Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images: Brian Kortovich (via email and Facebook) /
Various (Ben Draper Photography / Kevin Couliau)
The
spotlight shifts to a different kind of baller for this month’s “Streetball’s Finest” feature. A professional basketball player who has made
his name known in one of streetball’s most sacred playgrounds, New York City’s
Rucker Park – he is described as a sweet-shooting point guard with excellent
playmaking skills. He is no other than Brian Kortovich aka SMOKIN’ ACES.
Hailing
from Cleveland, Ohio, this dead-eye shooter not only caught the attention and
adulation of many scouts, players, and coaches from the NBA and the NBA
D-League, he was also EBC Rucker Park’s 2012 leading scorer. Talk about street cred.
2012 EBC scoring champion Brian Kortovich running a play at Rucker Park.
Chasing
the dream to make it to the NBA since graduating from college back in 2006,
Brian has extensive international experience in play-for-pay hoops, making
stops in Kuwait, France, Israel, and the Dominican Republic. His efforts and work ethics have earned him
spots in both the New York Knicks and then New Jersey Nets preseason camps,
plus securing a draft selection from the NBA D-League.
Brian
(or BK) was kind enough to answer my
questions that I sent via his email despite his busy schedule. Here’s what he has got to share:
Smokin’
Aces: “First of all, I want to
send my thoughts and prayers to all who have suffered (due to typhoon Yolanda / Haiyan) in any way from the recent events in the Philippines! God Bless the country in the efforts towards
recovery!”
Flash: Who is Smokin’ Aces as a baller / How
did you get your nickname (Smokin' Aces)?
Smokin’ Aces: “BK as a Baller is fiery competitor who has a great understanding
of the game and who doesn't back down from anybody - often having his best
performances when it matters the most. Can
knock down the jumper with the best of them .. NBA or not. What separates him from most is the fact that not
only can he create shots for others but he can also get his shot off at any
time. He's a true leader from the PG
position and is very effective in the pick n roll and can run a team at any
level. (see www.briankortovich.com
>> NBA quotes).
I received the nickname playing at the
legendary EBC Rucker Park a few years back.
Growing up in Cleveland it was always a dream of mine to play in a game
there. I knew the history and all the NBA greats and past NYC basketball
legends who have graced the famous court in Harlem. I was playing for a
team called "Black Wall Street" and got the opportunity to let it
fly. After a few jump shots, some nice
drives to the basket and pouring it in from NBA range and 35 points later...the
Rucker Emcee's Hannibal "The Most
Electrifying One" and EJ "The
Major Johnson" dubbed me the nickname Smokin' Aces..From that day on the name has traveled with me
wherever I go.”
Flash: What is
your trademark/favorite move when you play?
Smokin’
Aces: “I have a couple
moves I go to - my off-the-dribble jumper is one of them from both inside and
outside the 3 point line, and a series of moves off-the-dribble (whether it be
a crossover or between-the-legs crossover to create space/to create for my teammates)
to get to the basket or knocking down the jumper.”
Flash: Tell me
more about your playing style – what sets you apart from the rest of the pack?
Smokin’
Aces: “What separates me from others is my overall court
awareness and smarts about the game. I
can run a team, set others up or score when called upon. I'm a knock-down shooter and can shoot with
the best of them. Often people look at
me as just a shooter because of how efficient I shoot the rock, but in all
actuality I'm a true PG.”
Flash: Who are
your influences in playing basketball?
Smokin’
Aces: “I've always tried to model my game after guys like Mark
Price, Steve Nash. A wiseman once told
me “if you can shoot the ball and handle it well…it's going to take you places!” So I always worked daily on my ball-handling
skills, jump shot and defense - I didn't want to be labeled as
one-dimensional. That work ethic, grit,
and determination has enabled me to get to this point in my career.”
Smokin' Aces with AND1 Live players (Werm, Easy J, etc.)
Flash: How and when did you get
to be associated with AND1?
Smokin’
Aces: “After leading the Rucker in scoring in summer 2012, later that
fall/winter that's when I met Dexter (Gordon) and from there we sat down, had a
few meetings with Rob (Purvy – AND1 President), and got to talking about being
involved with the AND1 Live Tour and also got the talks going regarding the
shoe with AND1. I have a lot of
respect for Rob, Dexter, and Linda (Hill) - they all believed in me as a
basketball player but more importantly as a person. They are family!”
Sneak(er) preview of BK's exclusive AND1 player exclusives
plus custom Rucker Park scoring champ socks.
Continuation
of this article will be posted next week.
For now, check out his in-game highlights at the world-famous Rucker
Park via the Youtube video posted below.
Smokin’ Aces will be talking about his NBA experiences, favorite AND1
pair, and more in Part 2. Stay tuned,
AND Juans!
(click to play)
Smokin' Aces racing upcourt while playing in the
Entertainers Basketball Classic in Rucker Park.
BK being featured in Sports Illustrated China edition while wearing AND1 gear.
No comments:
Post a Comment