Check out the Synergy Livestream of the Meanstreets minicamp on YouTube
OUR HISTORY
MeanStreets basketball was started by Tai Streets in 2001. Tai was still playing in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, but during the off season he was committed to mentoring young men. He chose basketball because he loved the game and wanted to push young men to be great on and off the court as his old coaches did for him. The overall concept of MeanStreets Basketball began in when he decided to build a championship brand in the Chicago area. In year three MeanStreets won the AAU National Championship. The brand rose to the top of the basketball world when they won the ever elusive Peach Jam championship in 2006 led by Derrick Rose.
Today the organization has grown to be one of the top grassroots basketball programs in the country solidified by winning many championship titles. MeanStreets basketball has alumni that includes notable NBA stars, Collegiate All Americans, National Champions, and McDonald's All-Americans, such as Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis, Patrick Beverly, Tyler Ulis, Darius Bazley, and Kendrick Nunn. Our program has helped hundreds of student athletes obtain millions of dollars in collegiate scholarships while achieving their dream of playing college basketball and gaining a higher learning degree. Many of our alumni have gone on to play professional basketball overseas as well.
MeanStreets now strives to win championships in other arenas. Our mission is to play a major role in the all-around development of the fine young men and women within our program and community. In our quest to develop our young people we try to find ways to give back to the community teaching the importance of selflessness and the impact of giving time and energy to worthy causes.
Streets had modest success as a professional in five seasons with the 49ers. He began as a fourth wide receiver on a team with perennial Pro Bowl receivers Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens, but he eventually became a starter before moving on to play his final season with the Lions. His career was highlighted by playoff performances in which he caught at least four receptions for at least 50 yards in all three playoff games. He recorded two fourth quarter playoff touchdowns one of which was the game-winner in a 24-point comeback victory and the other of which was a game-tying touchdown in a losing effort.
Streets is now the Boys Head Coach for his Alma Mater Thornton High School where he also works in administration. It was always in his plan to come back to make a positive impact in the community where he grew up.
CO-CHAIRMAN | GEORGE BAKER
George Baker is a lifelong Chicagoan. Mr. Baker was educated in the Chicago public schools graduating from Von Steuben High School. He went on to Northern Illinois University and later graduated from Taylor Business Institute.
Mr. Baker is a Real Estate investor whose mission is to bridge the gap between quality and affordable housing by providing opportunities to qualifying community members. His intent is to help people gain access to single family homes by creating ways for them to afford them.
Mr. Baker is the Operations Manager for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) TSA Division where he has 19 years of government service. He is decorated leader for DHS and is responsible for a wide-range of duties including aviation and emergency response.
Mr. Baker has been an active leader for many not-for-profit organizations in Chicago. He serves as a Board of Member for Project Education Plus where he was the recipient of the 2017 Volunteer of the Year award. He also serves as an Ambassador for Good Sports where he has helped non-for-profit organizations, churches, schools, and park districts obtain sporting equipment needed for their programs.
Mr. Baker is married to Glinda Baker. They have four daughters; Cortney Gabby, Gia, and Giselle.
ROBERT CHAPMAN
Bob Chapman is the co-managing partner of Chapman Spingola, LLP, a 15-person Chicago-based boutique full-service law, where he practices commercial litigation. Bob graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and the Berkeley School of Law, at which he was an Associate Editor of the California Law Review. Bob is an elected member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Bob was the past Chairperson of the Committee on the Prevention of Legal Malpractice of the Chicago Bar Association and served a nine-year term as a member of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) Hearing Board.
Bob has volunteered for many years as a high school and grammar school basketball. For the last three years, he has served as an assistant boys basketball coach at St. Ignatius College Prep. For ten years before that, he was the 7th and 8th grade boys basketball coach at the Frances Xavier Warde School.
Bob is one of the founding members of the Associate Division of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, which provides educational, social and volunteer opportunities to young professionals in the greater Chicago area and is committed to working for social justice.
Bob lives in Chicago with his wife Sandy. They have two adult children. Bob is a member of the Latin School of Chicago Board of Trustees (where he and his children attended school).
CYRUS RAB
Cyrus M. Rab is a corporate attorney and Principal at CMR Law Group. As an attorney Cyrus specializes in employment-based immigration, corporate formation (domestic and international) and business transactions. Cyrus has established a global practice with clients from India, Pakistan, China, United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Australia. Cyrus has developed a diverse clientele, which includes large, publicly traded companies and smaller, start-up ventures. He also serves as legal counsel to accomplished musicians, professional athletes and acclaimed artists.
Cyrus is currently Board Chair for MURAL, a nonprofit founded by Chicago artist Lupe Fiasco that serves inner-city communities in Chicago. He served for several years as the Midwest Financial Chair for Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-5th). From 2008 to 2010 Cyrus also served on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees (DCCC) Speaker’s Cabinet. He was also a board member for A Red Orchid Theater and the Chicago Blackhawks Charities Junior Board.
Cyrus received his Bachelor’s Degree from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1995 and his Juris Doctorate from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Kent College of Law in 1998. He is currently a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and American Immigration Lawyers Association.
COACHING STAFF
17U EYBL
Head Coach | Tai Streets
Assistant Coach | George Baker
Assistant Coach | Antoine Joiner
Assistant Coach | Harold Gause
16U EYBL
Head Coach | Tyrone Slaughter
Assistant Coach | Jonathan James
15U EYBL
Head Coach | Daryl Curtis
Assistant Coach | Wendalle Pierce
Assistant Coach | Sean Smith
14U Eaves
Head Coach | Denard Eaves
14U BATES
Head Coach | Reginald Bates
14U SMITH
Head Coach | Emmett Smith
THE ALUMNI
| Name | College affiliate | Professional Team |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Pullen | Kansas State | |
| Derrick Rose | Memphis | Detroit Pistons |
| Eric Gordon | Indiana | |
| Eric Gordon | Indiana | LA Clippers |
| Maurice Acker | Marquette | |
| Maurice Acker | Marquette | |
| Jerel McNeal | Marquette | |
| Jovan Catron | Oregon | |
| Darrell Combs | IUPUI | |
| Mike Dunigan | Oregon | |
| Kevin Dilliard | Dayton | |
| Matthew Humphrey | Oregon/Boston College/West Virgina | |
| Kendrick Nunn | Illinois/Oakland | Miami Heat |
| Kendall Pollard | Dayton | |
| Paul white | Georgetown/Oregon | |
| Tyler Ulis | Kentucky | Sacremento Kings |
| Jubril Adekoya | Valporaiso | |
| Alvin Ellis | Michigan State | |
| Phil Greene | St. Johns | |
| Walt Lemon | Bradley | Chicago Bulls |
| Julius Brown | Toledo | |
| Brandon Dagans | Lewis | |
| DJ Steward | Duke | |
| Anthony Davis | Kentucky | LA Lakers |
| Ahron Ulis | Iowa | |
| Javon Freeman | Valporasio/Depaul | |
| DJ williams | Illinois/George Mason/Depaul | |
| Lucas Williamson | Loyola chicago | |
| DJ Cooper | Ohio Univ. |
| Name | College affiliate | Professional Team |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Matthews | Kentucky/Michigan | |
| Alonzo Verge | Arizona State | |
| Isaiah Livers | Michigan | |
| Jamari Traylor | Kansas | |
| Evan Gilyard | New Mexico State | |
| Mike Ballard | Wisconsin | |
| Ryan Fazekas | Valporaiso | |
| Joseph Toye | Vanderbilt | |
| Jaylon Tate | Illinois | |
| Tyler Wideman | Butler | |
| Josh Crittle | Central Florida | |
| Marvin Jones | Texas Southern | |
| Destin Whitaker | Fresno State | |
| Tray Jackson | Missouri | |
| Darius Bazley | None | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Damezi Anderson | Indiana | |
| Jeremiah williams | Temple | |
| Tim Flowers | Milwaukee | |
| Alex Foster | Texas Tech/Albany | |
| Myles Carter | Seton Hall | |
| Xavier Castaneda | South Florida | |
| Tim Finke | GCU | |
| Lance Jones | Southern Illinois | |
| Nojel Eastern | Purdue | |
| Joseph Eusef | Drake | |
| Devin Gage | Depaul/Fresno st. | |
| Marius Hill | Arkansas Little Rock | |
| Lamar wofford | Nebraska Omaha | |
| Kaleb Wright | Emporia State |
| Name | College affiliate | Professional Team |
|---|---|---|
| Donnell Lyons | Laramie | |
| Brandon Long | Texas Arlington | |
| Mike Robinson | Lewis | |
| Curtis Jones | Langston Univ | |
| Tim Williams | New Mexico | |
| Antonio Bishop | Columbus St. | |
| Donte Thomas | Bradley | |
| Ronell Buckner | Depaul | |
| Jawad Adekoya | Chicago State | |
| Darell Bowie | Iowa State | |
| Isiah Rivera | Colorado St |
CODES & STANDARDS
COACHES & VOLUNTEERS CODES OF CODE
STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Classy: We will commit to always conducting ourselves in a first-class manner on and off the court, every day of the year. This is a 24/7 commitment. Take great pride in how we play and carry ourselves everywhere we go.
No Personal Agendas: We will commit to one agenda and one agenda only: That agenda will be doing whatever we are called on to do in order to help the program accomplish our collective goals. Our personal gains will never be a detriment to the group. We will have a team first culture eliminating jealousy and envy.
Respectful Communication: We will commit to listening to the “what” and not the “how”, but we will always be aware of how we are delivering a message. Our message must be delivered with respect. We will be man enough to take it and respectful enough to deliver it properly. We will build each other up, not tear each other down, talk to, not at, and encourage not demean.
One way: We will commit to teaching and coaching the game the right way, and invest time in player development.
Coaching: We will commit to giving our best effort every day we hit the practice floor and every time we show up for a game. Bring your true value to practices and games with an understanding at times we have to pick each other up.
Responsibility and Accountability: We commit to holding ourselves personally responsible and accountable for our actions, our efforts, and fulfilling the roles that we are assigned.
No excuses: We don’t dwell on the last play, the last game, the last practice, we simply move on and correct mistakes and focus on reaching our standards of excellence.
Be on Time: Being on time is one of the best and most visual ways we can show our commitment to the program. Time management is a critical element to our success, and an important life skill which must influence upon our student athletes.
MEANSTREETS BASKETBALL CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR PARENTS and SPECTATORS
MEANSTREETS Basketball exists to provide youth players with an opportunity to learn and appreciate the game of Basketball. The youth program is designed to be all inclusive with no prior experience or knowledge of the game required because that is the point; we will teach the game. The EYBL program is an advanced level of competition in which athletes compete against players and teams from around the country at their perspective levels. The goal of the MEANSTREETS program is not just to win but to instill a love of and respect for the game. Teaching the values of teamwork, commitment, and sportsmanship is our highest priority.
The Code of Conduct for Parents is designed to ensure that all players have a positive and safe experience during the season. MEANSTREETS hopes to eliminate potential problems by making its expectations clear. Parents make a huge contribution to their child’s Basketball experience so please, let’s work together to make it a success.
Be Positive. We encourage positive comments and cheers for specific plays during the games. Remember that if the players are trying their hardest and doing their best; they should be encouraged, regardless of the score. Don’t forget to show appreciation for great plays by the opposition.
Don’t Argue with the Referee. It is NOT acceptable for players or spectators to criticize or dispute the official UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, even if the official has obviously made a mistake.
Do not make negative comments or criticisms regarding any of the players or coaches. If you don’t have anything nice to say, please don’t say anything at all. Such comments hurt team morale, undercut the coaching staff, and can often escalate into unpleasant incidents. Never say anything to players of the opposing side unless it is genuinely congratulatory!
No Coaching from the Sidelines. Do not offer specific instructions to your child or other players from the sidelines. There are many reasons NOT to coach from the sidelines. The players hate it, it is distracting, confusing, and may directly conflict with the coach’s instructions. It also raises pressure on the players.
Be Kind to your Child’s Coach. All concerns, input about your child, and coaching comments need to be given over the phone or in some other private manner, and should never be done during a game or practice or in front of the team. Public confrontations are always bad for the team and are extremely unlikely to produce a positive result for you or your child.
Most parents and spectators find that following the Parents Code enhances their enjoyment of their child’s games. Occasionally spectators violate the Code; most often they recognize the problem and correct it immediately. On rare occasions parents or spectators (it is your duty to ensure spectators affiliated with you or your players are aware of and abide by this code) persist in conduct which violates the Code. In such cases the following rules will apply:
- The parent or spectator will receive ONE warning from the coach or the coach’s designee.
- If the offending conduct persists; the coach will request the parent or spectator to leave the facility.
- If the parent or spectator refuses to leave the facility, the coach will remove the parent’s player from the game.
- If a player is removed from the game under these circumstances, the player may not play in future games without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of MEANSTREETS organization and the parent may be subject to further sanctions at the discretion of the MEANSTREETS board.
Please share this with all family members …
as well as, any guest spectators attending to watch your child play.
Created by Olive + Ash.
Managed by Olive Street Design. 