Harlem raised
They call him Maine. The kid from Harlem. He goes hard on the court. His game is like that. He makes it look effortless. Driving and slicing to the rim. The kid got moves. Did I say his game was like that? Well, I’ll say it again. The dude is for real. He got that New York handle – behind the back, through the legs, in traffic and all. Dude can ball. But let him tell it.
“I really love the game,” Jermaine White says. “I’m from Harlem, 115th and 8th Avenue, born and raised. My weight is 190. I stand 6-foot-l. Strong as well as physical.”
And dude ain’t telling no lies. The 29-year-old knifes to the rim, through the hacks, through the dudes hanging on his back, through the dudes trying to stop him. He makes it look graceful but at the same time he has a soldier’s mentality. It’s not all games with Maine. He’s going for the jugular.
“A challenge is a must,” Maine says. “So mentally I want war, I go hard so you’ll come with your A-game. If not, I’ll expose you. Then it’s too late cause you’re trying to respond to an ongoing attack. Especially when you’ve tried everything and I still do me. You’re mentally finished, dead.”
The kid backs it up on the court. Dude is a soldier. On the court and in life. He’s doing 125 months in the feds. Maine was on some gangsta shit for real.
“I’m incarcerated for armed bank robbery. I came to the feds in 2001. I’ve been to two FCI’s so far (Schuylkill and Loretto),” Maine says.
And he was doing his thing in the street too.
“As far as that goes, I played for Brandeis High School (92-95) and streetball in hood tourneys like GOAT, King-dome, Ray Diaz, Youngworld, Dyckman, etcetera. Out of town tournaments too.”
Maine is no stranger to winning
“As for chips, high school and local and out of town tourneys… About 15 total. A couple of sportsmanship awards, MVP one year.”
The list of accolades goes on. Maine is an accomplished player. And he remembers the first time he balled in jail.
“The first time I played ball inside I was ready to fight. Fouls were crazy,” Maine says. “People try to scare you with them. Also it’s a way to get cheap shots cause niggas is really trying to feel you out. Playing in here is different cause it’s more so strength than finesse. To me, I’m trying to kill you, inside and out in the world. Also people stacking teams. I don’t care who I’m teamed with, I’m going to win.”
Dude backs this up. Ain’t no fronting going on, but Maine keeps it real too.
“Sometimes shit gets outta control,” Maine says. “When it does, you punish the person and things calm down. This is a mental sport so feelings will always play a part. Honestly, people know who to foul all crazy. I don’t worry because I’m respected. I have no problem taking my respect either.”
Because sometimes in the joint that is what it takes. But before prison Maine had hoop dreams.
“Growing up in New York it was my dream to play in the league,” he says. “But right after high school, I got hit by two cars and my dreams were shattered. Then going to the Island didn’t help either. I believe I could’ve played on the next level easily.”
Maine loves the league too.
“I love players I can relate too – Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, A.I. But I’m a true Knicks fan. I pattern my game after Chauncey and Kidd. I can play from the 1 to the 3. I prefer 2 or 3. I like to go to the hole whether it’s in transition or a set offense. I’m going to score or create.”
And the kid has flash too but he says, “Believe it or not, I don’t play for the crowds. I’m not flashy. Just your basic killer. That’s why it doesn’t seem like my numbers are up. You will only know at the end of the game, after I’ve won and killed you. I’d rather have my 5 and your 5 go. No crowds. Just us 10.”
With an assassin’s mindset, Maine wants the ball in crunch time.
“When the game is at the closing seconds, give it to me. I’m going to create a winning look at the rim,” he says. “I just want the best possible shot. From me or my teammate. I want the W.”
And basketball is a big part of Maine’s life.
“Growing up it was the major part. But now it’s a stress reliever. I can only watch it briefly cause I’ll want to play. I play with anybody, scrut and all. Since I’ve been in, I’ve played just about every season as well as tourneys and summer leagues. I used to play everyday but I’ve stopped cause the talent level isn’t how it once was.”
But still Maine can’t stop playing and here at FCI Loretto he’s one of the best to do it.
Karan Said,
December 4, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
………well, that was really stupid, and it’s as if you used months not years to describe his sentence to make it look like he did some thing minor.
Steven Said,
December 4, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
Another street balla who thinks they could have gone pros–If you would have been disciplined, maybe you would not be in jail—duhhhhhhh
kenzo Said,
December 5, 2007 @ 12:50 am
yah you could have played in the league till you decided to pull a gun and rob some people great sportsmanship…..i dunno why you guys waste web space on this bull shit you should chnage your blog to up and coming high school players not washed up prison ballers with hoop dreams
Lou Said,
December 5, 2007 @ 9:37 am
I will take a different approach. Hopefully, these dudes have learned from their mistakes while also serving as an example for the young athletes that visit this blog. While you are behind the wall, if the only thing that you have to get you thru is old hoop dreams then so be it but this blog should also include these cats speaking out to our youth about not doing what they have done. Clearly, none of them will ever play pro ball anywhere but they can still be pros in helping cure the criminal element that so many of our youth (athletes in particular) find so desirable.
Joey Said,
December 5, 2007 @ 11:42 am
God damn ya’ll, why don’t ya’ll fvckin’ show some respect for ‘em? They’re not livin’ the dream, they had to give up on it, they’re just gettin’ by half the time in prison, and basketball helps get them through, I should know, some of the best ballers I’ve met have come outta’ the feds, and they regret ever doin’ what they did, but, they’ve tried to give back to the community. I should know, I’m a high school player, been locked up different times for different shit, and I know what it’s like, the game gets you by when you’re locked up and playin’… Ya’ll need to grow some damn balls rather than talkin’ shit on the net, seriously.
Joe
DAVID Said,
December 5, 2007 @ 11:46 am
what a waste of time and space
Southwest Philly Said,
December 5, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
There was a guy named Kareem Townes from South Philly,who was the best player I’ve ever play High School Ball in Philly.He was drafted by the Lakers I believe in the late in the 90’s in the second round,but was released.Anyway,he had an opportunity to play overseas,but opted for the street route instead,and started selling Cocaine,and got busted in 2000.He’s currently doing a 14yr bid,and all I can say is what a wasted.If anybody from the Philly area was a High School kid in the late 80’s,or early 90’s,you would definitely remember Kareem Townes.
Henny Said,
December 5, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Well said Lou!
Real Soldiers Don't Rob Banks Said,
December 5, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
“Dude is a soldier. On the court and in life.”
This comment almost made me vomit. He’s a soldier??? Armed bank robbery and prison make you a soldier??? This man is serving a sentence for threatening and intimidating ordinary working people with a weapon to get money he didn’t want to work for like the rest of us; not very soldier-like to me. I echo the sentiment of Kenzo, there are many people out there who are far more worthy of praise and adulation than this man. I know real soldiers out here, men who fight for their country. I know real soldiers in the streets, men who are born under the worst circumstances but work hard to provide a life for themselves and their families the honest way, not through violence and intimidation.
Joey,
Do armed bank robbers deserve respect? Are we supposed to have sympathy for this guy? He had the accolades, he possibly could have played ball at the highest level, but he pissed it away to commit an unspeakably stupid and cowardly act, and now he is being glorified as “a soldier, for real.” He can earn respect by getting out of jail and teaching others to follow the right path and not go down the route that he did, not because he can throw a ball through a hoop better than his fellow criminals. I wonder, if your mother was one of the victims of his robbery attempt (or any other cowardly act of armed violence), how she would feel about him being glorified as a “soldier” and being allowed to “get by” by playing games in prison while she has flashbacks and nightmares about what must have been a utterly terrifying experience?
This man does not deserve respect; he deserves 3 meals a day and a bed to sleep in, that’s it.
Frank_head Said,
December 5, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
This is the second time this Seth Feranti guy has wrote a stupid article that everyone seems to hate. Hoopshype staff, are you paying attention to all the negative responses this guys articles get? Because
his articles are LAME. People dont want to read his stuff, plain and simple.
Seth sux, again.
Brian Bointono Said,
December 6, 2007 @ 12:55 am
It is official I will never read one of these garbage prison articles again I love this Site but these articles about prison ballers drives me nutttts. How can a man say he won local sportsmanship tourneys and His Next step was the league (NBA). beeting a couple of hood rats on a prison court makes you think that??? your best bet is to stay locked up so reality doesn’nt bite you in the ass. I quit reading after the whoa is me coulda woulda shoulda been in the league talk,but im sure no more attention was needed
Brian Boitono Said,
December 6, 2007 @ 12:58 am
Joey your an idiot the article is on the web, there for comments will be on the web. Did you want me to call the dude up in jail? put your 8th grade education to good use slow down and sound the words out and don’t hurt yourself commenting back, youve had enough excitment for one day
sunshipballoons Said,
December 6, 2007 @ 1:25 am
I can’t believe how hateful these comments are. I think it’s interesting to hear about people who are in prison. Maybe if we knew a little bit more about people who commit serious crimes, we could do more to help prevent crime. And, as a previous poster said, hopefully they serve as role models, one way or another. (Perhaps part of the reason people reacted so negatively to this one is that Jermaine White does not seem remorseful or a good role model in any way.)
I also think it’s interesting to read about a pretty different kind of basketball, how they play the game, etc. I’ve been reading Seth Ferranti’s articles since they started showing up here and I generally find them interesting. But I certainly suggest that those who are not interested in learning about life in prison consider not reading them, since that’s what they’re about.
Also, prison terms are typically described in months.
I do agree with the person who suggested a column covering up-and-coming high school players. Good idea, hoopshype should totally do that.
David James Said,
December 6, 2007 @ 10:21 am
All I gotta say is if you don’t know about it don’t talk about it. I’ve never been to prison but I gotta agree with Joe, these guys made a mistake and they’re just trying to get by. Look at Hook Mitchell or Earl ” The GOAT” Manigault those guys could’ve easily played in the league. You guys who are hating on here need to chill. If you don’t like it then don’t read it you already know what you’re reading before you click on the damn link.
PEACE
Frank_head Said,
December 6, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
Yes, I apologize for my harsh comments about Seth’s last two articles.
Slope Said,
December 6, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Give the cat a break. Like he needs people to tell him what he did was stupid or wrong. I’m sure he’s reminded of that every day. Keep ballin’ if that gets you through!!
jack Said,
December 6, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
these jail basketball articles are ridiculous. this guys a 6′1 small forward in federal prison and being praised for it. for all of you who feel sorry for this guy why dont you look him up when he gets out of jail and let him stay at your house and find out what a good person he probally is. If this guys talented enough to deserve an article on hoopshype he was probally good for at least a D 3 scholarship but instead he robbed banks.
jon Said,
December 6, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
whats rong with these people with the hoopdreams. ball can only take you so far u need a brain. you can get 100pts in a game nd get 40s nd not go anywhere. in these fools case they pulled a gun or sumthin stupid. i give them no resepct and they deserve to be where they are. if they wanted to go pro they shud of kept their heads in books nd not hav their hands on guns
Allan Dawgs Said,
December 7, 2007 @ 2:34 am
As a fan of Seth’s writing I must say it is amazing some of the comments on this board. First of all props to any constructive criticism about suggesting Seth dig a little deeper into what these guys might have to say to the readers about life and their choices. As far as the editors of Hoopshype are considered I have no doubt they are aware of how unique Seth’s talent and access is. The bottom line is that some self righteous losers are somehow intimidated by this peek into an alternate basketball universe. One of the great things about Seth’s writing is the responses it gets - he shakes things up. Don’t stop Seth, keep writing, and think about digging just a little deeper so you can keep growing as a writer and our conduit to this alternate universe you inhabit. Maybe the time is soon where you can share how you interview these guys, what is the process, what can you ask, what is out of bounds to ask, etceteras.
Joey Said,
December 7, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
Well, I don’t have an 8th grade education if you must know, I’m a Junior in High School in a high school in a small town in the Midwest, and I’ve been locked up for assault and battery, had to pay court costs and ER costs because of the concussion, he had amnesia, and lost a lot of memory… And to this day, I don’t stop regretting what I do, I still have an extremely bad temper, but, if I go in front of the juvenile court again, I get locked up until I’m 18, and possibly longer in county… Yeah, I’ve been through it, the game gets you by, and a lot of those guys in the pen deserve it, if I didn’t have the game, I know I’d be dead by now… You get caught up in the lifestyle, runnin’ drugs, dealin’ em’, playin’ the game, you play the game long enough, you’re bound to have to pay the price… The price for some is death, the price for others is life, my price was gettin’ locked up for a year and getting out, I still have an anger problem out of this world, but, the game keeps me calm.
jack Said,
December 7, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
allan dawgs i disagree i dont think these articles are lookig into a different universe, their looking into prisons. obviously some like reading about prison basketball players but i dont i think it does a disservice to all the basketball players that are better and stayed out of prison.
Michael Said,
December 9, 2007 @ 2:14 am
“God damn ya’ll, why don’t ya’ll fvckin’ show some respect for ‘em? ”
“Ya’ll need to grow some damn balls rather than talkin’ shit on the net, seriously.”
Respect for an armed bank robber? What have you been smoking? People in prison do not deserve respect, they lost that privlege when they made the decision to put a gun in somebody’s face and rob them. Nice comment about growing some balls, another good reason to lock people like you and Jermaine White up because there is no doubt that if somebody was talking shit to you, your response would be to hurt them.
Who cares what basketball does for you while you are in prison? They made the decision to sell drugs, rob or murder and now they are where they belong, behind bars wasting their precious lives! Why don’t you show respect to law-abiding citizens who manage to work everday without resorting to criminality? You know the old saying, “If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime”. Prison ball, who cares what these dregs of society can do with a ball?