HomeFeaturesFeatures › Q & A with Joe Courtney, former NBA player and author of “Life Above & Beyond the Rim”
 
 
 

joe courtney

Arizona Foothills Magazine spoke with former NBA basketball player and Scottsdale business owner, Joe Courtney, about his newly-released inspirational book, "Life Above & Beyond the Rim." A book signing will be held this Thursday, July 24, at Ganem Jewelers in Scottsdale from 6 to 8 p.m.

AFM: You didn’t begin playing basketball until your freshman year of high school. What made you decide to explore the sport back then, and did you find that it came naturally?

JC: My focus until then was my original passion, which was art and design. My father said to me: “Son, you have to play sports.” So I tried football and even though I enjoyed it, there wasn’t a true connection there. One night while expressing this to my mother, she said, “Why don’t you try basketball?” She turned on the television, and on the screen I saw Michael Jordan playing with the Chicago Bulls for the first time. I was in awe of his graceful nature and the way he played. I said to myself, “That is it, I’m going to be a basketball player.”

He wore a wristband on his arm and for some reason that really connected with me. So I went to school the next day with my wristband on, and the basketball coach said, “Hey Son, what are you doing with that wristband on your arm? You’re not on our team.” I replied, “I’m going to be a basketball player.” He said, “Meet me after school,” and the rest was history.

When I first started, I was horrible; I couldn’t dribble, shoot, pass or anything. But I had made the choice, and I put in the work practicing day after day. I ate, drank and slept basketball. I began to see progress and at the same time I started growing. I was 6’2 ½” when I started and by my next year I had sprouted to 6’6” tall. My game started to develop in one aspect at a time, starting with defense. I broke a state record with 17 block shots in one game. By my senior year I had developed a respectable offense as well. I was on my way!

AFM: Can you tell us about how you were discovered by the NBA? Did you have a feeling growing up that you would play professionally?

JC: It was 1992; I had completed my senior year at the University of Southern Mississippi. I had worked very hard and got noticed by NBA scouts. I had a small chance that I could slip into the NBA draft, but it was a long shot. There were talks of some of the nation’s best juniors, such as Alonzo Mourning and others, entering the draft but it wasn’t for sure. The day came and I wasn’t drafted. My heart sank, and at that point, like most of the players that didn’t get drafted, I could have thrown in the towel.

I majored in architecture and minored in graphic arts, and I had a job offer to work for a firm in New York with their graphics department. But I had a dream, and that was to be an NBA player. So I went to every opportunity [I could] to showcase my talents. I eventually ended up in the Chicago Athletic Club. I had heard there were NBA players that trained and played there daily.

One day, after competing against the world’s best players, I was frustrated because I was holding my own with the world’s best but it seemed to be going unnoticed. This guy walked up to me and said, “You’ve got a lot of talent but you seem upset.”

“I’m here to make it to the NBA,” I replied.

“Meet me tomorrow morning, and I will have a workout partner here for you to train with, and we will see what you’ve got.”

I didn’t know it at the time, but that person was legendary trainer Tim Grover. I showed up early and we proceeded to do drills. After an hour, he said, “Ok, take a break; your workout partner will be here any minute.”

While sitting and tightening my shoelaces, the elevator opened, and out walked none other than Michael Jordan. At that moment, the direction of my life changed forever. I trained with Jordan for the remainder of the summer. I was noticed and earned a spot in training camp, and [was] eventually signed with the 1992-93 World Championship Chicago Bulls.

AFM: What were some of your favorite moments playing professional basketball?

JC: My second basket in the NBA, being passed the ball by Michael Jordan. (Here is a link to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oan8SLbIZ4k.) Being mentored by arguably the greatest player that ever played the game of basketball was one of the greatest periods in my life.

Playing with Charles Barkley was absolutely amazing. He was like an illusion because of his size; some of the things he did were unbelievable. I remember playing against the Utah Jazz and they were double-teaming Barkley, and he said to me, “Keep your eyes open.” The time came, [and] like clockwork they doubled him again. I cut down the lane, Barkley passed me the ball, I leaped and their seven-foot center jumped to block the shot—but I soared over and dunked the ball! I was so excited that I just yelled.

Playing in the old Boston Garden when Larry Bird announced his final year and retired [was also a favorite moment]. You could feel the history there, and one of the greatest had stepped down; it was a special feeling.

AFM: Can you share some people who have made a significant impact on you over your careers, both in basketball and branching out into the real estate/architecture industry?

JC: In Basketball: Phil Jackson, Jerry Colangelo, Lional Hollins, Paul Wesphal, Tim Grover, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Eddie Johnson.

Architecture and real estate: There are significant people who embraced my passion and me. Rahm Khalsa, who shared his passion and vision of what a custom home should be, and that it wasn’t just a house, but a home that people would live, evolve and experience some of the most memorable times of their lives in.

My clients Sandy and Bob Jacobs; two amazing people who saw my vision, shared my passion, and allowed me to create art on a canvas with their home. They empowered my vision and I was able to create a beautiful home for them.