Giving it another try
Shelly Clark… That was the guy I said I’d never be like. I met him my first year in the D-League when I was 23 and he was what seemed like 80. I told myself I would never be some old fogey nearing 30 in the D-League trying to get a call up. But here I am, a couple of gut punches and seven years later, playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBADL. Ah ha! But looking for a call up? Because, I mean… Isn’t that what everyone plays in the D-League for? Either a call up or for the money, right? Well, being a Petroleum Engineer grad from the University of Texas-Austin (the best university in America), I asssure you money is not my inspiration. At least not the factor bringing me back to a league I simply never fathomed playing again in.
The funny thing is, a call up is the last thing on my mind. So why the D-League, oh former No. 4 pick of the first NBDL Draft? (If it weren’t so sad it’d be comical). The dangling carrot, mon frere. And I fell for it again. I was in the zone. Making good money with a plan to make more in my country of origin, Nigeria. With the NBA dream behind me and a new tendon connecting my quad to my patella, I had a drawn-out plan to save $1 million, retire from basketball and get into African biz. Hey, I never wanted to be like Mike. I just wanted to get one day in the league to say I did it. I wanted to be like George Weah, or Gaddafi. (OK, maybe the latter was a bad example, but he is an African pimp).
Anyway… Nooooo, I had to listen to the, “Gabe, go for it one more time,” “You just need to play the 3,” “show ‘em you can shoot the ball,” “Lose some weight” blah blah bl… Wait. Never tried losing weight. Never thought it mattered. But after long self deliberation, I turned down 300K-plus contracts (with some help from outside advisors) and chose to take an invitaion to vet’s camp with the Bobcats after losing 50 pounds of muscle to prove how much I was dedicated to being on that team. Do you have any idea how hard it is to lose muscle? I was 271 pounds and 8 percent body fat on May 21. Today I am 228 and less than 5 percent body fat. I got as low as 221 while in Charlotte. It is one of the reasons the NFL is so much different from the NBA. Or I should say the NBA is so much different than every other pro sports league? There is simply no equation for playing in the NBA for those who are not, well, freaks. You know the 7-foot-3 spartans who can dunk with their nostrils? That kind of guys.
For the 6-foot-7 tweeners, I got news for you. Ready? Listen to no one, listen to everyone, play really really really hard and pray for a lot of luck. Because I’ve done it all. Answered every question, perfected every drill, learned to play ambidextrous, and taught myself to shoot the cliche’d pee-pee out of the ball. But sans luck… And your up poo-poo’s creek.
Honestly, though, I have no regrets. And bitterness went out the window with the birth of my son when I was 24. I just have a lot of rhetorical questions. (That means questions for which the answers are obvious.) For example… Why did I tolerate all that I did? I mean… If you don’t know, rookie free agents get treated like the red-headed kid trying to sneak a piece of the drumstick during Thanksgiving. It’s not really a big deal when you’re the youngest as I was in Detroit and Houston. But when you’re 29 and in camp being told how to play by guys six years younger than you when you have played everywhere against every type of competition – not to mention the fact that I played four years of college ball – it tends to get a bit tiresome. Or being yelled at for shooting the ball too much in a preseason – I repeat, preseason game – by a 10-year vet as if you were stealing his lunch money. Is it just me or should he even care? Believe me, for every knucklehead insecure millionaire (well… millionaire?) yelling at the rookie free agent for not passing him the ball with three seconds left on the shot clock, there are tons of vets who either truly want you to achieve your dream or just don’t care.
I have had the pleasure of meeting and associating with people who were incredible individuals and that far outweighs the negatives of losing money and/or the rare occurrence of being looked down on by someone who might be your intellectual minor or just simply your minor. Chauncey “Dome” Billups (gotcha, Chaunce), cooler than a polar bear’s toe nails. Jerry Sloan was so polite I almost wanted him to shout at me. I mean a Hall of Fame coach telling you good morning and using your first name before practice? Byron Scott. I heard he was cocky before I met him and after meeting him… He has every right to be. That man is 45 and looks like he’s 25. He can dunk without flexing a toe and I bet he can outrun every player on the Hornets today. (That is not a knock on the Hornets, but to describe to you the type of person he is. He was the first one in the gym working out. That takes a type of discipline rarely seen. Not to mention he’s a winner, coaching and playing).
Anyway, the list goes on and on. I could talk about just one of the great people I’ve been in contact with in the NBA and it would be a whole blog. So I’ll save them and savor them in future blogs. That’s the best I can do as a “wannabe” on the outside looking in. As for now, I have to get on the road. Houston to Mission, TX is a five-hour drive and we’ve got practice tomorrow… Oops, today. I don’t really consider it practice. It’s more like babysitting now.
Shalom!
Joel Jones Said,
November 15, 2007 @ 7:15 pm
outstanding work!
giacomo Said,
November 15, 2007 @ 8:35 pm
its always disappointing to read a story like this. for every bonehead that has ruined his chance in the NBA with stupid desicions and lack of discipline, there are dosens of players who never even get a proper shot at their chance even though they have don everything asked of them.
but you have a pet eng. degree? go get your money brother.
peace
Brian C Said,
November 15, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
You should be a sports columnist or something. Excellent perspectives and story telling. Good stuff!
Luke from Detroit Said,
November 15, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
Nice work, hopefully I’ll see you in Detroit for training camp next year, wouldn’t mind having you on the roster.
bill ray Said,
November 15, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
great blog!!!!
Eggert Said,
November 16, 2007 @ 4:43 am
That was excellent blog and funny as well. Look forward to read the next one!
Good luck to you Gabe in the NBDL
Lupe Said,
November 16, 2007 @ 8:27 am
Wow, I really enjoyed the blog. How are you enjoying the Valley? I know it is a small, weird area being there myself. Everyone brags how McAllen is the place to go, other than the strip it’s mierda. You should at least try South Padre, not the greatest beach, but it’s fun to distract yourself. I hope you enjoy the Valley.
Jide78 Said,
November 16, 2007 @ 9:11 am
Kedu Gabe, hold ya head up, real high I mean. Fat blog! Some Wilkin kid plays in Seattle…..Mouneke plays minor league. Ha ha ha….Time will tell. Do last names have anything to do with this? Iguodala, Diogu et al. 271 pound DE in the brawl league perhaps? Keep on trudging….
Tommy T Said,
November 16, 2007 @ 10:36 am
Wow… nice work. I remember watching you years ago at UT. Lots of athletes are great bloggers. Your’s may be the best. Keep playing and writing. You’re more successful than most NBAers already.
Congrats on a great career.
Matt Said,
November 16, 2007 @ 11:13 am
Good luck, Gabe. There are a lot of us rooting for you! You’re a bull of a player and I’ve enjoyed following your career in the US, China and Puerto Rico.
sam Said,
November 16, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
great writing, hope to see you ballin on the court in the L this upcoming season so i can read about it!
Rav Said,
November 16, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
Great Writing! Keep Up the good work and good luck with everything
Nick Said,
November 16, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Gabe,
Nice work. I guess you made it through our Statics and Dynamics class ok. That class was brutal and it was only the beginning. I look forward to your future blog posts.
Paul Said,
November 16, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
Great comment on Byron Scott, big fan of his and heard he makes a few bucks outshooting his players.
marcus Said,
November 16, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
THIS IS A GREAT BLOG! I CANT WAIT TO HEAR THE GOOD AND THE BAD OF THE NBA!!!!!! YOU ARE A GREAT WRITER, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A JOB ON ESPN NEXT TO FUNNY MAN CHARLES BARKLEY.
Steve-0 Said,
November 16, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Dude , you can write , never heard fo you ( I know you know that lol) Good luck and keep pushing.
Rod Nealy Said,
November 18, 2007 @ 11:43 am
I ain’t go even lie, that shit was hot!!!
patrick Said,
November 18, 2007 @ 4:41 pm
great work brother. I feel your pain thru your writing. keep pushing and keep posting your stories. one love
naija iceman Said,
November 20, 2007 @ 4:36 am
I have been reading hoopshype for years, never posted a comment. Always read through the whole stuff, comments and all and I can tell you Gabe, yours is the best I have read in awhile. When you are done with basket-ball, you may consider a career in writing. Nigeria could do with one less petroleum engineer and a lot more writers.
Best regards,
Terence Said,
November 20, 2007 @ 10:12 am
Sup Gabe,
Great writing! Been pulling for you ever since my freshman year at UT in ‘98. Even watched you practice with the Nigerian team here in Houston last year. Keep up the good work man. Hope to see you at the Fonde next summer.
djhott Said,
November 21, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
hey gabe muoneke, i was a big fan or am a fan of yours since texas
u and reggie freeman. u were a 6′7 beast, who was right about tweeners
and smart in trying to be a sf, u are very talented, and think
with the right call u could be a paul millsap, brandon bass, type of player
and even if u have to make it as a sf, that plays d, takes charges,vocal,hits free throws, and hustles, u are better that james singleton, and i could see u as a najera, type of player. liked the article, and in the pic, u do look like u lost alot of weight., and gave it to eddie curry. lol
djhott Said,
November 21, 2007 @ 8:28 pm
gabe to portland,orlando,seattle, or toronto
i see joey graham, as a player gabe could contend to take his spot
Adamadu Said,
November 27, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
“When a man is judged at the gates of heaven, God does not put a tape measure around their brain, but around the heart”. You are honestly the one who got me through, my guardian angel “Gabriel”. The things that you have been through and hurdled with ease are only of one in which God took his rarest stone and placed it in you, to be your engine. You are where you are and meant to be at the right time…always. Through you, there must be change. “And so it was written.” You might think it’s been about this game in which we all know has not been based on talent since the 80’s, but through this game his work will be done. It has already started… Shalom
Nate Higgs Said,
November 28, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Only one comment for you fellow baller.
The best thing that you have done with you life thusfar is gotten your degress from Universtiy..
That knowledge cant, wont and even if attempted never will be lost stole or deprived off..
Therefore, all comes down to decisions and ego.
Either keep working on your dreams regardless if they materialize or not, but keep working, lerning the game of basketball, making new contacts and friends. Keep your head up!
It has been set long ago the NBA is for some and some its not..
Just as education is for some and some cant absorb it..
You on the right track..at least for a successful life..
Basketball as all sports are only a minor part of what life is really about..
Stay Blessed forget the rest..
Trails only test our strength and show us what we really made of..
When we fall or get knocked down, as my LATE mom would say, “Son get up, brush yourself off and keep on moving walking with your head up high never doubting your abilities”….
The wind does NOT always blow in the same direction playa.
Hold dat..
1
mtp Said,
December 2, 2007 @ 10:19 am
I’ve read hoopshype.com for three years now, never commented.
I just had to say great insight, great storytelling. You are definitely already a success, bro. Keep being honest and true, the NBA needs a dose of that on a lot of teams not named San Antonio and Detroit.
onyx Said,
December 14, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
hey gabe, no shaking. n9ja man NO the give up like that oh. me self i the play basketball i never reach where u dey now, man keep working u will get there.God dey na n9ja man talk brotha.
i wan be like uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
welovebasketball Said,
December 26, 2007 @ 10:02 am
GOOD LUCK IN VITORIA
garryj Said,
December 29, 2007 @ 10:39 am
SPAIN!
wow, looking forward to your next blog. must be nice to be making Euros and not american bucks, you can come back here and live like a king.
lol
Dorian Pena Said,
January 14, 2008 @ 4:42 am
Well man glad to see your dreams coming true, all the way from college at Texas where you guys ended our(COPPIN STATE) dreams of makin history… Even playing against you out here in the Philippines I see you have moved all the way up the ladder.. Keep your head up, glad to see your doing well…
baskonista Said,
January 22, 2008 @ 6:09 pm
Hello Gabe.I’m a fan of tau and wanted to tell you thank you for putting these desires to help our team.You are doing a great job.We need more people as you … Thank you for everything
Sorry, but this written through translator
Marcus Huang (Fro) Said,
May 9, 2008 @ 10:51 pm
What’s up Gabe, I have not seen you since highschool since we use to play in open gym and summer league with Joe Gibson aka (black) and Pat Averil, but man I read your whole story and from knowing you personally, I know you definetly deserve better. Hit me back up when you get a chance, maybe when you in Houston we can chill, I try to hoop a little bit, but not as much no more.
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