Good piece from Grantland on Korleone Young, with some nice topics for discussion on the culture of AAU basketball in the 90's "preps to pros" generations.

 

The life of former prep-to-pro NBA player Korleone Young - Grantland

Very interesting that Myron Piggie Sr. was a man who the article claims was a former crack dealer, and who'd served time in prison for shooting a Kansas City police officer was the coach of the AAU squad.

 

Interesting part of the article is how he ended up hurting his career by leaving his local high school program.

 

 

Some quotes:

 

"Keep in mind, he didn't coach us. We had coaches. He just wanted to be in control. All Piggie did was look tough, sit at the end of the bench, and scare all the other AAU coaches."

 

"We hooked up with Nike and it was lovely... Me and my mom had a '96 Altima in '96. I got my '82 Impala. Never wore nothing but Nikes. Nike care packages every couple of months. Bags full of stuff. The influence of Nike is the ultimate influence. Why do you think all the kids wear Jordans?"

 

 

Again, the full article is linked in post #1 and is definitely worth the read.

Basketball is a dirty dirty business behind the scenes.