Top AAU Coach Goes to St. John’s

Everyone has skeletons in their closet, maybe not 96 pounds of it but...

Obviously this incident was brought to the schools attention and they feel comfortable with offering him the position.

Everyone has skeletons in their closet, maybe not 96 pounds of it but...

Imagaine the chicks we would have had around if one of us had 96 pounds of weed in the closet???

Jones-Young was arrested for what officials at the time called possession of 96 pounds of marijuana. He was sentenced to one year in a federal prison. The downward spiral already had begun. It began when he first got involved with drugs. But the spiral dipped even lower.

"I spent one year in the federal prison in Allenwood, Pa.," Jones-Young said.

I wonder why didn't you post the whole article


Ex-Miner turns life around after his ‘terrible mistake’

Author: Bill Knight; El Paso Times
Section: Sports
Page: 1C

Index Terms:
Bill Knight may be reached at bknight@elpasotimes.com; 546-6171.

El Paso Times

So many of these stories end badly. They end in sadness, in disappointment, sometimes in the throes of tragedy.

Happily ever after? Most simply consider that a fairy tale ending.

This may not be happily ever after. But there is no sadness, no disappointment, no tragedy to this ending. This is the story of Kimani Jones-Young, the story of a young man with big basketball dreams. It involves success and it involves failure, a fall from grace and a downward spiral … the kind of downward spiral that so many times rages out of control, ending in tragedy.

Not this story.

Todd Seward, Police Athletic League regional director for programming in New York, said, “Kimani is on an upward trajectory.”

It certainly seemed so in those UTEP years. Jones-Young, a talented 6-foot-3 guard, finished his UTEP career in 1997 with 1,023 points — one of only 26 players in Miners history to score more than 1,000 points in a career. Jones-Young did it in three seasons, transferring from Long Island University after his freshman year. He led the Miners in scoring in his final two seasons, averaging 16.6 points a game as a junior, 17.0 as a senior.

Jones-Young graduated with a degree in criminal justice. He was intelligent, articulate and seemed to have the world on a string. Then the string snapped.

“My degree is in criminal justice,” Jones-Young said. “How ironic. I was just someone who thought I was smarter than everyone else. I saw an opportunity to make some quick money. I saw an opportunity to make thousands of dollars, just by driving around and introducing some people. I made a terrible, terrible mistake. I embarrassed myself, I embarrassed my family and I created a black eye for the UTEP basketball program.”

Jones-Young was arrested for what officials at the time called possession of 96 pounds of marijuana. He was sentenced to one year in a federal prison. The downward spiral already had begun. It began when he first got involved with drugs. But the spiral dipped even lower.

“I spent one year in the federal prison in Allenwood, Pa.,” Jones-Young said. “It was a humbling experience. People telling you when to get up, when to go to bed, when to eat. It certainly tells you that you better get your stuff in order. My first day … well, let’s just again say it was a very humbling experience. I spent time thinking how did I end up here. I was a guy who had good family support. I had a great mom. I had all my basketball ties, playing for a great coach like coach (Don) Haskins. I had my college degree. How did I end up here?”

Jones-Young could have taken the easy route, the path of least resistance and continued to plummet into that downward spiral. But he went another direction.

Now, the 31-year-old former college basketball star is another kind of star. He is a star to those who need it most. Young people.
 
Jones-Young is the director of the Wynn Center in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, N.Y. He also is in charge of therapeutic recreation for Kaplan House, a foster care program for young men at risk, ages 16-21. He takes them to games, plays basketball with them, takes them to plays and movies. He also coaches AAU basketball, working with Team Next. The program is for sixth-, seventh- and ninth-graders. Jones-Young is the assistant director of that program and coaches the sixth- graders. He also is involved in Big Apple Basketball, an organization that works with young athletes and puts on an all-star game for 40 of the top unsigned seniors in New York each year.

Laughing, Jones-Young said, “It’s seven days a week and I love it.”

Seward is Jones-Young’s supervisor and he simply raves about the former Miner star.

“The Wynn Center is in a very urban community, a very rough neighborhood,” Seward said. “Kimani’s performance has been outstanding. He has fun with young people. He sets appropriate boundaries, yet at the same time he has compassion. The way he carries himself as a professional is impressive. He’s got 200 young people ages 6-13 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., then at 6 p.m. he transitions to teen activities. He is instrumental in their lives.

“In his job, you can be great with kids and that is still not enough,” Seward said. “You’ve got to come with some administrative skills. And that is where he has impressed me the most. He is something kids vitally need. And from a personal perspective, he is a young man I have a great deal of respect for.”

Former Miner Steve Yellen has seen Jones-Young at work, too.

“I walked into that rec center a few months ago and the place was packed,” Yellen said. “Hundreds of people. There was a game going on, talented kids at 6-foot-5, 6-6. Kimani was handling the microphone and it was beautiful. There were little kids hanging on him. He is the godfather of the neighborhood. Something bad happened to him and he turned it around. You walk around the neighborhood with him and he can’t go 10 steps without someone stopping him — boys, girls, older people … no matter the age. They all come up to him. You have to love that guy. He does great things for young people. He is one of the most important people in that community.”

Jones-Young has a happy life these days. He would like to do even more coaching, but he said he could not be happier doing what he is doing.

“I love it,” he said. “I still love the game. This is what I’m born to do — work with young people. Looking back, I don’t think I was as prepared for life after basketball, life after college, as I should have been. So many of us come into college wanting to be a professional athlete. Our career goals stop there.”
 
Jones-Young said he felt lucky to get just one year in prison, said he felt the penalty was certainly warranted.

“I would tell young athletes today to just stay away from it,” he said. “My kids here know my experience. But I try not to share my entire experience. I don’t want to glorify it and there are a lot of guys who are worse. But I do have a point of reference. Unfortunately, a lot of people have to learn on their own.”

Haskins, who is a Hall of Fame coach and something of a legend, was angry with Jones-Young.

“Coach has forgiven me,” Jones-Young said. “He has had a profound affect on me as a coach and a person. We still talk on the phone occasionally.”

Haskins said, “I was mad at him. Sure. But I’m glad he’s straightening himself out. He’s called me several times and we talk. I’m glad he’s doing well now. I’m really happy he’s doing something so constructive.”

Jones-Young said, “I loved every minute of my time in El Paso. The program was great. The people were great. It was everything I had hoped for in a college basketball experience. Some of the best memories of my life were there. I still enjoy following the program. I’ve talked to one of the assistant coaches, Ed Custodio, and hopefully we can get some of our players down there.”

The Jones-Young story is evolving a mile-a-minute these days, a seven-day-a-week whirlwind of a journey with young people … a journey on that “upward trajectory.” This easily could have been one of those many other stories, the kind that fall out of control, spiraling downward into sadness and despair and darkness. It is not and it is simply a credit to the man.

“I felt so lucky when the judge told me I got one year,” he said. “It could have been so much worse. I was embarrassed. But I never hung my head. I did a lot of reading, a lot of soul searching in prison. I made a promise to myself, to my family. I will turn this around.”

Haskins said simply, “So many times, it doesn’t turn out this way. This is a good story.”

It is a good story … a story of a life saved, a life turned around. No sadness. No tragedy. It is a story of one man rebounding from a mistake, taking on the challenges that face young people every minute, every hour, every day.

It is, quite simply, a happy story.

CAREER RECAP
• Career points: 1,023 in three seasons, 24th in UTEP history.
• Career free-throw percentage: .792, fifth in UTEP history.
• Career steals: 103, eighth in UTEP history.

Q&A with Kimani...some impressive answers

http://nycbasketball.nycsportsnews.com/articles/details.htm?id=2128

Kimani Young - Athletic Director / Head Coach: 2010 (White)

It is our pleasure to introduce to our NYC Basketball clickers former UTEP scholarship basketball athlete, Queens native and currently one of NYC’s top AAU Athletic Directors and Coaches Mr. Kimani Young.

Q?: How is everything going?

KY: Everything is good. Just trying to help kids improve and win a tournament.

Q?: Describe the New Heights experience?

KY: New Heights is a tremendous opportunity for me as well as all the kids that are a part of our program. We are a comprehensive youth development organization that uses basketball as a hook to engage them in programs that will give them the necessary life-skills and leadership skills they will need to be successful in HS, College and Life.

Q?:  As a player who played and grew up in New York under the tutelage of Vincent Smith what was it like?  Have you implemented any of his style into your own?

KY: I was blessed to be mentored by Vincent Smith, Judge Pierre Turner, Kenny Smith and Kenny Anderson. They exposed me a level of basketball I wouldn’t have been exposed to without them. He allowed me to dream and for that I am truly thankful and grateful to him. He taught me the science of the game from a early age. He taught me the importance of work ethic, being coachable and being a winner. These are all things that I try to instill in the players that I come into contact with today.

Q?: How would you describe the condition of New York City basketball?

KY: I think that we are way behind the rest of the country in terms of work ethic, hunger and humility for the game. I think that NYC basketball has become such a marketing arena and such a hype machine for young players, it has taken those intangibles like hard-nosed defense, fearless competition and tremendous work ethic that once were cornerstones and strengths for NYC basketball and made them weaknesses for some players and programs.

Q?:  What do you think the cause is for all of the top New York City players leaving for the Prep Experience?

KY: I believe there are a few factors that contribute to this trend of city players defecting to prep schools. There is a feeling like if a kid goes to prep school, they’ll have a easier time qualifying for a Div. I scholarships. Some players defect over disagreements with their coach. Some players need a more structured environment where they can just concentrate on their academics and their game. Sometimes it works out for a kid, sometimes it doesn’t. The reality is that one day we all will have to face the music and all we can do is try to prepare for that day. For some of us it will come early, for others it may come late but the day will come when you have to live up to your billing as a player, a person and as a student.

Q?:  Are today’s players better than when you suited up?

KY: Although I have a tremendous amount of respect for the players I’ve watched develop over the last 4 to 5 years here in NYC. Kids like Erv, Truck, Lance, Kemba, EBanks, Bassy, Ramel, Fish who I really believe understand what this thing is about. I cannot say that today’s players are better. I believe we are still a hotbed for talent in this country. I just want to see a hunger for being the best you could be that I just don’t see right now. I want to see kids in the parks and in the gyms getting up 500 shots a day, I want see a respect for the game and themselves as ballplayers and pillars in their communities. Sometimes I just don’t think some of our young players really understand the responsibility that comes with being a NYC ballplayer and I attribute that to the fact that they just don’t know. They don’t know how nice players like Kenny Anderson, Pearl, Walter Berry, Ron Mathias, Chris Mullin, Rod Strickland, Malik Sealy, Khalid Reeves, Felipe Lopez were. They don’t know the basketball history of this city and until they do, we’re going the wrong way.

Q?:  Do you see yourself coaching in College, or are you satisfied making the strong difference in your current capacity?

KY: I’m not sure what my next opportunity will be in coaching, all I can do is work hard at the job that I have and I hope that it prepares me for any opportunities that are in my future. I am truly thankful for the New Heights opportunity, it has been a great platform for me as a coach and an administrator so I cant look ahead just yet.

Q?: Who is the best player you’ve ever coached?

KY: I don’t know if that’s a fair question for such a young coach but I have to say that coaching Erv was always a pleasure, having guards like Malcolm Grant and Corey Fisher in the backcourt always made me feel like I knew what I was doing and having a inside presence like Jayvaughn Pinkston can give you some confidence too. I’m too young to name a best player yet.

Q?: As a first year Assistant Coach @Rice High School – NYC / CHSAA “AA” one of the nations top high school basketball programs in one of if not the toughest leagues in America, what was it like?

KY:  It was a great experience for me. I learned so much in 1 year that I can’t wait for the season to come back around. Mo is a great coach for me to learn from and add to my growing knowledge of the game. I developed a stronger respect and appreciation for practice and time spent during the HS season in comparison to an AAU season. Practices mean more, games mean more because there is so much at stake. This experience can only enhance what I’m up to as a coach, administrator, at New Heights and as a keeper of the game.

Q?: For the student athlete reading this interview what is your message to them?

KY: All I would say is that work ethic is the key. Stop reminding yourself about what you do well and recognize what you don’t do well and go improve on it. Developing, growing and getting better as a player and a person is the key to reaching your ultimate goals.

Mr. Young it has truly been a pleasure and we appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to rap with us.  Keep up the great work and we look forward to seeing great things from your program.

um sportsfan I wouldn't be making fun of kimani he's a cool guy but SO far from urkel 

Glad to see that you found both my posts on the "other site" and shared them here.
I'm happy to do the research!

If you noticed, I joined here today and sent a PM to an old Red friend to set the record straight!

Glad to see that you found both my posts on the "other site" and shared them here.
I'm happy to do the research!

If you noticed, I joined here today and sent a PM to an old Red friend to set the record straight!

Welcome aboard...I guess you typed "Kimani Young" into google too.  Impressive research ability.

Welcome aboard...I guess you typed "Kimani Young" into google too.  Impressive research ability.

Just a weird coincidence that this topic (not this thread) is several days old, and only now when I send a private message to OldRed this afternoon explaining the whole situation, and then PMG spills the beans on here do you react.  {mods: can I say a rear of a donkey?}

Wait just a second… is PMG really OldRed? GOD save us!!!
(sorry Pat, couldn’t resist, just kidding)

Anyway, your cut and paste missed a few select sentences from the original article, so I think your Google ability is at best “challenged.”

Have a pleasant evening!

long lost brothers?

Close... but i'm going with "Raj"..  .. "WHAT'S HAPPENING"!!!!!

http://www.tvacres.com/char_thomas_roger.htm





http://www.hulu.com/watch/6752/whats-happening-doobie-or-not-doobie-pt-1#x-0,vepisode,1

http://www.hulu.com/watch/6786/whats-happening-doobie-or-not-doobie-pt-2#x-0,vepisode,1

Quote from: jumpinjohnny on August 12, 2008, 10:49:35 PM

Welcome aboard...I guess you typed "Kimani Young" into google too.  Impressive research ability.

Just a weird coincidence that this topic (not this thread) is several days old, and only now when I send a private message to OldRed this afternoon explaining the whole situation, and then PMG spills the beans on here do you react.  {mods: can I say a rear of a donkey?}

Wait just a second… is PMG really OldRed? GOD save us!!!
(sorry Pat, couldn’t resist, just kidding)

Anyway, your cut and paste missed a few select sentences from the original article, so I think your Google ability is at best “challenged.”

Have a pleasant evening!

Generally when looking at multiple sites that are dedicated to providing content about the same subject you will see similarities in the content. Other then that I really don't understand anything else you have posted about.

Quote from: pmg911 on August 12, 2008, 09:30:14 PM

Jones-Young was arrested for what officials at the time called possession of 96 pounds of marijuana. He was sentenced to one year in a federal prison. The downward spiral already had begun. It began when he first got involved with drugs. But the spiral dipped even lower.

"I spent one year in the federal prison in Allenwood, Pa.," Jones-Young said.

I wonder why didn't you post the whole article

Let me make this clear..     I think this is THE best thing Norm has done since he has been the coach...

BUT I posted that one part to make it clear that a poster above on this thread was mistaken when he seemd to think HIT was incorrect in stating that Mr. Jones-Young was in fact a convicted felon...

Everyone makes mistakes in this world..   and life is sometimes about what one does with a second chance...

Good luck to him as he joins the St. John's family..     I hope he has all the success in the world and delivers the players everyone thinks he can...   God knows we need them..!!!

Can this pissing contest go to PM, perhaps?  Let's talk about the implications, about whether Young and hopefully Cross will bring in talent, who the talent is, what implications it means for the current roster.  Multiple boards have/ had multiple angles.  Everyone is interested in the story. 

Can this pissing contest go to PM, perhaps?  Let's talk about the implications, about whether Young and hopefully Cross will bring in talent, who the talent is, what implications it means for the current roster.  Multiple boards have/ had multiple angles.  Everyone is interested in the story. 

Who's the moderator here?

It seems like Young is well respected and has alot of contacts...Cross too.  Lets hope they join up and we can get some of their kids to follow.

Can this pissing contest go to PM, perhaps?  Let's talk about the implications, about whether Young and hopefully Cross will bring in talent, who the talent is, what implications it means for the current roster.  Multiple boards have/ had multiple angles.  Everyone is interested in the story. 

I 2nd that

Can this pissing contest go to PM, perhaps?  Let's talk about the implications, about whether Young and hopefully Cross will bring in talent, who the talent is, what implications it means for the current roster.  Multiple boards have/ had multiple angles.  Everyone is interested in the story. 

They player I am most curious about is Jayvaugn Pinkston...

I have watched him since 7th grade - he regularly destroyed one of my teams ...

I keep hearing his game has massively improved and that he is adapting to playing on the wing...      BUT..    a few talent evaluators I trust say he will NEVER be able to play on the wing in the big East...    and unless he grows more (he has barely grown since entering high school) he will have to be a #3 in college...

Also. .  there are rumblings working around that he might be (shockingly) transfering to Lincoln to play for Tiny...

at the end of the day fellas y'all finally have some one with the resources to help y'all with recruiting. He has access to alot of the young top players. You guys have no idea. How big this can be

at the end of the day fellas y'all finally have some one with the resources to help y'all with recruiting. He has access to alot of the young top players. You guys have no idea. How big this can be

KOB. . see this a perfect example of what older fans of the program have seen and want to see again...   and why some of the younger fans don't understand why the older fans get so frustrated and angry sometimes...

We know EXACTLY how big it can be...   

Can this pissing contest go to PM, perhaps?

Pee m, shirley.

Quote from: kob24 on August 13, 2008, 10:35:51 AM

at the end of the day fellas y'all finally have some one with the resources to help y'all with recruiting. He has access to alot of the young top players. You guys have no idea. How big this can be

KOB. . see this a perfect example of what older fans of the program have seen and want to see again...   and why some of the younger fans don't understand why the older fans get so frustrated and angry sometimes...

We know EXACTLY how big it can be...   

the younger fans of this program have no idea about anything.  its laughable.  they think that SJU basketball is all about Marcus Hatten and AMJR. 


(handwave) to the younger "fans!

I'm gonna give u guys a name of a player that people fell is gonna end up a mc donalds all American and both Oswald and kimani coached him within the past 2 years. Sterling Gibbs!!!! The younger brother of Ashton Gibbs of Pitt. He has billy donavan and other top coaches going crazy over him right now he's a stud and anyone who can get u him u want on ur team trust me