Hanging out with SPYDA - Part 1 of 2

[Streetball’s Finest  – 1.8.12] – Hanging out with SPYDA - Part 1 of 2

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Dennis Chism aka Spyda (via Facebook); Getty Images and other sources

Continuing And1 Ph’s blog series “Streetball’s Finest”, I’ve caught up with Dennis Chism aka SPYDA, a fan favorite from the And1 Mixtape Tour and now still playing for the And1 Live Streetball Tour.

For all you And Juans out there who don’t know who Spyda is, Dennis Chism was born in Atlanta, Georgia and plays point guard.  At 5 feet and 1o inches tall and weighing around 175lbs, Spyda is known for his playmaking ability and high-flying dunks.  He is best known for his trademark dunk, the Spyda (just like his nickname), where he hangs upside down while holding on to the rim and then crosses his legs over his hands.

Spyda was kind enough to answer my questions that I sent via his email in such short notice, and even with his busy schedule, he gamely responded to these.  Here’s what he has got to share:

Flash: People already remember you from the Mixtape Tour back in mid-2000s.  When/how did you get invited to join And1 Mixtape Tour / And1 Live?

Spyda: “I had went home to California on school break.“

[Sidenote – Spyda joined the Mixtape tour as a contest player in 2004.  He made the cut, and was signed to a contract the same year.  He also got featured in ESPN’s TV series called “Streetball” from 2004-2006.]

Flash:  What are some of the other known tournaments/leagues/events you've balled in?

Spyda:  “ABA (American Basketball Association) - I played 2 years up under Kobe Bryant’s dad (Joe “Jellybean” Bryant) and playing on the And1 Mixtape allowed me to play at every gym and court.”

[Sidenote – Spyda suited up for the Las Vegas Rattlers and Boston Frenzy of the ABA between 2003-2004]

Flash:  Growing up, who were your influences in playing basketball?

Spyda:  “I’ve always been a Charles Barkley and a Kobe fan.”

Flash:  Who gave you the nickname Spyda and how did you get it?

Spyda:  “A friend of mine, Hot Sauce (Philip Champion).”   

[Sidenote – Hot Sauce gave Spyda his nickname because “he was catching everything”.  Chism used to be called Rim Crawler. – Source:  Hoopsvibe.com]

Continuation of this article will be posted on January 10.  For now, check out his in-game highlights via the Youtube video posted below.  More about Spyda and his And1 Live thoughts in Part 2.  Stay tuned!


[UPDATE - 1.10.12] - Click HERE to read part 2 of this article.