KJ Live - Curtis Hollis

I mean I when when we connected, you had tweeted something out about the Dominican Republic and Uh, it's funny because I had said something back, and it just kind of reminded me though. Our interaction reminded me of the j b A days. Man, it was. It was funny

because we're on opposite teams. I was coaching with Seattle, you were on with You're on Houston with Rick and all them, and uh, and you were kind of like that dude, man, the first dude kind of in the league on an opposing team that I you know that just you know, even spoke to me, you know, even even said what's up. You're cool man, You're humble. You know, you always gave it up. Man. You always said what's up?

So I always like I always remembered you, always like kept the eye on you because I'm like, yeah, that's a that's a solid dude right there. Man. But thinking about the j B A, bro, before we uh, kind of go back in time man and kind of get the beginnings of your story fresh off the j B, A, may just talk about just the experience in the j B. A. Did you think that you know, LaMelo would end up doing what he did and how how did the league and that experience help you in your career in shaping

your journey. First, I mean my experience with the j B it was amazing. You know a lot of people have maybe make signals, but you know, I'm gonna say I got the pretty good and you know what I mean. Um, So, you know, for a lot of different reasons. But to answer your second question about Melo, um, it probably me playing with him to really figure it out. And we went and played in the j B. AU was safe

for the people that don't know. We went overseas Lavart took the best probably ten people, and we went to like valuy By twenty five different countries, so he was just hopping places playing against high level players. So when I played against when I played with Mellow, is when I really figured out, like, okay, like, yeah, he'll be

where he's at. He obviously is an all star, you know, but like for the different reasons of the fact that he was sixteen in and um, we were going to playing growing men professionals like first division and second division you know, all over. But he's getting triple doubles, Like he's helping me get off, he's helping Jello get off,

and then he's going to do it himself. And for people that played basketball, like that's really hard to do, like get people involved and keep everybody involved and then go score and do your thing too. So you know, I've been around a lot of guys like before I got into j b A, so I've seen what they look like, and I knew instantly when I played with him, you know he was gonna be legit. Um. Also, the j b A Like in terms of mark career, it really boost like it really is the reason I have

a professional career. We're just gonna be an honor person, honest, because um, I got picked up from a team in Germany playing in j b A. So really, the whole time I went into j b A with the plan. You know, a lot of people just kind of hopped in and just you know, wanted to play. But I knew I was losing my origibility. So I'm like, listen, I'm one them all in and two. If I don't make something out of this, I'm gonna be jobless. You know, I'm gonna be out of school. Like I gotta really

do something, you know. So um, like I said, it, really it really made my career, you know. And I've been playing now for four years, you know, professionally, So um, it did a lot for me. I got picked up playing in the j b A show. Yeah it was great for me. Man, that's dope. Man. But let's rewind a little bit. Man, Let's talk about before the j b A. Before all that. Man, where are you born and raised? Like, where did you get your basketball foundation?

So I'm born. I was born in Dallas, Texas, raised in Arlington, Texas. So I really got got my foundation. You know, I tell people I think my brother, like just being around. I have an older brother that's two years older than me. So I Philip, Philip Polish and my dad's named Philip too. So my brothers a junior, my dad as a senior, but just my brothers two years older than me. So you know, growing up, we played every sport like we did everything, you know. So

I played football, basketball, baseball, swimming, track like I did everything. Um. But just being around my brother um and just me like I was the kid that would go shoot at half time at this game, you know, stuff like that. So just being around him and just stuff like that, I think that's really how I started to love it, you know what I mean, Because, like I said, he was older, So I wasn't really playing you at the time. Like I was maybe five, maybe six, maybe four, and

he's like seven seven eight, you know. So I'm seeing him and just you know, experiencing with the ball, like I said, playing at half time, just you know, playing around, and I'm just like Okay. Once I start getting older and older, I started to really love it. So yeah, no, man, I came from a big family, man, you know, gang of brothers, but I was I was the old this and so and so my big brother in a sense was kind of my dad, you know, who played in the league and at the time I was growing up,

he was trying to make a little comeback. So he kind of treated me. Sounds like, how Philip did you where I was kind of the test dummy, And yeah I played against him, but I get beat up, you know, man handled, you know, posted on duct. I don't know Philip was ducking on you, because you know, you gotta live with it. But my dad, my dad was ducking on me, you dog, And I'm like thirteen fourteen and

stuff in the front yard right wasn't money. But now all that to be said, I understand how that how that older influence kind of kind of you know, definitely kid can help you and get you going. So talk talk talk to him. What happened? Man? When when when do you remember saying to yourself, I want to get serious about the game, like I could do something here. Um. I don't know if you were on any paths of going the wrong way with stuff, but when did you

When did everything click for you? What age? And you know what moment made you kind of open your eyes? So it was definitely after my freshman year, and it was really kind of going through it because, like you said, you know, I was kind of doing a bunch of stuff. Like I had an older brother, so I came in as a freshman. He's already a junior, so you know, I'm kind of already lit going in, you know, like I know everybody, like every I was moving too fast,

you know. But probably after that night grade summer because I played in the U Y b L. Like a team came and found me and they were just like listening, which is pro scie leader still around. Um, you know, but a guy named George Play he came and found me and he was like, listen, I see your talent, Like come try out, come work with us and see how it goes. So I ended up playing with Trey Young, which is actually crazy. That year I was fifteen, and um,

I started seeing him blowing up. I'm like, whoa, Like he's getting everywhere. All was like that. He was like that back then. Man, what how he played now? He played then? Like bro, it's wow, it's wow. Because I was just talking to somebody about just his like his frame, his body, like when you look at him, it's like damn, he's so skinny. And they looked a little but it's nothing. What do you is he super strong. I mean, what

is his biggest kind of key to his success. I think the kudos is to his dad, his father, because his father ray ray for young man. He used the grilled trade I'm talking about. Like I tell people this story all the time, Like I went to Pangos camp, right, so I'm just my first time really seeing it. I'm like, all right, cool, like I'm here for the experience. You know, I'm gonna try to get in one of the top games.

I end up getting the top forty. But you know, Trey was hord to cover to he was top five, top whatever point guard coming coming in. So you know his pops played at the University of Oklahoma played Oh she's a little bit, so he's seen what it takes, you know what I mean. So trade one game, he just went at forty, you know, going crazy, right, so we're on the right back. I'm like, all right, cool, like trying a good job, you know, like you know, I like his pop. Really, man, you ain't got up, like,

you ain't assisted. You look bad. He's like horrible shots and I'm just like he just had forty. I'm like, what are we doing? So it was at that moment where I was like, Okay, I know why he's gonna be great. You know what I mean. He just kept going up that trajectory, you know what I mean. But one I will say, you always had talent, you know what I mean. He's always been really talented. He could

always really shoot the ball. But like that mentality that was drilling him, plus continuously working, you know, just stuff like that. Um, I feel like he's the reason why, He's the reason year today. So yeah, he seems like he you know, from when I've watched him. My son was at Oregon and Oklahoma came. They played up in Portland. He Trey had a forty ball and Brayton Pritchard. But from what I saw, you know, I mean, his his

his i Q was is incredible. And then and then like he just has a unique ability to know how to get his shot off before you can block it. Like I just know, like like he just his release is always right before you get there. It's just no matter what I'm like, dang, because you think you always go get it, but it's like no, because it's real quick. It's real quick. Man. Uh So you played on the E Y b O with Trey, you earned it out. So so you got on people's scouts. So let let

me just break this down. Let me just break this down real quick. So for those out there that don't know, and this is kind of was my scouting report on you, Kurt, back when you were playing in the j b A. I mean I I classified you at the time as as a slasher wing kind of guy that could create handle for its own shot. The jump shot was at times a little inconsistent, but you know, we didn't want

you to get warm. We didn't want you to hit a couple because once you can hit a couple, we felt like, you know, you could, you know, you would go off. Then you'd be eight nine in a row. Um, you're on the glass a little bit. You defensively is where I saw a lot of NBA potential from you. Uh, you hadn't put it all together at the time, but you were still giving a lot of effort. You were

still giving the effort. But it was like one of those things where I felt like, hey, man, if this guy gets in the right situation and this is this is as a pro if this guy gets in the right situation, you know, in the right kind of place where coaches are gonna development and believe in him and he could be an NBA player. Let's rewind back to the y b L. What was the scouting report then

on Curtis house Man. That's exactly That's exactly what it was like, you know all the other stuff, like they're creating all that I didn't even have back then, you know. So really I was a late bloomer. I'm just gonna be real, like I just was. But I know how to slash, you know, to the fen. I know how to get guys involved. Like I was kind of like that glue, you know what I mean. And that was just natural for me. Like I was always athletic, you

know what I mean. So that that's what it was like. Um, you know, like that next year I played seventeen U I b A right, So that's what I was. You know. I was a slasher, a guy that could rebound, like I know, but no no players drawn up for me, but I would end up with twenty you know that type of guy, you know. So yeah, that that's what That's what that happened for sure. Okay, and then what schools kind of pain we're in the mix as far as recruiting, you colleges coaches. So I'm gonna be real.

I you know, I had a lot of schools, Like I played A U, I B L. You know, like like that was great for me. You know, high school, I did my thing. You know. The biggest thing for me was you know, the great situation. And what happened with that is I didn't really figure out, like I said, I was late blooming. I didn't really figure out about the clearinghouse, what you had to have a specific d p A and all that to like my junior year,

and it was late. It was late by that, you know, I was just going by getting seventies, you know, to play. So that was the biggest thing. Like because your coaches, your coach, your coaching, your coaches and stuff. You didn't have counselors or anybody like that. That was like, yo, man, this is the move and nothing like I wish. And I was talking about that about this the other day. I'm like, you know, like I wish, that's what you know. I wish somebody would have really pulled me to the

side of even my parents. This was like this how it goes like this is the navigation, Like I was navigating everything I've gotten to this point by myself, you know. So that's what that's that was the toughest part, you know, just figuring that out. So all right, man, and then the grades were issues. So now the j b A opportunity rises. How did you hear about the j b A? Like,

how did you hear about that? So it was really it was really my best friend his name is kJ kJ, but he really was just hearing about it, like on Twitter and all that. He was like, Yo, they're having to try out in dollars, like you should come. And it's crazy because I was at junior. I was at my junior college like basically just for listening the season, and I'm just thinking in my head, I'm like I

want I'm not. I've always been a guy who doesn't really want to miss out of opportunities because you never know and you never want to go back and just be like, man, I'm what if I would have did that? You know? So I figured it out. I was like, all right, just this for real. So I called my mom. I was like, yo, like this is what's going on. Put me up flight home. I'm gonna come try out, and I'm gonna literally go back to school. I went back to school like that night. It was crazy. But yeah,

that's that's how that that's how I came. But at the time, did you were you aware? So when you knew about the opportunity, you knew that this was a professional opportunity, that you you would get probably get paid, you would get paid, and that you would have to give up your remaining college eligibility. I wanted to talk to you about just sort of that process of thinking that you know, that thought press us, what made you

want to make that decision. It wasn't a gang of money, and you know, and and conventional wisdom could have said, hey, a guy like you, you would have got your stuff situated at the jukeco man anothering, you could have transferred two years to a legitimate spot, uh possibly at a Power five conference, got on the radar of NBA scouts off top. So then you, if you're a little bit patient, right, you may get there talk a little bit about the

choices and why you made it. So really, like I said, like I was navigating on my own, Like I didn't have anybody telling me. I didn't have anybody say listen, Curtis, to sit down. You know, this the visual one is what it looks like to the NBA teams, you know what I mean, it looks very different, you know, And

I just I didn't know that. And like what happened with the thought process was really after the trial, maybe like an hour later, I got a call from LaVar ally right, and they're like, listen this what's going on. This will be doing We're going offseas like it's legit, you know what I mean. I knew they were putting mellow in Jello in it, so I was like, man, I'm Tinto's in. Like I always wanted to be a professional,

so that was really intriguing to me. And just you know, like I felt like I could really make a name for myself, like because Nomelo and Leangelo over there in LaVar you know, like that league was huge, you know what I mean. So and I end up doing that, But definitely, like I'm not gonna sit here and say, like, man, I regret anything, because you know, like life is life,

you know. But definitely, if if I would have known like a lot of different stuff back then, like I probably would have made a different decision to be on one hundred percent honest with you, because like I said, I had every school coming in. I put any r B L obviously, like you saw my talent, a lot of other people saw my talent too. And really going through those times, like when I was in Juka was

really developed, Like I was really developing. I started watching film like understanding, so my game was really starting to expand, you know what I mean. So that's really what the thought thought pressure was was. I really didn't have any understanding of the Division one process and how big it would be, like with what NBA teams looked for in that platform and just all that stuff, like I had no idea. Yeah, you that's why it's up. Yeah, it's man,

that's a wild because we're taking for granted. We're taken for granted, and but you understand why, you know, the certain decisions are made. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at Fox sports Radio dot com and within the I Heart Radio app search f s R to listen live. So as we as we talked about it, now when we get to the j B A. Man, the j B A was. I think the setup was nice. I

enjoyed it. I enjoyed the setup Um, I know, fake. Look, the games were televised on Facebook Live m We traveled it was eight teens. We traveled to about ten or eleven cities. Man, we're going, you know, coach, and the music was nice that summer to some jams, so we were we was on the jams. Um. From the basketball perspective, how important do you think it was for like LaMelo, yourself, other guys with the professional aspirations to play in under the setup of the j b A which was four

quarters forty eight minutes and LaVar had this thing. Man, we wanted to push the basketball. We wanted the scores to be high run, run, run, And how important was that style for you as you went onto other jobs and you know, as as you played in Germany as

a pro, then that style helped prepare you. I mean definitely because one I mean, I want to say, like for me coming in, I had never really had my own life team, Like I had never really had to figure out how to get guys involved, you know, make people better, you know, then score on my own and I'm playing a whole game, you know what I mean.

Like and like you said, it's fast paced. So really that was a big challenge for me, like just really figuring that part out and understanding like and we weren't winning like all the games at first, we started winning, so I was like, man, well I gotta figure it out, like I'm trying. So that really helped me a lot. Adrey start thinking the game and watching basketball like really deeper and all that, so that really helped me out

a lot. And then you know, obviously like in terms of professional like how that really helped, Like, you know, I took it and ran with it because like LaVar used to talk to me crazy, I'm gonna be honest, Like he used to talk to me crazy when he was playing over there because I could get maybe fifteen the first game. He was like, Bro, you're doing He was like, why are you passionate? We need you scoring forty or or we're gonna lose, like you and Jello

have to have forty on the wing or we're gonna lose. Period. And like I used to go up trying to lay people up, people like bro, you saw people like Bro, you're trying to you you laying people? Let me all this, don't even dunk on nobody. I start punching on everybody, like I started throwing it on everybody. So that's really you know, it was really the bar like you know,

just really enhancing me and just really challenging me. So that really, you know, that was glued to my head, like I don't know how to play one way, you know what I mean? So that a lot. I bet it did. Man and LaVar was the head coach on that team, right and you go and you guys, the level of competition, how would you describe the level competition of the European teams you're playing against? It was, it was really all level. Like we played a couple of

teams in LKL First Division. We played Chisca and my scouting they wanted multiple times. We didn't play their their early team, but we played their their farm team, and they bring the guys down, you know what I mean? Really they really We beat them on their soil, like you did. They didn't. They did not like that. They did not like that we beat them on their show. We'd beat sent it the sentence in the ear league too,

right now, beat them on their soil. Okay, okay, we was playing legit teams like we were, and we was playing legit pros. You know what I mean, so we were playing a different way. Also, like we were playing American style. We wasn't playing slow pick and roll like no, no, no, We used so they couldn't keep up. They was like whoa, Like what is this attack and just getting it out and attack, Yeah, pushing, throwing a full court trapping the whole game like that. They didn't they didn't know what

to do with that Jello ball Man. I've always felt like Jello was the purest score obviously, of of the Ball brothers, the most the codest kind of assassin shooter, like I mean, I know, I know other guys are really good, but Jello is like, you know, I've seen

Jello do some unbelievable stuff in his career. I know in that championship game we ended up losing to the l A team, I think he had fifty eight on us, but it was just like you know, thirty in a row or something crazy dog and we're really I'm sitting, we're sending the double teams, we're trying to guard bro. It wasn't like that's what I knew that that game is what I was like, Oh man, Jello is that dude? Like I had a whole we had a whole game plan for Jello. Man and then and man, he just

lit us up. What do you think when do you think it's gonna be time or he's gonna get that opportunity to play in the league. I mean I tell people like, I just feel like if he just stays on the course, stays consistent, you know, because I've always told everybody Joe's play to me, like kind of like you've experienced. I played with him, you know what I mean. So I know for sure what he can do, and I know for sure he can shoot the hell out the basketball, like the hell out of it, like I've

seen I've seen really good shooters. He's easy to talk to, shoots i've ever seen in my life. And he's strong, so we can guard him paint. You know, he can guard big if you got to switch physical guy. You know, UM really confident, you know what I mean. He's growing up with LaVar ball, so you better be confident, you know what I mean. So I feel like everything everything is in order for him, you know, like he's been he's with Charlotte, you know he Yeah, I think he

did a really good job. He's really professional. Like there's some games maybe he didn't play, but he stayed with the course, you know what I mean. So I just feel like the biggest thing is with him is just staying consistent. Just keep showing and showing and keep working on this game, and eventually I feel like he'll get a real opportunity. Yeah, I think he will. Man, he's uh,

he's he's a really unique player, man. I mean he has when you have Pettigreen, like the Ball Brothers and that family, I mean, you just got a belief now. I mean, I know it was a crazy thing when LaVar first came out with all this and was telling everybody from Jump Street what time it was gonna be ten years now. I know it was crazy for people to believe. But as we see, please never lost and he's spoke everything into existence. Literally, dog, he got too

pap three picks as sons. That's the other thing that people don't realize. They was already paid bro Yo, I didn't want to say that, but Jello, I think Jim Man Jello was like showing his bank account or he was doing something on the floor. I saw the Olds Bros. Like, you know, he bought his own house right next to LaVar Man without even playing in the league or NBA. Uh see, I love his nuts. Man. Man, Think when when you think about LaVar, man, what is what's his

best quality? Dude? What was his best quality? Man? There's so many, but I just feel like the genuineness and the real the realness of him. I think those with his two I said too, but I think those his main two qualities because I feel like that's what really makes from him. But one, he's so real, like he's show that's all he knows, Like whether he like you or not, he gonna tell you the truth. You know what I mean, you all you can do is respect it.

But at least it's the truth. And he's on genuine, Like if you show him you're a good guy, he's gonna he's gonna be nothing but love positive. You know, he's not out the gates gonna love you, you know, like I will, I will say that. But you know, once you start showing him and he's showing the loyalty and all that, like he's an amazing guy. Amazing guy. You gotta earn lavars respect, and yeah, you gotta you

gotta earn it. Brouh man. I but I just felt like, man, that and this is kind of the last thing on the j b A. Man, I just felt like it was a great, great thing, man for to give young men an opportunity to be pros. Some guys that may have had, you know, certain type of issues that prevented them from playing whatever. Those might have been playing Divisional

one or wherever. But now you have a home. Now you have a place to go, and out of the j b A. After the j b A, you see other leagues kind of popping up and things on as as we see now there's two or three there's two or three leagues now that kind of have a j b A like structure, man, And so it was always honored to kind of be the trailblade on the trailblaze in front of that um and you got a job out of that. I think that's pretty sick. But talk about that job, man, who what's the name of the

team that signed you? And how many games you play and how was that experience? Yeah, it was great And like even like last speak on the j b A, like, I feel like it was great for you. And you're a choice too, because y'all had Seattle. Y'all was legit. Listen, here. I'm telling my team, I'm like, bro, listen, bro, these dudes is real, Like they're not coming to play. Remember one time we had a practice maybe and we got into it a little bit. Yeah yeah, listen, I hope

you already bro like rail not playing with y'all. Bro, you know what I'm saying, Like, yeah, we had hitters, we had hitting, you had you as a as a coach. You know y'all have abandoned like yeah, legit, legit. People over there like so that that was it was great man. But um, the team I went to was a Dragon's ruin doorf in Germany, so that they're actually partnered with a BB team was the first division in Germany and it's Telecom Bast's Bond, so that's their farm team. And

actually it's kind of crazy. They have a guy to playing the Vision one from that team. He goes his name seem sclekozis he liting Winnian kid who goes to the Butler University. But he had a great years year. He's a freshman. He's gonna be NBA player, I believe because and he came from there. So what happened was a guy named Yassin came. He's Dominican now, I mean, he's a German national player, played with Munich, play with Albert Berlin, you know, the German national team. So he's

a legendist, you know what I mean. And so yeah, yeah, So what happened was he came and saw me playing and I was just like I said, I was at a forty game. That game, I think I like forty, like forty and five games in a row or something, but I had forty. He was going crazy, right So after the game, uh, he came up to me and Alan, I mean in LaVar. He was like, listen, you have a lot of talent. Like he was like, yeah, you're really talented, but you're doing everything off raw Town, Like

you just killed us off raw Town. And he's like, I could see you if you haven't, you know what I mean, you just aren't playing. So he's like, listen, I'm gonna go with a different club next year and I'm gonna come bring you. And that's exactly what happened. And man, the testament to him as a person and what they really did to help me develop, like is amazing,

Like I learned so much over there. Tell me about described this the detail detailing for me, man, Like what yeah, I mean, just like just like me coming in as an American, I was maybe I've never been overseas, never understood it, didn't understand what it took to be a high level player really even a professional. Let's just be real, because I went over there, you know, I go to practice, like, okay, let's try and get through this, you know, go through

the motions. They wasn't having that. You're going a hundred percent hard every single day or you'll go home. And then I had practiced for two hours and I had to work out, so basically I worked out three times to day. I'm lifting, I got individual skill practice, and then I had a practice with the team and we're pointing one time a week, you know what I mean.

So I was really getting it in, really developing, and like he broke down how to watch film, he broke down my game, Like what am I looking at on the floor? What? What? What? You know? What I mean? My game slowed down so much, and it's crazy what what? What?

What the development was from after year one, after month one, two months six, and I started realizing because when I was watching myself, I'm like, yo, like I'm getting better, Like I'm seeing all this stuff, like I'm learning how to play the picking role, you know what I mean, I'm learning how to play real defense. I'm learning how to you know, really work as a professional and what it takes. So you know, that's just the ultimate testament

to him. And he didn't have to do that, you know what I mean, but he really saw something in me. And um, you know, like like I said, he's another reason I'm I'm continuing. I'm going on year four, not like so you know, it's been great. That was great, And what you describe sounds like you figured out that hard work is kind of that secret to success. That magic quote unquote formulas is doing the stuff that you above and beyond at an you know, and it's all

the time. So it's like when you don't feel like I heard somebody Shaheen Holloway to the new head coaches, Uh Seton Hall. Was that Peter he was talking? He tweeted out this note that said something to the effect of, you know, successful people, uh keep appointments when they don't feel like doing it. You know, unsuccessful people, you know, won't won't show up somewhere because they in a bad mood. Yeah, hey, but that if that ain't the realist thing I ever heard.

And it's like it's crazy because like I used to, like you know, like I thought, like I said, I thought I was a professional. I've always been a worker. I've always been working because I always knew, like listen, I'm at the bottom. I gotta get to it, you know what I mean. Even when I was in the y b L. You know, I wasn't on top of the player, but you know I always stood out and

knew how to do that. I've always been that. But it's just another level of work, like in another level of speed, and like it's just different and you go over sieves, especially in Europe, you know what I mean, Like these coaches are crazy, you know, so you gotta understand, like you know, it's not personal. They want you to be better, and like I said, like Americans, you know, like no disrespect to Americans, how we are. I'm American myself, But the training and stuff isn't really the level like

over there, you know. I mean that's why these kids are so good at such a young age, because they really trained O D like a young Well also, Curtis, you overseas in Europe. In those places, they take basketball a little differently, so they take courses, they have degrees. So some of these coaches, we have a degree in coaching, so they studied on a on a high on a

really high level. Um. It's funny when you talk about how the coaching style and the work, it reminds me of when I was in Turkey and I was in Russia. I had similar experiences with three days, uh we three or three days doug morning shooting middleweights, wait in in the afternoon, then practice in the evening. You know what I'm saying. We was conditioning and ridiculously that they're taking us up to the mountains and turn you we gotta run three miles in the mounds with these big roaches

and stuff. I mean, it was all kind of stuff. But my fondest memory dog of that and the work was actually in Qatar, the Quatars, you know, the Middle East. It's right next to Dubai, you know. But it was cracking when I was there. But I had an Egyptian coach man and it sounds like your guy, but he believed in me, man. I mean this. I had a Quatarian head coach but my Egyptian head coach was the

guy that worked me out all the time. He put me through these individual workouts, bro, we do yo, throwing up. I'm throwing up yo. The no rest like you just like you can't see like he was, and they just looking like are you gonna finish the workout? Like come on?

And the toughest nails, they don't have no sympathy. They look like But I tell you what, man, when I got to the game and I was dropping, you know, hitting the leven ten, eleven threes, and it was just wet ball city like a robot right Like It's like yo, It's like yo, I'm like controlling myself out here like like that. It was crazy. I'm like, yeah, I'm on another level, like this is wow, this is what really happens.

And you know, like another really thing, like kind of crazy story I'll tell you about that is like I was going, I was getting you know, obviously like the NBA, they have people everywhere, right, So NBA team came in right a scout. Yeah, so this is like a big lesson that I learned. You know, I came in you know, I just went to practice. You know, we had practice went harder individual cool. So this practice over, I take

my stuff, you know, all right, let's go right. So my GM calls me like maybe an hour or two after, he's like, yo, Courtish, you know the NBA team was in there for you, right. I'm like, yeah, how did what they think? What they say? He said, they don't think you're serious? And I was like, why what? I was going hard in there? Said as soon as practice over, you took yourself off in lest I said, whoa, I didn't even think of that. They want to see you get some extra word. They know you can, They know

you can. They want to see if you're gonna work extra, if you're gonna ask to get some development. And that's just a little of stuff like that. You would never know that has to happen to you to understand, you know what I mean? Like even was even with some college players might be able to take from this because that's the little stuff they look at like. They come in knowing that you can play. They come in knowing what you look like. They want to see the little

stuff to see light. Can can we really take a risk on him? Does you want to be better? Does you want to be great? Better? Himself, so that that was probably just such a huge big thing for me, you know, and every single time, like after practice, you know, I'm getting an extra work before practice, getting extra work, And that's what it takes to be great, you know.

Like in the NBA's a little different because people are playing with millions, so not everybody loves the game now, everybody wants to be great, but the ones that are all stars and the ones that are you know, a hundred million to a million are working like that, you know what I mean. So that really helped, Like that changed my whole perspective of a lot of things. And it stucks that it had to happen, but I'm glad that it did happen. Yeah, and they came back to yeah,

I know they did, I know what they did. Yeah, it was like, listen, we understand you don't know. We're gonna we're gonna tell you, and we're gonna come back and we're gonna tell you once. They're gonna tell you once, and then they didn't tell me. They talk about GM you know what I mean. And and you got to think of it like as a scout man, if I'm going overseas and I'm looking at you as a player. Oh,

I got on you really is film. I did my research, I talked to people about you, but I really don't really know a lot about you other than what I see right now in the gym. I can tell a lot about a dude if he's out there working after practice.

You don't say if you see like you we see somebody that stays after practice, you just kind of look you might be leaving, but you're looking at him kind of like over your shoulder, like that he's getting his work it, you know where it was like, mama, guilty, There'll be all right over there, like we not just go through the same practice like he look crazy exactly. But those are the ones. Those be the ones, man, them ones that make it bro. That's Fox Sports Radio

has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at Fox sports Radio dot com and within the I Heart Radio app. Search f s R to listen live. And so after that that season, um, the second season, right, what happened you go? Year three? Now? Where did you go after that? So it was this man, my monster was crazy. So I went I entered the draft. Really, that's what happened and what happened. Was I hit it?

I went to as soon as soon as COVID is so I'm already behind the ball because I'm playing pro be in Germany. We got kids from Dog and all that, you know, Um, and then I'm dealing with COVID. So there wasn't any any person workouts. There's none of it. I'm doing everything virtual. No. I mean, I had a lot of feedback, but you know, it just it was tough because they couldn't see me in person, and it was really it's really hard. You know, when you see somebody on film, when you see me in person is

a bits different, you know. So so I didn't get drafted, and then, um, so I had a couple of teams that were interested, like yo, we're gonna bring you in, you know, I just want to see you developed, like see how you are, like in Miami Heat. There was one of them was Gota Keith Askins. I'm sure you know Keith. Yeah, you know he's he played with under pat Riley and all that. So we worked with Miami right now. So he was like, listen, I see a lot of like talent in you, Like we want to

bring you in. So they end up the g Leaue Bubble. That's what happened with that. So I didn't even they didn't even end up going. You know, there's like five or six team that didn't go, So so I didn't go. You know, I was going through the draft process for months, you know, like going through that. Then the draft finally hit. You know, they kept backing it up, it finally hit. Didn't get drafted, didn't and now they didn't a team. I supposed people didn't even go to the Gili Bubble.

So granted, I'm like out of a job basically, you know what I mean. It was late. So what I happened was I went to the Dominican Republic because one of my friends was playing out there, and I just was like, man, I'm not playing, like, let me just see, like you know, like I want to see how it is over there. I always knew about Europe, I didn't know anything about South America, so I just went. I'm a visual learning yo. I went over there and saw how how they was living in what they was getting,

and just how the basketball was. I was like, whoa, how would you describe the basketball over there? What's the style of play? So they do it differently. The infrastructure in South America is different because it's not eight months, you know what I mean. They they are a month and a half. Some leagues are longer, you know, like maybe at the most you're gonna play three much and

then you don't have another season. But the basketball is high level, like they have the Dominican national team players, Puerto Rican national team players, Argentina, like all the South American countries, they have really high level players and they go and play these leagues like the l m b P Mexico. Puerto Rico is really big right now. Um, the d R is really big right now, you know what I mean, So the argent like you know, the South American countries, it's it's high level basketball. How much

how much NBA? How much NBA presence is down there? Oh it's a lot, a lot, a lot, especially in the Puerto Rico. And the d R is being there too. Like Keen Christmas is playing in there right now. He played in the NBA. Um, you know a lot of guys are playing, and I guess from a scouting a scouting perspective, people coming like the NBA scouts coming down

there checking guys. I'm not exactly sure, Like as far as I know, I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're not even even watching, you know what I mean, Like because like I know Puerto Rico for sure, Puerto Rico l M. P. Peters, NBA scouts for sure, for sure, because Michael Basy playing in the last year at the end. So there's NBA. You know, I know, there's gout in Paris bats. He was actually on the

Lakers D League team this year. He played in the Dominican Republic play in Puerto Rico, went straight to g Now he got on a couple of ten days with Phoenix, Like so he's he's from d R from Puerto Rico straight, you know what I mean. Like that's where he got his name and really made it. So it definitely is possible for sure. So your current the way you think about it, you're saying you want to go through the d R route. Do you ever think of trying or vying for European route or maybe so like a G

League round? Oh definitely, Like that's obviously I tell everybody, Like the NBA's where I where I feel like I should be and where I want to be like that's always gonna be to go from me. I'll never not change that until I get there. But you know, it's just a matter of like kind of like resources and you know, me knowing other people, like you know, how that stuff goes. Like I was actually with Santa Cruz

for the training camp for about three weeks. I was like the last one cut actually, but you know I had to deal with a couple, you know, some stuff like that, and that's how it goes. But it was a great opportunity for me and I got to meet some great people and I made my way in you know, like I went to a try out and everything, like I went and I had to do all that, but you know, they saw something, so it was great for that and um but you know, like obviously I would

love to go play in Europe. I would love it. You know. I just got to find the right agent that can really help me make that happen. But I would love to go play over there because I know, like I know what it is in Europe, you know what I mean, Like obviously it's longer. You know. I love the the d R in Puerto Rico and South American countries because like I said, it's not long and

it's not far, you what I mean. So I can go play two months to get a really nice bag, go home for a week or two, and then come back, you know, go somewhere else, you know what I mean. You can't really do that in Europe, Like they're not playing that. You know, they like what holiday and don't don't play that. They don't play so you know, like

for me, it's just about being comfortable. I don't feel like I'll be playing overseas my whole career, so you know, it's only just for now, you know what I mean. And I've been making my way up, so I'm starting to really played a high level over there, and I'm not a really high level places are calling me so like, um, if I'm not in the n b A or if I'm not in the G League, you know, I have a really good, you know, situation to go to. So yeah,

that's awesome, man. How how much longer do you see yourself playing, like to try to make it to the NBA, Like do you put a year on it? Like do you say, if I don't make the league in five years, shut it down and think about something else or what? Yeah, I mean, I just feel like now like I'm kind of at the point to where like I'm at that point. I'm only twenty three, which is the crazy part about all this. I started that's a good thing. That's a

good yeah. I know, I start playing professionally young, so I've been hit. I've learned so much, you know, at a young age. A lot of these guys don't understand that learn this today like thirty three, you know, So I have a long like I have a really you know, like advantage, you know what I mean. And now I feel like I'm at the highest level to where like you know, if I don't, if I'm on the NBA, I'll be playing at a really high level. So I'll be okay you know with that, you know what I mean.

So you know, obviously like the goal, like I said, I want to shoot to um you know, till I'm in the NBA. But right now, like at this point and probably next year, if I'm not playing in the NBA, like I'm at the highest level, you know what I mean. So i feel like I'm okay with you know, like not being there and just you know, keep pushing to get there. And like obviously like guys come from overseas all the time, you know. So with my game and how I am, my skill set, I feel like I'm

kind of prototypical NBA players. So I just feel like if I just stay consistent, keep killing, eventually it's gonna happen for me. But you have faith in your skill set, you you have faith in your work that your game in his current phase, in his current stage, it's ready right now for the NBA. Yeah, because I'm played with NBA players. I played with all Stars, Like I said, I played with Trade and I play with Deer and Fox.

I play with Mr Robertson. I play with DeAndre A and I play with him mellow Ball, I play with Ka Gunningham like the list goes on, you know what I mean. And I've been at these guys like I've been in the mix, like one of the top, Like yo, I'm one of the better ones, you know what I mean. So, and like I said, I watched so much basketball. I'm a basketball junk. I'm a basketball head, so I understand

what it takes, you know what I mean. Like I know, maybe I'm not gonna be a guy to come in and be able to shoot all the shots, but I can come in and lock lock them up. I can come in and rebound, So there's value for me, Like you know what I mean. I feel like there's really value for me, like in any role. And then eventually, once I'm in there, I'll be able to expand and you know, do all the other stuff when it comes. But just to get in there, and I understand what

it takes, you know what I mean. Like I had to be a role player when I was playing sixteen U seven t U I B. I've had that and I've had to be a star. So I have kind of both in my game, you know what I mean, Like I understand both those sides of it. Yeah, man, man, I love here you talk about it because it's it's confidence. Man. You gotta know, you gotta know that you can play in the league. You gotta know why that you can play in the league, because nobody else's go tell you

that that you can play in the league. But you know that's like the number one fan. Your number one fan has got to be you, bro, And so that's what I always I've always told, like my son and my brothers when they were coming up, hoping, Man, just your belief in your game has got to be in a solid place, right, right, can not have you know, these these questions about yourself when you're out there against in the world man, because especially like and it's like

you already kind of behind the ball, you know. But it's like, I'll give it a testament. You're just really just me and my character and everything I've been like growing up because I've always been this way. Like I I said, I only know how to play one way, you know what I mean. And it's just like I've always had to be at that pedestal and you know, standing out because I haven't. I didn't go to college.

I didn't get I didn't get the luxury of coming into a different situation of averaging five, you know, not being a standout, not showing a lot of different things. So now I'm so wired in my brain and how I play like I only know how to play it one way, you know what I mean. So that you no, I was gonna say, And so you take that and now you're you're fine tune in different parts throughout of

your game. Because you watch so much film, You've added that aspect of scouting yourself, of being your worst critic and then you're training now with Ashton Benney. Yeah, yeah, with Ashton and um also with Tim Martin sometimes you know Tim coach me UM. So yeah, you know I was last summer, I was with John Luke's the third eason was with the Lakers, uh staff, So I was out there in l A with him. But you know, I just like I said, you know, I've always I

played with so many guys. I've been around so much I played and I'll be I've doil a great relationship for people and that really helps me a lot because you know, I've been able to really call people and ash like, Yo, what can I come trained? Can I come to do this? You know? I mean I didn't think these guys are gonna turn into that actually know

something I did. But you know, you know, for the most problem, like, Yo, these guys made as a league, like I can really call them in you know, like a lot of people don't have those, you know options, So that that's another thing like that's that's a testament of me and just you know how the person I am like always being kind, you know, never known anything. So that's just helped me out a lot. Yeah, man, that's that's the right approach, the humility and you have.

You've always been a humble cat. You've always carried yourself with a lot of like you respect, you know, a lot of respect man when you walk around. And I've always appreciate that about you. Man, I hope that you get an opportunity. Dude, you been the kind of guy I feel like, you know, could help somebody. You got the right mentality. You're not. You know, you've been through and you've got a great story. There's a lot of good there's a lot of good stories now in the

NBA of guys that are similar to you. The six six seven had to playing like five different leagues. I know why. Scotne Anderson. Hey, I'm telling you. It's a lot of dudes that I'm seeing in the league that that you Curtis at twenty three, which just blew me, blew my mind right now because I'm like, damn, I thought she was older, but you only. I'm like, yeah, So just stay of course, keep working, man, don't never change, man,

And it's gonna happen for your brother. And when that opportunity does happen, man, I think you're gonna be ready for it this time around, man, wholehearted. Like it's like even like like I said, I'm a basketball head, so like even the NBL, the euro League, like some of these leagues overseas. I'm like, yo, like these would be crazy to play and like I would be in awe, Like you know, obviously the money is great, but it's just the league, like the professionalism, how they do stuff.

Like I've always wanted to be a pro. You know, I'm not gonna s always be like yo, I want to be NBA and b A and b A like that kind of came later, but me being a professional was always what I want to be. So I'm living my dream. Like I'm extremely blessed, like I'm going through this like like kind of like just an emotion, like I'm just like yo, you know, but I also have

appreciation of like what it really takes in. Like you said, I've been through a lot, so I have a lot of experience and so yeah, it's a lot, it's a lot, but I just you know, I'm happy. Well, man, I wish you the best of luck. Brother. I appreciate you coming on the day and sharing your story. Yeah, I appreciate you. Man. Always know that ladies and gentlemen Curtis Hollis, Oh my guy,