We are proud of our most Special Honors for Role Models who continually display Qualities of Exemplary Leadership:
Mr. David "Sam" Daise
Lessons From "Each One Teach One"
2016 STARRS Basketball: Education, Sports & Entertainment Awards - "Mentoring for Life " Honorary Founders Award Winner
Mr. David "Sam" Daise Men's Professional Head Basketball Coach at Wagner Youth & Adult Center, Head Basketball Coach UPACA (Upper Park Avenue Community Association)
This night is a tribute to a father figure to many young men in the 60', 70', 80's 90's, 00's and 10's. Mr. David "Sam" Daise - The Creator of the Destroyer! responsible for cultivating the skills of Street ball Phenomenon Joe Hammond, arguably one of the greatest basketball players of all time. "Sam" is a unheralded Coaching Phenomenon. His players have sucessfully competeted on every level of the basketball IQ chart. Some of the greatest players you have seen have been under his tutelage. Coach to the Pros and their kids, featured in numerous books, Films, Documentaries and Television shows. Joe “the Destroyer” Hammond: Don’t let anyone mislead you, Joe Hammond was the truth. Every bit the legend his predecessor the Goat was, Joe was probably the most skilled ball player ever to emerge from the streets and playgrounds of Harlem. However, Joe despite not attending high school, and not playing in college as Pee Wee, Kareem and Manigault had done, still had remarkable technical, fundamental and exceptional offensive skills. Hammond was offered professional contracts other players coveted and would die to get even though he didn’t have the benefit of a high school or collegiate career. In watching Hammond I learned two very important lessons. The first lesson I learned was that a remarkable shooter was always a threat. Guys in New York had incredible ball handling skills, some guys could fly, dunk and do some pretty amazing s**t, but there were few people who could shoot the ball like Hammond. He could hit the bank shot with incredible consistency from anywhere on the court. He had the handle, craftiness and creativity that could only be honed on the streets but at the end of the day Hammond shot the ball, inside or outside, better than anyone out there. The 2nd important thing I learned from Joe was his demeanor. The way he handled pressure and the frenzy like euphoria surrounding him was a telling indication of his greatness. Joe didn’t rush his shot, he didn’t panic or lose concentration and there was always pressure for him to perform. Excerpt from book CREAM.
Mr. Ernest Taylor Sr.(Johnson Houses Football Coach) and Mr. Sidney "Sid" Davis (father of Stephanie Davis International Kingdome Basketball Empire), Roland Trotman 1967/1968 Golden Gloves Champion and my dad George Walker Sr., who I love and respect for all the wisdom he shared with me while watching O.J. at USC in the Orange Bowl on Thanksgiving, and my brother Victor a.k.a. "Marquee" who always had my back and I his. This night is a resultant of years of dedication to our youth and communities.
Joe “the Destroyer” Hammond: Don’t let anyone mislead you, Joe Hammond was the truth. Every bit the legend his predecessor the Goat was, Joe was probably the most skilled ball player ever to emerge from the streets and playgrounds of Harlem. However, Joe despite not attending high school, and not playing in college as Pee Wee, Kareem and Manigault had done, still had remarkable technical, fundamental and exceptional offensive skills. Hammond was offered professional contracts other players coveted and would die to get even though he didn’t have the benefit of a high school or collegiate career. In watching Hammond I learned two very important lessons. The first lesson I learned was that a remarkable shooter was always a threat. Guys in New York had incredible ball handling skills, some guys could fly, dunk and do some pretty amazing s**t, but there were few people who could shoot the ball like Hammond. He could hit the bank shot with incredible consistency from anywhere on the court. He had the handle, craftiness and creativity that could only be honed on the streets but at the end of the day Hammond shot the ball, inside or outside, better than anyone out there. The 2nd important thing I learned from Joe was his demeanor. The way he handled pressure and the frenzy like euphoria surrounding him was a telling indication of his greatness. Joe didn’t rush his shot, he didn’t panic or lose concentration and there was always pressure for him to perform. Excerpt from book CREAM.
