Hanging out with SPYDA - Part 2 of 2

[Streetball’s Finest  – 1.10.12] – Hanging out with SPYDA - Part 2 of 2

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

A couple of days ago, I posted Part 1 of the blog feature about Spyda aka Dennis Chism.  You can click HERE to read Part 1, or just scroll down for the continuation.

Spyda is currently part of the And1 Live StreetballTour and is playing alongside Hot Sauce, Guy Dupuy, Highrizer, Amazn, 50, Werm, among others. 

I asked him some questions about And1 Live via his e-mail, and have posted them below with his replies.

Flash: Who do you think is the most entertaining guy to watch during the And1 Live tour right now?

Spyda:  “Guy (Dupuy), my teammate that jumps over the cars.”

[Sidenote – Speaking of Guy, check out the video clip below.]

Flash: Who was the toughest streetballer you've gone up against and why?

Spyda:  “Baby Shaq (Hugh Jones) cause he just like me but 6'3 6'4 and can move”

[Sidenote – At 6’3”, Baby Shaq plays the guard position too.]

Flash: For sheer showmanship, which current NBA baller do you think would be a nice addition to the And1 Live tour?

Spyda:  “Chris Paul or Lebron.”

Flash: Speaking of which, the NBA's back.  Who do you think has the best hops in the League?

Spyda: "Blake Griffin."  

Flash: What was the best And1 pair you've ever hooped in? Any fond memories of that shoe?

Spyda:  “The recognizes (referring to the And1 Rekanize Mids), man I miss that shoes it had style and good feel for the feet.”

Flash: Final message for your fans?

Spyda:  “Spyda does what Spyda do.”

You can hang out with Spyda by following him in Twitter (@spyda_and1) or find him on Facebook (Dennis Spyda Chism).  He also sent me a link to his website - www.spot13.net.

As always, I’ll try to feature other streetball players soon, and so feel free to email us at and1pinas@gmail.com for your suggestions on who you want to be featured next.  Please check out and LIKE our Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/and1ph) and follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) for more news, spotlights, and the latest updates about the And1 brand in the Philippines.  And that’s the 411, And Juan!

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.