than anyone in the history of the program.  What was your relationship with Book like, and how did you know that he could take your antics and still be strong enough to lead?

GD: Book was a natural leader. He made us go.  You have to know your players.  I knew that he was tough both mentally and physically. No matter how hard I pushed him, I knew that he would respond and the guys would rally around him.  I couldn't do that with everyone.  I knew he probably hated me at times.  I just wanted to get the best out of him.  He is a special person.

"The first time that Terrence and I met O was at the championship game at #Elmcor.  We played with Riverside and he played with the Gauchos.  He had 30 something on us and they beat us. He killed us. Nobody could guard him. After the game, T and I tried to snuff him because of frustration. We hated him because he was so good! He eventually comes to St. Rays for a tour. Who do you think Coach DeCesare picks to give him the tour? Me and Terrence.  We all became cool after that. That's what made coach brilliant!"
-Emmanuel 'Book' Richardson (Emotional Leader, 91' City Champion)

TWEH: #CarlGreene?

GD: Carl would run through a brick wall for you. He was our #enforcer.  The word pain didn't exist in his vocabulary.  The true #definition of a warrior!

TWEH: How good were those Tolentine teams?

GD: Those teams were great. They had so much talent and were always well coached. They were one of the models for what a national program looked like. A memorable moment that stands out for me was when we played them for the last time at their gym and beat them.  We closed the doors.  That symbolized us taking the spot that they had for so long.

"G.D. recruited me hard, but Tolentine was rolling and three blocks from my crib. My Junior High School 143 went up to 9th grade. So it was natural to want to go to Tolentine, but when Coach John Sarandrea left, they gave the   job to Bob Mackey.  #DaveMcCollin (Gauchos) wanted me to go to Rays. So I entered Rays as a sophomore. Coach was tough and demanding, and a great example of hard work. So it was easy to see that we would have success if we only followed his example."
-Orlando Antigua (91' City Champion, University of Illinois Assistant Coach)

TWEH: Many people don't realize this, but #Tolentine was very instrumental in the success of the program.  A coaching change, (#BobMackey took over for #JohnSarandrea) convinced Orlando to change his mind about going to Tolentine. Secondly, the unfortunate school closing after the 91' season produced two huge additions-#KareemReid & #DonnellWhitfield.  Were you sad when Tolentine closed, or did you see it as an opportunity for your program to take the crown?

GD: It was unfortunate.  You never want to see a school/program like that close down.  As a #competitor, you always want to play against the best.  However, we had no control over those situations. We just took advantage of the opportunities.

TWEH: How did the Kareem Reid situation take place?

GD: That was more of a #discipline thing. Ernie Lorch wanted someone to stay on top of Kareem.  He had a little more baggage than you or anyone else. I just thought that the two of you would be one of the best #backcourts in the country.

TWEH: Did you know how special he was?

GD: I knew that Kareem was talented. I saw him play many times.  I knew that I had to stay on him and keep him #disciplined.  If he was willing to accept #structure, I knew that he would be a nightmare for opposing guards.

TWEH: Was Kareem the best pg that you ever coached?

GD: Eddie is up there too, but they had different styles.

“My junior high school Riverdale 141 went to 9th grade.  Sarandrea told me that he could get me into Tolentine or Kennedy as a 9th grader. My intention was to go to Kennedy or Walton. I didn’t know about catholic schools. Once Tolentine closed, I didn’t know where i was going to go. I was thinking prep school.  I remember vividly talking to Coach DeCesare at Carnesecca camp that summer. That’s when the thought process and idea of going to Rays took place. I remember Ernie Lorch telling me in Phoenix that he met with Gary, and he wanted Darnell and I to come to St. Raymond’s.  Coach was my father. He was a father figure for those that didn’t have parents. That’s how I looked at it. The reality is that St. Rays was my family.  That’s what he preached. When your leader is that way, it trickles down to the team.  Gary was ahead of his time. He knew what buttons to push. He was a genius at promoting the brand. He put NYC on his back.”
-Kareem Reid (93’ State Champion, McDonald’s All-American, Arkansas Razorback Great)

TWEH: 91' team vs 93'.  What would be your strategy coaching against yourself? Who wins?

GD: Double overtime and the lights go out in the gym before the game ends.

"Coach Gary D was the first coach that taught me what working hard meant, and my first real basketball teacher. That helped mold me into the coach and teacher that I am today. He helped me with my college decision.  He thought U Mass for a good fit.  Coach Calipari and Gary D were alike  in many ways. Cal thought he did a great job of preparing his guys for college. His preparation and detail were what separated him from other high school coaches."
-Dana Dingle (91' City Champion, U Mass Great, NY Lightning Director)

"I believe coach changed my life in so many ways! He made me realize that nothing is guaranteed. He made me realize that if you don't work for something, no one will give it to you. He made me realize that when you are a family, you are a family for life. He made me realize that you help people with no agenda and expect nothing in return. The return is the success of the ones he guided and mentored. He made my experience as a Raven special. No other coach in NYC history can say they had the influence on the overall game and business of high school basketball like Gary D did! He was way before his time."
-Danny Basile (91' City Champion, Marist Great)

TWEH: Speaking of Ernie Lorch, #DanaDingle and #DannyBasile came from that Riverside tree.  Dana is probably the most #underrated player to come out of St. Rays.  He put up numbers and would lock you up.  I hated practicing against him.  Danny was the best shooter in St. Rays history. It was tough guarding him in practice as a sophomore. Can you talk about those two?

GD: Two Parkchester kids that worked really hard and came from a winning tradition on the junior varsity.  They won the JV championship as sophomores.  They could've easily played varsity as sophomores somewhere else.  I knew they weren't happy playing JV, but they both accepted their role and contributed next year as juniors. They pushed the seniors and made them better.  That class was very talented.  #TrevorRedfern, #KendallDonaldson, and #FrankTarul were all valuable pieces.
Parkchester was good to the program!

"Going to Tolentine was a no brainer for me. It was nationally ranked and the best program in the city.  It also was coed.  #SeanWise leaving the Gauchos, going to Riverside, and then Tolentine changed that plan. Lou told me I couldn't go to Tolentine. They gave me the option of going to #AllHallows, #CardinalHayes, or Rays. I didn't know anything about St. Raymond's at the time.  I said I guess I'll go to St. Raymond's, it was closer to where I lived.  Once I got there, it was a great fit.  Any tools that were #cuttingedge at the time, Gary made sure we had them.  He was definitely way before his time."
-Tyler Brown (91',93' City & State Champion, South Carolina State Great)

TWEH: Would the 93' #TylerBrown get the best of the 91' version?

GD: Yes, 93' version more #polished and #experienced.

TWEH: I played with Tyler when we were 10/11 years old with the Gauchos-he was #dominant way back then. (Still is.) Tyler had to be one of the most #heralded freshman to play for you.  How did you pull that move off? Did you see his #potential?

GD: I didn't. Tyler was supposed to go to Tolentine. I don't remember what happened with that. Sometimes things work out in your favor. I definitely was aware of his talent.

TWEH: That whole incoming 1993 freshman class was stacked. #WallyLynch, #DamonBoneparte, #RahsaanThompson & Tyler.  How excited were you to coach that group?

GD: That was a great group. I knew that they would carry us into the next era.  Unfortunately I didn't get to coach Wally.  Both Rahsaan and Damon were physical #specimens.  Tyler was gifted offensively. I had to get him to buy in on the defensive end. They were great kids. I was familiar with Rahsaan because he played at St. Helena's. Both he and Damon were Parkchester kids.

TWEH: How about baby LeBron?

GD: Who?

TWEH: #CharltonClarke.  I call him LeBron b4 LeBron because of how explosive, powerful, and skilled he was.  I know you didn't let freshman play varsity up to that point, but he probably was the one that was both physically and mentally ready to do so. What do you remember about June?

GD: Charlton was an animal. He would go out there and do whatever it took to win.  He was like Book in the sense that I knew I could push him and he wouldn't take it personal.  He would use it as motivation and bounce back. He was always ready for a challenge. Definitely one of my favorites. I loved playing small with you, Kareem, Charlton and Tyler on the floor.

"Our conversation my sophomore year was simple, Coach said,  'You're a sophomore and you have to earn your time on this team.  No one has a secure spot, so if you play that means you earned your time.'  My mission was to play and be a major contributor from day one, and the only way that would happen is if I️ challenged Tyler everyday like if he stole something from me.  I️ admired Tyler while at St Rays but to be the best you had to compete against the best. Gary D just saw the fire and continued to pour the fuel on the wood. Daily and nightly-challenging and demanding the best. Notes, text messages, etc...he did it. Psychologically he turned me into an X-man!"
-Charlton Clarke (LeBron b4 LeBron, 93' State Champion, U Mass Great)

TWEH: 93' memories?

GD: 93' was the result of getting beat in 92' by Molloy.  You guys were motivated from day one.  We played a brutal schedule.  Very deep team.  We had size, depth and    great guard play. #WalterAugustine and #DonellWhitfield pushed you guys every day in practice.  Toughness with #JamalMcshall.  Can't forget about #NorrisFletcher and #AljamiDurham. One of my favorite teams.  The schools first State Championship.

TWEH: What do you remember about Coach Curran and his Molloy teams? What did you learn from him?

GD: His ability to coach two sports for as long as he did always amazed me.  I don't know how he did it. One of the greats.

TWEH: Coach #BobHurley and his St. Anthony's program.  Learn anything from him?

GD: Again, one of the greats.  The amount of success that he had without having a gym always stood out to me.

TWEH: Did it hurt you to see Rice and St. Anthony's close?

GD: I wasn't around when Rice closed, but it definitely hurts to see a program like that no longer exist.  The bigger impact is that it hurt NYC basketball.  The closing of St. Anthony's will hurt New Jersey basketball.

TWEH: You mentioned Kenny Anderson earlier.  Describe the #prodigy that he was. Did you ever coach against a point guard like him?  What made him special?

GD: Kenny was special-a #trendsetter. Molloy had some great teams and were very dominant in that era.  The thing that I remember most about him was his ability to make his teammates better.  True definition of a point guard!  He had that gift as a freshman. I remember Kareem being a big Kenny Anderson fan.

TWEH: #StephonMarbury?

GD: Stephon had all of the fundamental tools.  I just remember his game being flashy.  Those Lincoln teams were really good.  One of the best.  He had a great pro career, and he's still playing.

TWEH: #FelipeLopez? Was it true that Felipe Lopez wanted to come to St. Rays? How did that go down?

GD: There is some truth to it.  I met with his brother Anthony and went to lunch with him.  Anthony was a great guy.  To make a long story short, he wanted Felipe to start on the varsity.  With that team we had in 91', I couldn't promise him that.  I never promised a starting spot to a kid.  To Felipe's credit, he was phenomenal.  One of the best to ever come out of NYC. Great kid.

TWEH: Would your approach have changed in terms of coaching the #1 player in the country?

GD: Not at all.

TWEH: Rice vs St. Raymond's became a #phenomenon in 92'.  If you tried to get into that game on gameday-you weren't going to get in.  Even though we were all friends with the Rice players off the court, we hated each other leading up to that game.  Even you and Coach Lou Demello were good friends.  What did that rivalry mean to you?

GD: You had to be able to separate competition from friendships. It was a fine line. You guys did a good job of doing that. You couldn't hate the Rice players 100%, because you played with them in the summer.  It was great competition and fun.  Nowadays, kids don't understand that you have to compete against your friends. It's business once you step on the court.

TWEH: Who's idea was it to move that game to Iona College?

GD: The game just outgrew our gym and the Gauchos gym.  It became a phenomenon.  You will never see a game of the magnitude in NYC again.  The hysteria that St. Rays vs Rice created, as well as the product on the floor.  Ten Division one players on the floor at all times.

TWEH: I remember you putting pictures of Felipe in my locker, and different players in my teammates locker. Where did that #motivational tool come from?

GD: I would try anything to get you guys going and push buttons back then.  Nine times out of ten you guys responded.

TWEH: Who had more hype-Kenny, #JasonKidd, Felipe, or Steph?

GD: They all had a lot of hype, and deservedly so.  They were all great and produced every time they stepped on the court.

TWEH: We played against J. Kidd 2 times in 1 season.  Where does he rank on the list of great players you coached against?

GD: Like you said, we only played them twice and split.  He destroyed us that second game.  One of the great basketball prodigies.

TWEH: Rumor has it that #CoryFisher was going to be a Raven? Were there any other players that wanted to come & you couldn't get them in school?

GD: Cory was in the door. I remember him coming to visit the school.  Had I stayed at St. Raymond's, I believe he would've come.  I left that next season.

TWEH: What was your philosophy with your team gear? We always had the best product.  Did you understand the power of #branding & #merchandising back then?

GD: Of course. I knew how much gear meant to you guys. Young kids period. I wanted to have the best looking product in the city! Whether it was a t-shirt, shorts, or sweat suit, it was a walking billboard for the program. The better it looked, the more it enhanced the image of the program!

TWEH: Where would you get the t-shirts done? Who did logos and the Raven artwork for you?

GD: I would always have a St. Rays student do the artwork.

TWEH: How did you decide what shoes we would wear?  One year we wore 6 different pair.

GD: I didn't matter to me, whatever company gave the most product, that's what we were going to wear.

TWEH: Do you remember putting all of our gear and shoes in garbage bags and telling us to "Practice with your socks on!"

GD: Yes, I was crazy back then. Lol.

TWEH: Your practices were insane.  The biggest thing I remember was how detailed you were.  You never skipped a beat.  You always had your folded white piece of paper,  (practice plan) you were always prepared, and you always expected excellence.  Where did that organization & attention to detail come from?  Do you think we ever came close to a perfect practice?

GD: That's what all of the great college coaches did when I used to go watch their practices.  They were always organized, had a plan for practice, and stuck to it from a timing standpoint. The mediocre coaches didn't do that.  I threw a lot at you guys.  To the credit of all of my teams, they tried to be perfect.  There can never be a perfect practice or game.  Even though as coaches, that's what we strive for.

"Coach to me was a father figure. He made me work hard in the classroom and was the first person in my life to ever mention college. When I first met coach, I was like this guy is crazy. What made me want to be a manager was getting to know him and learning what managers did. That made me want to be a part of a family. As his managers, we got treated the same-grades mattered to him. We had to make sure all extra bags were everywhere we played. Oh my God, he was very anal about the stats. 'Make sure you do it this way and fill it in like this.' I felt bad for some of the guys during practice because he wanted perfection during execution of plays. He wanted them to hustle hard during every drill. He was a firm believer of how you practice is how you play. I'm grateful for having Gary in my life!"
-Johnny Faberge (91' City Champion, Manager)

TWEH: This was during a time when you only had one assistant coach.  How #integral was #GregScott-your 1st assistant?

GD: Greg Scott was incredible.  What he brought to the table on a daily basis was very necessary.  He was committed.  The kids looked up to him, and they loved him.  He did a lot for you guys off the court as well.  He knew his stuff.  There is no #legacy without him!  I love Greg.

TWEH: He was Pippen to your Jordan.

GD: Yep.

“I’m a St. Raymond’s alum. I came back to St. Rays in 1989 as a gym teacher, and I was also the Director of Recruitment. The following year, we had the faculty versus students intramural game.  Gary chose me to be on his team.  I guess he saw my aggressiveness, athleticism and skills.  He asked me to help him out with the varsity team after that. That’s the year when Terrence, Orlando, and Book were juniors.  I was impressed with his preparation and dedication.  It was a partnership.  We looked at the playbook together and I saw a few things that we could refine. He trusted my judgement, and that meant a lot.  We came to the same conclusion on two things.  The style of play that we wanted to produce on the court, but most importantly-the style of player off the court that we wanted to develop. We built a legacy at St. Raymond’s that people could be proud of!”
-Greg Scott (Raven Alum, Gary DeCesare's 1st Assistant Coach)

TWEH: What was the #JuliusHodge and #AllanRay era like?  How special were those two?

GD: Forget about the skill with those two, because they definitely had that.  I just remember how hard they worked. They wanted to get better every day.

TWEH: Did you recruit them?

GD: I did.

TWEH: Was that your second #statechampionship team?

GD: Yep, 2000.

TWEH: Was #MrBasketball #PeteMulligan on that team?

GD: Yes. Pete worked very hard to accomplish that goal.  That was a great team. #MattAugustine, #DarnellMiller and all of those guy.  They were all committed to the process and very coachable.

"Coach is so much of a blessing in my life. He pushed me to be a great player and it opened so many doors for me. At the same time he never tolerated my shit, and that made me see life at a different #perspective at a young age, and I’m forever grateful for that.
Honestly he was recruiting my best friend, he came to a game to watch him and he saw me. Then somehow I got in contact with the freshman coach at the time. After talking things over with my family I decided on St.Rays. I definitely was aware of the history of St. Rays. I wanted to go to the best school in the best league and play against the best players in the city."
-Allan Ray (2000 City Champion, 2001 State Champion, Villanova Wildcat Great, Current Pro)

TWEH: You always had college #mediaguides, #StreetandSmith and #HoopScoop magazines around in the locker room.  By seeing those guides, we felt like we were going to play D1. Did you understand the power of visualization back then? 

GD: I definitely wanted you guys to not only aspire to get to the next level, but to be successful.  What better way to do that than to visually see the Universities and players that you guys looked up to.  Hoop Scoop motivated you guys because you were able to see what your peers were doing across the country.

"I met Gary while he was a coach at the #NikeAll-American Camp.  I was teaching students how to use their #minds to become better players, and it didn’t take him long to figure out how useful it would be for the St. Raymond’s program. He invited me into the school and gave me his players. The only thing he ever asked me was to do the best I could with them.  Gary understood that his players came from different backgrounds and they had some issues off the court. He didnt want those issues to prevent them from being the best they could be on and off the court.  The first team I worked with was the Terrence, Book, and Orlando group in 1990.  He eventually hired me at the school. Thats a guy ahead of his time!”
-Jim Sturgis (Brain Power Founder/Raven Sports Psychologist)

TWEH: Brain Power was another mental game changer that you brought to the table.  #SportsPsychology or the power of your thoughts becoming reality. Speaking things into existence wasn't that popular in 1990.  Did you really understand the power in that, or did you just know that the game was heading in that direction?

GD: After meeting Jim at the Nike camp, it took me no time at all to understand that he knew his stuff.  He also worked well with young people.  I didn't totally understand the benefits, but it made sense.  I knew that I was tough to deal with for my players at times. I also knew that they were dealing with other issues away from me.  I didn't want these things to hold them back on and off the court. They needed a release.  #JimSturgis was great. He was a very important piece to the puzzle.

TWEH: You had three players go to Umass. Give me a Coach Calipari story.  Did you know that he would be a successful coach?

GD: A young Coach Cal was very #driven and focused.  You could tell that he was going to do everything in his power to be the best.

"I knew that by 1990, the program was premier.  Coach DeCesare was one of the most committed people I've ever met. His commitment to the school, to the values of Saint Raymond's, and most importantly to his students were unparalleled. He was concerned about his players as people not just as players. It was very important to him that they received their degrees, and he followed them through their college careers. He gave his life and his soul to Saint Raymond's and its students!"
-Monsignor Kavanagh (Spiritual leader of the program)

TWEH: How influential were Bro Raymond, Mr. Patnosh (RIP to both of them-Brother Ray passed away this year.) & Fr. Kavanagh in terms of you being able to do what you did at Rays.

GD: RIP Brother Raymond, and Mr. Patnosh.  The two of them and Father Kavanaugh were so supportive of the kids and myself.  They were so instrumental in the success of the program.  I always wanted to make them proud.  Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today!

RAPID FIRE ROUND

TWEH: Favorite shoe company to deal with over the years?

GD: #Nike.

TWEH: Favorite tournament?

GD: Missouri #TournamentofChampions.

TWEH: Old St. Rays gym or new gym?

GD: Old. You had to be there!

TWEH:Top 3 musical artists of all-time?

GD: Queen, Bruce Springsteen, and Kiss.

TWEH: Favorite college coaches to deal with over the years?

GD: #JayWright.

TWEH: Describe Jay Wright in one word?

GD: Friend.

TWEH: Favorite pizza shop in NYC?

GD: Jerry's by St. Rays.

TWEH: Favorite Yankees player/team?

GD: Thurman Munson/77' Yankees.

TWEH: Best ref?

GD: Phil Silustio

TWEH: Fav college bball team/coach as a kid?

GD: Indiana/#BobbyKnight.

TWEH: Fav NBA team/player as a kid?

GD: 73' Knicks/Dave DeBusschere

TWEH: Best shooter of all-time at Rays?

GD: #DannyBasile.

TWEH: Best scorer?

GD: #TerrenceRencher

TWEH: Best defender?

GD: Eric Harris.

TWEH: Best athlete?

GD: #MichaelThompson.

TWEH: Best 2way player?

GD: #Darryl Reid.

TWEH: Best shot blocker?

GD: #OrlandoAntigua

TWEH: Best handle?

GD: #KareemReid

TWEH: Most talented freshman?

GD: #CharltonClarke

TWEH: Most heralded freshman?

GD: #TylerBrown

TWEH: Best bball IQ?

GD: #EddieRivera

TWEH: Funniest?

GD: #TrevorRedfern & Book.

TWEH: Best 'glue guy'?

GD: #DanaDingle

TWEH: Player you would want to go in the #foxhole with?

GD: #CarlGreene.

TWEH: Hardest worker?

GD: #MattAugustine.

TWEH: Down 2 with five seconds on the clock, who are u getting the ball to?

GD: #JuliusHodge 

TWEH: Down 3?

GD: #AllanRay

TWEH: Top 5 managers?

GD: #JohnnyFaberge, #DoremusMoten, #AlexPerez, #AnthonyDoran and my two boys Gary & T.J.

TWEH: Old #frankieandjohnnies or new?

GD: Old.

TWEH: Best talent over the years, Riverside or Gauchos?

GD: Gauchos.

TWEH: Best basketball product you've ever purchased for your players?

GD: #Strength shoes.

TWEH: Are you for or against basketball trainers? Why?

GD: I'm against trainers that teach all these #gimmicks to these kids.  They can never apply that stuff in the game. What qualifies a trainer? They should pay me instead. However, I'm for kids training with Eric Harris-the #defensivespecialist!

TWEH: ABCD or #FiveStar?

GD: ABCD.

TWEH: Thx Big Time!  Talk to you soon on part 2.

GD: Thank for having me @defensivespecialist. I can't wait!

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