Professional/ BBall FAQ

Frequently Asked (Basketball – Related) Questions

The questions that are most oft asked of me…

Tell us, succinctly, who you are as a basketball player.

Since I stay in Miami when I’m not away playing, I’ll put it like this: I am the best basketball player in Miami, that is not signed to the Miami Heat. 

When did you start playing basketball?

Age 14.

What are you measurables?

I’m 6’4″ (193.04 centimeters), and anywhere between 175-190 pounds (79.4 – 86.2 Kilos). My wingspan is 80 inches. Vertical: 39″ Bodyfat: 4.4% (All officially verified). “Long and athletic.”

Where do you play?

I play professional basketball both internationally and domestically; outside of that you can find me in the local gym wherever I happen to be living at the time. I also participate in local rec leagues, pickup games and such, so let me know if you’re in my area, if either a) you can play; or b) you’re willing to be my camera man for a day or two.

I have a question to ask you about basketball.

Then ask.

What’s it like to play overseas?

It’s fantastic to be able to do what you love for a living- what better way to live life? Basketball is fun to me, I love the competitive aspects of it, and I love the attention and responsibility that comes with being a paid pro player. 

How can I send you a question about basketball?

Contact me here.

Who are your favorite players?

Myself and Michael Jordan is the short list. Aside form that, I enjoy watching any good basketball player, which would include any NBA All-Star you can name, and several others. 

How did you develop into the player you are today?

Through a lot of practicing, sweating, and hard work. I have, and still do, spent hours on the court, in addition to the weight room and field/ treadmills/exercise bikes to develop into what is till an unfinished product. Every on-court experience I’ve ever had ha played a part in making me into me. The things I give the most credit to for making Dre Baldwin the player I am are: 1) my ambition- I have always set lofty goals for myself, and usually find that my peers don’t aspire to go even halfway as high as I expect of myself. 2) competitive instincts- I have both long- term and short- term competitive natures- meaning that I love the challenge of a trash- talking player in a pickup game, and I also always have in mind that guy I know from 10 years ago whom Imust go farther than in basketball just to prove a point. 3) persistence. I could name at least 10 different times over the past 12 years that i could have easily looked at my basketball situation and said, “Fuck it. Time to do something else.” Or, as many ex-players like to say, “I gotta be realistic.” Well, realistic to me is that that personal trait that I mentioned in #2 above won’t let me stop when there are others I know that I still have to beat. It would be literally impossible for me to stop what I’m doing now- mentally, physically, and emotionally, I’m in too deep. Energy and persistence conquers all, and I have no shortage of either.

How old were you when you first dunked?

I was 16. Don’t know how tall I was. 

Do you think I can make it (overseas, to the NBA, to play in college, to be a respectable player, etc.)?

If YOU think you can make it, I do too. If you are asking me, then you need to re-assess your mentality, and it doesn’t matter how old you are, what level you play at, where you live, or anything else. If you don’t buy into yourself, nobody else will.

Can you tell me what I need to do to become better?

This answer, of course, is relative- each player has their own areas of improvement. But as a general response, the most important thing you need to do, is GET UP AND GO WORK ON YOUR GAME. Any player that is weak any any particular area, is weak at it because they haven’t put in the work to be good at it. Simple and plain. 

Can you write a workout program for me to follow?

Here it is.

Who taught you how to play?

I taught myself how to play. Really. By age 18 I had been cut from 3X more teams than I had actually made; never payed a game of AAU basketball, never had any type of basketball mentor; don’t have any older brothers or cousins who play bball; No older guy from the neighborhood who took me under his wing because he saw potential in me, none of that. I saw that I could be good at ball if I kept at it, and I have. The rest, as they say, is history.

Where did you go to school?

JR Masterman middle school; GW Carver High School Of Engineering and Science; Penn State Abington; Penn State Altoona.

Can you help me get (overseas, into a college to play, on an AAU team, etc.)?

Read this.

Who are the best players you’ve played with/ against?

I’ll just ame all the NBa guys I’ve played with/ against, in no order: Alvin Williams, Anthony Parker, Cuttino Mobley, Stevie Graham, Eddie Griffin, Jason Williams, Tim Hardaway, Carlo Arroyo, Yakuba Diwara, Jarret Jack, Joe Johnson, Antione Walker, Chris Bosh, Jannero Pargo, Morris Peterson, James Posey, Nazr Mohammed, Joey Dorsey, James Harden, Eric Maynor, Daequon Cook, Jeremy Pargo, Mario Chalmers, Andray Blatche, Juwan Howard, Brandon Rush, and a few I can’t recall at the moment.

How did you start your career?

First, I made a decision that it was GOING to happen. From there — Going to a pro camp; using that video to get with an agency; the agency getting me a deal; networking with other professional players; lots of long mornings, afternoons and nights in the gym alone. Also, read this post. 

How did you make it to being a professional player while barely playing in high school?

Vision. Where you play at, where you’re from, what team you’re on… all these things can play a role in your development from HS to the pro ranks, but if these factors are not in your favor, that’s no excuse for not making it. I knew I had the skills to be where I’m at now back when I was 17; I also knew it would take time to develop what I had. Most importantly, I KNEW I would be here long before anyone else would even say I was a good player.

Someone told me (some training technique or program) (works, doesn’t work, will injure me, etc.)… what should I do?

You should do it yourself and form your own opinion.

Do you lift weights? What do you do, how much weight? How many (name of random exercise) can/do you do?

Yes I lift weights. I do all kinds of training. As for the details – watch the videos, it’s all there.

Can you train me?

Click here.

Why do I always seem to not be good enough when I play against other/ better/ more experienced players?

The answer is right in front of you: Because, instead of practicing (or lifting weights, or doing cardio…), you’re on the computer while the players that consistently hand you your ass are working on their game. You’re garbage because you have not put in the work. I’m glad you are visiting my site- now get off the internet and make something happen! 

How much money do you make playing overseas?

Probably the most oft-asked question from adults when they learn that I play pro ball. The answer, naturally, is none of your damned business. But, if your daughter is selling Girl Scout cookies, I’ll support it and purchase 2 boxes of Do-Si-Dos. My sister was a Girl Scout and I love those cookies!

How much time do you spend practicing? What do you practice?

I practice for as long as it takes for me to improve my game in whatever aspect I happen to be working on at the time. And anything you ever see me doing on the court, has been practiced. I don’t time my workouts, and the amount of time you spend on the court does not, necessarily, directly relate to your abilities. Meaning, an hour of intense, focused work beats 3 hours of bullshitting.

Does/ do (such-and-such exercise program or technique, accessory, equipment, popular footwear) actually WORK?

NO. the only thing that “works,” in terms of your improvement, is YOU. No pair of shoes, accessory, or trendy workout does anything- they are inanimate objects or ideas that are impartial. Alone they do nothing. If you work, they will work. Get it?