thisiswhyweplay — Backcourt

“I’ve Seen A Lot Of Things That Ordinary Kids My Age Weren’t Supposed To Be Seeing But I Wanted Something Different For Myself"... The Basketball Story Of Braylon Rayson

Before Braylon Rayson became an All-Star and an MVP in the NBLC, he was challenged from day one to defy all odds. Growing up, he was surrounded by gang violence, drugs and poverty but was gifted with a family that helped him and guided his basketball dream. Even though he did receive that level of support from his family, more specifically his mother, Rayson’s mentality towards life is why he could prosper in this world. However, what did Braylon Rayson do to get to this point in his life and become one of the greatest athletes Canada has ever seen?

"With The Community I Was In, I Had To Teach Myself Everything About The Game..." Joey Haywood aka TheKingHandles Journey To Basketball

Joey Haywood has become one of the biggest icons in basketball and streetball history. From playing alongside The Professor to playing with the Oklahoma City Thunder and being recognized by Kevin Durant, Haywood has been an inspiration to all ages. However, his journey to basketball wasn’t easy as he had to play in a community that didn’t establish basketball the way New York or Chicago did. With that being said, what did Joey Haywood have to do to get to where he is at today?

"I Was Doubted At A Young Age, But I Never Let It Define Me..." The Basketball Story Of Jamal Ray

Jamal Ray grew up in a rough neighbourhood, only having his family and sports as a way to escape. As a young kid, Ray would play football in a minor league where he always felt he could make it to the pros. However, as he got older, he started to appreciate basketball a lot more and decided to practice with his friends. He at first saw basketball as just a fun sport until one day, something shifted his mentality towards the game.

Husain DhoomaMay 8, 2020Jamal Ray, basketball academy, baller, ballislife, black mamba, Ballislife, basketball, ball, basketballislife, Fraser Valley Bandits, Bandits, Fraser Valley, British Columbia, sportsnews, sportsnet, Sports, sportscenter, sports, sportsillustrated, EA Sports, cbc sports, Canada Sports, Player Biography, thisiswhyweplay, theringer, The score, Stephen A Smith, Texas, Football, NFL, Minor League, Adversity, aspiration, college, crossover, Canada, LSU, dunk, Division 2, Division 1, espn, ESPN, family, future, focused, First Take, Professional athlete, NBA of TNT, goal, goals, history, hoopnation, hero, police, inspiration, inspired, NCAA, news, new chapter, Overseas, Pro Athlete, Ringer, SLAM, slam, slam dunk, starter, story, TNT, tnt, Team Canada, TSN, tsn, dunkindhooma, University, motivation Comments

"Without My Family, I Wouldn't Be Where I Am At Today..." Joel Kindred's Journey To Basketball

Joel Kindred growing up had nothing but love from his family. As a young kid, his older brothers and mother would constantly motivate him to be the best person he can possibly be. However, how did the basketball dream begin?

Husain DhoomaApril 3, 2020Joel, Joel Kindred, John Wall, CEBL, NBLC, Halifax Hurricanes, Guelph Night Hawks, baller, ballislife, Ballislife, basketball, black mamba, Buzz Williams, basketballislife, basketball academy, North Carolina, highschool, hooper, history, Player Biography, biography, Origin, All-star, aspiration, college, cbc, cbc.news, cebl, crossover, cbc sports, comics, Canada, Carelton University, Canada Sports, dunk, espn, ESPN, EA Sports, dunkindhooma, family, future, focused, Professional athlete, houseofhighlights, goals, goal, Nighthawks, hoopnation, inspiration, Island Storm, inspired, First Take, jumpman, kobe bryant, legend, MVP, mother, motivation, NBA, news, Overseas, Olympics, posterized, Pro Athlete, Passion, Passionate, spain, Ringer, SLAM, slam, slam dunk, sixthman, Stephen A Smith, starter, story, Sports, ss, sports, sportsillustrated, sportsnews, sportsnet, sportscenter, Superstar, tnt, Team Canada, theringer, tsn, thisiswhyweplay, Thescore The ringer, The score Comment

"The Moment I Found Basketball, I Knew It Was Something I Was Going To Do For The Rest Of My Life..." The Basketball Journey Of Guillaume Boucard.

Guillaume Boucard introduction to the game of basketball is unlike no other. Growing up in Montreal, Quebec, Boucard had aspirations and goals to be great in this world however, there was one moment in his life that would forever change the course of his life.

"I Set A Goal For Myself To Make My Family Proud..." The Inspiring Story Of Meshack Lufile.

Meshack Lufile was introduced to sports before he gained consciousness. Growing up in Burlington Ontario with his three other brothers, Meshack was introduced to hard work and diligence at a young age. These early teachings that he received allowed him to develop work ethic while also finding motivation. However, where did this all begin?

Husain DhoomaMarch 13, 2020Meshack Lufile, Lufile, Chadrack, Chadrack Lufile, CEBL, Guelph Night Hawks, basketball, Burlington, ontario, baller, ballislife, bench, basketball academy, Nighthawks, college, crossover, cbc, cbc sports, cebl, cbc.news, dunkindhooma, EA Sports, espn, ESPN, Team USA, NBL, NBLC, Halifax Hurricanes, Island Storm, Romania, focused, family, Professional athlete, houseofhighlights, highschool, legend, Ringer, biography, hoopnation, inspiration, inspired, jumpman, SLAM, motivation, news, NBA, new chapter, NBl, Overseas, Olympics, hooper, posterized, Pro Athlete, personal trainer, slam, slam dunk, sixthman, spain, starter, Sports, sportsillustrated, sportsnews, sportsnet, sportscenter, sports, tnt, Team Canada, theringer, tsn, thisiswhyweplay, Thescore The ringer, The score, University, Cape BretonComment

The Icon That Was Gone Too Soon...

January 26.2020 was a tragic day to not just sports fans, but the entire world. Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant and 7 others have tragically passed away in a helicopter crash that shook the world with pain and sadness.

Husain DhoomaFebruary 3, 2020kobe bryant, kobe, NBA, Nba, nba, All-star, aspiration, baller, ballislife, EA Sports, basketball academy, basketball, basketballislife, black mamba, college, crossover, cbc sports, cbc, cbc.news, dwayne wade, espn, ESPN, future, First Take, Professional athlete, houseofhighlights, highschool, legend, biography, history, hoopnation, hooper, inspiration, inspired, misunderstood, Giannis Antetoukounmpo, Ringer, jumpman, Los Angelas Clippers, lebron james, slam, bleacher report, slam dunk, Olympics, motivation, news, new chapter, focused, Pro Athlete, personal trainer, sports, sportsillustrated, sportsnews, sportsnet, sportscenter, starter, Superstar, sixthman, Stephen A Smith, tnt, thisiswhyweplay, Team USA, theringer, Thescore The ringer, Los Angelas Lakers, lakers, Western ConfrenceComment

"The Best Things In Life Are Never Planned"... The Story Of Ryan Ejim.

This past summer, Ryan Ejim made headlines in Canadian sports and joined the Saskatchewan Rattlers in hopes of starting a new chapter in his career. Surely enough, Ejim and the Saskatchewan Rattlers found success this past summer and managed to take home the first-ever CEBL championship! However, how did Ryan Ejim reach this point in his life? What led to him wanting to become a basketball player?

Computers Was Always A Hobby But Basketball Is My Passion. The incredible story of Alex Johnson.

Alex Johnson was born in York Dale, Toronto, Ontario with the ambition of becoming a computer engineer. However, one day, an incident happened in his life that forever changed his life.

Husain DhoomaSeptember 26, 2019Alex Johnson, espm, aspiration, family, basketball academy, basketball, basketballislife, ballislife, brampton, bleacher report, biography, cbc sports, NBl, nbl, cbc, cbc.news, NBA, nba, cebl, CEBL, college, crossover, dedication, Overseas, tnt, theringer, thisiswhyweplay, Thescore The ringer, The score, Stephen A Smith, ontario, York Dale, Pro Athlete, Professional athlete, baller, hooper, houseofhighlights, legend, starter, bench, sixthman, highschool, mother Comment

Wait He Was Kicked Out At What Age?!

In the current NBA, Jimmy Butler is known as one of the best players in the current era. Butler is a celebrity on and off the court however, how did he get here?