THE AB3 SHOW (Episode III)

(Go Hard by DJ Khaled & Kanye West Instrumental begins)

Ladies Voice: Ladies and Gentleman stand up and show some love to your
host Alvin Brooks, III!

(Alvin Brooks III enters through smoke and starts doing a dance)

(Crowd stands up and claps while laughing at AB3)

AB3: Thank you, thank you. Welcome to the third episode of the 'Alvin Brooks III Show," also known as the "AB3 Show."

(Audience Claps)

AB3: For the third episode, I am going to interview someone that I have seen grow from a young man to a man. On my second day of being hired as an assistant coach at University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, Head Coach Jeremy Cox and I travelled to West Memphis High School for Sonny Weems press conference. The craziest part is that he never said a word to me and looked kind of upset in my opinion. He later told me he did not know me then so I will forgive him. (Audience laughs). I had the pleasure to coach Sonny my first two years of coaching at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (UA-FS). We had a lot of success during his playing career at Fort Smith. Sonny was named 3rd team All-American, as well as all-conference and all-region as a freshman. Sonny was ranked as the number one junior college player in the nation by Rivals.com and Street & Smith's Magazine as a sophomore. Sonny was one of our key components to helping us win the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championship in 2006. He was named honorable mention All-American and was selected for the all-tournament team. In the two years we were at UA-FS together, Sonny helped lead our team to a 62-7 record and back-to-back Bi-State Conference Eastern Division titles.

Sonny finished his junior and senior years with the Arkansas Razorbacks where he had a successful career. Sonny led the Razorbacks to their first NCAA tournament win in nine years with an upset victory of Indiana University. After his team lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament, Weems later won the College Slam Dunk Championship held at the Final Four.

Sonny was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 2008 NBA Draft and shortly thereafter traded to the Denver Nuggets. Enough of the all the praising and talking, let's bring out my ex-player and friend, NBA Denver Nuggets Sonny Weems!

(Audience Claps)

(Weems walks out from the back to a standing ovation by the crowd)

AB3: Sonny, thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to be a part of my show. I am truly honored that you are a part of this! I really appreciate it.

WEEMS: Thanks for having me coach.

AB3: I know you have been hurt with a groin injury. Audience, Sonny does not like being hurt. He would play through anything so it has to be serious. When will you be able to practice?

WEEMS: I don't know but it is very frustrating not being able to play. I am getting better.

AB3: How is watching and realizing you are in the NBA?

WEEMS: To be honest coach, it really has not hit me like I thought it would yet.

AB3: Have they made you do any crazy stuff since you are a rookie?

WEEMS: I have been lucky so far, they really haven't done too much to me.

AB3: I bet you will not dunk on anyone in the NBA like you did in college.

WEEMS: You crazy coach! I can't wait to get back. You will see.

AB3: The most memorable dunk for me is the one where you dunked over Anthony Slack at Coffeyville Junior College your sophomore year. Their whole crowd ran out of the gym. That was your first time on Sportscenter after we sent the tape in. I remember surprising the team and saying let's go watch it. You didn't believe it was going to be on there.

WEEMS: Yeah, I remember you showing the film to me the morning after the game. I didn't realize where I jumped from. The dude I dunked on is playing in the D-League in Denver right now.

AB3: Be honest, when did you realize you had a legitimate chance to make it to the NBA?

WEEMS: When I was in junior college. It was during my freshman year.

AB3: I did not know that. Have you found somewhere to live in Denver yet?

WEEMS: Yeah I did.

AB3: That is good to hear. Is anyone moving out there to help you out?

WEEMS: My brother Tommie is staying out there with me.

AB3: It's always good to have help. It is coming to me now that you started realizing you were going to the NBA after the workouts I was putting you through in Junior College. (laughing)

WEEMS: Yeah whatever, that is over my head. Remember all the times you did that to me. (laughing)

AB3: Yes I do remember. The players at Fort Smith use to ask me questions that I didn't know the answer too. So instead of making something up, I would tell the players that it was over my head and to ask the Head Coach. With that being said, who was your favorite college coach? I am talking about at Fort Smith and University of Arkansas.

WEEMS: You were alright. You didn't talk that much at Fort Smith though.

AB3: I didn't talk much? Look who's talking. I use to beg you to talk on the court at Fort Smith.

WEEMS: I didn't need to talk though. We all knew what we were doing.

AB3: Knew what you were doing huh? (laughing) You still needed to talk. You still don't talk now; I see it when I watch you on television.

WEEMS: Come on coach! I talk all the time. Stop hating on my leadership skills. (laughing)

AB3: Yeah, you talked a lot off the court.

WEEMS: Tell these people the truth; I talked on the court too. (laughing)

AB3: I don't think I can say it that with a straight-face (laughing). Wish we can sit here and talk all day but that's all the time we have. I want to thank Sonny for coming to the show.

WEEMS: No problem. Thanks for having me here Coach.

AB3: And I also want to thank the audience for being here to share this special moment with me! Thank you for tuning in from wherever you are located. Tune in for episode four in December for a surprise episode! It was a great experience and meant a lot to me and I would like to share it with everyone. Until next time, take care!

THE AB3 SHOW (Episode II)

(Put On by Young Jeezy Instrumental begins)

Ladies Voice: Ladies and Gentleman stand up and show some love to your host Alvin Brooks, III!

(Alvin Brooks III enters through smoke and starts doing his dougie dance)

(Crowd stands up and claps while laughing at AB3)

AB3: Thank you, thank you. Welcome to the second episode of the ‘Alvin Brooks III Show,” also known as the “AB3 Show.”

(Audience Claps)

AB3:For the second episode, I am going to interview someone that is very special to me. I know I said the same thing about my father but this person also has a lot to do with me being where I am today. Although this person is only a month older than me, he is like the big brother I never had or wanted (Audience laugh). I have learned and experienced a lot because of this guest. Enough of the talking, let’s bring out my childhood friend, NBA All-Star Rashard Lewis!

(Audience Claps)

(Lewis walks out from the back to a standing ovation by the crowd)

AB3: Rashard, thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to be a part of my show. I am honored that you are a part of this! I really appreciate it.

LEWIS: Thanks for having me. I am honored to be a part of your show.

AB3: I want to thank you for having me come to your birthday activities. I really enjoyed the parade, bowling and party.

LEWIS: No problem. I know you need a break sometimes from work because I do too. I know you put in a lot of grueling hours as a coach.

AB3: I was impressed by how well you handle yourself with all the people asking you for autographs and wanting to take a picture with you. During the bowling event, you spent more time with the people than bowling.

LEWIS: That is a part of being a professional, I understand that. I was once that little kid who wanted an autograph so I try to sign as many autographs and take pictures with as many people as possible.

AB3: My father told me to tell you that we have both come a long way since the Chrysler Lebaron and Mazda 626 days. For the people in the audience and the people at home, Rashard’s first car was a Lebaron.

LEWIS: He is right too (laughing). That seems like yesterday. We have come a long way. (laughing)

AB3: Yes, it does seem like yesterday. It also seems like yesterday when we were teenagers driving around Houston to play against anyone that would play against us. I knew you were good but when we went to go play against my pops’ team at U of H (University of Houston) and you killed them, I figured you would go to college for a year or two.

LEWIS: I think everyone expected me to go to college for a few years. I don’t think people realized that I didn’t just make it to the NBA by luck. I worked really hard.

AB3: I realize that. I saw how focused you became when it is time to work. You disappeared from everyone for a while to become a better player.

LEWIS: I had to if I wanted to be better. The less distractions I had, I knew the better it would be for me.

AB3: Let’s play a game. You can only use one word for an answer: Famous person you met that knew who you were?

LEWIS: Obama.

AB3: What is the most important thing that helped get you into the league?

LEWIS: Commitment.

AB3: Why commitment?

LEWIS: I was committed to work very hard to become the best player I could.

AB3: I understand. One word that describes the 1998 NBA draft?

LEWIS: Blessing!

AB3: What was it like being chosen in the second round of the 1998 NBA draft?

LEWIS: Blessing!

AB3: The Houston Rockets had three first round picks in 1998. What you think about them not picking you with either pick?

LEWIS: Blessing!

AB3: You have answered the last three questions with blessing. Why?

LEWIS: Everything happens for a reason. Of course, I was disappointed on draft night but it motivated me even more. If I did get drafted by the Rockets, I would’ve had too many distractions. I was young and did not know how to be a professional yet.

AB3: Let’s rewind the time to your senior year in high school.

LEWIS: We rewinding the time to yesterday then?

(Audience laughs)

AB3: You mean 10 years ago Raw Lew. You were one of the best high school players in the nation. At least in my opinion, you were the best high school player in the nation. You were being recruited by everyone in the nation, including University of Houston.

LEWIS: Yes I was.

AB3: My father being the head coach at University of Houston at the time, I remember we talked about rooming there together with some more of our friends and leading them to a Final Four. We even had a name picked out for the Rottweiler we were going to buy. The day my pops was fired, we went to Moses’ house and had our own press conference.

LEWIS: Yes we did. We went to announce that we would not consider going to the University of Houston after your pops was fired.

AB3: Last question, would you have gone to University of Houston if my pops did not get fired?

LEWIS: Everything happens for a reason, I guess we will never find out (laughing).

AB3: You took the easy answer (laughing). I want to thank Rashard for coming through. And I also want to thank the audience for being here to share this special moment with me! Thank you for tuning in from wherever you are located. Tune in for episode three in October when we interview 2008 NBA draft pick for the Denver Nuggets, Sonny Weems!
 

THE AB3 SHOW (Episode I)

It's finally here. It's time for the first episode of the "Alvin Brooks III" show also known as "The AB3 Show."

Since it is the first episode, we want to introduce all of you to "AB3" first. The host is Alvin Brooks III, a 28-year old assistant men's basketball coach at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. Brooks III just completed his fourth year coaching and his first season at Bradley University.

Brooks III has been involved in sports since he was a young kid growing up in Houston. He played organized little league baseball and football. Football was his first love and he still loves the sport to this day. He played basketball as a kid but really didn't realize how much he loved it until he reached high school.

As for coaching, Brooks III always said that he did not want to be a coach like his father, Alvin Brooks II. He wanted to create his own path and slowly get out of the shadow and stigma of being known as Alvin Brooks' son. Fortunately, it's hard to resist something you love and have passion for and that is the game of basketball. Brooks III tried financial advising for six months after graduate school but found it just wasn't for him.

For the first episode of "AB3" we will interview someone that is very special to the host. This person has a lot to do with Brooks III being where he is today, not only as a coach and player but more importantly, as a person. Our guest has been coaching for the same amount of years Brooks III have been living. Well, almost. The person we are referring to is now on the staff at University of Kentucky. With that hint, you've probably guessed that Brooks III will interview his father, Alvin Brooks II. Brooks II will tell us how he got started in the coaching business and what he does to balance his family life and coaching life and still be successful in both.



(Put On by Young Jeezy Instrumental begins)

Ladies Voice: Ladies and Gentleman stand up and show some love to your host Alvin Brooks, III!

(Alvin Brooks III enters through smoke and starts doing a little dance)

(Crowd stands up and claps while laughing at AB3)

AB3: Thank you and welcome to my first show. You should know about me from the million commercials we paid for (audience laughs). Let’s get down to business and bring out 1 of my idols, my father Alvin Brooks (AB).

(Alvin Brooks walk out from the back to a standing ovation by the crowd)

Pops, I am honored that you are a part of this! It means a lot to me that you took the time be here with us today.

AB: Thanks for having me. I am honored to be a part of your first show.

AB3: I ask you questions a lot and will continue to ask you questions after the show so I will let the members in the audience ask you questions. Audience members, please use the microphone in the front of the audience when you want to ask a question.

JM: How does it feel to have a son following your footsteps and doing a pretty good; being that he has only been doing it for 4 years?

AB: I feel very proud to have my oldest son and namesake (Alvin III) coaching college basketball as I have done for many years. I'm most proud of how humble and hard working he has been as an assistant coach after winning two consecutive National NJCAA championships at two different schools. I don't think that's ever been done before.

JM: Do you have any intentions of becoming a head coach again? If so, what will you do the same or different than you did at U of H?

AB: I have a burning desire to be a head coach again in college basketball. I will do things different from my first stint as a head coach. You have to remember I was 33-years-old when I became a head coach for the first time. I have learned a lot since then.

DS: What is it about coaching that you love so much? And what do you bring to the table that kids feed of most?

AB: What I enjoy most about coaching is 1) Teaching the game of basketball 2) competing in the game of basketball 3) building relationships & teaching life skills thru basketball 4) educating young people and helping them achieve their dreams.

What I bring to the table that students feed of the most is positive energy, wisdom & confidence.

CR: This is for AB3. What is the most important lesson your dad has taught you?

AB3: My father has taught me so much throughout my life. If I had to pick one lesson, that would be how to be a good man.

CR: When was the last time you got a whooping? And who would win in a game of 1 on 1?

AB: My playing days are over but I could win a game of 1-on-1 if whoever scores the first goal wins! :-)

AB3: This may shock everyone but my dad has never whooped me. I was such a great kid that he never had too (audience laughs). But my mom whooped me enough for him.

TS: What is it like to balance having a family and coaching at a big basketball school?

AB: It's difficult to balance a family no matter what level you coach. To stay balanced you have to schedule time and things to do with the family year round. I think you have to include the kids in games (aka ball boy or girl) and find activities for them. I've always watched my kids play and I have been there to support them year round. You must also schedule dates with your mate.

MP: But isn’t coaching hard on your family since it demands so much time and travel?

AB: Coaching can be hard on your family and mate if you don't make time for them. Coaching can also be a blessing and a life-changing experience for your family.

AB3: I don’t have a wife and kid at home so it is different for me. I do miss my family all the time but they understand.

MM: How do you keep yourself grounded through hard times?

AB: I handle hard times the same way I handle good times. Everyday I begin prepared not to get too low if it's a bad day, and not to get too high if it's a great day. I try to be emotionally even every day and of course keep the faith every day.

AYB: This question is for Alvin III. What made you choose basketball over your first love, which is music?

AB3: I can’t really dance or sing so I thought I would coach.

AYB: And dad, do you miss your family in your hometown, Houston?

AB: I do miss my family in Houston. Fortunately, I see them as much as possible and spend time with them during the holidays.

BB: What advice do you have for young coaches trying to make it? And if you could go back, what would you have done differently?

AB: I encourage young coaches to prepare themselves and acquire knowledge in every area to become a great teacher of young people. As the times change, so must you to keep up with the new ideas of the new generation.

VJ: This question is for Alvin III. Are you ever going to think about being a head coach somewhere some day?

AB3: Yes, I want to become a head coach one day. I am preparing myself by learning from the good coaches I have worked for and with. My dad has given me a lot of knowledge; he deserves a lot of credit.

TB: This is for the both of you. What has been the most challenging part of your career?

AB: The most challenging thing has been keeping up with the changes in recruiting, i.e. the Hip Hop generation, building relationships with AAU coaches and utilizing computers for basketball specific work.

AB3: The most challenging part for me was adjusting from junior college to Division I. It was a shock to me at first.

MC: Do you think that you will ever be a father/son coaching team?

AB: I would not be surprised one day if Alvin III and I worked together.

TI: This is for AB3. Who and what was the biggest influence and motivators? What kept and keeps you motivated in life?

AB: My two biggest influences and motivators were my father and my close friend Rashard Lewis, who is an NBA All-Star for the Orlando Magic. I have experienced so much through the both of them. What keeps me going is to be the best I can possibly be and not have to move back to the hood.

LJ: Did you always want to coach? And what is the hardest part about coaching?

AB: I've wanted to coach since I began college in 1977. The hardest part about coaching is you don’t get to spend enough time with your student-athletes during the off season. The less time you're around them the more susceptible they are to problems and people that are not good for them.

TC: What age did you start playing? Why basketball? And what made you want to be a coach?

AB: I started playing at the age of eight. I played the point guard position so I could see at an early age how I could make the team better and the impact I could have on the game. I really enjoyed how fast paced basketball was and continues to be.

I wanted to be a coach when I realized how much you could help people develop and the relationships you build doing so.

NC: What’s the next thing you would like to accomplish?

AB3: I would like to win the Missouri Valley and advance deep in the NCAA tournament next year! Then watch our seniors walk across the stage.

AB: I’d like to become a head coach again and lead a program to the NCAA tournament and WIN championships. I also would like to assist in graduating every student-athlete we recruit.

AB: I want to thank my father for coming through. And I also want to thank the audience for the great questions and for being here to share this special moment with me! Thank you for tuning in from wherever you are at. Tune in for episode two in September where we will interview NBA All-Star Rashard Lewis from the Orlando Magic!