Slam dunk machine
Long, lean, a slam dunk machine. In the world of prison basketball, you have crash test dummies and then you have players like Ali “B3″ Tatum, who at 6-foot-5 1/2 and 225 pounds might not even know the true extent of his abilities on the court. Dudes on the pound call the 26-year-old from Toledo, Ohio wild. But they don’t even know. The kid has been wild since Day 1. On the court and in life. But one thing is for certain, B3 as they call him (signifying the unit he lives in) can fly. He is not grounded like the rest of us mere mortals. On the basketball court he soars heads and shoulders above the other players. Dudes gotta be careful or they might get some nuts in their face because Ali is taking it to the rim. Because he goes hard in everything he does. In the real world, scouts would have been drooling over this kid’s ability from an early age, but since age 14 Ali has barely seen the streets. He grew up and learned to play ball inside these fences.
“I got juvenile life and spent seven years from age 14-21 in Tico a joint in Columbus, Ohio for murder and attempted murder,” Ali says matter of factly.
He’s done a couple of bids since for possession of crack cocaine, trafficking in cocaine and assault but now he is serving 42 months in the feds for possession of a firearm. The kid is definitely no angel but that doesn’t stop him from soaring like one on the court. Tomahawk jam, alley-oop, two-handed power slam, reverse slam – they are all in his repertoire and dude can run the floor like a gazelle and of course finishing on the break is his specialty. In traffic or whatever. He doesn’t have to juke defenders because he can jump over them.
“I can do what I feel like doing when I feel like doing it,” Ali says.
And he’s right basically. This correspondent has witnessed him taking over games at will here in the rough-and-tumble world of prison basketball and bullrushing through the paint to the rim.
“I can play any position from the 2 to the 6. Shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center and out of body. That’s the 6th spot.”
And out of body is what dudes on the pound say when Ali has a great game. He had another out-of-body experience,” they say in reference to his unbelievable hops.
“All I ever wanted to do was dunk since I was 15,” Ali says. “And that is what I am known for. It’s like ‘Watch out, he’s coming.’”
Coming he is like a pogo stick. And Ali plays forth win.
“It’s about winning,” he says. “Shuttin’ ya man down and giving the crowd what they came to see. The dunks, the crossovers… My offense is a little and without the traveling and carrying cause, I give the crowd what they want. But my defense is of the NCAA-type where it’s played the hardest.”
Being in the pros was never a dream of Ali’s but he says, “I could play ball anywhere in the air or on water”.
About prison ball Ali says, “Dudes go real hard on the court. It’s a respect thang and a few real men would die for their respect.”
He admits that tempers flare at times on the court.
“Dudes get into their feelings. I do at times. That’s just part of prison ball.”
And to him, “Basketball is a stress reliever. That’s all. I focus on the bigger things in life.”
Yeah, like the NBA – where Ali says he supports KB8 and the Lake Show.
“But really I’m about winning. I got the hops of Vince Carter and its only common sense for me to have the ball in my hands and focus on mines,” Ali says.
Jeff Doughty, Vancity Said,
July 11, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
It’s super interesting to hear about how cats in the joint ball. There have to have been a few future HOF’rs that have never even played a game of organized ball that reside behind bars. Keep doing what your doing Seth.
Miles Said,
July 11, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
Are there any videos of him that can be made available to the public. I love collecting b-ball videos. When’s he going to be released, he should really consider NBADL when he gets out.
Renton Said,
July 11, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
“he should really consider NBADL”? Well, how many guys are playing in the NBADL again who have murdered another person?
And he’s serving a 42 months. If he’s at the beginning of it, he’ll be 29 when he comes out of jail. So with his ‘record’ I highly doubt he’ll get into the NBADL.
Now what do you think, Miles? Because I kind of doubt that you read the article, but saw the word “dunk”, and then hit the “submit comment” button to post some crap. Well thought, my friend.
Adam Currey Said,
July 11, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
Well at least he’s not bashful.
What competition has he played against? If it’s a bunch of guys in denim with a little time to spare between making license plates and digging tunnels I’m not impressed.
Maybe next time he gets out he can use his talents towards something constructive.
Kelvin Said,
July 11, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
Can we get something going to help this guy get out early and get him playing organized ball? Will someone step up with the cash for the legal process and the support after that. I would love to see him go at some of them preeners in the league …
me Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 8:39 am
Kelvin,
Because the guy got hops you want to get him out early???? Did you hear that he killed some folks?
Ok, we will get him out early, and you can rent him a a room in your place.
Mike Rich Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 8:43 am
Well said, Adam Currey. Anyone who’s a real baller knows that there’s nothing impressive about repeatedly dunking on a bunch of prison scrubs with zero basketball talent/skill to speak of. Hell, a guy like Devean George would be a basketball god if people were watching him play against those bums on a daily basis.
Also for Kelvin - would you be trying to get this guy out early if he murdered your mom, sister, wife, etc? Please use your brain before you hit the “submit” button, son.
Joe Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 11:04 am
I agree with the previous posters… this guy wouldn’t look so good against real competition. And if you ask me, this whole article is trash. There is no need to try and glorify a scumbag like this guy.
Rob Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 11:08 am
Step up with cash for his legal fees? What’s wrong with you kelvin? Get some perspective, the guy is in jail for MURDER. You want people to HELP a murderer get out of jail because he can jump? Did you even think before you wrote that?
Stu Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
NBADL??? never. this guy should go straight to the NBA.
jay smith Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
In big TEXAS we have the no fly rule on the prison rec yards. Ali would get dripped up and drapped out down here.
Dickhead Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
THE NBA NEEDS THIS GUY….WE NEED MORE MURDERERS IN THE ASSOCIATION……why would anyone suggest we levy up some cash to free a killer solely becuz he has hops like vince carter…..We good go to any playground in NYC an find someone wit MAD HOPS they dont deserver a roster spot NOT even for the NBADL
Mihajlo Moncilovich Said,
July 12, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
What a waste of time! Who cares what this criminal psychopath does? Are you kidding me? This guy talks like he actually has something worth listening to. How impressive, this guy puts absolutely no value on human life and has the audacity act like normal law-abiding citizens really care that he can play ball! Why don’t you write something when this loser has developed enough self-control to live outside his cell and not raping smaller men.
steve Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 12:00 am
straight to the nba????? stu ur mad…. sure some players have been to jail like a.i but not for MURDER thats what you are forgeting.. i dont even think the nbadl is a good fit for him, who would wanna room with a murderer or x- con because he can jump ur basicly giving him a “get out of jail free card” and inorder to be in the nba stu you need to fly from diffrent places and with a record like MURDER its going to be kinda hard
Allan Dawgs Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 2:18 am
Those of you dissing the point of the article are missing the point. Seth overtly points out what this man is made of. I’ve read a lot of Seth’s work and his laying out this guy’s record reveals that the author is totally aware of the quality of this human being. Seth never implies what this man would achieve anywhere since his mind set is so obviously troubled it is way beyond the point. But what Seth captures is a culture and element of prison life that not many people witness. And as for arrogance while of course it’s very present you got to give the guy some due, he’s funny, can play prison ball and is doing his time. It’s not hard to guess that B3 won’t be breathing in ten years, but we’ve caught a slice of life here man and if you don’t like it, read something else.
Fpig Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 4:54 am
So much assumption and prejudice! You guys have no idea how his game rates - there are prison teams playing in semi-pro leagues - which means there are guys in prison at least hitting NCAA Division II level of play, which means this guy can probably play. Do you know how much time this guys gets to play every day? There are minimum security prisons near me that have three or four hours rec time a day - probably more than you guys play ball a day. Oh, almost forgot: Pee Wee Kirkland. End of story.
Mihajlo, you don’t know the case or the guy - you don’t know he’s a rapist (although I like how you thought ‘prison’ and ‘big man’ and automatically assumed anal sex - I’d love to see your psych profile) , you don’t know he placed ‘absolutely no value in human life’ (do you believe soldiers or police officers place *no* value in human life, or merely rate other values higher, like national security social protection - and do you know if Ali wasn’t in a complex circumstance where he had to act for, say, his own survival? You do understand that the legal system encourages plea bargaining that changes charges despite circumstances?) And you know what? I think your own naive talk-back radio sociopathy is better documented here than his supposed ‘psychopath’ nature. Did you come here to talk ball or measure heads? If so, mention the sport, clown,
Jake Shuttlesworf Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 6:29 am
Put him in the NBDL because he can dunk? That’s funny. There are tons of guys out there who can dunk who have NO GAME. I know most kids don’t do it anymore, but go check out any park in a big city. Somebody there is going to be able to throw a couple of nasty dunks down, but he won’t have dick for game when it comes down to it.
ray Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 8:03 am
so what this guy did murder or whatever. everyone deserves to be forgiven and if it’s possible then why not give him the chance to show his skills? maybe the nba or nbdl needs players like ali because he can come in and scare those other ballers who think they go hard..but yeah his age is a killer and thats probably hes still in jail playing..
Stu Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
steve, i was being sarcastic. of course this guy couldnt cut it in the N. he would probably get lit up playing community college ball.
alfredo velez Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
MAN HE IS SELFISH YEA HE MIGHT BE GOOD BUT SELFISH HE IS JUST LIKE AN OTHER KOBE CARES BUT NOTHING FOR HIMSELF WATCH IF THE NBA DRAFTS HIM OR PICK HIM UP IT’S A REGREAT FOR YEARS TO COME HE IS A STRAIT UP BUM
DoctaS.W.Grnthumbs Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
WOW, you guys are being really harsh on this article, and B3, and it seems to me like you didn’t even read the whole article ! It says that he got juvenile life for murder, and was released when he was 21. He is currently locked up for selling crack. I’m not necessarily sticking up for him, but I SERIOUSLY doubt that any of you that are talking shit would actually say it to his face if you had the opportunity. It seems to me that you are jealous that he got an article written about him while he is balling in prison, and you can’t even get one written about you on the outside. Imagine if Iverson didn’t get released from prison, would you be hating on him the same way ??? I’m not saying that there is even a comparison talent wise, but how do you know ??? I do think that B3 should turn his attention to making a living in a positive way when he gets out. Even if he is not skilled enough to make the NBA or the D-league, there are plenty of opportunities to make a living through basketball. If he was smart, he would start looking into maybe trying to get in with the And-1 tour, or some other streetball league/tour, or maybe playing in a different country. There are some leagues where dudes can make at least 50G’s (which is way more than an average American makes in a year) for playing for just a few months. I mean that’s not NBA dough, but it’s better than workin at Wal-Mart for $7/hr, or slangin crack and getting locked up again.
I’m just sayin’ !
DoctaS.W.Grnthumbs Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
I’m sorry, he is in now for posession of a firearm, not selling crack. That was a few years ago for all of you who still didn’t read the article.
Dallas Said,
July 13, 2007 @ 10:35 pm
Everyone saying he should say in because he is a murderer and that people need to read the article are not reading it themselves. He already served his time for the murder he committed when he was 14. He’s in jail now for a firearm charge.
Michael Said,
July 14, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
With all of the crimes he had committed, his ass should be in jail for at least 3-4 life sentences. We are talking about murder (not practice). His ass should be locked up in his cell 24/7 with only time to eat, shower, church, and library time for reading; then back to the cell. Why are they allowing these guys to ball 3-4 hours a day? Its supposed to be prison not basketball paradise or training camp…..
As for his basketball skills….dunking ability isn’t going to get him anywhere but that dumb ass league called ‘and 1′. Can he make jumpshots? Can he make threes? Can he get out of triple teams? Does he have handle?
Finally, the only real competition he’s faced so far are AT BEST high school level players or Division 3 players. Do you guys know about the nba player’s stats when they were in high school? 30ppg, 18rbs, 11 ast, 11blks, 8 sts…..even scrubs like Sebastian Telfair can score 50-60 point games easily.
Mihajlo Moncilovich Said,
July 14, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
Fbig you have no idea what you are talking about. Comparing a criminal homicide to a homicde by a soldier or police officer? This psychopath put his own need for immediate gratification above the life of an innocent citizen. There is no comparison. A man that has demonstrated that he lacks self-control in prison from age 14-21 and then another 42 months, being 6′-5″ and 225# its a fairly safe assumption that he is sodomizing smaller prisoners. I’m the naive one? Your welcome to my psychological profile, I have degrees in criminal justice and psychology so its not like I’m just making this stuff up like you seem to be doing. So you are going to explain the criminal justice system to me? Unlike your incarcerated idol, I still have my civil rights and I am free to post whatever and wherever I choose. My “talk-back radio sociopathy”? Your lack of education comes shining through with that quote and call me a clown? I would post the appropriate adjective here but that is probably how B3 ended up in prison, somebody called him a clown and the psychopath killed him. I can imagine the complex circumstance were this law-abiding, upstanding 6′-5″ 225# young athlete had no other choice but to take someone’s life. Give me a break! Who cares what these losers do in prison unless they are making restitution to his victims family. Why don’t you shed some tears for his victims family instead of acting like his story is actually worth wasting space here? Yeah, I’m the clown! LMFAO!
Mihajlo Moncilovich Said,
July 14, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
Murder, selling crack, frearms charge, does it really matter? He is were he belongs, behind bars. So he murdered at age 14 and was sent to kiddy prison, so he is no longer a murderer? WRONG! Prisons are built and overcrowded with people just like him for a reason, public safety.
Mihajlo Moncilovich Said,
July 14, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
DoctaS.W.Grnthumbs, thank-you for supporting my point of view. Your absolutely correct that I wouldn’t even look at this guy from across the street let alone say anything to him because his response would be excessively violent. Normal people do not commit battery or aggravated assualt or in his case criminal homicide because somebody said something you didn’t like. A lot of you are missing the point, he killed another person at age 14! If it was a justifiable homicide he wouldn’t be in prison! So what does he do when he gets out? Commits more crime. For all of you supporters do us all a favor the next time he gets out, take him home with you to your family and teenage daughters!
CB Said,
July 16, 2007 @ 8:50 am
You guy’s need to get your priorities straight, just because he can ball, doesn’t give him the right to commit crimes and get away with it. He obviously isn’t responsible enough to be in the nba, he will get a lot of money, and do more dumb shit. You do the crime, you pay with time!
Muzzon from Philly Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 11:07 am
I dont think there are to many people out there that really think this guy can play ball. Just cause you can jump dont mean you can play organized defense or can shoot a jump shot. What happens when you get a bigger, stronger, faster defender on you? You cant bully through him to dunk the ball. You have to be able to create your own shot or get teammates involved, which I don’t see this guy doing. Everyone has a choice in life, maybe he should have stuck to playing ball instead of selling crack and killing people. I lived on both sides of the fence, I’m no NBA player by far but sports kept a lot of us out of real trouble.
Allan Dawgs Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 1:16 am
Wow, this article really got people cooking. The discussion was much deeper than most jock talk and that means it was a great article. Not one person, including myself, knows the true story, but two comments made me really chuckle, one was some guy offering the idea of helping this guy get out because he was a baller and the other was supposing the guy was sodomizing inmates because he was tall. It’s a crazy world we live in.
Brian Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
why is this stuff even on here? it’s a waste of space. who cares how well prisoners can play ball, especially if they’re murderers? like that’s supposed to be some great accomplishment that he’s good against other prisoners? who cares? straighten your life out if you ever get out of prison. be a good citizen, a good family member. that’s what matters. who gives a d#mn about basketball in prison?
my dad was in prison, and he’d write to us about how well his softball team was doing. softball?! how about being remorseful for the crimes you’ve committed. prison is not (or shouldn’t be) a fun place.
this is worthless.