Pick'em Pros
Pick'em Pros is a father and son dynamic duo who love talking sports. Their show "Who Ya Got" features their weekly sports game picks along with commentary of fantasy sports. 13 Year old Diego Thompson is a hit as he passionately makes his points and never backs down when going head to head with his father!
Pick'em Pros
Haliburton a Superstar? Ray Wimley Freestyles + NC Rising Stars, Flag Football & Hoops
Episode 137 at KINGS was unforgettable—where elite freestyle talent met the heart of North Carolina sports and community!
🎤 Special Guest: Ray Wimley
Nationally recognized freestyle artist Ray Wimley turned the studio into a lyrical playground, sharing his creative process and delivering an incredible live freestyle packed with audience-suggested words. His journey from the streets of New Orleans to national stages is nothing short of inspiring.
🏀 NBA Finals Debate: Pacers vs. Thunder?
Are the Indiana Pacers and OKC Thunder on a Finals collision course? The crew dives into a heated debate with Christopher “C-Pain” Davis, exploring if Tyrese Haliburton is truly a superstar and how the Thunder mirror the 90s Bulls.
🌟 North Carolina Athletes Shine:
Aiden Smalls (Clayton HS, Rice Football Commit) talks leadership, legacy, and bringing home a state title.
Jayden Gray (Clayton HS, Team Wall AAU) shares how he’s one of NC’s most underrated guards, with deadly range and dunk-show energy.
🏈 Women’s Sports & Community Power:
Zyykirrah Casado of the Gridiron Gang breaks down how she manages flag football, her media company, and a daycare—all while starting at center!
Elijah Battle unveils his mission with the Carolina Basketball League (CBL) [cblhoops.com], helping post-high school athletes get real opportunities through a new combine and league format.
Jatovi McDuffie previews Defending Durham, a gaming-based fundraiser (Oct 19th!) supporting teachers and first responders. Streaming live right here!
💬 Closing Freestyle Magic:
Ray Wimley wraps the night with a mind-blowing freestyle using words from the audience—reminding everyone that purpose, faith, and family always come first.
📍 Filmed live at KINGS in Raleigh, NC | Presented by Pick’em Pros
Pick'em Pros is a father son duo who enjoy talking sports, debating and having fun while doing it!
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Difference in levels.
Speaker 2:Pick them pros. Pick them pros. Pick them pros. Pick them pros. Pick them pros, pick them pros.
Speaker 3:Man, the mic in my hand, like that. How y'all feeling, by the way, one's listening. I rap right here my Christian in. I get the spaz in the camera man. I that. How y'all feeling, by the way, one's listening. I rap right here my Christian in. I get this fast In the camera.
Speaker 3:Man, I'm loving y'all reaction. Pick them pros. I'm just asking y'all what be happening. Homie over there Will believe. On the shirt yes, you, ma'am, cooling Fingertips that be on the table as I see him moving Locks. That's in their heads. I see her enjoying herself with that food that she chewing.
Speaker 3:Look, I just want to do what I can for the lady with the bass pro shop and the cell phone in the hand. This is what it is, man, I'm loving the fam. Thank you, derek. As I get to gripping the mic, I'm a jam. So this is what it is we done yet, but y'all can keep clapping. I just want to rap for ones. That is around. Man, I'm loving this energy and everybody reaction. Guess you, ma'am, got a hand on her cheek. She don't know what's going on, but you clap to the beat. This is what it is. Look, my name is Ray. So cool for the people that I'm here to meet. I just want to hold it down every single time.
Speaker 3:Well, I be in town. This what it is. Put people over there. White cap yeah, sure she done. Opened up her ears. Glasses, man, she focused. I just want y'all to have a good time. You know this. How you doing, ma'am, they on the right side when I get this fast and that's why I got to make it happen. When I be rapping Mr White shirt with the watch it, the Nike on the socks, just do what. It means a lot. I just want to give you everything. When I'm cooking in the pot, holding it down, I go. When I get it, I know what it is, I'm ready to rip it. I talk to the people that can feel it as I get specific. So one more time for people in the building. Can y'all make some noise for the way that we be? Feeling there you go.
Speaker 4:Appreciate it. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back. You know who it is. I am Derek Thompson, and I'm Diego Thompson.
Speaker 5:And who are we? We're the Pick'em Pros.
Speaker 4:We are the Pick'em Pros coming back at you in the house. Oh, man, thank you man. Hey, that was a fire introduction, my man. Thanks for rolling through Raleigh, north Carolina, and blessing us with that my man.
Speaker 3:Thank y'all for having me. Man, I feel good. The energy, the food was good too. I was over there eating. Everybody looked good and fed, so we in here.
Speaker 4:We have to give you that Southern hospitality my man.
Speaker 3:I'm from the South, so I know how it is.
Speaker 4:That's right. That's right, yeah, yeah, yeah, we hear that. We hear that in your voice, man. So we know you're in Phoenix, arizona, right now, but you know from Arkansas we're going to get into your history a little bit, so we had the pleasure of having you in the studio last night. We have a whole full-length documentary on you coming out soon. So just getting a little taste here before you see the full show Welcome back, this is going to be a fire show. We've got great guests tonight. In line by Ray Wimbley. We've got the NBA finals today. Let me run through the guest list real quick. We've got my man, ray Wimbley. Put your hands together for Ray Alright. We've got my co-host, diego Thompson, in the building. Whoa whoa.
Speaker 4:Okay, that's a little too loud, don't do that one. All right, good, a little too loud. A little too loud Again. We got the crew, camera crew, everybody that makes Pick'em Pros go. It's about 30 people. So just round of applause for every the whole Pick'em Pros team. All right, we got, we got. We got Aiden Smalls in the building.
Speaker 4:Clayton High School football and basketball yes, yes, yes, yeah. We've got, uh, christopher Davis in the building. We're gonna talk NBA finals. It's gonna be fire and be fired. We're gonna talk about his Pacers. They seem to be a team he's adopting right now. I don't know, I don't know, since the Lakers didn't make it. I think he's adopting now. We're going to see. We're going to have some fun with him. We've got a founder of the Carolina Basketball League, Elijah Battle. Make some noise. Yes, I want everybody to meet him. I know we got some hoopers in the building, so we've got the space till 10. We're going to party. The show will end about 8.30, 8.45. The night will go on much longer than that, so make sure you stick around for that.
Speaker 4:We've got rising senior Clayton basketball hooper, jayden Gray, in the building. Yes, he's a guard high flyer. Can't wait to talk to him. We've got from Gridiron Gang football team, flag football team. Yes, yes, we got the whole squad here. But we also have general manager and starting center. We've got Zariah Casado, yes, yes, yes, we've got. We've got a varsity point guard. Ricky Moore III is joining us. Yes, he started as a freshman, okay, so we've got him joining us. And we also have Lexi's Bussin' Bacon in the building.
Speaker 4:Yes, right here up front, we're giving away. Keep your raffle tickets, all right, because we're giving away cookies, all right, a bunch of packs. So make sure you hold your raffle tickets, all right. All right, okay. And then we also have, last but not least, we have a big fundraiser for Durham, defending Durham. We've got Jatovi McDuffie in the building and we're going to tell you all about that. Make some noise for Jatovi, all right. So, ray man, how do you freestyle like that? Man? We had you in the studio last night. I mean, you took us through this about four different scenarios, four steps and whatnot. It was very complicated. It was more complicated than a golf swing, all right. So, man, just how do you do it?
Speaker 3:First, I got to give glory to God for just giving me the gift to do it, thank you. And as far as, like the technique, it all depends on the situation, like I was explaining last night, but the easiest way I can explain freestyle is more so of a conversation. So, like you and your homies were having a conversation and they said something that inspired you or sparked the thoughts, you didn't have anything pre-written, you just answered the question. So it's a collection of just being in the moment and letting that inspire what I say, and then also the beat selection. Just being in the moment and letting that inspire what I say, and then also the beat selection. It creates a very easy transition for me because it gives me the flow structure I need and I just like to, you know, just speak from the heart, and I think that's the easiest way I can explain it. And then a whole bunch of practice. I practice a lot on my craft. I practice a lot on my craft.
Speaker 4:So yeah, definitely do it shows. So we met you, diego, and I met you two years ago. We were in, we were in Phoenix, okay, we were coming out of an Arizona Diamondbacks game and father son, we're walking out and we see Ray doing his thing and man, he called us out. Father son Diego has some fly kicks on, as he always does. That's why I'm broke, okay, and Ray called out the shoes and it was just man stopped us in our track and I remember saying man, one day I want to have that guy on our show. So here it is Got you on man.
Speaker 3:Man, I feel blessed to be here. Man, I really do. I see you sweating a little bit. I don't know if it's because of the paces or if it's just hot in here. I'm not sure.
Speaker 4:Oh yeah, okay, we're going to transition into the NBA finals for sure, because it's funny, because when I picked you up right, they were going into the fourth quarter the airport and then when we got in front of the television it was the last minute and a half of the game and we saw that in person. But that was pretty funny. So we're definitely going to touch on the finals in a minute here, for sure. But man tell us you know, first of all, how long have you been rapping, how long have you been freestyle?
Speaker 3:It's hard to say, you know, I feel like I've been rapping since I was little, because it's always been around. It's like how you know when the first time you told a joke, I don't know, because it's just always been in the air. But when I say I took it seriously, it was the age of 24, so was that 10 years? And I just went out there, had my daughter. I was telling you that was on the way, I lost my job and I needed some income so I had to supplement my income. In New Orleans they got a busking scene, so it's a culture for people to go downtown and rap or play music or whatever they like to do. And so I say, about 10 years, man, I've been perfecting my craft and staying on it, but maybe just all my life being around music as well. You know, all right, well you got.
Speaker 4:You got a whole plethora of new fans here tonight. Thank y'all, man. I appreciate y'all for real.
Speaker 3:And I want to get in that raffle because I saw the cookies they look like. I want to get in the raffle, lexi.
Speaker 4:All right, all right.
Speaker 5:Hey man, so give us your take on the NBA finals so far.
Speaker 3:You see it, you know what I'm saying. I mean, personally, I ain't going to lie. My team got out a long time ago. But as far as, like, what's going to happen in the finals, it's hard to say it. In the finals it's it's hard to say it, everybody's saying that Tyrese or you know, the Indiana Pacers aren't ready, they can't do their thing, but it's like they keep proving. You know, naysayers wrong. And I just think it's interesting because we was, we was debating on like, what makes a superstar. I mean, he's showing up in the big moments, he creating clutch shots, he's also making sure the team gets involved. So for me, I think the finals is is dope from that perspective on the underdog mentality, right, I want to see SGA come back and do something. You know. I want to see the Thunder pull it together and hopefully go into like six, seven games. I know y'all said a gentleman's suite.
Speaker 5:Yeah.
Speaker 3:I don't know, but hopefully. But then, as far as like the finals, okc and it's in Indiana, it's never been a championship for either city, for either organization. So I know that's going to be good for the NBA. And it's finally unpredictable. You know, for a while we always knew who was going to win the NBA finals. We already kind of like had your money on who you know was going to take it. But now it's kind of like who's ever hungry, whoever really wants it, whoever can pull it together. I think that'll be the team that you got to watch out for alright what do you think, diego?
Speaker 5:oh man, they just got lucky. As always, man, Halliburton, they're lucky, man Lucky. I mean, I need some consistency. Like to be a superstar, you need to have some consistency. Like you gave me 12 points in game one of the NBA finals up until that shot. Like that's not superstar worthy. So I'm like, yeah, Thunder are coming back.
Speaker 4:Thunder are coming back.
Speaker 5:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I say the same. But see, ray, you kind of been on the. You seem like you on the fence man because you know you're giving the Pacers props.
Speaker 3:But I don't really know who you have right. I mean I want to touch on. You said he's not a superstar and we was trying to figure out what qualifies as a superstar, Like, what's your definition of a superstar? He's doing what he's supposed to do in the biggest stage, he's showing up in the biggest stage, and we have some people that's called superstars and when the stage appears then they disappear. So I'm trying to figure out what is your definition of a superstar, and then maybe I could go into that question next.
Speaker 5:So first man, you got to give me consistency, which he's not doing. He's not giving me consistency. He is clutch. So that's a good thing, he's winning, that's a good thing, but those have been due to, like key injuries On the Bucs. Damian Lillard got hurt, torres, achilles, the Cavs their whole lineup was out. Garland Mobley what's his name? Deandre Hunter. He was out the Kn out, uh, the knicks. They beat them healthy, but there are no like celtics when they're healthy and like he doesn't really like. Everyone says he passes really well, but I mean he doesn't average 10 assists and he doesn't even average 20 points. So like yeah, and on the game winner he shot against the knicks, he double dribbled. So go look at the film what's the first two things, though?
Speaker 3:you said he's clutch, I said he is he has been clutch.
Speaker 5:Yes, and then what else he's been winning he has been winning, but that's due to injuries, though but not against okc, though I mean that's one game, not a series seven games here.
Speaker 3:I don't know man. I don't know man. I just feel like if somebody could do that, he's been consistently clutch and then he can't control that. You know the team obviously people gonna get hurt. That's the nba, we man. I don't know man. I just feel like if somebody could do that, he's been consistently clutch and he can't control the team, obviously People are going to get hurt. That's the NBA. We can go through a list of different people that's won championships, with teams being hurt. You know what I'm saying, but I'm not. I don't know man. To be honest, I would like to see. It don't really matter to me If I think who can win. I think I'm going to see Indiana. Man, I want to say you know what, I think they can win it. I really feel like they can do it.
Speaker 4:Okay. So you're saying, because I know a lot of people, there's a lot of hope, so you want to see them win, but I want to know who's going to win, who you got, I got Indiana. I got Indiana. Okay, you got Indiana. All right, okay, all right, okay. I just wanted to know. We got my man C-Pain over there.
Speaker 3:C-pain he said he got Indiana too right. I don't know, he didn't answer your text message either that night. Did he? When they won? I know he didn't. I know he didn't. He didn't say nothing, uh-uh, uh-uh. He told me they expected it.
Speaker 4:We'll see though, all right. Well, we're going to get into it. We're going to have you on. You're going to have your moment. We're going to have your moment. I'm going to beat you down in a minute, don't worry about it. I got something special for you. I got something real nice for you. Don't even worry about it, I'm coming your way. Well, and again, I made a mistake early when we started, so I mispronounced the Gridiron game.
Speaker 4:The GM from the team I believe it is Zykyra is how you pronounce it. I'm sorry for mispronouncing your name. So Zykyra is in the building. Let's give Zykyra Casado a round of applause. Make some noise. Okay, sorry about that. Sorry about that, all right. So, man Ray, any anything else? So, ok, well, one last thing we don't get you out on this. You're going to close the show, all right. So everybody has cards, ok, and you will be able to write a word on the card, and when Ray closes the show tonight, he'll acknowledge what you have on the card. So it's going to be fire. It's going to be a great way to end the show. So I cannot wait for that. But let's get you out of here for now on this.
Speaker 3:How many games are the Pacers going to win? In how many games are they going to win?
Speaker 4:in yeah.
Speaker 3:Going to be a sweep. No, I ain't going to say it's going to be no sweep. I think you know OKC going to do something. I think it'd be six. I think it'd be six, I say Pacers in six, pacers in six.
Speaker 4:All right, we're going to see. We cannot wait to have you back on, man, to close us out. Thank you for coming through and blessing us, man. We'll see you a little later on. Put your hands together for Ray Wembley. All right, all right. Next, we're gonna take a quick, uh, about 50 or so second break, and the next person you will see will be Aiden Smalls.
Speaker 8:all right, we're gonna take a quick break well, it sort of turned into the Aiden Smalls experience as we went on.
Speaker 1:I mean he ended the night with 319 passing yards, five touchdowns through the air and about another 56 yards and another touchdown on the ground.
Speaker 8:You mentioned Aiden Smalls. Obviously just one heck of a player. When you have a guy like that, he can win games.
Speaker 9:To Morris Jordan yeah, I pick them like a pro global trombone. Talk a big, and roll we're going up the score touchdown.
Speaker 1:This is not field goal. We, the winning team champions. When you walk through the hall, you can play your bet with us, because you know we're going to win them all. I pick them like a pro global trombone talk a big and roll. We're going up the score touchdown. This is not field goal.
Speaker 4:We, the winning team champions. When you walk through the hall, you can play your bet with us, because you know we're gone. All right, all right, uh, diego man, why don't you uh do the honors for our next esteemed guest?
Speaker 5:all, right now we got clayton starting quarterback rice commit commit Aiden Smalls.
Speaker 4:All right, all right, aiden is in the building. Man, Great to have you on. Yes, sir, great to be here. Yeah, yeah, you got the big, big senior year coming up, man. A lot is in store for you Bright future. We're all excited for what you're going to do this year. But before we get down to business and sports, we need you to settle a debate. Can you do that for me? I got you, I got you, you got me. All right, ok, so this happened a few months ago, but Diego and I have a big debate going on about the Playboy Cardi album. Ok, so I need you to tell me, man, because because this is a we feel like this is a general generational debate All right, diego thinks it's legendary, I think it's trash. So, aiden, we need you to break the tie. Man shoo.
Speaker 10:I mean I say I wouldn't even listen to it that much. You know I'm not really a Playboy Cardi, you know I'm not really a fan, but I have heard it and I can't say it's trash. I can't say that. I say it's pretty good, it's gotta be okay so I'm just an old head.
Speaker 4:You're just an old head, you're just an old head All right. I accept that. I accept that All right, all right, man.
Speaker 5:So you got a big senior year at Clayton coming up, so what are your goals for next year?
Speaker 10:I say my goals for next year. I say you got to. I want the team to win. You know that's. The ultimate goal is to win. You know personal stats. I'm not too worried. But I'm already committed. So I'm not really worried about that, as whatever I can do for the team to win, I don't care who gets the credit. Nothing if we win a state championship, that's all I need. So I'm going to say that's the goal?
Speaker 4:Absolutely, amanda. Do you, and I know you know this. This is a rhetorical question, but do you understand how the town of Clayton is going to be? Man, oh, my goodness, oh, it would be parties like you would not believe. It would just be amazing. So we would love to see you bring that to the town of Clayton. They definitely deserve that. So Rice University we hear that you've committed there. What, what played into that decision?
Speaker 10:I got to say you know, when I went there actually I've just started talking to them, maybe four months ago, you know so and I got on campus and talked to the coaches and bonding with the players, and as soon as I stepped on campus I knew that was the place I wanted to be. You know, they treated me amazing, you know. And also in Houston, I'm telling y'all, the food there is great, it's really good in Houston, I'm telling you.
Speaker 4:So yeah, absolutely, yeah, no doubt about that. We were there for a wedding last year and oh yeah, yeah, phenomenal.
Speaker 5:Yes, sir, definitely yeah, so, uh, what part of your game are you working on most this offseason, you know?
Speaker 10:I say it's a lot less physical. You know, I feel like I have a lot of that, a lot of that down I'm pretty confident in, but I I'm focusing on on the film room. I say, like focusing on what defense is going runs against me, like how to read defense is better, you know. So I'm just trying to like mentally get myself prepared for the season, more so because I know I got the athleticism, but I think mentally I can really lock in if I can mentally be good and match my physicality. You know what I'm saying. Like it's a done deal, so I need to get I got. I'm getting my mentally right. Yeah, I love that.
Speaker 4:I love that. We're working on the mental. That's very important. So your leadership style, Aiden, how would you describe yourself as a leader? What's your style?
Speaker 10:I say my style is I'm not, I'm not, I'm not going to lie, I'm not the loudest person on the field. You know, typically quarterbacks they might be the loudest person but I'm not the loudest, you know. I feel like you know, I make sure you know everybody's straight, of course. I, like you know, I make sure you know everybody's straight, of course, like I'll talk to each person individually, from freshman to senior, it doesn't matter, I'll talk to each person individually. But I feel like when I really am loud is when we get in that game mode. And once we get in that game mode I feel like when I'm loud in the game mode it gets. They all listen because they don't hear it too much. So once they hear much, how I lead, yeah, I can relate to that.
Speaker 4:I'm more that way. I'm not a rah-rah person all the time, but if I get amped I feel like it has more of an impact at that point for sure. And you definitely have an aura about you. You have a swag to you, so I know people will follow you naturally.
Speaker 10:Yes, sir, yes sir, definitely.
Speaker 5:Hey, yes, sir, yes, sir, yeah, man, so what advice would you give to a young qb that's like trying to start?
Speaker 10:and just trying to make it in the game of football. That's a that's a good question. I say, you know I've had, I've had a long journey at the quarterback position. You know, since when I was. I would say, well, I'll just give my journey a little bit.
Speaker 10:So when I was little, when I was like five, you know I just wanted to play. You know I saw my brother playing. He was older, I just wanted to play. So I was like, let me just go out there, I don't care. You know, I didn't know too much, just give me the ball, I'm going to try to run a touchdown, basically. So I was kind of like I played quarterback, but it was just wildcat, of course. So I was a running back and then I transitioned, like I think I was in sixth grade, my last part, one of the years I played quarterback, and that was probably like the best time I've ever had was playing that quarterback position. But the thing was my athleticism was so great that a lot of coaches didn't want me at the quarterback position. They wanted me to be a wide receiver or a running back.
Speaker 10:And you know I say for kids, you know, do what your heart desires. You know what I mean, like don't let another coach tell you what you should do. You know, like I feel like you can do whatever you put your mind to. I don't care what you want to play, whatever, no matter what sport you put your mind to it, you can do it. You work hard at it, you can do it, it doesn't matter. So I say for young kids just lock in, lock in and just if you believe you can do it, and do it.
Speaker 4:you know that's how I say I love that. Yeah round of applause. Bet on yourself. Bet on yourself and believe in yourself. I like that a lot, I'm happy. Thank you for going going deeper with that. We appreciate that, yes, sir. So so how do you relax? We know you. You have a lot on your plate. Clearly you play multiple sports. I'm sure your training has to be out of this world.
Speaker 10:But how do you unwind? I pretty much, when I'm not thinking about the game, I say I go out and do other things. You know I go play pickleball sometimes. You know that's something I'm just now learning to do. I go play big. I go golf, sometimes some golfing that gets my mind off of it of course video games, you know, yeah, all right okay, so.
Speaker 4:So picklehead is not just an old head sport nah, it's not just old hair.
Speaker 10:You know, I've been out there, I've been getting better and I don't know yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:now you go to the ymca and let's say, hooping time is from six to seven and then if it's pickleball at seven o'clock you better be off that court by 655. Or else it's going to be a problem.
Speaker 5:It's serious up there. They do not play yeah.
Speaker 4:Man for real.
Speaker 5:Is there like a pro QB that you like resemble your game after or just like look up to? I definitely say hands down Lamar Jackson, because yeah.
Speaker 10:Lamar. Yeah, I mean, he has a similar journey to me. So you know, coming out of high school, what they say to Lamar actually high school and college, what they say to Lamar hey, you should go play some running back, you should go up, you can go wide out, you'd be great wide out. But you know what Lamar did? He said, nah, forget all that. He could have went to Georgia, he could have went to Alabama for a receiver or whatever. But nah, he went to Louisville to play his quarterback position and look where he is now. Yeah, so yeah, that's right.
Speaker 4:Yeah man. What's something that people would be surprised to know about Aiden Small.
Speaker 10:I say that's a good question, thank you. I say that my music tastes a little different than a lot of people. I say you know, I'm actually about to go to a country concert after this, Actually, yeah, all right, yeah.
Speaker 4:Diverse. I like that. Yeah, that's what I say. Okay, yeah, yeah, that would. That would definitely be one. I would not have thought that all right, I like that, I like that. So, uh and um, go along with that. What's a guilty pleasure? You know what's something. What's a favorite snack cheat meal.
Speaker 10:Uh, let us know about that uh, I say something that's like not normal. You know I don't think too many people would do this. So I say late nights. You know, my go-to thing is to go to Sheetz, go to make a burger and put some mozzarella sticks on there, put hot sauce on there and cheese, provolone cheese, and I call it a day.
Speaker 4:Okay now, how often do you do that?
Speaker 10:Maybe like twice a month, maybe, okay. Okay, yeah, not too much not too much.
Speaker 4:I was about to say, man, I, I did that. I instantly gained like 30 pounds.
Speaker 5:Oh yeah, I mean, but that's that's how that that metabolism changes so, uh, well, I know you, you mentioned, like your music tastes a little different, but what's your playlist before the game, like what gets you amped?
Speaker 10:Yeah, I say that's pretty much normal. I say I listen to Youngboy, you know that is definitely. And also I listen to Rod Wave. I'm sure, yeah, rod Wave, before a game. Yep, yep, before a game. It gets me. I don't know it's going to get me locked in. I don't know it's going to get me locked in.
Speaker 4:I don't know how, but it gets me locked in. I'm telling you I love it, I love it, and so I was going to ask you, as far as legacy goes, you know what legacy do you want to leave behind for Clayton High? But I feel like you already answered that. You know state championship.
Speaker 10:Yes, sir, but I can add more to that. I say, you know, I noticed I've been in this town. I just got here a year ago. So they, this town, has been like great. You know, the fan support, the players, the like, my peers, everybody's been just amazing, showing so much love to me. I just want to like give a shout out to the clayton community. Like they're amazing. I just want to do that.
Speaker 10:yeah, yeah, yeah, but so as long I just want to leave behind my legacy. Of course I want to win that state championship, but I just want everybody to know that I love this school and I love this town.
Speaker 4:I just say that, oh it is man Diego, and I echo that. So you know Diego currently goes to school in Raleigh. We live in Clayton, but you're not going to find two bigger Clayton fans than us.
Speaker 4:You know, we just got, we just got pulled into it. Man, it's such a family, see, you know DJ EJ on the field. It's just such a. You got people tailgate, you know what I mean. Like parachuting out the sky right during the national anthem. Like who, who does that High school football? Like, if you have not been to a Clayton High football game, you need to go to it. It's an experience like no other. So we definitely are excited and cannot wait. And one thing I do want to mention, and we have a question from the audience Everybody here has a wristband.
Speaker 4:Okay, now you know the Pick'em Pros. Our base colors are red, black, white, but you notice these wristbands are blue today and they are in honor of Clayton and they're in honor of Coach Lee. All right, so there's a message on the inside. If you look on the inside, it says Coach Lee, forever, once a comment, always a comment, and that's something that he used to always say. So let's give Coach Lee a big round of applause, mention that. Oh, yes, yes, I want to mention that. And let's go to our audience questions.
Speaker 10:What does it mean for you to be on the team personally? Oh, okay, be on the team personally. I say personally it means a lot because it kind of like back to what I said. Like being on this team is so much different than my old school. Like this team, you're like a part of a whole town. You got a whole town backing you up. So when you're on that field and you know the camera, the lights, everybody's watching you. It's like a surreal feeling. It feels like I'm in college a little bit, like it's everybody's looking at you. It's like it's like it just always gives you motivation to keep working because you just want to get to that point. You know, like I just say like it's a surreal feeling. That's what I say.
Speaker 4:Yeah, Great, great question. Thank you All right. Well, Aiden, we appreciate you stopping through. Uh, enjoy the country concert and I, hey, we're, we're pulling for you.
Speaker 10:We'll be there and best of luck to you yes, sir, thank you for having me on the show thank you.
Speaker 4:applause for Aiden Smalls. Yes, yes, thank you. Hold on a second. All right, all right. Well, it is the NBA finals and we've got to bring our main man man. He's been with us for pretty much the entire season three of Pick'em Pros. My wife nicknamed him C-Pain and that name has just been perfect and it's stuck. We love him and we can't wait to talk about this series of Indiana Pacers. Okc, you will be entertained, so put your hands together for Christopher C Payne Davis. All right, all right, all right, man.
Speaker 6:All right, I got a couple of questions for y'all today because there were some times when them text messages I sent somebody was a little late responding to them. I mean Diego's still asleep. I got a question you still sleeping on the Pacers, or what? What's happening?
Speaker 5:Yep, still sleeping. Gentlemen's sweet Winning four in a row. They only lost that game, so they can win in OKC.
Speaker 6:That what I think all right. So the pacers having by far their worst game in the playoffs in the first half and still beating okc a 64 and 18 team when nobody thought they would be there.
Speaker 5:And you're still asleep yeah, you think about like they had caruso on him right then they switched them off, and they switched them off and got case and wallace on him. So I mean they should. If they stuck with caruso on them, they could have easily locked that up. But they're like nah, we want, we want to win an OKC, so they're like yeah, we're going to let them have this, and then we're going to win an OKC.
Speaker 6:That's what's going on. I'm hearing a lot of ifs, ands and buts when it comes to this Pacers team, though I just I got to, and, derek, I'm going to ask you this question what do you feel about Tyrese?
Speaker 4:Hall, at the very least. Clutch yes, clutch, yes. Now you know it's funny how the whole game. So the rest of the series I'm going to have to watch with the sound off. I cannot listen to the commentator because the whole game it was oh, pacers are only down 12. Oh, pacers are only down 15. I just can't take it anymore. So that's one thing I have to say, but I will give it to him. He has been clutch, he has been clutch. Now I think he had what? 12 points before he shot that clutch shot. Sure, but he has been clutch. I will give him that. I'll give him that.
Speaker 5:Halliburton is playing like an extremely clutch role player.
Speaker 6:That's what he's the engine of that team.
Speaker 5:Yes, pascal Siakam has been the most consistent. Get the hate out of your heart, it's okay. Siakam's been the most consistent.
Speaker 6:It's okay, it's okay.
Speaker 5:He won the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals MVP Most consistency. Yes, there's still 47 other minutes in the game before the last minute of the game.
Speaker 6:Okay, but what matters? At the end of the game, the scoreboard and, in the last minute, who showed up? Who shows up every time?
Speaker 5:What you do in the first 47 matters too.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I would like to put some weight on the first 47 minutes Again, if it now. When he had the ball, I knew that shot was going in. I give him that I knew he was going to make that shot, just like last year when Luka had the ball in the Western Conference Finals. I knew that shot was going in. So he has definitely emerged as one of the most clutch players in the league. But you know who else was very clutch Robert Ory.
Speaker 6:Oh wow, that's crazy. Who would?
Speaker 4:you want with the ball, with no time left but Robert Ory Right, big shot Bob, okay, but is big shot Bob a superstar? No no.
Speaker 6:All right, all right, all right. Well, let you know. Let's go to the thunder of it all, because I can't even address that one. I ain't, I ain't even gonna compare entire is to robert ory is crazy work. But anyway, we're gonna talk about the shay of it all. I mean, mvp has for almost 40 in the first game. Do you think that if OKC somehow loses by whatever miracle, or by Diego Yalstein or saying a gentleman, sweep if they lose, is it a stain on what we're going to think of Shea's season this year? You want me to take that.
Speaker 5:I guess. I mean it's not going to happen, but I guess it would yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah, that would definitely be a stain. That would definitely be a stain. You know they're the overwhelming favorite. They were a nine-and-a-half-point favorite. Last I checked in game one. You know the odds were just incredible for them for this series overall. So, yes, if they lose to the Indiana Pacers out of everything that he has done that's been positive, and now you're not going to find a bigger SGA fan than me it definitely would be a stain For sure. I mean, hey, the Knicks fired their coach for losing to the Pacers Exactly, so there are ramifications that come with losing to the Pacers.
Speaker 5:It's like the Carolina Panthers when they won those two, three games in a row, oh yeah.
Speaker 6:When everyone was firing their coach. That's fair.
Speaker 5:Just like that.
Speaker 6:So, with the OKC of it all, how do you think they can win this series? How do you think that? Just they have to play their game, or is that?
Speaker 4:it.
Speaker 4:Yeah, just, just. Yeah, play it again. They don't have to do anything special, just come out, play ball. This next game, they're going to win by at least 40. It's going to be a 40 point blowout this next game. I think game three will be tight, game three will be tight and then they'll just take it from there. But yeah, no, I'm not concerned at all.
Speaker 4:This is a gentleman's sweep. I tell you what. You know what? Because there's been a lot of people that have expressed optimism with the Pacers. I'm seeing a lot of optimism, a lot of hope, a lot of whatever, but when their feet are held to the fire, I don't know if they're really, really willing to jump. So, you know what? If someone is really really into the Pacers, okay, if you really believe in the Pacers, all right. I got about a thousand reasons right here to prove that you believe in the Pacers, all right. So if you truly believe in the Pacers, if you think they're going to win the finals, then go ahead and put your money where your mouth is, alright, and let's see what's up. Otherwise, I don't want to hear it. Okay, so let me know. Oh dang, I'm still counting my bad. So let me know. Alright, if you believe in the Pacers, then go ahead and put your money where your mouth is.
Speaker 6:Otherwise I don't want to hear it. That's for you. Alright, Pacers in six, let's do it Alright okay, you heard it.
Speaker 4:Alright Pacers in six All right, there we go, there we go, all right.
Speaker 5:Finally made the official pick. Made my official pick.
Speaker 6:You were kind of teasing you were like you know back and forth. Listen, what they already did in OKC shows that they have confidence and they're not afraid of this team. I really like what they could do Now. Afraid of this team, I really like what they could do Now. Again, will it be a high mountain to climb? Yes for sure, but again it's going to be fun, so let's do it. Pacers in six, y'all say okay, cm5. All right. Well, my name's when my mouth is you?
Speaker 4:definitely are All right, we will see. Well, hey, cpay man, it's always a pleasure. So we'll be in studio next week, so we'll have a lot to talk about. We'll go way more in depth and have a lot of fun when we're in studio on Friday next week. Alright, my man, thank you. Alright, put your hands together for Christopher C Wayne Davis.
Speaker 4:All right. Our next guest, ladies and gentlemen, is the founder the founder of the Carolina Basketball League. We cannot wait to share the information about this league with you. As we know, we have so many hoopers here in North Carolina, so please put your hands together. Actually, first I'm going to go ahead and play a quick little intro. All right? Oh, we don't have? Okay, no, we don't have that. You know what? So let's just go ahead. Let me clear this money. Hold on, clear this money off the table. Hold on, clear this money off the table. I'm going to double it. I'm going to double it your battle.
Speaker 4:Yes, yes, yes. My man, my man, my favorite people. So, yeah, I'm so excited to be able to share the Carolina Basketball League. Got the polo on and rep it, and this is the league. I don't want to steal your thunder. I want you to explain what this is all about, but why don't you go ahead and tell us a little bit about the league and what inspired you to start a league specifically for North Carolina and the basketball players here?
Speaker 12:Well, first and foremost, shout out to North Carolina, because we are the basketball state and I'll put us up against anybody else in the entire country. But I'm from Kenston, north Carolina, and I don't mean to brag, but we produce more basketball players per square mile than any other city in the state, so that's where my passion comes from. I'm from Cape Town and I love my city, but I live in Youngsville now with my beautiful wife. Oh, yeah, but this league.
Speaker 12:But this league is really about providing an opportunity. There's so many great basketball players that have been stuck in the AAU loop, don't have an opportunity after high school, and so few of them make it to college to play, and so even more few than that make it to the NBAs or the overseas to play. So this league is really about providing a consistent opportunity for these basketball players in the state.
Speaker 4:Right, I love that.
Speaker 5:And so why do you feel like there's such a big gap after high school and college, and how does the CBL fill that void?
Speaker 12:Well, it's very simple, man. I think the status. 3.5% of high school basketball players actually make it to college across the entire country. Only 1.8% of that make it to the pros and not even half of that stays beyond three years. So the opportunity that the CPL provides is really about just showing that, hey, for one, we're the best when it comes to basketball. For two, we still want to play. It's that simple. We want to play ball, we want to play ball. We want to play ball at a higher level.
Speaker 12:I mean, just imagine if every college in the state decided to come together and create a league and they all submit their 15 best players across eight different cities, no matter what the college is. The 15 best players and they all represent that one area. Duke and Carolina alone would sell out year round. Those two teams combine the rivalry that we share in this state. By the way, duke is the best I don't want to hear nothing else about it, but those two colleges alone would prop up this state, not to mention one of the most consistent basketball programs since I've been a kid, and that's Wake Forest University, not to mention one of the top HBCU basketball teams.
Speaker 12:That's one Salem State, not to mention up and coming top HBCU basketball teams. That's one Salem State, not to mention up-and-coming HBCU basketball team in Fayetteville. So there's too many ballers in this area for there not to be more consistent opportunity. And yes, we have our local rec men's leagues and our youth leagues, but what about a grander stage? I mean, if you look at how many different baseball teams we have across the state the High Point Rockers, winston-salem Dash right, greensboro Grasshoppers or whatever their name is now Imagine if we gave that same support to these basketball players. That means about 30 percent of the high school students in this state that play basketball would have a second chance. That's right.
Speaker 12:That means they would have that opportunity to show their skill and actually prove that they belong in a better place. Because, let's be honest, I can handpick 15 guys from any city in this state and we would probably beat the Charlotte Hornets right now. And I love my Hornets, don't get me wrong. I love my Hornets, but real talk, basketball in this state it's a different pedigree, it's incredible.
Speaker 12:It's definitely incredible, you got your Rucker Parker, new York I love it. You got your Houston Street Ballers I love it, you got. You know, ball is life. That travels all over the country but right here, whenever they come to this area, they sell out. Whenever they come to this area, they have the best competition, the highest views, every single time, love it.
Speaker 4:So tell us about one of the things that I feel separates your league. Why don't we drop the website?
Speaker 12:Oh yeah, cblhoopscom, that's C-B-L-H-O-O-P-Scom, cblhoopscom.
Speaker 4:Check it out, cblhoopscom. So one of the things that separates your league with your vision is the player combine. Yes, so I love that. So let's talk about the combine, how important official stats are and metrics and whatnot. Tell us about that.
Speaker 12:So the Carolina combine is a monthly membership program we're going to be starting very soon. It's going to be $15 a month. If anybody has ever played in the local men's league, they normally charge you $80 to $160 to $200 to play or they might charge you a team fee. This small amount of money will allow you to access every single event we have around the state. Right now we're actually looking to partner with event promoters across the state in multiple cities that already host these men's leagues and one-on-one tournaments. If you pay that membership, you will be able to go and participate in every single CBL sanctioned event, whether that's a men's league, a one-on-one tournament, a women's league, a youth league, whatever that might be. $15 a month is your entry fee. Not only that, but this is where that opportunity comes into play. During the year we will be keeping track of every player's stats, and the reason we're doing that is because the best players from these areas will represent the team for their city and then we will compete in official summer league for a state championship. Oh, wow.
Speaker 5:So can you walk us through the structure like what a typical CBL season looks like.
Speaker 12:Oh for sure. So once the Carolina Combine is kicked off officially, we're going to be looking at every single player stats. We're going to pick three players per position. This is not positionless basketball. We're getting back to defense and structured offense. The games are going to be 12 minute quarters under college rules, four quarters. We are going to be 12-minute quarters under college rules, four quarters.
Speaker 12:We're going to take the passion that college players have and the college fans have and replicate that on the local circuit. The best players will play, it doesn't matter man, woman, doesn't matter, 18 or older, the best player will play. The best point guard will get their shot, the best shooting guard, and so on. Now, once the season kicks off, every team will play each other twice. Once you've played each other twice, the best record will be seeded in a single round elimination bracket and then, of course, the final two teams will compete for the championship. But once that's over, it's back to the grind, back to the one-on-one tournaments, back to the local leagues, because every player has to compete for their spot during our offseason.
Speaker 4:I love that, love that. So. So, elijah, what would you say to the hooper that's at home wondering if it's too late? What would you say to them about joining the CBL?
Speaker 12:It's only too late. If you say it's too late, I don't care if you're 50, 60, 70. If you have the talent, if you have the consistency, if you have the passion for this game, get up, come out and play. The best player is a player. It's that simple All right.
Speaker 4:We have a question from the audience.
Speaker 12:Okay, my question was really like when did you wake up right early in the morning.
Speaker 5:You were just like I'm going to make a league, I'll make a basketball league.
Speaker 12:Oh man, my 21st birthday. I was in Columbia, south Carolina. It was a couple of years before I met my wife actually down there, and I was in an area it's a college apartment and I woke up to go to the mailbox and in this place there's a basketball court down there and it never failed. Every morning there's about 20 to 30 guys down there playing. It reminded me of my hometown. When I wake up in Kinston, in my hometown, the first thing I hear across the street is everybody at MO Web Park playing basketball. Even when there wasn't a hoop, they were still playing. So that's really what it was about for me. I wanted to see those guys play. I can't do it no more. The arch is in my feet, phil. My back hurt, my neck hurt. I don't know what's going on. I'm getting up there, so I want to make sure I can provide that opportunity for the players coming after me that still want to compete and the players that came before me as well. Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 4:Thank you for the question.
Speaker 5:So what fuels you to build this league? Is it like a personal journey, or do you see it becoming something bigger than yourself?
Speaker 12:To be honest, it started very selfish. I love basketball. It's that simple. It's my first passion. However, it became a position of service for me where I can actually serve the people that I cared about. It's no secret that nobody really likes working a nine to five right, so I figured, if I can make some money for myself and provide for my family while still providing an opportunity for my community, everybody wins, and that's what it's really about for me.
Speaker 4:So, elijah, I love that man and thank you for creating this league, and I can't wait for you to talk to some of the people that's in the crowd here after the show. So again, we got the Space Tilt team. Dj will be playing bowling, networking and all of that. But, elijah, let's get you out on this man Sales pitch. You have a one-minute pitch to sell a player on CBL.
Speaker 12:Oh man.
Speaker 4:What do you say? One-minute pitch.
Speaker 12:I don't even think I need a minute. It's very simple. If you want to play, come play. If you want your shot, come take it. I'm going to make sure everybody has an equal and fair opportunity to show their skill. Like I said before, the best player will play.
Speaker 4:Love it All right. Yes, oh, man, we can't wait to align with you. I know we have a lot in store with the CBL. We're going to make it, make it big. So thank you for joining us, and we'll talk some more after the show yes, sir, thank you put your hands together for Elijah Battle. All right, ladies and gentlemen, we have a quick video to play, and then we'll get into our next guest, Mr Jaden Gray. To Morris Jordan yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:I pick him like a pro. Go to the top of the pick and roll. We're going up the score touchdown. This is not a field goal. Let's go. We're going up to score a touchdown. This is not a field goal. We, the winning team, champions, we walk Woo Woo Woo.
Speaker 4:Y'all don't want none of this boy right here. Put your hands together for Clayton Hodge very own Clayton Hodge very own. Jaden Gray Woo. All right. Yes, jade man, it is a pleasure to have you here on set. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 15:Thank you all, man. It's a great opportunity.
Speaker 4:Yeah, yeah, absolutely so. Yeah, man man, we uh again.
Speaker 4:You know we're in a lot of the games and watched you guys and we've been, you know, following you and we know that you know this, this upcoming senior year is going to be big for you. But we definitely saw, saw flashes just when you would get in and saw what you can do, and we're so excited that you know, we feel like you're starting to get some of the recognition that you deserve, and we know this is going to be a monster year for you. But uh, let me start you with with a fun question here. So you clearly have the vert that a lot of us admire. You know reminds me a little bit of myself back in the day when I was looking up there just skying and just making business decisions when you're in the air, but then you also have a have that sweet jumper. So, man, man, you know what came first? Was it the bounce or was it the J?
Speaker 15:I would have to say the bounce. Ever since I was little I always had this goal at my house and it's just an adjustable goal like a lot of people grow up with. And ever since I was little, you know like little little I would have it down on 7 1⁄2, and I would always practice dunking. And you know like little little. I would, you know, have it down on seven and a half and I would always practice dunking. And you know, once I would dunk on seven and a half, then I'd move up to seven and three quarters eight, you know, all the way up until I got to ten. And you know dunking was always a goal of mine.
Speaker 15:Ever since before I even took basketball serious. You know, I just wanted to dunk so I would have to say the bounce. You know my dad he played, you know, three sports in high school, ended up playing college baseball. So he was a big athlete and I really, you know, I would say the bounce is really what came first.
Speaker 4:All right, bounce came first. So, diego, I think there's hope. Man, yeah, there might be, yeah. So we're going to get the goal at the house. We're going to set it at about about about nine, nine and a half. No, no, no, no, about about six and a half, about six and a half. We'll start there consistently. Get that. And then, yeah, you laid out the blueprint that's not.
Speaker 15:That's how I got there.
Speaker 5:That's how I'm touching backboard. Man, I'm getting up there okay, all right all right I.
Speaker 4:I'm going to have to see proof of that.
Speaker 15:Yeah, ok, he's starting. It's eight and a half.
Speaker 5:All right. So you're known as an underrated star, so do you like embrace that role or are you just like ready for people to like take notice?
Speaker 15:So last year, you know, I had a Clayton was very talented, so I feel like a lot of my teammates, you know they they had established themselves, and I was kind of just younger than them kind of behind them, and so that kind of accepted that role is like an underrated guy. This year, going forward, though, you know, I'm looking forward to hopefully stepping into a bigger role. You know that's that's one of my, my goals for this year, and I know, you know, I'm going to have to play a big part and do a lot this year. So I'm looking forward to, you know, making my name known. You know, when I step into a gym, I want people to know who I am, and so that's the difference between this year and last year, it's. You know, I feel like I got to do more this year and I'm looking to do more this year.
Speaker 4:Nice, nice, yeah, yeah, I can't wait to watch the season and see all that you do, man, you know what? Let me stop and acknowledge because I wish I had, because this would have been on that screen, gardner.
Speaker 15:Yeah.
Speaker 4:Man, I wanted to find those dunks because right after that game we saw on social media there was this classic picture of you where you're like totally horizontal and holding on to the rim. That's one of the coldest pictures. So we're going to have to find that man.
Speaker 15:Yeah, I had it, but then I broke my phone and I lost all my pictures.
Speaker 4:We're going to have to find that. We're going to have to find that. So who would you say you modeled your game after?
Speaker 15:Growing up I was a big you know my dad's from Kentucky, so we're real big Kentucky fans and you know I feel like a lot of my game, you know, is like getting to the basket. You know I love to dunk stuff like that. So I would say I'm a big De'Aaron Fox fan. Yeah, big De'Aaron Fox, I just love to get out in transition and stuff like that and I feel like that would be a great person to model my game after and what I really take after.
Speaker 4:Oh yeah, that would be a great person.
Speaker 5:Yes, you mentioned that this is a big year coming up, so what's your mindset going into the year and what do you want to prove to people? For?
Speaker 15:me, the biggest goal I want to prove is obviously, like I said, we lost a lot of talent going into this year, but I want to still prove, with what we got, that we can still win at a high level. We were preseason number one before we went through a little dry spell last year and I just want to prove that we can still win at a high level even without the guys that we lost. And I think you know if me and Khalil and Cam you know all of us play the way we know we can, I think we can still do that. You know the play style will be a little different, but I feel like we can definitely definitely get the job done the right way if that's what we all can collectively agree on as our goals. Absolutely, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah, oh yeah.
Speaker 4:So you know you're playing AAU ball right now and playing on John Wall's AAU team. Oh yeah, that's a very big deal, very big deal. So just tell us what has that experience been like playing on that team and how does that shape the game?
Speaker 15:You know, just playing at the level you know and being around people that have been at that level. A lot of my teammates are also new to Team Wall, so just a lot of us coming from a lot of different places. I'd never known any of them before. So I feel like playing against that comp with them together is really obviously you want to play against people better, if not better than you. It really helps shape your game.
Speaker 15:Another thing that Team Wall has really helped me with is we're not very big, and so I feel like that really is going to help me at clayton this year, because it's I feel like our play style is going to be very similar to what it is at clayton this year. You know we're a team wall, we're not very tall. You know we got a lot of guards, a lot of forwards, but no, no big guys. So I think you know that'll be a really, really good transition to high school. And also, you know I've been playing the one a lot at Team Wall, which also you know losing Quayshawn and you know Aiden, I don't.
Speaker 15:You know I think I'm gonna have to step up and play the one this year and I've been a mainly a two for most of my high school career so yeah that's, you know, I think him our coach, you know, coach tony has really helped me with that and really put me in a position to succeed with that, so I've been very grateful for that good, good, yeah, we look.
Speaker 4:Okay, we look forward to seeing you play, play some point. I didn't know that all right man.
Speaker 5:So what's the best advice you've gotten from a coach, and how's that advice stuck with you?
Speaker 15:this. This advice actually came this year. I completely, completely, when we were in the tournament it was a pretty big tournament and we played some really good competition and I just completely had a terrible tournament, just terrible tournament, couldn't get anything to fall, couldn't get anything to go in, and I was like dang man, like went home bummed. I was like that can't happen. I'm trying to play at the next level. And after that tournament, you know I was getting calls, phone calls, you know, out with all these college coaches, and I went up to my coach, coach Tony for Team Wall, my Team Wall coach, and I was like man, what's happening, you know? Like I've, you know I've heard from some schools but like it's typically, you get that after a good game, you know.
Speaker 15:And he was like this is the advice he gave me. He was like, look man, you know shots weren't falling for you this weekend. You know it wasn't your weekend, but guess what? You out there, you were trying hard, you were playing defense, you were playing the right way and you were taking recruitable looks. That's what he said to me. He said this is recruitable looks Like you don't always have to go out there and score your most amount of points you know do all this and that you know be the flashiest player out there. I didn't have a great weekend at all and I still, to this day that's the most coaches I've heard from after a weekend and it was probably it was by far my worst offensive weekend that I've ever had. So just, you know that advice he gave me that really sunk in and then my perspective changed after that because that was, you know, a big turning point for me.
Speaker 4:Just, I was like dang, I really put things into perspective yeah, that that was phenomenal advice because, as many people in the crowd can attest, somebody's always watching somebody. Somebody is always watching and especially, you know, it's easy to be a great teammate when you're balling, you know, but how are you going to react when you're not playing well? So, yeah, that was fantastic advice. I love that. So let's talk about recruiting for a little bit here. So if a college coach you know asked why should we recruit, uh, jayden gray? Uh, what would your answer be? I feel like if I was a college coach just asking me, oh, why should I recruit Jaden Gray? What would your answer be?
Speaker 15:I feel like if a college coach is asking me, why should I recruit you, I feel like I just tell him what I can do, show him what I can do. I feel like I can get downhill. I play defense. That's one thing that was big for me in Clayton Defense. I can shoot the ball and then plus, a big thing is off the court.
Speaker 15:I'm good in the classroom. My parents have always been on me about my grades and just something like you know, like the classroom, that really separates. You know there's a bunch of good basketball players out there, but being great in the classroom, that really really separates. You know, like a lot of the coaches I've heard from, one of the first questions they ask is how are you at school? So you know being able to answer that and tell them the truth and give them a really strong answer, you know that's been huge and, like I said, you know I feel like I could do everything on the basketball court. So if you pair that with me being good in school, I feel like that's why a college coach should recruit me.
Speaker 4:I like that. I like that. Yeah, and everybody wants a smart player. You know they definitely want that. Yeah, and everybody wants a smart player. They definitely want that. So another question on recruiting Are there any colleges on your radar? Tell us at least what you can share as far as how that's going for you right now.
Speaker 15:I've been blessed to hear from a lot of colleges this summer. It's really blown up and I've received a couple offers and I'm very, very blessed for that. But some schools that I would love to hear from, from and I've talked to Campbell a little bit.
Speaker 15:Um, love to keep talking to them, but also, like Garner Webb, you know, I'd love to love to hear from a Garner Webb type school and I feel like I would be, I'd be very, very happy to hear from them. Um, haven't yet but, like I said, I've heard from Campbell a little bit and I've received received some offers from some smaller schools. So that's, you know, very blessed to do that and just blessed to get four more years.
Speaker 15:You know, because at the end of the day, with how the transfer portal is and stuff now even if you've got to go somewhere and transfer up, you know that's a possibility. So just grateful for four more years. But definitely if I had to pick two schools I would love to hear from is campbell and and garner webb all right, all right.
Speaker 4:Campbell garner webb. We want to.
Speaker 5:We want to hear from you, want to hear from you and so what do you do to like chill outside of basketball? Is it, like you know? Hang with your friends, listen to music, video games, like I definitely play the game.
Speaker 15:You know, I'm always on you know fortnight, I'm always on fortnight.
Speaker 15:What's funny is Aiden's not here anymore, but I see Aiden the pickleball course all the time. We're out there, we're out there playing pickleball all the time. So I see Aiden a lot out there. I play pickleball a lot, me and my friends. We go out there. That you know, we play a lot. I do that. You know I'm big into fishing. I do a lot of fishing, so I fish a lot. I fish. You know the same friends I go put pickleball with. They're all into fishing too, so we go fishing. And then at night it's when we go play pickleball because it's so hot. But we definitely fishing and pickleball. We're big on that, big on that.
Speaker 4:We do that a lot all right more more proof that pickleball is not an old head sport man?
Speaker 5:not at all.
Speaker 15:I thought it was an old head when we go, when we go out there, it's, it's a lot of, it's a lot of high schoolers, college kids, definitely not an old head sport yeah, man, I did not know that.
Speaker 4:Y'all are enlightening me. Yeah, I feel better, I feel better. So, jayden, what? What's the defining moment, or what has been a defining moment for you, when you said, okay, yeah, I'm, I'm built for this?
Speaker 15:like you mentioned earlier, that Garner game and that Garner game was awesome. I, from you know not even just from my standpoint, just the team standpoint you know we slipped up and lost to Garner twice during the regular season and you know we didn't feel like we should have lost those games and still don't, but you know to be able to get them back, how we did in the conference championship. And you know just how it went for me. You know I got ejected from that game but you should not have.
Speaker 15:I don't I agree I don't think I should have got ejected, but um just the game. That game was so much fun that game was a ton of fun it was, that was yeah.
Speaker 4:But you, you just instill so much confidence in the team and you know the reason. Again, you got ejected because the referee claimed that you were pulling up on the rim. You pulled up a little bit but it wasn't enough to be you know in text and thrown out of the game. And you know. You know you're OK when you get thrown out the game and the coach is like running up to you capping you up going yeah, yeah.
Speaker 15:Yeah, the first one I probably should have got a tech for, but the second one I didn't think that was a tech. I thought you know he was just, he was really watching, he was looking to give one out. That's what I thought. But no, yeah, kenny came over. And Coach Kenny came over, dapped me up and was like man, you got this. He was like you got to go back to the locker room, but I'll see you after the game.
Speaker 4:Yeah, for sure. That was a great moment and we'll get you out of here on this, jaden. So finish this sentence for me by the end of my senior year.
Speaker 15:People will know me as I want to be known as someone who was selfless, you know. I want to be known as someone who won Like I said said I think I want to win a conference championship outright this year. You know we, like I said, garner got us in the regular season um this year and we ended up getting them in the conference tournament championship. But I really want to win it all this year. I want to win and I want to win the the conference tournament and regular season, you know and just win it outright and be able to have that as I leave, because not too many people can say that. You know, garner's always good competition every year after year and that's always one of our biggest games. So if we could go 2-0 against Garner and 2-0 against Cleveland, I think that'll be how I want to be remembered as as someone who went out as a winner and a good teammate.
Speaker 4:Definitely I love that. Well, man, you have a great head on your shoulders. We're very, very impressed. It was great to finally sit down and talk to you, and we're excited to follow you for your senior year.
Speaker 15:Yes, sir, I just want to thank you all for the opportunity it's been great, thank you.
Speaker 4:All right, all right, we are very excited Again, as all of our guests, man, all of our guests are special to us and you know, this next guest is no exception to that. Um zykyra has been a great uh friend of uh pick'em pros, a great partner of pick'em pros, uh, as well as the gridiron gang, so they've been, you know, day one supporters. Yeah, oh, yes, yes, so excited. But before we bring Zakiara on, we have a little video to play, a little short 20-second video to get you amped up. You know, when you about to play some football, you got to get hype, so we need to get y'all ready to get hype. All right, all right, let's get hype real quick. To Foraris Jordan.
Speaker 4:Yeah, there we go and we're hyped. Put your hands together for Zakira Casano, here we go. Well, welcome.
Speaker 14:Hello, hello, hello, everybody, gang gang go.
Speaker 4:Well, welcome, hello, hello, hello everybody. Gang gang, gang gang is definitely in the building. So, uh, wow, you know, you know you're running things well, you're. You know behind the scenes, you know doing a lot and, uh, you know playing on the team. You wear many hats, you have a lot, but uh, what's your biggest challenge? Being behind the scenes on the operations on the football side and also being the starting center for the team?
Speaker 14:Well, first of all, thank you for having us having me here when I was injured. It was easy because I couldn't play, but when you are able to play, it's really a challenge to focus on that more than what it takes behind the scenes to keep everything going. So, um, I think just the urge and the want to be able to be on the field is probably the biggest challenge. But, um, you know, it's like anything, you just figure out how to do both all right, all right so, uh, who's your funniest teammate and who is the loudest in the huddle?
Speaker 14:It was actually a debate between the funniest is either Cam or Ja. The loudest would be me. All right, I would be the loudest, yeah, but yeah, you were leading the huddle. Yeah, I got my Grandma Alice voice.
Speaker 4:I love that. You know being an old school Chicago Bulls, you know hearing what time is it? You know all that. I love hearing that that was Ray Lewis. That's right. That's Ray Lewis, that's right. That's where that came from. So you are an inspiration to many, many people, including, obviously, women. What would be your message to women that, just to you know, follow their past dreams. What message do you have for women?
Speaker 14:Well, I would say definitely. We only live once. So whatever it is that you would like to do, you should do it. I know, back when I was younger, before high school, I loved football, but we weren't really allowed to play football. Then you know. Now it's a sport that I think is such a huge future. You know, and you know, if it's sports that you want to get involved in, whether you are in high school or like us, we're adults with full-time jobs and all of that, and we still figure out ways to get out there. So it's really whatever you put your mind to. Well, this is what I will say If it's in your mind, I don't believe God can play those kind of games. So if it's in your mind, you're supposed to be doing it, so definitely do it.
Speaker 4:I like that, I like that, and you work hard. The team is always practicing and you all yeah, practice today.
Speaker 5:Yes, yes yes, so yes, good after so a woman's flag football is growing fast and uh, how do you see it? How do you see the sport evolving in north carolina and beyond?
Speaker 14:well, definitely north carolina. You know we have um eight. We have different formats here. I see it being pretty big here in North Carolina. We have grown pretty extensively Overall. You know, I don't know if y'all noticed, but flag will be in the Olympics in 2028. So we play contact flag. I don't know if contact flag will be in the Olympics, but we definitely. I see it being a huge, huge opportunity for a lot of women. You know whether they want to play contact, non-contact. There's so many different. I'm playing fives for the first time this month, which I never played, that actual format and yeah, I think it's a huge opportunity for people, whatever your age group is, whether you're.
Speaker 4:I think it's a huge opportunity for people, whatever your age group is whether you're 40, like me, or if you are high school or you know, it's definitely a lot of opportunity. So you juggle a lot, you're behind the scenes with the team, you play for the team and you also are entrepreneur Right and have many. But you have media business. You have many things that you do. How do you and again, you know mother just everything? How do you juggle all that you do?
Speaker 14:um time management. I will say um. I read this book called the four hour work week a long time ago you know about the four.
Speaker 14:That's one of my favorite books yes, that really helped me to be able to balance, um, the different hats that I wear. You know what I mean, because they don't really they don't kind of coincide with each other. You know, one is football, one is daycare, one is, like you said, media. So it's, it's um, if you, if you do, have multiple things that you want to do, um, I know oprah say it best. She said you can, you can do whatever you want, just not all at the same time. So, literally throughout the day, I do this for these few hours, this on this hour, but, yeah, just some time management.
Speaker 4:Yeah, for sure, yeah, and that's a great, great, great line by Oprah. So what's the hardest hat for you to take off?
Speaker 14:Football, sorry, football, football, sorry Football. We will practice be two hours, we still be there for three and a half hours and then you think about football later and you know it's actually funny because it's not. You know they say manage the business that pay you. But you know it's like, it's such an, it's a healthy addiction, it's just so much fun. I mean I've been playing almost eight years now. Yeah, it's been that long. And you know it's like when are you going to stop?
Speaker 14:But that's probably the hardest hat to take off. You know the other hats I have to wear them where this one is kind of like you try to put it on as much as you can, but it's a lot of fun, it keeps you healthy. You like you try to put it on as much as you can, but it's a lot of fun. It keeps you healthy, makes you. You know you can't be out there, just not putting in the work physically and mentally, but definitely physically. You got to put in the work if you're still going to be out there, at least at my age. You know the young bucks can go out there and you're going to cramp up, but you know you got to definitely put the work in.
Speaker 4:Oh, yeah, where I. You got to definitely put the work in. Oh yeah, y'all put the work. I see you on the ladder and doing everything. Y'all put that work in, kind of inspiring me. You know, I think there's some senior leagues out there for men in football.
Speaker 14:I might be able to get out there and do a little something. They have 35 and up. Now they have 40 and up. They have a lot of different. Look at the they churn it. They have a lot of different formats to really, you know, fit everybody.
Speaker 4:Yeah, love that. All right, we have a question from the audience.
Speaker 13:That's my girl, okay.
Speaker 14:So what position do you play and why do you love playing it? Well, currently I'm a center. I've played almost every position except for safety. Okay, um, but currently I am a center. Um, I play that because I could barely move. Now, no, I'm just kidding, um, but no, I'm a center because you know one of the hardest things as a center you have to be able to snap and block, and you know I've been able to work on that pretty good. Sometimes I have my moments, but that's the position I currently play. I'm on the line, okay. Yeah, I love rushing, but I did have two injuries. That's where I got hurt. But I don't know, I got to work towards that. If I want to get that's my favorite position, yeah, I don't know, I got to work towards that. If I want to get that's my favorite position, yeah, it's rushing. So what do you like about rushing the adrenaline to get back there, to get to the quarterback? It's, it's kind of toxic, but I do. I do like that position. Yeah.
Speaker 14:Thank you, we recruit. In two.
Speaker 4:Yeah. Yeah, yeah, you want to get out there, debbie. Maybe not today. So, yes, z, I can attest to that because I saw you. So the first time I saw you all play, right, there was a play, okay, so you're on offense, right, I don't know if it was a pick or a fumble or whatever, but one of the players broke free and then you, you walked them down at the end and I, when I threw my body, yeah, and I think you, I think you tackled him I was like okay, is this?
Speaker 14:I thought this was flag football it's contact. Oh, okay, okay, that's how we, that's how we I know which play you're talking about. Well, you technically can't tackle people, but you can body them up. As long as you come up with the flag, it's legal.
Speaker 4:Okay, you got it. As Shaquille O'Neal says, touch them up a little bit.
Speaker 14:Right, right, exactly.
Speaker 4:Okay, alright, I like that. I like that.
Speaker 5:So where do you want to take gridiron gang in the next two, three years?
Speaker 14:we're definitely looking to put some uh medals behind our back, meaning some championships, um. We just acquired our new coach, um, where he's actually actually um have won championships and that's where we really want to get to. Um, that way I could retire, let me stop. But, um, that's definitely where the direction we're going. There's um local championships, there's tournaments that's coming up we'll be in Virginia Beach this month. Atlanta next month um, we will be in North Carolina has a big tournament, if anybody wants to come out for Clash of Carolinas in August, um, and then you know our normal season league, and then the big thing is January, martin Luther King weekend. Everybody who is involved in that in flag football will be in Florida. Ok, so that's where there's never been a national champion from North Carolina. So you know everyone that, all the teams that we do have here are working towards that.
Speaker 5:So all right, saying there's a lot of talent out there. So how do more women get involved in a flag football, especially the the ones that thought they'd never like play?
Speaker 14:I'm so glad you asked that they can go right to gridiron gang page. Let me stop. But seriously, they there's um many ways you can get started, um, you know we have practices two to three times a week. They can follow us on instagram or facebook, um, but there's also lots of other teams as well. So if you're not local here, there's some teams in fayetteville, there's some teams in charlotte, you know. So there's, um you know, array of teams, but of course I would tell y'all to come to gridiron gang, all right yeah, yes, yes, that's right, gridiron gang.
Speaker 4:So if you could have dinner with any sportswoman, who would it be?
Speaker 14:flojo, flojo yeah I liked her style. She reminds me of, I feel like um shikari is like her incarnation of her in some aspects. I just liked how she was still able to be herself and still kill it on the field. You know, like you go on the field, I try my best to still be me, but you still got to play football, so she really inspires me in that way. Yeah.
Speaker 4:And my final, final question for you is what is your personal? Why? What keeps you pushing forward every single?
Speaker 14:I have um two sons and they are older now. I can't believe how old they are, but they are, and so I always think of what can I do today to build and add to my legacy and to do things that are going to just contribute to that. So that's they're really my wise. You know they keep me going, I try my best to be an example for them and you know so those two are my whys, yeah.
Speaker 4:That's great. Those are great whys. Yeah, Great whys for sure. All right, well, it is a pleasure to have you here. We love just being aligned with you and sponsors of Gridiron Gang. We've got to get out and check out another game and see you in action.
Speaker 14:We always have.
Speaker 4:So much fun. Yeah, we get to get out there, so I know we need to get out there and see you again, but thank you for joining.
Speaker 14:And if I could just say thank you for being a sponsor. We appreciate you so much and if anybody else would like to help sponsor anything with gridiron gang, we would love your support.
Speaker 4:Absolutely yes, yes, yes. Support Gridiron Gang. We want to see them go all the way to the top, so please support them.
Speaker 2:All right, ladies and gentlemen put your hands together for Zakira Asado.
Speaker 4:All right, ladies and gentlemen, we are excited to talk about something big that's coming to the area and bringing our next guest, mr Jatovi McDuffie. But before we bring him on, we have a little something to play here, just to promo and show you what is coming up To Morris Jordan. All right, ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Jatovi McDuffie. Thank you, jatovi. It's a big pleasure to have you here with us today because you are very involved in the community and we just love that.
Speaker 4:And you are establishing you and a group of others are establishing a new fundraiser for the city of Durham, north Carolina, that centers around gaming. So there's going to be a big gaming event in October. We're going to have you tell everybody about that, but the only way that you can watch this gaming event that's going to benefit so many organizations in the city of Durham is on the Pick'em Pros YouTube channel. It's going to live stream. It's going to be a five-hour gaming live stream. That's going to be on our YouTube channel at the Durham Bulls ballpark. But with that, tori, let me give it to you and give us a little more details on it.
Speaker 8:Oh, you want the full breakdown of it and how it's going to work. Yes, sir, but first and foremost, just like you started the show, I'm coming in hot. All right, okay, hey, let's do it. Okay, seeing six.
Speaker 4:Okay, all right. Yes, yes, my man, my man, I mean, it is a sports show, so I got to pick up quick.
Speaker 8:Oh yeah, that's right. You know I didn't want to start off with the serious stuff to begin with. So yeah, OKC in six. And yes, Halliburton is a superstar, he's just, he is not your typical superstar.
Speaker 5:Okay.
Speaker 8:So that's what you know. I had to come in hot with that because I heard earlier yeah, Okay, so that's what you know. I had to come in hot with that because I heard earlier, yeah, we got to give the man a props. I mean, he has been the most clutch player in the playoffs this year. He has been better than Robert, or he has in the past. He actually was better than, honestly, Reggie Miller when he dropped 12 in that last minute.
Speaker 5:Well, Tyree Taliburn had 12 in the whole game three days ago.
Speaker 8:Yep, he sure did but did he win the game?
Speaker 5:He did win the game, but so did Reggie Miller.
Speaker 8:That's the thing. If you play the game, what did Hermann would say? We play to win the game, that's all that matters. So let me rewind it back to the actual defending Durham. This is how it all ties in. And see, you know, as I pick OKC in six, I can respect Tyrese Halliburton because he's playing for his team. If you think about what defending Durham is all about, who is the most influential person in your life outside of your family?
Speaker 4:Influential. Oh, my wife, your wife. Yeah, isn't that your family? Oh yeah, that is my family, that's true. That's true. I was thinking my parents when you said that.
Speaker 8:I can actually answer that for you. Okay, it's probably a teacher. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. So when we think about defending Durham, that's again it. So when we think about defending Durham, that's again it's to fundraise to help DPS, the Durham public school system, durham fire department, durham police department, durham EMS and western North Carolina. These are all influential people in your life. You don't know it, but when you're walking home at night, what protects you at night? What do you? You've got the fireman that protects your house. You've got the PD that protects your life. You've got EMS that brings you back. Yes, and you got teachers that lead you down the way, people that never ever get appreciated the way they should. So that's what defending Durham is all about and that's why, for example, today I got my good friends Lindsay and India out here. They're from the Durham public school system. They're actually participating in defending Durham because those five organizations SANS, western North Carolina, because Western North Carolina it's tough to get them to participate and actually have them have a team in.
Speaker 8:So, because of the size of the Durham public school system, and when we talk about the school system, what's the first thing you think of? What's the first thing you think of Anybody in the crowd, yell it out Anybody. What you got? A teacher, what else you got? Just teachers. Yeah, you know who else is in the school system the bus driver, the custodian, the individual that actually gets these teachers paid all these individuals are part of the school system that we never even think about. So when we're talking about again defending Durham, tyrese Halliburton he plays not only for himself but his teammates. He's a great role player, yes, but he is an all-star, but he plays for everybody on that team, just like all these teachers, all the custodians. You know the mechanics that fix the buses. When was the last time they got thanked at all? So when we think about again the school system, the police department because even in the police department you know they got people that work the desk when you call and I'm not talking about 9-1-1. I'm talking about when you call to say, hey, I need to find out some information, for that's not 9-1-1. I'm talking about when you call to say, hey, uh, I need to find out some information, for that's not 9-1-1, that's a different phone number. Those people also never get thanked EMS, the people that drive. I mean, we don't think about these things.
Speaker 8:So, again, defending Durham is about putting these people in the spotlight, allowing them to showcase their skills as they play video games, because there's another hidden piece to this. I see some young people in the crowd right, you're a teacher. You see them as a leader. You don't see them as a person. Right, you're the police officer. I see some older heads in here with some gray hair, even in the beard. When you see the police officer or the fireman, do you think of that police officer or that fireman as a person who lives right next door to you, or do you think of them as an individual that I have to always respect and just I can't relate with because they're on a different level? That's the point again.
Speaker 8:Another issue, a thing with defending Durham is the reason why these teachers are playing, the bus drivers are playing, the police department are playing, the firemen are playing. I want to break that wall. I want to get through there and say, hey, look, I want this kid sitting right here in the front row to say, hey, look, they play Fortnite. I play Fortnite. Hey, you want that smoke. I want that to happen, because that's a different relationship now, because if you ever get in trouble, you know what you can do that person. You're now playing Fortnite with that.
Speaker 8:Now, you see, more so than just a teacher or a leader I see as a friend, a confidant, somebody I can respect and talk to and work with. Same thing with the old heads. If you play spades, yeah, yeah, I'm going back. I'm going back. You play spades. Oh, you want to go back further? You play dominoes? Okay, okay, you know I'll break the table. Oh, lord, you one of them.
Speaker 8:So if you break the table, yes, but the thing is, if you break the table with somebody, like a police officer, you're not going to normally do that with a police officer, but if they're out there, if they have the outfit and you having fun, you're going to. Now you can, yeah, but now, if you can relate with them on a different level, bring them over to your house. They break your table and you cheering them on. That's the thing, that's the wall that we have to get through and, again, defending Durham is all about that. So, when we're putting this on October 19th, it's about allowing these teachers, these school assistants, these EMS, the police department, all of them to showcase who they are, naturally, so then we can break down that wall. We can also together support them so we bring in a better, a bigger community, and it just continues to grow, because the only way we're going to survive, especially these days and times, is if we support one another as a community, as a whole.
Speaker 4:I love it. Well, we cannot wait to be there. You know we're going to bring we're definitely going to bring the commentary, and it's going to be fun. Oh, yeah, a lot of fun. Soay, october 19th, 1 pm. That's right. Yeah, 1 pm, durham bulls athletic park again. You can watch it on the youtube, uh, the pick'em pros youtube channel, and, of course, you'll be able to donate all day long and the website itself is pretty simple defending durhamorg.
Speaker 8:We're taking donations from today all the way up to the day of. We're trying to reach a goal of 250,000. We have five teams involved. That means 50,000 will go to the Durham Public Schools system, 50,000 will go to Durham EMS, durham Fire, durham Police Department and Western North Carolina. We also which, lindsay, india, corey who's sitting in the back, my good buddy Also, just because you know, as a father, we are supposed to embarrass our kids. Oh, no doubt you know this. You know this, man Nah.
Speaker 5:I don't.
Speaker 8:I don't know it, so I got my daughter back there. She likes to play street fighter. Anybody that wants that smoke, she'll ready to challenge you. She's sitting in that corner right there right, but again. It all you got to do defending durhamorg. Help us out. Help us reach that 250 000 all right, all right.
Speaker 4:Thank you for stopping by defending durhamorg and, uh, we can't wait to see you in October.
Speaker 8:That's right, and I'll see you guys in about a week and a half when I'm right on OKCN6. Oh, no doubt.
Speaker 4:Oh, yeah, no doubt, no doubt.
Speaker 8:And I will be $1,000 rich. Oh, by the way, I cannot leave without saying this as well, because you know I deal in hockey and baseball too. Oh, yes. And I got to bring it here because you know we talked about it. I hate that Florida's in it because Florida beat us in the Carolina Hurricanes, but again I'm picking Cubs going back to Canada.
Speaker 4:Edmonton in six. No doubt, no doubt.
Speaker 8:Because Martian and all those guys can't stand them.
Speaker 4:Yeah, the way Florida beat us down, there's no way I can root for them. Yes, let's send it to Canada, that's right. All right, my man, I'll see you next time. Thank you, put your hands together for Jatobe McDuffie. Thank you All right ladies and gentlemen, we are going to bring Lexi on in just a minute, but before we do that, we have a quick little video to play.
Speaker 1:Tavaris, jordan, we gon' up the score. Touchdown. This is not a field goal. We the winning team champions. When you walk through the hall, you can play your bet with us, cause you know we gon' win them all. I pick em like a pro global. Try my ball, talk a big and roll.
Speaker 4:We gon' up the score. Touchdown, this is not a field goal. Alright, put your hands together for Lexi Gomez of Lexi's Bustin' Bacon.
Speaker 1:Yeah, of Lexi's Bussin' Bacon. All right, all right, all right All right.
Speaker 4:Hi everyone, what's going on? Put your hands together for Lexi. We are so excited. So, Lexi, you just launched your website, LexisBustingBaconcom, so go to that website. You can see it here. You can also click on the QR code and you can get to that right now. But, Diego, I think you had a question.
Speaker 13:Yeah so how do you make such amazing cookies? Lots of love, a lot of prayers. You know my family. They support me. I'm really grateful for that too. They push me to do the best I can, and I'm really grateful for that. I think that shows a lot in my work too, you know.
Speaker 4:So yeah, definitely does, but you can see here on the screen this is a special pack, but you can see here on the screen this is a special pack and I'd like you to just explain what this special dozen pack of mini cookies is all about.
Speaker 13:Yes, I've been. You guys you don't understand. I've been waiting all week to tell you. So I collaborated with Pick'em Pros to do both of our first collabs, actually, and it's basically I met up with them and I had them choose from a bunch of different variety flavors and they were they handpicked their favorite flavors, limited edition flavors at that. You can't find it nowhere else on the website. Um, so in the box we have a strawberry shortbread cookie, a vanilla, vanilla, funfetti, red velvet cookies and cream, macadamia nut, white chocolate chip, chocolate chip and cookies and cream, peanut butter, and that one actually has a little bit more protein in it too, because it's a sports podcast.
Speaker 4:That's right. I love that, love that. Yeah it was so fun sitting there with you. Me and Diego had a great time picking out, and these are definitely our favorites. It's so cool that you know some of these flavors are exclusive to Pick'em Pros, but one of the things that we're so proud about is how this also will, you know, help the legacy of Coach Lee. Coach Lee, yeah, the legacy of Coach Lee.
Speaker 13:Coach Lee, yeah. So when you go online onto Lexi'sBusAndBakingcom and you place an order for the Pick'em Pros Pack, 10% of each pack sold will go to the memory of Coach Lee and he was a big part of Clayton's history and he was an amazing coach, yeah.
Speaker 4:Absolutely, absolutely. So I just wanted to put him up on the screen there. So, yes, so we'd love for you to support. One is delicious cookies. They're, um, you know, picked by us with uh lexi, and then again, uh, you know, part of the proceeds go to to help uh coach lee's. So we're so happy about that. And you also, you know, being a sponsor of the show, you have brought gifts. I believe you brought some of the Pick'em Pro packs. Yes, I did, and everybody's gotten a raffle ticket. So I think we're going to go ahead and give away a few packs here, all right? So, jamila, why don't you come on up here and yeah?
Speaker 13:This raffle, yeah who? So, Jamila, why don't?
Speaker 4:you come on up here and yeah, this raffle, yeah, who's going to? All, right, you want to do it. Okay, all right 2-9-6-0-1-4-1. All right, all right, let's go to the next one. I don't think anybody's winning. There's one, that one. I love the suspense. All right, yep, getting close though 2960109. Oh.
Speaker 4:There you go. Hey, one winner, marty, let's go. We got two more. Oh okay, one second. Okay, we got two more. Oh okay, one second. Okay, we got two more to draw. Right, we're going to do three. Yes, we do. Okay, we're going to do two more, all right, so you got two more chances 2-9-6-0-1-4-4. Hey, all right, let's go. There we go.
Speaker 10:I'm so excited for y'all to try these packs.
Speaker 5:All right, 2-9-6-0-1-2-2.
Speaker 4:All right, all right, that's what I'm talking about. That's what I'm talking about Love it, love it, love it.
Speaker 7:All right, okay, and I believe we have a question from the audience. Yes, lexi, your cookies are my favorite in the entire triangle and I know lexi's bus and baking is known for excelling in like gourmet flavors as well as favorites like cookies and cream. My question to you is what is the most random and unique cookie combination you've ever thought of?
Speaker 13:oh my gosh. Okay, this is funny because I recently talked about this with someone else. So hear me out when I say this. Okay, Hear me out first. So I've been thinking about, you know, a lot of exotic flavors. I like to test around different things, ingredients, and I was thinking an ube, which is a purple sweet potato, an ube-based cookie rolled in sesame seeds. Then red bean paste is like it's a bean paste but it's sweetened. It's very popular in Korea and Vietnam. All that. It's like really, really good. You could get it in like a fish cake. It's amazing. So I'm thinking you put it, you pipe it in the middle of the cookie and then take cured egg yolk, because you cure the egg yolk in salt and instead of putting sea salt on top of a cookie, you grate the egg yolk and that's your salty element and I honestly think it would be really good like a sweet potato pie cookie. But yeah, I got to test it out. One day I'll let y'all know how it goes. Yeah, yeah, it's crazy, yeah.
Speaker 4:I want to taste that one Great question. Thank you, wow. So you know, and that's the thing you know, it's inspiring being around people that are like, excellent at what they do. You know the way you broke that down and the ambition that you have to make a cookie like that. And having like Ray Wimley the way he can freestyle and whatnot. It's like these are things that I could never do what he does, I could never, you know, do what you do and it's just amazing and fun to be around people that are at the top of their game. So kudos to you, thank you. We are so proud of you. Keep on doing your thing and everybody make sure. Thank you very much.
Speaker 13:And get your pick on Proz Packs before they sell out Also.
Speaker 4:Limited time, it's just this month.
Speaker 13:Also shout out to my brother, Aaron. He turns 25 today. Happy birthday. I love you, Aaron. Thank you so much.
Speaker 4:All right, thank you. All right, ladies and gentlemen, we are going to close the show out with a bang Again. As promised, we're going to have Ray Wimley freestyle, but let's have him join the set so we can explain the rules here, so he can take us out on style. So put your hands together one more time for Ray Wimley. Sit down, talk to us, take us out on style. So put your hands together one more time for Ray Wimley. All right, man, so we know you about to get up and do your do your thing. But, uh, man, before you do that, uh, wow, so we're going to have them, uh, go ahead and, you know, pull their cards out. Right, if a lot of y'all already put the word out. Okay, they already got them out there, okay, Now let's go again.
Speaker 4:Oh, yeah, yeah, so they got some good stuff out there. So, man, wow, you're going to get out here and do your thing.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I'm excited. I'm excited man, I'm ready. So y'all already pretty much know what's going on. Y'all got some words for me. I'm going to try to catch everybody in the crowd. Devontae Graham, I see you. Yeah, I'm excited man. Just let me know I'm ready to get cracking.
Speaker 4:Yeah. So one thing I want to ask you before you get up there, because this is something that you said in studio that I would love everybody to hear. So again, you know you've been been rapping for a long time and we're big fans of your work. We know you've been on the Tonight Show with, you know, jimmy Fallon and Common, and you know you've done so many, so many different things, and I know we asked you what your advice would be to a you know fellow rapper, somebody that you know wanted to follow in your footsteps, so to speak and get in the game, and I just want you to share what your advice would be for somebody that wants to get into the game.
Speaker 3:So I'm glad you asked me that man. My advice to anybody that want to get into music, I would say you need a very strong spiritual foundation and you need somebody beside you that's really going to support you. So, fortunately, before I even got into music, I was married and my daughter was on the way, and I didn't know it at the time. I thought I was chasing something, but I actually was providing for everything. So I had my wife, I had my daughter, and without that type of foundation, without that type of consistent reminder of what's really important in life, I think I would have easily got lost.
Speaker 3:Because they have all of these accolades, right, they got all of these things that's supposed to measure your success and give you a sense of validation when you achieve them.
Speaker 3:But in my honest opinion, I don't really think there's anything there that could fulfill you outside of your own family, especially the one that you created and the person that's next to you that you created it with. So I would really advise you have a strong spiritual foundation, really have a strong connection to God so you can be led purposely, because it's a lot of people that just I just think it's easy to get lost. It's very easy to get lost and it's very easy to lose a lot of confidence in yourself, because we always want to please the next person or we want to be in a position where folks accept us. But if you got somebody that's speaking to you every day and they filling you up with truth, and you got something to live for, then it's going to, it's going to give you a purpose beyond measure, and I think when you have a purpose that's that grand, then god puts you in positions and places to be able to speak to people you know all right, yeah, I wanted, I definitely wanted everyone to hear that.
Speaker 4:So you know, we had a great, great session yesterday and I wanted to just give a preview of some of what we talked about. Oh man, yeah yeah, yeah, you ready to close?
Speaker 3:this out. Oh man, I'm ready, I'm ready to get it cracking, man. Yeah, let's get it clapping DJ.
Speaker 4:you ready as well? Yeah, hold on. All right, let's do it. Let's close this oh.
Speaker 3:I got a whole bunch of work. Okay, y'all make some noise for the DJ back here Been doing his thing the whole time too. Man back up on the scene, how y'all feeling? By the way, you know me, I'm chasing my dream. It be difficult at times when you going through scenes, but please make up your mind and connect with your team. It's the adventure.
Speaker 3:I feel like it only feels right when I grip the mic, make music and get these people hyped. They can't even see me when I'm going and I'm moving Like John Cena. That's why I rap and I come and bring the mic, but never losing hope. I gotta thank God he gave his only son. It's crazy. It's on my mind John 316. That was taught by my mom. Let me know I gotta believe. Never leave it behind and go and get the dough or the cookies. Let them know I'm just rapping For my people and this energy From folks On the left side. I'm thankful for the ones. Man, this is what it is Right now. We gonna have a ton of energy.
Speaker 3:The cameraman turn around, as I'm a blessing with this energy, and bring a sound. She speak that fluent cowboy. Okay, so let me know what it is. Are they gonna finally get a championship over here, or maybe not, I don't know, that's another topic. It's a brother. Oh, it's brought.
Speaker 3:How you feeling, dog, I can stop it. Hold on, look, he got mj. They be all up on his shirt. That's the goal. But no debate. When I'm rapping with a first, I be going for perfection. I just want to bless them. This is what it is. It's the business in this section bringing love. Every uh, single direction touchdown, like football. Dog, she got the message. Yes you, ma'am, you had your sign, that was up, but she put it down. Football, I see her. Okay, see me now. Love that I'm bringing on this mic. Get these people hype every time I can, even when I'm going from the right direction to the left.
Speaker 3:Devontae, graham. How you doing? Dog, yo, what's next? I see he got his cell phone out and he repping that Kansas J that's on his shirt. Dog, he looking blessed. Do it, dog. Believe in that Energy in the back with the orange shirt. How you doing? Man With the orange shine. They be at the top. Look, I'm finna. Go around every time that I can. Then I put it on the name of mine. Everybody got an option Gridiron gang that be watching Way in the get the meals. Don't be confused. I put it for my baby on the plate every time I can.
Speaker 3:This is why I be on the corner to generate all these lyrics, going faster Like a jag rabbit, just to capture my dream. That's what I'm after. I just want to give specific shout out to the teachers because we need them every single day. The biggest believers. Man, for real, I'm glad y'all connected with the way that I feel. Man, this is just that blessing in this energy field. That's why I want to spit.
Speaker 3:Hold on in the back. I see this sign. I can't make sense of it. Oh, what it say? Can you shout it out? I see? What the hell, mate? What is that and where is it all about? Did I say right? Maybe you can come closer? Yes, you, ma'am, can you step up to the mic? Come on, we just waiting for the lady in the back. Hold on, she got the sign and she cooling, just like that. Okay, I can finally read it.
Speaker 3:Apologize, y'all, you know me.
Speaker 3:Look, I'm finna.
Speaker 3:Go take it back. Hello, are you on one? What it say? Helly, I take it. Did I say it right? Apologize, okay, I'm going to say it right the second time. Thank you for it, ma'am Helly, I tell you over there she put her name, I understand, with the bun in the back. She finna sit down with her friends and a smile on her face for the ones in the place, everybody over there.
Speaker 3:So cool man, y'all was looking great. It's the business or bussin' when I say it. Okay, I'm glad that you listen. That's everybody right. We got the dream for people on the scene. I'm glad y'all connect with the things that I really seen. Ooh, likewise, okay, lookin' in her eyes. I forgot the sign. Thank you for it, ma'am. Let's have a time where everybody can understand when I use these lines lyrics, that's comin' out the thought process that's in my mind. We get to pick them. Pro podcasts, the energy, nice, hopefully right now. Y'all done had a good time. Come on, that was everybody. Huh, that was everybody. That was everybody. Okay, you played the whole audience. You played the whole audience, y'all been served.
Speaker 4:Hey, pick the Pros, we'll see y'all next time. Thanks for all the love and support. Make sure you check out DefendingDurhamorg. Make sure you check out Lexi's Bussin' Bacon, check out everybody. Red Iron Gang, everybody, all the special guests, the Hoopers, dayton, everybody. Much love.
Speaker 11:We'll see y'all. Peace and love. Thank you so much. Kicks and clothes and your favorite sport Cut it slow NFL, nba and more. Making your day for sure, lincoln, and take the kill Game flow. They know, not your same old, same old. Come and see the double D's, derrick and Diego, dropping the knowledge you want, professional college and on Locking and follow the fun. A dynamic duo, father and son. You in the mix with the greatest. We'll get you next time. And facts breaking down all the greatest plays, special guests showing love. All the fans show the same we, the best number one. You already know the name Pick'em pros is the show you've been waiting for. Ain't nothing new. Kissing, clothes and your favorite score. Let it swell. Nfl, nba and more. Making your day for sure.
Speaker 16:Blinking and taking soar Get started on the right track with the Pick'em Pros anthem Stop random and dance on tandem On a pair of sneakers. I was so eager, in a Sure Lincoln and Toto way. Gotta let em demonstrate second to none with the numbers they generate, setting real goals with their extra points, like field goals, never taking defeat like steel toes and they blowing up on a real goal. Without them, you would never know what team is on an island. Every social platform shouldn't be that hard to find them, from the north, from the south, east and west.
Speaker 11:Just remember that the father always knows best pick em pose in the show you've been waiting for In the know, kissing clothes and your favorite sport. Let it swell NFL, nba and more, making your day for sure, lincoln, and take the tour. Thank you.