The Circuit: Texas PRO

As you may or may not know, I spent an entire Summer with Texas PRO in their first season on the AAU circuit. My goal was to document this entire experience and share it with the World. It was an experience like no other and the footage that was captured will be shared via www.highschoolhopefuls.com.

The entire experience has been broken into 3 Series, The Come Up, The Warm Up, and The Blow Up.

In order to understand the full story, you need to go down memory lane and figure out the Who's, the Why's, the How's, the What's, etc. During Episode One of "The Come Up" series that is exactly what we did... In this episode you will meet Marland Lowe (Head Coach of Texas PRO) as he ventures back through his mind to recant a few trials and tribulations on his journey. He discuss his first heartbreak, fond memories, and bonds that were once strong...

Enjoy...

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Deandre Jordan was a player that was featured on the HSH: Hooping in Houston documentary back in 2007. A short 4 years later, Deandre spent a year at Texas A&M and is now a member of the LA Clippers where he was drafted in 2008 with the 35th pick. During his senior year (high school) Deandre was nationally ranked in the top 10 of his class but wasn't invited to the prestigious McDonald's All American game.

Deandre and Bill Walker were the only players in the top 10 that didnt receive the invitation to play in the Mickey D's game. There were 16 players out of the 24 selected that were "ranked' below Deandre. However, this class was loaded with talent, have you ever heard of; Blake Griffin (Deandre's teammate with the Clippers), OJ Mayo, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Mike Beasley, Eric Gordon, James Harden, just to name a few.

Not being selected for the McDonald's game fueled Deandre as he entered his 1st and only year at Texas A&M. Some may say that he left too early and probably should have stayed for an extra year, but Deandre and his family obviously felt like he was ready... In 2008 he was drafted by the LA Clippers in the 2nd Round (35th pick). The very next year, the Clippers landed the #1 pick and drafted Blake Griffin.

Deandre has continued to grind and work on his game and is noted as a rebounder, defender, and high flying finisher around the rim. His strong attributes has allowed him to resign an agreement with the Clippers and most recently he just inked an endorsement deal with Under Armour.

It's not a sprint, it's a marathon... #ItWasAllADream

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In 2004, the star-making machine, in the form of a Sports Illustrated reporter, descended on a 14-year-old basketball player from Fontana, Calif., named Demetrius Walker. The scouting newsletter The Hoop Scoop had recently proclaimed Walker the best eighth grader in the country; now the pre-eminent sports magazine was going to take that hype to a new level. While the article about Walker carried the requisite caveats — about whether he would fulfill his potential and whether it was even fair to be placing such expectations on a kid — it described him as “14 going on LeBron.” The reason was not just Walker’s physical gifts, but also his Amateur Athletic Union coach, Joe Keller, who, according to Keller himself, was keeping Walker on a righteous path — arranging for him to be home-schooled by a tutor, checking to make sure he did his academic work and paying as much attention to the boy’s well-being as to his jump shot. “I’m not going to get a thing out of this,” Keller told S.I. “My only hope is that maybe, one day, when Demetrius is in the N.B.A., he can come back and sponsor my team.”

Texas PRO 5.28.11...

We landed last night at almost 9:30p, it was a rough flight! It felt like we were on a roller coaster for the last 10 minutes of the flight...checked into the hotel, grabbed some food (IHOP) and went to bed. We had an early game against a team from Ohio. They kept it close early, but Texas PRO was able to gain some key buckets in transition and came up with some crucial defensive stops to close the game out by 14 points. Even though Texas PRO won the game, it was probably one of it not the most sluggish game that I've ever seen before from this team...just very sluggish...

Jelon caught a nasty one-handed tip in the lane and Mike caught yet another defender on the break...Yes white men can jump! He banged it on him. I guess he didnt see the " Playing for Beats" video. You better go ask somebody! Isaiah as usual dominated inside (rebounds & blocks) and did whatever he wanted to do offensively.

TJ struggled a lil bit, several turnovers killed some key opportunities in transition. I expect him to bounce back at the next game at 3p. As the youngest on the team and the point guard his teammates look to him for leadership and communication.

Coach Marland has been preaching to the team to keep grinding and to never get too comfortable or complacent. When you are 41-1, young but very talented you can easily let some complacency creep in...

TP came to Chicago with one goal/mission in mind which is to win it all!

Next game is at 3p against Terry Porter Elite...

Let's get it!