The Hot Seat with SMOKIN' ACES - Part 2 of 2

[Streetball’s Finest  – 12.11.13] – The Hot Seat with SMOKIN' ACES - Part 2 of 2

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Brian Kortovich (via email and Facebook) / Various (Ben Draper Photography / Kevin Couliau)

Last week, we posted Part 1 (click HERE) of the blog feature about a professional basketball player with legit streetball credibility – 2012 EBC Rucker Park scoring champion Smokin’ Aces aka Brian Kortovich.  We continue his story in this week's blogpost.

Don’t let Brian’s boyish looks fool you, AND Juans.  At 190 pounds and standing at 6 feet, BK, as he is also known, can light it up from anywhere.  It’s actually a mystery why they don’t call him the Human Torch, since this guy can just flat out shoot the ball with the best of them.  

Chasing that coveted NBA roster spot, Kortovich has been part of both the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets preseason camps, and is on pace to have another major push this season for the fulfillment of his dream.  More of his replies and insights below:

Flash: If you actually had to pay to watch any baller play, who would that be?

Smokin’ Aces: “Right now, it would have to be Kevin Durant.  Not only is he the most skilled player in the League but humility and strength define who he is.  Since getting to know him a bit (after my recent injury this summer), it’s impossible not to root for KD!  After it’s all said and done, his impact off the court will trump anything he's done on it.  And that's saying a lot.  I have nothing but love for KD!”

                                                       (click to play)

Flash: Which NBA player have you already met and/or played against?  Tell us more about your NBA player experiences.

Smokin’ Aces: "Being in NBA preseason camps has allowed me to run elbows with both the New Jersey Nets and New Knicks rosters (2009 / 2010) - both starters / reserves day in and day for weeks upon weeks.  Going head to head with these players and holding your own gives you confidence to know you can play with anyone.  

(I’ve also met) Lebron James - growing up in Cleveland, Ohio…we've rubbed elbows a few times playing in the summers.  Other big names include Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, Gilbert Arenas and more.

Ohio's finest - BK with LBJ. 

Rucker Park - Summer 2013

Although I was injured this summer and wasn’t able to defend my scoring title, I helped coach our team Hillsong - NYC Hustlers with one of my closest friends, Carl Lentz, who pastors this local Church in NYC.  We ended up winning the Finals and made a little history in the process, 1st team to ever bring 5 NBA starters to a game at the Rucker - having an all NBA starting lineup with Kevin Durant, David Lee, Kent Bazemore, Landry Fields, Jay Williams.  Other players included Chris Smith and Scott Machado.”

EBC Rucker Park scoring champs 

Smokin' Aces (2012) with Kevin Durant (2013).

Flash: Tell us about the basketball scene in Cleveland and New York.  We do know it is crazy out there but if you can put it into words, do elaborate.  How does it feel to be part of the NY basketball scene?

Smokin’ Aces: “Cleveland is where I was born and raised.  There has been a pipeline of great players to come out of the city in Lebron James, Earl Boykins, Charles Oakley to name a few…BUT to ball in the “Mecca of NYC” and make a name for yourself, there's nothing like it!  It's something that I will never forget.  

Not being from NYC - it's very tough to not only get on the court of the best tournaments like the Rucker, Dyckman, Nike Pro City, etc but to do that and earn a nickname at the legendary Rucker is something very special and humbling feeling.  After starting from the bottom and networking to get on at all the top NYC tourneys was by no means easy and impossible at times - I just kept at it and kept at it.  Once I got my opportunity, well the rest is history.  It's been one humbling and incredible journey to say the least - something I will always cherish.

Like they say if you can make it in NYC, you can make it anywhere!  Plus you are playing against the best of the best - day in and day out.  It's hard not to bring you’re A-game or trust me, you will get embarrassed.”

Flash: Please do tell us about your new AND1 shoe.  Was it a special model that was customized for you?

Smokin’ Aces: “Well the opportunity from the shoe became a possibility after winning the scoring title at EBC Rucker in the summer of 2012.  Later that winter I sat down with Rob and Dexter and we went to work with the process.  They respected my hustle and grind as I did the AND1 brand.  It's a great fit for both sides.”

Brian also has an existing foundation - Aces in Action - a "charity for change" that was launched in the summer of 2013.  AIA provides free basketball camps/clinics in the NYC to less-fortunate kids who may not be able to afford personal basketball training/ instruction but are aspiring young hoopers looking to take their games to the highest level possible.  

AIA also sells ACES gear to promote a worthy cause to continue the search for the cure of cancer.  Proceeds go to American Cancer Society and other charitable organizations.

You can catch BK online by following him in Twitter (@SmokinACES1) or thru his official website (www.briankortovich.com).  He also has an Instagram account (@smokinaces1).

Feel free to send an email to us at and1pinas@gmail.com for your suggestions on who you want to be seen here next.  Please check out and LIKE our Facebook fanpage (facebook.com/and1ph) and follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) for more news, spotlights, and the latest updates about the And1 brand in the Philippines.  For now, check out Smokin’ Aces’ parting message to his fans:

“Don't ever be afraid to dream big, have goals and chase the things that are truly in your heart! Nothing comes easy - I'm a prime example of that.  BUT if you fight, work hard, believe in yourself you can accomplish things beyond your wildest imagination.  

Believe in yourself even when others don't…stay true to yourself and in due time you will have no regrets and accomplish the things you've set forth in life!  Enjoy the journey, the process ... it's not always about the end result but how you stay true to yourself and how you respond to tough situations – that’s what people will remember the most!  

Thanks to the AND1 Nation .. God Bless!”

More highlights of Smokin' Aces (click to play)