Da City of Guards
For a young kid growing up in New York City there are a lot of distractions. Basketball has been the savior for many, but for some the pressure of the streets are too much. The sport becomes a major part of life and teaches lessons, some good and some bad. The term “Ball is Life” is real for one family. You may recognize them as The Thomas Bothers or simply Da City of Guards. The Founders of the movement that has taken social media by storm are Scooter and his two sons, Jermel “Mel Mel” Thomas and Kerriem “Big Game Reem” Thomas. They have built a cult following by way of Instagram, showcasing their skills on the basketball court and documenting their journey. Reem, the middle school monster and Mel Mel, arguably the best 4th grade player in the country, follow the lead of their dad, who teaches them that books come before ball. Their Instagram account has attracted over 38,000 followers and counting. Their journey has captivated celebrities and thousands of kids around the globe who are interested in becoming the next member of Da City of Guards.
Photo by PointGodProject.com
If you follow their Instagram account you get a glimpse of how basketball is a major part of the Thomas household. You learn that life wasn’t easy growing up for the boys and how their dad was incarcerated for a stretch due to some bad decisions he made in his younger years. I could only imagine how he felt being away from his children for so long. Once he got released he made a promise to himself and his kids that jail wasn’t an option. They would put their efforts into the sport that Scooter once loved as a youth. Scooter once was an elite player himself, playing AAU with the Gauchos back in his youthful days. Now it seems as if the kids are using the sport as a vehicle to continue the dream that their dad once had, the dream of playing professional basketball.
Photo by PointGodProject.com
Seeing the potential of the Thomas brothers, Jellyfam co-Founder and Minnesota Gopher point guard Isaiah Washington took them under his wing. Washington showed a genuine interest in them. He showed up to their games, speaks to them on the phone and even invites them to personal workout sessions. Washington even inducted them as the youngest members of Jellyfam, the basketball crew taking the basketball world by storm. This brought the Thomas brothers nothing but confidence and increased their notoriety amongst their peers. They took that momentum and Da City of Guards was born.
Photo by PointGodProject.com
Many have compared Scooter to an east coast version of Lavar Ball, who has built an empire around his sons by any means. His business savvy has paved the way for a line of Merchandise that has done exceptionally well. Every youngster in NYC seems to have on a pair of Da City of Guards compression shorts or Tee Shirt on. The movement is only getting stronger and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight.
Photo by PointGodProject.com
Their group picked up steam very quickly and used the recipe set forth by the Jellyfam movement. They even have kids from other countries contacting them and asking to somehow be a part of the group. The internet is huge for the Thomas’ and they are able to show the people how hard they work to be the best student athletes they can be. Not a day goes by that they don’t work on perfecting their craft. If they aren’t working out in the gym, at a tournament or showcase, they’re in the hallway of their apartment building doing drills and just trying to get better. Scooter also sets rigorous academic standards for his boys. The brothers know that without education there is no basketball. On the court, their drive and work ethic has people comparing them to a young Stephon Marbury, Rafer Alston or Kenny Anderson. In this game either you have it or you don’t, and the Thomas Brothers have it! Salute to Reem, Mel and Scooter aka founders Da City of Guards.
Follow Da City of Guards Founders @DaCityofGuards_ThomasBrothers
***A Special thank you goes out to The Point God Project who provided all of the photos for this article. They give you a glimpse into the NYC basketball scene like no other! Make sure to check out their website www.PointGodProject.com and make sure to follow them on Instagram @PointGodProject.