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2024 tryouts 

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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.

In high school, he was an All-American in football and as a senior led his team to a 9–0 regular season before losing in the playoffs. In basketball, he was an All-State selection by numerous publications and led his team past Kevin Garnett's high school team to reach the finals of the state championship playoff tournament. Despite losing in the finals, he was the highest vote getter on the All-tournament team. In track, he was a state long jump champion as a junior and runner-up as a senior when he also helped his school's 4 x 400 metres relay team finish third in the state. In 1995, he was widely regarded as the best high school athlete in the Chicago metropolitan area, winning athlete of the year awards from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Illinois High School Association. He is considered to be one of the greatest three-sport athletes in the history of Illinois.

Streets led the Michigan Wolverines football team in receiving yards each season from 1996–1998. He had two touchdown receptions in the 1998 Rose Bowl, which clinched a share of the national championship. During his years at Michigan he caught passes from Brian Griese and Tom Brady. As a senior, he was voted football team MVP and All-Big Ten Conference second-team wide receiver. That season, he posted five 100-yard games and totaled over one thousand yards. He played in the Senior Bowl and was selected for the Hula Bowl. He was injured right before the 1999 draft causing him to slip from a projected second-round selection to a sixth-round choice. As a sophomore, he played part of the season for the 1996–97 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team, which won the 1997 National Invitation Tournament, but has since vacated the championship due to the University of Michigan basketball scandal. 

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. 

CONTACT US TODAY

CO-CHAIRMAN | GEORGE BAKER

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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Mr. Baker is married to Glinda Baker. They have four daughters; Cortney Gabby, Gia, and Giselle.

ROBERT CHAPMAN

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

CONTACT US TODAY

COACHING STAFF

17U EYBL

Head Coach | Tai Streets

tstreets89@msn.com


Assistant Coach | George Baker

mrgbaker1976@yahoo.com


Assistant Coach | Antoine Joiner

joinerantoine@hotmail.com


Assistant Coach | Harold Gause

haroldgause@hotmail.com

16U EYBL

Head Coach | Tyrone Slaughter

Wyoungbb@yahoo.com


Assistant Coach | Jonathan James

Jonathan.chicity@gmail.com

15U EYBL

Head Coach | Daryl Curtis

Coachdcurtis@gmail.com



Assistant Coach | Wendalle Pierce

wpierce26@gmail.com



Assistant Coach | Sean Smith

sean1smith2@gmail.com

14U Eaves

Head Coach | Denard Eaves

deaves3@gmail.com

14U BATES

Head Coach | Reginald Bates

Reginaldj.bates@gmail.com

14U SMITH

Head Coach | Emmett Smith

ersmith96@yahoo.com

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.

Support the Team. There are many ways to enhance the experience for your child, ranging from bringing snacks, to arranging team outings. Similarly, if you have a complaint, why not offer to solve the problem?
Be a Role Model. Please be a model of good sportsmanship for your child. Be generous with your praise, and encourage them to succeed through hard work, commitment, and teamwork.

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.

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