Sport
BLACK COACH ELITE Presents Coach Chris ‘Ace’ Anderson and Coach Chris ‘Big C‘ Reese: The Journey Further
By Ryan Elcock
There is something to be said about Black Men all over the world, and their indomitable spirit as warriors. No matter how we look at it, we are always going to have to fight whether it is on the physical or mental plane of existence.
Recently, I have joined up with 3 powerful black coaches and two of them, Chris Anderson and Chris Reese, reside upon American soil. Coach Akindele Peter, on the other hand, lives in Nigeria, Africa. But behind the scenes, these 3 men are about to unleash a movement in sports that will leave a long lasting legacy.
With the aid of Top Division 1 Level Programs, such as a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, these men are about to become the road towards developing future Olympians, from all over the world, earn the same opportunities to become their best. With that being said, sit back and enjoy the stories, vision and experience of the Black Coach Elite as can only be featured on The Habari Network.
About Coach Chris Anderson
Coach Chris “Ace” Anderson
Coach Chris Anderson has been coaching and training athletes for over 20 years and firmly stands behind his motto, “Train Your Mind, Train Your Game.” For Coach Chris, this motto, along with the mastery of the fundamentals of the game, are essential tools in the continual development of an athlete. There can be no doubt that Chris Anderson has had an extensive role in athletic development. However, to see all the roles that Chris Anderson has played, check out his website: www.baseline2baseline.org.
Interview with Coach Chris “Ace” Anderson
The Habari Network [THN]: “Who is Chris Anderson? Who came up with the name Ace? What makes you one of the best on any level in American Basketball?”
Chris Anderson [CA]: “A couple of months, ago a very close friend of mine introduced me to Coach Chris Reese. That day, when we spoke to one another, I called him Big C and he called me Ace. I’ve been around the game, and I’ve been around sports for a while and I do understand the concept of the tandem.”
“But as for the name, ‘Ace’; that came about when Chris Reese advised that all Homeboys have what is called an Ace in a Hole. So, I’m Ace but you can call me Coach though.”
“As for being one of the best; well I am not much on words that define anyone. In actuality, I am all about using basketball as a tool to demonstrate continuous improvement and show love for my fellow man by helping young athletes reach their full potential on and off the court. This also means that I’ll never look at myself in a mirror and call myself one of the best because I am just not built that way.”
“However, I am well aware that when it comes to any form of basketball, whether it is just coming up with a lucrative idea or organizing a simple training camp, my brain kicks in and reminds me that I know a few things THAT I do enjoy. I also enjoy sharing the leadership traits I have acquired because it is not that I’m one of the “best”, but I prepare to be MY best.”
Interview with Coach Chris ‘Big C’ Reese
Chris Reese
THN: “Just like I asked Chris “Ace” Anderson, Who is Chris Reese? How did you get the nickname, ‘Big C’? And what makes you one of the best on any level in American Basketball?”
Chris Reese [CR]: “Who is Chris Reese? Due to the fact that this is an exclusive about basketball, I can’t just say go to The Habari Network and read that particular article. First of all, I am a Coach; probably the only Coach that will ever be bold enough to tell the world that I am going beat John Wooden’s record whom a lot of people stated was unbeatable for many years. That’s who Chris Reese is when it comes to coaching. I know no other way but to lead and to teach others the essence of being championship ready at all times.”
“As for the nickname, Big C; that came from Coach Chris Anderson whom I met through a media channel. “If you two meet………..” That’s all I heard. Now, I actually know why Coach Anderson, or Ace as I like to call him, calls me Big C. Ever heard the oxymoron, I’m not long winded, I just talk a lot? Yeah. That’s why.”
“I will disclose my greatest lesson. I’ve been in sports for (voice trails off)……… I’m 32 and TITLE IX is 40 years old so I would say I have been here since before baseball. I live sports you know I mean?! That being said, Ace and I have the conversations that the talkative guy controls the meeting; the quiet one controls the gavel. Each meeting starts and ends with a gavel. Neither of us is boss over each other. We are just like brothers who act like one unit that can account for years of experience in basketball. What makes me the one of the best? Me! Funny story, ask yourself, “Self, have I ever lied to you?” I tell myself on a daily basis that I am the best at being me. No one can take that away from me! Although I know that we humans lie to ourselves daily, at the least, when I say that, I ain’t lying!”
THN: “What makes either of you think, just because you say you are good, all of the world should believe you?”
CR:”Cause I said so!, I am just kidding! It is not that I’d ever want a parent, school, nation, etc. to believe in me, the person, or my methods. Don’t even look at me when I am talking to you or your child. Don’t pay attention to anything I say. Rather, focus on whether your child understood what was being taught. What we are always going to be about has nothing to do with us. Nothing! Believe in the fact that when your child spends the weekend camps with us, they will come home different. The look in their eyes will notice the normal things of life, but, once they leave us, all they’ll really see is a glass, a silver bar, and a door mat. I make sure they believe in the Hall of Fame. Don’t believe in us. Believe that that place exists for a reason and it is coaches like us that keep that place open. Why not have a child think of only that?”
CA: “I was once told to just do; not so much talk! It is positive action that affects communities in ways that such positive future comes out of them. Basketball, having soccer as rival, might not be the most popular sport, but one day it may be. I love the fact that I am dedicated to teach any and every kid one day.”
THN: “All over the world people are discussing what can develop of Baseline 2 Baseline and Warlords (which is located in Lagos, Nigeria) becoming an international partnership. If you will, please explain this phenomenal “idea” and how did this originate?”
CA: “I am never really going to get used to it. In the underground circles of grass roots basketball, all things basketball is discussed. Over the years, Africa has done this. On our side we humbly call it the Mutombo or Deng Move. Meaning, all at once, some coach or a string of coaches sets it up in America where many African and International Athletes are able to come to the United States to receive a quality education and have the opportunity to earn scholarships. I enjoy the fact that we have the opportunity to be a part of training future Olympians for more than one Continent. However, there is so much involved in this and as we organize everything, it never seems to end. Where there were gaps in Mutumbo’s Move and Deng’s Move, from late 2012, there will never be an ending period. It is as if we could say that our bond opened a bridge! I am honored to be a part of that and I heard about it through the many channels of Chris ‘Big C’ Reese.”
CR: “I will do whatever it takes to become a Warlord because Coach Pete is THE Coach in all of Africa. Africa is HUGE with a lot of people but there is only one Coach Pete. That in it of itself is an honor. Being a friend and an international business partner with this man is even more honorable. Yet, that is not even why he and I are cool. Coach Pete, Coach Anderson, Coach Wooden, etc., never blew a whistle to themselves. We are here for the children that are not even born yet!”
“Something grand comes from us uniting the world in such a way. New business opens up and the ability to actually live in Africa opens up in such a way that our world never thought possible. What I am conveying is, our Journey as three top quality coaches, has nothing to do with us. We are just leaders taking the lead but our joy is the children and the fact that basketball is on the verge of getting the facelift it needed for about 10+ years.”
“How did I hear about all this? Truth is I didn’t; it just happened. Coach Peter is the ‘hear’ and the ‘happen’. He is the one who brought this to life and I pray that we all are witnesses to something that started whenever he decided to Coach.”
(More: A Special Interview with Coach Akindele Peter of Nigeria)
“However, I knew this was real big when a very reliable source, over at the University of National Champions (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels), contacted me in a rage. They lost a big game and I was blamed for it, simply because if there were thousands of eligible student athletes, why are the best of them not bleeding Carolina Blue right now?! What is here, through us, is more than a school winning. This is about the opportunity for attaining both an education and a future! Thanks Coach Pete for giving a damn!”
THN: “What should any and every college and university know about you two? Should High Schools, middle schools, and grass roots level of basketball, in America, not only know of Baseline, but also contribute in any and every way possible?”
CA: “There have been so many problems with NCAA Compliance offices over integrity or lack thereof. However, they should know that when it comes to full integrity, we do stand firmly upon the definition of such. In the ways we have planned our near future calendar, please believe that Baseline 2 Baseline and Nothin’ But Nets will be in your cities. There are so many things to discuss as far as awareness.”
CR: “The most important age group on Earth; and not just in sports, would be middle school children. Their mind, at this point, is at its best when it comes to training because they are still developing and this is perfect time to help them develop maturity, if nothing else, though teaching.”
“We are not here just to make money or raise money for charities. NOPE! We are here because for about 15 years, BASKETBALL on every level, for both genders, has SUCKED! The Coaches have quit on these kids. As for us, we never will! I plan on watching real basketball just like I used too, when I was a kid. This is about Africa, America, money, school, innovation, etc. This is about memories. Why not make sure that all of our memories of great basketball can exist because excellent training exists?!”
Black Coach Elite is defined by…………. Granted, what these 3 Elite Black Coaches have created may very well supersede all that an elite coach has ever done; however, that’s what it is all about. Being on this earth serves a purpose for all of mankind and being different is not the only way to make a difference.
These men have taken what has worked in the past, utilized the quick and easy tools of modern day technology, added a ‘Fashion Show’ at the end of it, and have given us something to look forward too by combining the old with the new. If you thought that was not possible; well, when you are dealing with the likes of Black Coaches Elite, nothing is old; nothing is boring and nothing is feared. Stay tuned!