The Painted Face shows out at West Coast Dreamers Charity Event (Woodlake HS, SoCal)

[Streetball’s Finest  – 11.4.13] – The Painted Face shows out at West Coast Dreamers Charity Event (Woodlake HS, SoCal)

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: Jude Thomas aka The Painted Face (via email)

This month’s featured baller for “Streetball’s Finest” is no stranger to the AND1 Ph blogsite, him being the 1^st ever to be featured in the sub-section’s inaugural run a few years back.  Jude Thomas, aka The Painted Face and Hollywizzle shared some images of him and the West Coast Dreamers team (founded by Michael “Airdogg” Stewart and Haneef “Young Hollywood” Munir) balling at Woodlake High School in Southern California last week.

He has also shared a Youtube video highlights mix showing his handles, throwing ‘oops, and entertaining the crowd (clip embedded below, click to play) while wearing his black/black AND1 Rocket 2.0 Mids.

Check out some of his previous AND1 Ph features by clicking the links below:

• The Painted Face, UNMASKED - Part 1 of 2
• The Painted Face, UNMASKED - Part 2 of 2
• The Painted Face Web Series – Episode 1
• The Painted Face Web Series– Episode 2

Check out Jude’s Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/ThePaintedFace) and West Coast Dreamers (www.facebook.com/WestCoastDreamers) for updates.  Stay tuned for more local and foreign streetballers in our next features, AND Juans!

The Painted Face Web Series – Episode 2

[Streetball’s Finest  – 12.12.12] – The Painted Face Web Series – Episode 2

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Jude Thomas aka The Painted Face (via email)

Jude Thomas, otherwise known as The Painted Face and Hollywizzle is back with the 2^nd webisode of his The Painted Web Series.  Previously featured last month (click here for the article), the web series covers his basketball and acting exploits, and provides a touch of comedy for good measure.

Episode 2 is now up in Youtube, and we’ve embedded the clip below for everyone’s viewing entertainment.

Some of this episode’s guests include - Brian Smooth Man, DeAndre "Ice" Turner, Tommy "Deuce" Ingle, and Isaiah Joseph Thomas (Jude’s son) – and directed by Dominique Purdy.  Subsequent webisodes will feature some AND1 kicks too.

 

Watch out for more upcoming episodes of the “Who is the Painted Face?” series only here in AND1 Philippines.  For now, check out Jude’s Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/ThePaintedFace) for updates.  Stay tuned, AND Juans!

The Painted Face Web Series – Episode 1

[Streetball’s Finest  – 11.8.12] – The Painted Face Web Series – Episode 1

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Jude Thomas aka The Painted Face (via email)

Exactly eleven months ago, we featured one of the most enigmatic streetballers in our 1^st ever “Streetball’s Finest” blog sub-section.  Jude Thomas, otherwise known as The Painted Face and Hollywizzle chimed in last December 2011 and shared his story about his beginnings on the courts of Hollywood plus his experiences as a streetball player competing against some of the best in the world.

Recently, The Painted Face has decided to come out and produce a series of webisodes that in his own words “is for the love of basketball and acting.”  Episode 1 of “"Who is The Painted Face?" is now up in Youtube, and we’ve embedded the clip below for everyone’s viewing entertainment.

He mentioned that “since I'm a rookie actor and love streetball, I thought to combine both elements together..while waiting and still trying to get into movies, TV shows, and commercials etc..I thought in-between my down time is to practice my acting/comedy.”  Furthermore, the player also known as Hollywizzle said “..don't get me wrong there will be a lot of real in-game footage as well this first episode was just an introduction of who I am with a little comedy (featuring the McDonald's cheeseburgers).”

Subsequent webisodes will feature real actors/actresses just like Rosemary Lopez (a budding actress from the San Fernando, California area) and could include clips showing some AND1 kicks.

Behind the scenes images with 

actress Rosemary Lopez and director Dominique Purdy

Watch out for upcoming episodes of the “Who is the Painted Face?” series only here in AND1 Philippines.  For now, check out Jude’s Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/ThePaintedFace) for updates.  Stay tuned, AND Juans!

The Painted Face, Journeys Shoes Ad for 2012

[Streetball’s Finest – 1.4.12] – The Painted Face, Journeys Shoes Ad for 2012

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images: Jude Thomas aka The Painted Face (via email)

Out now in Journeys Shoe Stores is a promotional video featuring The Painted Face, whose real name is Jude Thomas. Click HERE to read our blog article about him posted last December.

Posted the Youtube video below for everyone to see.   Join his journey.

If you guys look closely, he's sporting a pair of And1 KG II Mids (fresh!) and wearing a jersey that says Sweetwater on it.  It's because Jude is going to be in a basketball movie called "Sweetwater", written and directed by Martin Guigui, and it tells the story of the first African-American to make it to the NBA, Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton. 

Check out more of his videos in YouTube (Hollywood Hoops), and please do watch out for more baller spotlights in the future.  You can email us at and1pinas@gmail.com, check out our Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/and1ph) and follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) for news, features, and the latest updates about the And1 brand in the Philippines.  And that's the 411, And Juan!

The Painted Face, UNMASKED - Part 2 of 2

[Streetball’s Finest – 12.10.11] – The Painted Face, UNMASKED - Part 2 of 2

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images: Jude Thomas aka The Painted Face (via email and Facebook)

Last December 8, we featured Part 1 of the blog interview with The Painted Face aka Jude Thomas. Click HERE to read Part 1, or just scroll down for the continuation.

The Painted Face aka Hollywizzle is currently working and helping And1 with events in the West Coast area and recounts his experience in event management as key to this new job. He has a company called Hollywood Hoops where he does a lot of charity work, including a lot of high school basketball fundraising events (YouTube search: Hollywood Hoops).

As most streetball fans and basketball players know, the AND1 Live tour include the likes of Hot Sauce, Silk, Spyda, Amazn, Werm, Guy Dupuy etc..so The Painted Face is (in his own words) “..excited to fill my role with a different style of entertainment with globetrotting, freestyle, and more crowd interaction with fans.” Working with And1 is a big deal to him because he is able to put his ideas and help grow back the tour in the United States. He gives a big shout out to Linda Hill (And1 Live) and Rob Purvy (And1 Executive Director), who both welcomed him with open arms and says it’s now up to him to produce and make things happen.

I asked him a couple more questions, and have posted them below with his replies.

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

The Painted Face: “The Professor (Grayson Boucher). Even though I played him well it was very difficult. Grayson is a cool, laid back kind of guy - he doesn't say too much and in his videos he really doesn't look that fast but he is! He is a very quick guard who runs like Reggie Miller using different angles on the court. In a game you will think you just have to worry about the tricks, streetball moves, etc.. but not with him because he has a great jump shot and very quick handles. I'm really known as one of the best defenders in streetball so I love testing myself and the challenges include guarding great players to still prove if I'm one of the best defenders out there.”

Flash: If you actually had to pay to watch 1 streetballer play, who would that be?

The Painted Face: “That would be one of my good friends in streetball, The Bone Collector. I've known him for more than 10 years now and he is a beast! He loves to embarrass defenders and make you regret guarding him. He is a strong player that stays in the weight room, with one of the best hesitation moves today. I've seen players give up and actually leave the game just so they won't get a taste of the torture. His demeanor in the game is very entertaining, making his character like being the bad guy in streetball.”

Flash: NBA's due back this December 25. If you had the opportunity to play for any NBA team, what team would you choose?

The Painted Face: “I will have to stay in Los Angeles and play for the Los Angeles Clippers. People might say “why not the Lakers?” but I like to be the underdog and perform kinda how Blake Griffin is doing, like making that team a better franchise.”

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

The Painted Face: “I will have to say the AND1 KG shoes. I have the white and red pair and I still wear it in my games today. It has a tight feel and very good grip, making me a tab quicker (when I play). [as of this writing, The Painted Face is also rocking a pair of the And1 Rocket 2.0 Mids, black/black. Images are posted below - Flash].”

Flash: Final message for your fans?

The Painted Face: “I want to thank AND1 PH for all the support and for being the first to start me out there in the Asia Pacific Region. I can't wait to help you guys out there and to give back to the kids that need the support and attention. For everyone else in the Philippines, Asia, U.S and the rest of the Globe. I would love to come and give support at anytime.. much love The Painted Face!!”

And there you have it, And Juans! The Painted Face is going to be in a basketball movie called "Sweetwater", written and directed by Martin Guigui (who is a big basketball fan). This movie is about the story of the first African-American to make it to the NBA, Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton. Actor Wood Harris will be playing Sweetwater and Jude Thomas will be playing as a popular street basketball player in New York City (movie production will start in the middle of 2012). You can email The Painted Face (jthomas@and1live.com) or check out his videos in YouTube (Hollywood Hoops).

Watch out for more baller spotlights in the future, and feel free to email us at and1pinas@gmail.com for suggestions on who you want to be featured next. You can also check out our Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/and1ph) and follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) for news, features, and the latest updates about the And1 brand in the Philippines.

The Painted Face, UNMASKED - Part 1 of 2

[Streetball’s Finest – 12.8.11] – The Painted Face, UNMASKED - Part 1 of 2

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images: Jude Thomas aka The Painted Face (via email and Facebook)

In the world of streetball, there are a lot of ballers who have already made their mark on And1 lore. Their on-court names have a lot of recall, their feats are nothing short of legendary, and they have travelled all over the world bannering the And1 brand. You’ve heard them, seen them, and if you’re lucky, have played with or against them. Hot Sauce. Skip To My Lou. The Professor. Bone Collector. Pat The Roc. Air Up There. AO. And the list goes on and on. But there are some out there who have been playing and making their mark, silently garnering attention, and putting a show underneath the bright lights without fear.

Jude Thomas aka The Painted Face, is one of them…and he has just been unmasked.

The Painted Face aka Hollywizzle was born Jude Thomas and is of Caribbean-descent, born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in raised in Hollywood, California since he was 5years old. During summertime, you can catch him playing at the world-famous Venice Beach (Venice Basketball League) and at his home park, the Hollywood Recreation Center. In over 10 years of basketball / streetball experience, he has played in numerous celebrity, charity, and similar events in Los Angeles. In his own words, “..living in Los Angeles, there are many celebrities such as actors, singers, and even NBA players that use basketball as a way to raise money for charity and I was fortunate to be blessed and be a part of these great events that have a lot to do with helping kids - that's the best part of it.”

The Painted Face playing in the Venice Basketball League (Venice Beach).

I recently caught up with The Painted Face and his busy schedule via Facebook and Twitter, and decided to send him an email with some questions that I think most of the fans of the game would like to find out about him. He answers with no hesitation, and dropped answers like he would drop defenders on the court.

Flash: Who is Jude Thomas as a baller? Explain the transition from Hollywizzle to The Painted Face. Why the shift?

The Painted Face: “When I first started in streetball in 2000, I always had someone record me playing in parks for fun on VHS tape video cameras. My brother Josh Thomas was the first person to call me that and it just grew from there. Everyone at the parks called me Hollywood by playing between studio and film productions in the heart of Hollywood at Hollywood Recreation Center. The name was perfect for me and I definitely lived and acted it.

The Hollywizzle came in later down the years when Snoop Dogg told me “Hollywood is not your name anymore your name is Hollywizzle now!” I got so excited that the legendary rapper named me Hollywizzle that I told everyone that was my new name.“

Flash: So after Snoop Dogg called you Hollywizzle, you decided to try a new approach in 2009 to separate yourself from the pack?

The Painted Face: Yes. In early 2009 knowing that streetball is was getting very flashy and more creative it was hard to come up and make your own streetball moves with guys like Hot Sauce and Pat The Roc doing their stuff. So I thought about it one day and said maybe I don't need to try to think of an unbelievable move I thought of just an appearance where I can grasp attention all over the gym or court. My first game with it The Painted Face I caused so much attention and media so I knew I had a good thing going. Somebody used to paint my face for me but I eventually started to learn how to do it myself (using studio movie paint). D.B., the emcee that does most of our games in the west coast, named me "The Painted Face". Now I had my own image and it has stayed with me ever since.”

Flash: What is your trademark/favorite move when you play?

The Painted Face: My trademark move is a full spin with the ball staying in front of me, it was something different. It’s a fake throw off the defenders head then to a full 360 spin, just a show-off move, looks nothing to break a defender down or anything but it will throw the defender off a little bit because of the unusual spin. It’s just for the crowd and fans. Temptations Spin is the name of the move.

Getting ready to use the Temptations Spin, his signature move.

Flash: When do you say you’ve actually had a good game? Is it because of stats, getting the win, a game-breaking play, etc?

The Painted Face: “My way of having a good game is just making the kids smile, making the spectators enjoy and having fun while watching the game. People buy tickets to see a show so I try my best to provide that for them in my own way with crowd interaction etc.

Flash: How about from a competitive standpoint?

The Painted Face: “Another way of having a good game is defense - a very important part in basketball. I love shutting down the best player on the opposing team.”

Flash: What is your training regimen like? How do you keep yourself in good shape?

The Painted Face: “The way I stay in shape is plain and simple, I love running on hills or inclined roads. After you run on an incline, the flat court surface will seem very easy to run in a game.”

Continuation of this article will be posted on December 10. For now, check out his in-game highlights c/o YouTube videos by clicking HERE and HERE, and some of his images have been posted below (Sweetwater movie jersey, in production 2012). More about that movie casting and his streetball experiences in Part 2. Stay tuned!

[UPDATE - 12.10.11] - Click HERE to read part 2 of this article.

Thomas with fellow streetball greats in one of his previous events, y'all better recognize.