Dec. 13 – Basketball is often considered as a sport for tall people. But two brothers living in the Douglass Houses in Manhattan Valley are trying to change that notion. They are less than four feet tall and can outplay the average basketball star.
Jahmani Swanson, 26, moved to the Douglass Houses when he was five years old. He’s been playing basketball ever since. The Douglass community, he said, has strong ties to the game. There are five courts on the premises, a children’s league at the Children’s Aid Community Center, and even a resident who’s a former NBA player. Swanson fell in love with the game after watching Michael Jordan play. He said he even slept with a basketball when he was young.
Jahmani Swanson and his brother Justin Tompkins takes a break after a practice session.
Today, Swanson calls basketball his “girlfriend.” He’s the center of the offensive line for the New York Towers, a team composed entirely of little people. The players practice every winter and spring with the goal of winning the annual Dwarf Athletic Association of America basketball tournament. They have won this tournament for the past two years.
Through basketball, Swanson hopes that people will stop judging others based on their appearance. His message is simple – “Do not judge someone whether they are big, small, skinny or fat, it’s the fun. It’s the teamwork. It’s having an eye for basketball.”
Justin Tompkins, 18, is a point guard for the NY Towers. He’s also Swanson’s younger brother. Tompkins said being on the same team as his brother is a gift and it makes the team better. They know each other’s favorite moves and playing style. “My brother will pass the ball to me for an easy lay up and the other defenders don’t know because we are brothers.”
There can be some challenges though, according to Tompkins. “Shooting over them. trying to keep up with them or block their shot. the easiest thing is stealing the ball from them because they dribble so low.” That’s when having good skills and natural talent are important, he said. “Other teams don’t know how to play very well. they aren’t smart with the basketball.”
Justin and Jahmani play an awesome game of basketball. They need to find a real manager and talent agent and get out on THEIR own. Those in their circle “of friends” are exploiting them for financial gain. Without Jahmani and Justin, this team is nothing and they know it. You want to see for yourself who your real friends are – join an independent team or another team. Expand your horizons and share the game of basketball so that others can see your talents and skills. – Don’t let them monopolize you both suck you in for their gain. GET OUT THERE on your own. Let’s see what happens when the brothers go independent and free themselves from the leaches who are exploiting them for their own financial gain. Jahmani and Justin will make a lot of money when they go independent But first, you need to find the right people and realize who your true friends are and who is just using the brothers for financial gain and publicity. Play with the other teams and see for yourself what happens. A whole new world is waiting for them, but they need to get away from the leaches whose only intentions are to make money off of them. You guys deserve it – PLAY THE GAME WELL! A FRIEND