When local basketball legend God Shammgod revisited Harlem last weekend, he did so with the primary intention of giving back to the community where he grew up by positively influencing local youth. The Harlemite native has returned to his former playgrounds to launch the second edition of his Puma ‘Legacy Shammgod’ sneakers, along with the accompanying clothing line.
On the Saturday morning of August 21, he and his father, Blackseed God Shammgod, stopped by Harlem’s Kennedy Center (34 W. 134th St.) and shared some very encouraging words with several dozen youngsters enrolled in their basketball. Team Shammgod “. program. For many of them, it was the first time they had encountered an elite player who had already reached the high levels they aspire to someday reach.
“I wanted to come back to my community and show a positive reflection of themselves inside, showing that someone who comes from the same place they come from, can make a difference and get out of New York”, explains God Shammgod.
He snuggled up with the kids on the basketball court to encourage them to perform at their best. Then they performed drills, running, passing and shooting the basketball for about an hour before his staff handed out free goods, including his sneakers, Shammgod Dime jackets and pants, T-shirts. Shammgod and the Shammgod Flare shorts.
“I was proud that he chose to do something in his community because there aren’t a lot of black-run programs left for the kids to go out there and have fun,” noted the elder Shammgod. “It was something he wanted to do, and now was a good time to do it.”
Born in Brooklyn on April 29, 1976, raised in Harlem, he was recruited by Providence College in 1995 after graduating from La Salle Academy, while honing his skills at Harem’s famed Rucker Park and Colonel Charles Young Playground. The six-foot point guard quickly became known for his skillful dribbling and one-handed signature “Cross Ova to God” aka “The Shammgod”.
Drafted by the Washington Wizards from the NBA in 1997, his ball handling skills and innovative movement revolutionized the way players handled the coat, impacting many on him to be an immediate game changer. He has been the NBA Dallas Mavericks Player Development Coach since 2016.
Shammgod advised young people to avoid trouble and get an education; before doing an in-store presentation at Harlem’s Jimmy Jazz (239 W. 125th St.), where dozens of fans took notice.
“The Shammgod team came here to talk to kids about school, about life, basketball and how to be a better human being, so they can be a positive person,” he said. explained God Shammgod. “I want to give back to my community as it was done for me years ago. If I can change a life then I can potentially save millions. “