Jordan Montgomery Update
If you didn’t catch the story/video yesterday on 8 year old Jordan Montgomery, check it out here http://dimemag.com/2009/06/introducing-jordan-montgomery/.
Here is today’s update. His brother was reading through all the comments and emailed me the following (I don’t think he’d mind if I posted his entire email… trying to be as transparent as possible here!):
“I see that your getting some bad wrap from some commentators. I’m sure you are used to it but just for some back up you can let people know that i’m not feeding jordan all the hype at all. he is just a kid that loves the game (i don’t tell him about things like this. i try to shield him from the hypebeast). i just simply want to get his name out there. its a shame but basketball is as much a business as it is a sport now so marketing does go along way. Also he is not short. He just plays 2 grades up so he is little because he is 8 and they are 10 and 11. i’m 6’7 so height does run in the blood. i want to thank you again for your support feel free to use any of the info i gave you in your responses to the commentators.
- kyle”
One other interesting note. Justin mentioned this to me, some of the shots from the video are from adidas phenom camp. So the kid is already somewhat of a known talent amongst the hoop business world.
True or False – This is wrong of me to keep posting. Thoughts?
-->
June 9th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Jeff of InsideHoops says:
I’m wearing my Jordan Montgomery RETRO JERSEY right now
June 9th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
BRUCE says:
You are doing it for the game of basketball. Nothing wrong with that.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Soul Brova 1 says:
“it’s a shame but basketball is as much a business as it is a sport now so marketing does go along way” – Kyle
Why can’t it just be a game especially at this age…keep working with Jordan, help him make his school teams and eventually get recruited…putting his name out there at such an early age is like throwing blood in a pool of sharks-it’s feeding time. This increases the risk of him getting linked up with shady characters. If he continues to develop and gets the grades he’ll be okay. I agree that sports are now a business but if we are going to feed into it let’s teach these kids that they are not only commodities to be marketed and exploited. There’s a reason why we dominate sports leagues as players but remain almost invisible as coaches, executives and owners.
Whether you post or not, it’s gonna continue to go on. The problem is with those who send in the videos and put these kids out there.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
KnicksFan84 says:
All cool beans. I loved playing ball as a kid and glad he does too! Prop’s to big bro for looking out too. My bro did it for me and glad he did as well.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
S-SiN says:
let a kid just be and love the game then see what’s up! it’s kinda cool to see those posts here, like that kid who can play football fa real. so keep em coming
June 9th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Dukesman2000 says:
@The Jed…
No, you are not wrong for posting this kid. He is simply amazing and he would definitely appreciate the spotlight. However, it seems to me that this Kyle fellow is pushing this kid too hard. I have a 4 year old son who likes to play ball and though it is my dream to see him play in the NBA, I am not going to force my son to live MY dream. I will definitely give him the support but I will also let him be a kid and choose his own path. I would suggest to Kyle to allow this kid to do the same. You don’t want him to be the male version of Elena Delle Donne
June 9th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
UpNorth says:
“i’m not feeding jordan all the hype at all. he is just a kid that loves the game (i don’t tell him about things like this. i try to shield him from the hypebeast). i just simply want to get his name out there.”
What exactly is he trying to accomplish then from sending these mixes to major basketball publications? You may not be feeding it to him personally, but you’re trying to get the hype started, which is going to lead to others putting all that garbage in his head at a young age.
I honestly feel you’re setting this child up for failure in the future. I know it’s not your intention, but it’s what i foresee happening.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
UpNorth says:
Also, if the kid grows up to be good, it’s not like he’s going to go unnoticed. Kids are scouted in junior high.
There’s no point in adding extra pressure, which will be applied by people who don’t even know the kid, before he’s even 10 years old.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
ant says:
my little brothers 8 too and i think he is better than jordan montgomery. im not hating the kids nice but i think my little brothers betta.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
hansosword says:
There are so many reasons why you shouldn’t be posting mixtapes of 8 year olds, but let me give a common sense one: It’s a fracking bore. Seriously, unless there is some kid doing something truly extraordinary (ie. Dunking, sinking half-court shots,avrg.100pts per game,ect..) who cares?????? Jordan may be the best 8 year old in the country for all I know, but honestly his highlights don’t look that much different than mine or my little brother’s did at that age. We also were the best players in our league at the time, and played against kids 3 years older. Guess what..12 years later neither one of us drives a lamborghini. Jokes aside, for every Lebron,Oj,Bassy there is a Shea,Ronnie,Character. Under the current rules Jordan is 11 years removed from being drafted by a pro team. He’s not even a curiosity right now.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Notorious says:
Correct me if I am wrong, but a wee little lad named “Tiger” Woods appeared on the Tonight Show at a very young age, thanks in part to his father Earl. That didn’t turn out so bad right?
In the age of the internet anyone can be a celebrity for 15 minutes. I understand not wanting to push the kid to live someone elses dream as that would be wrong. But if the kid loves the game, then what harm is it in filming him and making up a highlight tape?
@#6, Elena Delle Donne is going back to play basketball, just staying closer to home. She admitted Geno was right, it was not the love of the game that was missing, it was simple home sickness. For what thats worth…
June 9th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
lifep says:
Nothing wrong with what your doing Kyle. He has a talent that you have help to cultivate into something special! Ride the wave homey! It’s a smart business move!
PS..make sure he loves the Lord as much as he loves basketball and he will always be on top!
June 9th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
SparkyJ23 says:
“I see that your getting some bad wrap from some commentators.”
you mean bad rap and commenters
SEND THE KID TO SCHOOL
I hope height is the only thing in the blood.
This is just putting him out there waiting for a shady agent to come by.
Why do we need to see how good he is? does that make him any better?
June 9th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Drink the Haterade (LA LAKERS 09 Champs) says:
OK so I have no problems with this, but my only concerns are 1) Somebody is out there actually scouting these young kids.
2) there used to be this kid from Fontana, CA, I cant remember his name for the life of me but long story short he was on the cover of ESPN and SI as an 8th grader they called him the next Lebron and funny thing when he got into HS he was uncoachable and didn’t grow anymore so he sat on the bench. His team had won something like 88 straight games, kid was just insane. Then of course there always the story of Schea Cotton.
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1005434/index.htm
So just be careful, there are only about 360 active NBA players at any given time. I hate when kids get all this hype and then end up tryin to go pro and can’t make it.
That being said good luck to the kid, I can’t hate.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Big Freeze says:
That kid would break my ankles.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
G says:
Yes you are wrong to keep posting. You got a video of an 8 yr old kid putting in work with crazy handles, dope post it, let people comment, then be done with it. I really do not want to hear anything else about this kid until hes a top ranked HS player getting recruited. Then you can say “hey look here this kid whos mixtape we thru up X-many years back and now hes made it.” Other than that keep it moving.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Jon says:
Nothing wrong with getting his name out there a bit.
But just keep in mind that “hype” does mess up the lives of many young players as they get cocky and don’t work on their game the same way before the fame.
Keep the kid humble and make sure he understands that there is more to life than bball also. You don’t want a kid to build his entire dream to be making the NBA and if anything happens such as an injury or other things come up then he is totally loss.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
dk says:
Well, at least he admits hes trying to hype him, lol… That shielding BS wont work but whatever. As long as the kid gets an education it really dont matter, If he goes to a great college from playing ball, thats a plus. If he makes the NBA and can leave for the NBA early, God bless him. You can always go back to college. But getting a great education while growing up is important and making sure he learns that, is most important. Just make sure if hes blessed and does make it out of college early, warn him about the damn strippers and lying ass snakes out there…
June 9th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
dk says:
Oh yeah, if hes on the other team, Im still gotta post his ass up with out a doubt, he cant stop me!
June 9th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Bball says:
Dunkboi.com has a bit more information about Jordan. Assumptions that a basketball player doesn’t have a brain; may be put to rest with this little one. Appears he gets it done in the classroom too (A student-and has a goal of becoming a doctor) Like Tiger Venus, Serena, many gymnasts; who knows what will come of this child.
While many kids are talented, it certainly doesn’t take away from what Jordan is doing in this mixtape. For people to sit back and make “petty” comments is ridiculous . I can think of a million negative things these young people could be doing; instead they appear to be doing something positive! As a parent, I would be proud of both the young men (big brother for staying involved and Jordan for working hard and staying focused in school and on the game). This seems like what I call “win/win”. If down the road basketball is something he doesn’t want to do, sounds like he is a “stand-out” in the classroom as well. Hats off to the both of you!
June 9th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
dk says:
If you need advice about guiding a kid to super stradom. The link is to a great how to video. Its what taught me to keep my head on straight and solve problems at the same time.
http://www.geekologie.com/2009/06/like_this_how_to_make_tetris_n.php
June 9th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
bballinca says:
#14 taht kid you are talking about, Demitrius Walker led his higg school to in AZ to a state title. I believe he is going to be a freshmen this upcoming school year at either USC or ASU. On scholarship I might add.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
David_Brandon says:
i dont think anything is wrong w/ it. ricky rubio was put in slam magazine like 3-4 years ago or something like that. it pertains to the sport. granted, this kid is 8 lol but i mean…its still hoop.
the only thing i wondered about is when does it get…monitored, for lack of a better word. thats to say, why isnt the next kid in kansas gettin a post or some girl in long beach w/ a better jumper than kevin martin get on the site. i’m not saying i have the answer necessarily, but it does pose itself to being a question sooner or later. and he’s 8! hahaha this couldnt have waited til he was in high school killin? let a kid be a kid. as many kids getting looked at now, we need some kinda boundary. my little cousin in NICE on the baseball field. he’s getting looked at now. but he’s also 16. and he’s still not mature enough to handle the pressure the media puts on its athletes. ppl want athletes to be their saving grace so much and live vicariously through them that they end up doing whatever they feel is necessary to get what THEY want out of someone. i’m happy for dudes brother, he’s got some game out there. but at the same time, just watch out for him too. i got a little brother too so i know how that stuff goes when you got other ppl in their ear.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
JH says:
One post on the topic is fresh & new…but to keep re-posting info. on a child who may or may not be “the next big thing” sounds like overkill.
Fun topic and best wishes to Lil’ Jordan…but I’d rather read about a R.Evans – J. Kapono trade than this again…and that aint saying much.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Big V says:
Good luck to the kid. But seriously, that’s about enough. He got his 5 minutes, now time to move on to something that actually matters.
It’s the NBA Finals, fellas!!!
June 9th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Big Brother says:
I would block the shit outta this kid.
June 9th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
dk says:
@26 Amen brother, I would send that kid back to embryonic state!
June 9th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Hatorade says:
Family trying to make a quick buck. What a shame.
June 9th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
loc says:
Im sorry but this is kind of wack,
let the kid play basketball he doesn’t need youtube videos for chrissakes!!
If his brother is the one making and uploading these videos then thats just weird, I remember growing up so many kids who were great at young ages were no place to be seen by 19 or 21, they just gave up, moved on, found something else, ended up being midgets, whatever.
June 10th, 2009 at 3:00 am
jous3 says:
Whats wrong with you people that are posting negative comments??? its obvious the kid is talented and all his brother is doing is taping his games and putting them on a “basketball” website. I dont see the problem. If the kid goes pro good. If not who cares! The video actually made my day i enjoyed laughing at all the crossed up kids lol! Thanx Jordan & his brother for sharing!!
June 10th, 2009 at 3:04 am
alldayballa says:
JORDAN IS NICEE WIT IT!!!
POINT BLANK PERIOD!
TO EVERYONE SAYIN BAD THINGS ABOUT THE FAMILY:
WHERE IN THE POST DOES IT SAY THAT THEY WANT THE KID TO GO PRO???
TO ME ITS OBVIOUS THAT THE BROTHER JUST WANTS TO SHARE JORDAN’S TALENT WIT THE WORLD!
GOOD JOB JORDAN! GODBLESS
June 10th, 2009 at 3:10 am
skip says:
i saw this same boy on dunkboi.com! go check it out. it gets into more detail about jordan. according to dunkboi his grades are great and jordan’s family doesn’t seem to push him into playing ball he just does it as a hobby and is extremely talented. great job jordan & the montgomery family!
ps go lakers!
June 10th, 2009 at 4:26 am
RICK773 says:
i just simply want to get his name out there. its a shame but basketball is as much a business as it is a sport now so marketing does go along way.
If he’s nice you don’t need to. He’s at least 5-6 years away from doing anything of significance i.e. choosing a high school. If he’s as nice in high school as he is now then the publicity will find him I.E. Lebron James O.J. Mayo these cats have been followed since the eighth grade and they didn’t need any publicty stunts. Let the kid focus on school and being a kid if he’s destined for the league he’ll get there.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Danny says:
i LOVE how he added that he is 6’7 and height runs in his bloood. Second, why are the 10 and 11 year olds as tall or shorter than this kid?? somethings definitely not as it seems with this brother.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Buffalo Brave says:
That kid is AMAZING! Good luck and God bless!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
jay26th says:
I’d do it the same way. Keep getting his rep up without giving him any actual distractions.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Mario says:
This kid is definitely nice and when your good there are always gonna be haters.Props to big brother for lookin out for him.Keep workin with him and let him learn to love the game. Make all the youtube videos you want just keep lookin out for him and he’ll be fine.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
melissa says:
i love jordan he is a good kids and plays with my brother and he is so smart
June 10th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
JuliaGulia says:
I know Jordan personally. I also know Kyle and his parents. Jordan has all of the support ANYONE could ask for, and knowing his mom I have come to learn that education is such a huge thing in their family. I also know that if Jordan didnt want to play (or play as much as he does) his family would support him. Basically what I’m saying is no one is trying to PUSH him into doing this, he loves playing basketball. :]
June 10th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
zmafuel says:
True. Just let the stories about under 14 year olds go.
June 10th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
rosco says:
haters fall back! ANytime you are breaking ankles at 6 7 & 8 you deserve some credit im sorry! and for all the people who say they have seen kids better than jordan. umm we haven’t so right now you have nooo argument! jordan is great enough said
June 10th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
gary says:
I coach AAU basketball out here in Chicago. Throughout my time I have seen some pretty good players at young ages. Players like Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony, Josh Smith etc.. I must say that if this Jordan kid keeps improving his game he has a chance to do some special things in the future.Some of the things he does reminds me of when I watched the players in the list I mentioned above. Jordan seems to know a lot a young age which cannot possibly be a negative thing. Keep up the work Jordan. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for you.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
deelo says:
TO EVERYONE WHO SAYS JORDAN IS TOO YOUNG TO BE KNOWN:
GO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS SITE.
http://www.bballspotlight.com
ITS A WHOLE WEBSITE ABOUT KIDS(MANY OF THEM 10 AND UNDER) THAT ARE DOING THERE THING IN THE BBALL WORLD.
TOO YOUNG?? PEOPLE WAKE UP!
June 10th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
CoachADP says:
I have had the honor of watching Jordan grow up. Prior to being able to dribble (or for that matter walk) Jordan and his older brother Kyle have had a unique relationship. Kyle is an outstanding young man he also played the game of basketball (with the support of his entire family)he is now in college as a pre-med student (not playing basketball, but fully academic scholarship). This young man should be held up as the role model to any brother or sister. He finds the time to mentor not just his brother, but other kids that play the game. Every parent that has had a child who has played with Jordan has been impressed by Jordan’s humble spirit. Jordan is always encouraging of his teammates. He is simply a child that really has a “gift”. To come here and see the “harsh” statements with regard to Jordan and Kyle is beyond sad. I admire this family for encouraging both of their children to work hard and keep all of their options open. Only God knows what life has in store for Jordan. However in the meantime what is so wrong about being prepared? These young men are not robbing stores, not doing drugs, not skipping school (quiet the opposite-Kyle graduated in the top 5% of his class and was the only African American Male in his county to be inducted into the National Honor Society)So I believe both he and Jordan will be fine.
PS. His parents don’t need the kids to succeed for them. They want the best for their kids just like any other parent. Let us not kill the messenger, let’s just appreciate the message.