Go HARD or go HOME

When I was given my scholarship the dean failed to notify me that I would become a slave to the College of Business. I just learned recently, that in the fine print of the contract I signed when I accepted the scholarship. I am required to appear at banquets, recruiting events, and other random events as needed, and failure to do so, could result in me losing my scholarship.(they wouldnt do that though, im the best they have)
Usually I just end up talking about why I came to UIC(usually a lie to pump up the school). They want me to tell my experience but told me not to be "too honest"(then why am I here? im confused) Anywho, Im a pretty smart guy, but I still surprised by someof the things that come out of my mouth. It makes so much sense,and its so simple, but often times packs a big punch that carries alot of meaning. Like my latest statement today when I was tellign some high school students about some of the things I plan to do with my life within the next 5 years. This smart ass chaperon questioned my list of goals, he said.. "Thats alot of things to do. Very ambitious list. But is it all realistic?Do you think its appropriate to make these kids believe that you, them, or anyone else can "conquer the world" in such a short time?"
ME: I think its extremely approprate to send the message that they can do ANYTHING.I say go hard or go home. I'd rather swing for the fences and miss than bunt for an easy out.

He was a prick.. And I made him shut up.

Grant Hill talks the "Fab Five"

The Fab Five,” an ESPN film about the Michigan basketball careers of Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson from 1991 to 1993, was broadcast for the first time Sunday night. In the show, Rose, the show’s executive producer, stated that Duke recruited only black players he considered to be “Uncle Toms.” Grant Hill, a player on the Duke team that beat Michigan in the 1992 Final Four, reflected on Rose’s comments.

I am a fan, friend and longtime competitor of the Fab Five. I have competed against Jalen Rose and Chris Webber since the age of 13. At Michigan, the Fab Five represented a cultural phenomenon that impacted the country in a permanent and positive way. The very idea of the Fab Five elicited pride and promise in much the same way the Georgetown teams did in the mid-1980s when I was in high school and idolized them. Their journey from youthful icons to successful men today is a road map for so many young, black men (and women) who saw their journey through the powerful documentary, “The Fab Five.”

It was a sad and somewhat pathetic turn of events, therefore, to see friends narrating this interesting documentary about their moment in time and calling me a bitch and worse, calling all black players at Duke “Uncle Toms” and, to some degree, disparaging my parents for their education, work ethic and commitment to each other and to me. I should have guessed there was something regrettable in the documentary when I received a Twitter apology from Jalen before its premiere. I am aware Jalen has gone to some length to explain his remarks about my family in numerous interviews, so I believe he has some admiration for them.

In his garbled but sweeping comment that Duke recruits only “black players that were ‘Uncle Toms,’ ” Jalen seems to change the usual meaning of those very vitriolic words into his own meaning, i.e., blacks from two-parent, middle-class families. He leaves us all guessing exactly what he believes today.

I am beyond fortunate to have two parents who are still working well into their 60s. They received great educations and use them every day. My parents taught me a personal ethic I try to live by and pass on to my children.

I come from a strong legacy of black Americans. My namesake, Henry Hill, my father’s father, was a day laborer in Baltimore. He could not read or write until he was taught to do so by my grandmother. His first present to my dad was a set of encyclopedias, which I now have. He wanted his only child, my father, to have a good education, so he made numerous sacrifices to see that he got an education, including attending Yale.

This is part of our great tradition as black Americans. We aspire for the best or better for our children and work hard to make that happen for them. Jalen’s mother is part of our great black tradition and made the same sacrifices for him.

My teammates at Duke — all of them, black and white — were a band of brothers who came together to play at the highest level for the best coach in basketball. I know most of the black players who preceded and followed me at Duke. They all contribute to our tradition of excellence on the court.

It is insulting and ignorant to suggest that men like Johnny Dawkins (coach at Stanford), Tommy Amaker (coach at Harvard), Billy King (general manager of the Nets), Tony Lang (coach of the Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins in Japan), Thomas Hill (small-business owner in Texas), Jeff Capel (former coach at Oklahoma and Virginia Commonwealth), Kenny Blakeney (assistant coach at Harvard), Jay Williams (ESPN analyst), Shane Battier (Memphis Grizzlies) and Chris Duhon (Orlando Magic) ever sold out their race.

To hint that those who grew up in a household with a mother and father are somehow less black than those who did not is beyond ridiculous. All of us are extremely proud of the current Duke team, especially Nolan Smith. He was raised by his mother, plays in memory of his late father and carries himself with the pride and confidence that they instilled in him.

The sacrifice, the effort, the education and the friendships I experienced in my four years are cherished. The many Duke graduates I have met around the world are also my “family,” and they are a special group of people. A good education is a privilege.

Just as Jalen has founded a charter school in Michigan, we are expected to use our education to help others, to improve life for those who need our assistance and to use the excellent education we have received to better the world.

A highlight of my time at Duke was getting to know the great John Hope Franklin, John B. Duke Professor of History and the leading scholar of the last century on the total history of African-Americans in this country. His insights and perspectives contributed significantly to my overall development and helped me understand myself, my forefathers and my place in the world.

Ad ingenium faciendum, toward the building of character, is a phrase I recently heard. To me, it is the essence of an educational experience. Struggling, succeeding, trying again and having fun within a nurturing but competitive environment built character in all of us, including every black graduate of Duke.

My mother always says, “You can live without Chaucer and you can live without calculus, but you cannot make it in the wide, wide world without common sense.” As we get older, we understand the importance of these words. Adulthood is nothing but a series of choices: you can say yes or no, but you cannot avoid saying one or the other. In the end, those who are successful are those who adjust and adapt to the decisions they have made and make the best of them.

I caution my fabulous five friends to avoid stereotyping me and others they do not know in much the same way so many people stereotyped them back then for their appearance and swagger. I wish for you the restoration of the bond that made you friends, brothers and icons.

I am proud of my family. I am proud of my Duke championships and all my Duke teammates. And, I am proud I never lost a game against the Fab Five.

Grant Henry Hill
Phoenix Suns
Duke ‘94

"Please tell me youre lying...."

So when I came to college. I knew alot of people, but there was pretty much only a couple people I actually hung with and considered friends....
There was a couple guys, and a couple girls. One of the girls hated UIC so much that she decide to move back to Ohio and attend the University of Akron. She had been on my mind the past couple days so i decided to text her today. The conversation went like this:
Me: Hey whats up kid
Her: Borom! What a surprise.. You know I like how we went from seeing and talking to each other everyday to me not hearing from you in months. If you didnt want to get married, you could have just said it. lol
Me: Lol, you know my number hasnt changed either. But it has been a while. So fill me in, whats been going on in your world?
Her: Hmm? Lets see? I hate my school, Im still with my boyfriend, o yeah and im pregnant.
Me: ..... Please tell me you're lying....

No, no she wasnt lying. but i wish she was. She just turned 19, and she was really a good girl with a little edge. She was adorable(not like the "i want to squeeze your cheeks adorable" the sexy adorable, really petite but still with a mature body) smart, funny as hell, and had a plan.. She made my first semester at UIC so much better, worth while. Now... she's really pregnant. When I asked her "what now?". The girl with the plan had no answer. Shes the daughter of two engineers, and wanted to be a doctor. Now.. She has a school she will probably dropout of school, go live with her long time hood boyfriend, and end up living a mediocre life in Cleavland...Sucks how things turn out.Even though she obviously isnt that smart, not adorable at all, has no plan, but atleast she's still funny.

"Dude, youre not that famous"

Lol, last semester during that meeting with Derrick Rose and Henry Thomas. My adviser at that time said half jokingly to Rose "Dude, shut up youre not even that famous".
Well actually before the 2010-11 NBA season started he really wasnt as popular as he his now. Unless you followed the NBA, The Chicago Bulls, College ball, or high school basketball, you probably wouldnt know who he is. Maybe what my adviser said offended rose enough to go out and get a new business manager, and/or pressure him to get him more air time. But since this season started, he has been in like 10 commercials, he has a new signature shoe, and all of this gave him the balls to just not show up to a taping of a nationally syndicated tv show that he was supposed to appear in.

Not only has he been killing off the court, he has been killing on the court as well! He's doing so well that he has Michael Jordan saying and I quote "Derrick Rose is MVP of the season".. Mind you, he said this AFTER Derrick just beat Jordan's Charlotte Bobcats.

Im going to have to catch up with my old adviser, see if he can set up another meeting with Rose.Imagine if he he was my first Pro-Basketball client. I need to hurry up and get my Series 65. lol

Disney Dream Portraits

Today I met a woman from O(Oprah's Magazine) and she actually showed me some of the content from April's issue, and among the loads of stuff that was going to be included, i found the Disney insert to be most interesting. Not only because im a huge fan of Disney's older movies, but also i thought that the portraits were extremely well done. When i got home, i immediately hopped online to see if i can find some digital copies to put on the blog.. I only got around to putting one up so far, but im working on the others.. SO stay tuned....


(the picture above is from the 2008 series)

Coming ashore as Ursula from “The Little Mermaid” is none other than Queen Latifah. The caption reads, “Where memories take hold and never let go.”

Queen Latifah as Ursula from 'The Little Mermaid'


As the Evil Queen, Olivia Wilde joins Alec Baldwin as the spirit of the magic mirror from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” In the dark depths of her lair, the Queen has summoned the mirror’s spirit through wind and darkness to reveal the identity of a lovelier maid than she. The caption reads, “Where magic speaks, even when you’re not the fairest of them all.”


Penelope Cruz and Jeff Bridges appear as Belle and the transformed prince, recalling the final scene from “Beauty and the Beast.” The celebratory moment is captioned, “Where a moment of beauty lasts forever.”

Quote of the Day

After monday and tuesday, the week just seems to fly by.
-David Borom

It seems a if i have gone on an unexpected hiatus but good news... IM BACK