Street Legends: Canada's Best Streetballer 

9:55 is where you see the honest reaction of a man who put his heart and soul into something he loved, realize that his time has passed. The memories, flashbacks, scenarios, and everything about his life in basketball is flowing through his head at that point. I respect him for letting us witness this raw emotion with him, and eludes to a great character and man he is. Wishing him the best. Damn, that was a struggle for me to watch ✊️😪

Even with basketball, I believe there are avenues to make it into a lucrative business. He already has the social media following. Just expand your mindset, instead of playing on a team as a player... may be there are businesses in terms of training programs, or drills that you put up online, or training camps that you can hold to develop a business to move your family forward. Take heart. You have a beautiful family. But also free up that mindset. We all love the game, and we love your game. but letting go of that playing career doesn't mean you have to give up basketball all together.

When his wife was talking in the kitchen, you could see in his face, a broken man. I genuinely felt bad for him...

I think some people on this thread are being a bit unfair and unrealistic about his wife's attitude. She is being supportive and has been before. But clearly at age 32 , he is behind in his preparation for what's next. There isn't a wife alive that wouldn't have a similar talk with their husband. Especially with two children. Maybe he could have played in the NBA. But it didn't happen. He has nothing to hang his head about. He is a pro basket ball player. He has been for a long time. He has played international ball for the Trinidad and Tobago national team. He already beat the odds. I wish him well.

damn the part with him and his wife in the kitchen broke my heart

Played against this dude at Summer is Serious '14 in VC....This guy is UNREAL to put it lightly, easily one of the best ball handlers out there. Just a shame his chance came a bit too late.

Definitely an age thing，Joey has no problem with his skills on making it to the NBA

Hopefully one day his kid can go into the NBA and show everyone why they missed out not signing his father.

While everyone is hating on this guy I feel very bad for him.

Man, I kind of feel like I'm obliged to say something. When I saw the video title in my recommendations, my first thought was: "Wait, weren't the Notic guys from Canada?" I discovered them when I was in high school about the time when I was at the top of my basketball/streetball craze. Their mixtapes blew me away, I hadn't seen anything like that at that point (and maybe even to this day) even not on the AND1 mixtapes. I think it had especially strong effect on me, because I considered myself the handles guy too. I had kinda forgotten that it all was many years ago, so when I saw the video and it turned out this guy is still chasing it and it's all about fading dreams, it all came at me like a freight train. That guy was a legend in my eyes. Seeing how it all had played out for him is just soul crushing. Basketball was #1 thing in my life for 12 years, I've put many, many hours into it. To see this guy who has put that many more playing 25 years, that incredible dedication of his and him slowly coming to realize he has to let it go, it's just difficult to even describe the feeling let alone to imagine how he must feel. At this point it has to be like cutting off a piece of your own body. However I have no doubts that he will do what's right for his family. Joey "King Handles" Haywood, no matter if you see this or not, I'd like to wish you and your family all the best in the world. You were my inspiration once, I hope you find yours. And to everyone else I wish a little more empathy. We all tick the same after all.

amazing wife and family. with a family like that you are always winning

The dude is strong, I ain't lying. Even though his wife said that, I could still see his belief. If I only could help this dude out to get in, I would. He is so freaking good, man. May God bless him/

Real 1s respect your grind.. Keep pushing homie

dude looks like if kyle lowry and dame lillard had a baby lool

Dreams are not meant to be chased with a partner....the sacrifices, the ups and downs, the instability....Only VERY special people can understand and patiently work with u....relationships and dreams rarely mix. Especially when there are children involved. Heart goes out to him. tough position. Hope they make it through....Wish him the best.

I grew up in Vancouver and watched this man played in front of me many times. Him and I are almost the same age, and I liked him a lot for being such a cool dude with flashy moves. I must say one thing though, and it may sound bad. NBA is not an option anymore but you got the whole world in front of you. Just because you can't make it into NBA doesn't mean you can't make a living. There's lots of avenues related to basketball that you could develop to monetize, you just gotta think how you'll do it. Lots of respect for your dedication and your influence on Vancouver streetball, and hope you the best.

Maaaaan you definitely got the handles and skills to become a professional trainer

As fucked up as it sounds it's the age factor, anything after 27 is just to much of a risk for most teams to try in the D league. most are looking to develope young raw talent (j simmons for the spurs is a great example) he should be proud though, he's achieved more then most by playing for the Canadian league (a pro league) their are thousands of players who would kill to make any pro league and never make it

When the crowd gets hype it's like an adrenaline rush... It's a feeling u can't describe u have to be in it to appreciate it. I really hope things work out for King Handles. #StreetBallLegend #Salute

I truly knows how he feels! I've tried the And 1, Ball Up and got invited to an ABA training camp. Never made it. All I got is a streetball legend status in my city. I guess that is more than what most can say huh

Start a business using instagram. Training camp for kids or teens, would be good pay. He's 32 i doubt any NBA team would take him

he accomplished his dream not all the way but he did.

Why am i here i don't even play basketball

I'm following this guy on ALL social medias man, I wanna know where life takes him, I wish him all the best!

He's the type of dude that does not want to hear the truth.

I feel, like, his wife, like, needs, like, to learn, like, a new, like, way of, like, speaking, like.............

Definitely understand where this man is coming from. I played soccer all of my life and all I knew was soccer. Played in good leagues and went as far as playing semi pro, but never made it either and I was hitting late twenties. Also have two kids and a beautiful wife with full support, but there came a time in my life where I simply said it is what it is and I can't go back in time to change anything, but to embrace what's ahead for me and the future of my kids and wife. Letting go of something you love is the most hardest thing in life, but there's way around it to keep it with you forever. I not saying to not follow your dreams and goals, but when it comes to sports, especially in the pro level age become a factor, no one stays young forever, which sucks, but we simply learn to live with it and pass on the knowledge to the future come up... great documentary video... now I gotta see if i can go pro too haha...

That scene with him in the kitchen not saying anything and just realising his dream might be coming to an end had me tearing up I wish so bad that he could have got into the nba

32 isnt young for an athlete lol

I feel so sorry for him D: Never give up man! Keep breaking ankles until your hair turns gray!!

"Didn't have that NY Flavor" Word! I remember watching Joey Haywood and the rest of The Notic crew in the early 2000s. Did my early Googles and found both Notic mixtapes. Out of all of them Fresh (was nice), John Blaze, Dazzle, and Rory; I thought that Delight, Goosebumps and Joey had the most solid games. A friend of mine ended up playing collegiate basketball the same time Joey was in college; came back home and said "Yea he definitely got game" I'm really happy he's still pursing his dream!

Joe is an excellent guy. He trained and helped me so many times, and he never raises his price even though right now he's big and famous in China. Every time, I watch the part at 10:04, it broke my heart. Joe deserves more, he is blessed, he is talented. I am so happy to see Joe doing great right now because I know that GOLD will always shine no matter where, and no matter when.

At this point he should probably just start getting his kids ready for balling.

My man Stackhouse spittin knowledge to these young folks!

Joey is a legend in vancouver, champlain heights remembers. I remember him showing up whenever the gym was empty to get shots up. Dude worked hella hard and his camps were fun as hell.

Growin up watching this dude on ESPN2 And1 streetball. Crazy how we all grow up so fast lol. Keep chasing your dream bro!

YOOO WTF.I lived in Burnaby for a year and I knew this guy.He would come to a sport centre almost everyday

I’m sorry but I would have left for the second tryouts it is one birthday out of many. I’d be gone

Keep ya head up and stay at it fam. U raw af 💯 Luv from T.O

Big things are coming for you my brother... Keep grinding... You are a complete player... Best wishes fam

@5:16 thats JT Terrell.. He's Cold AF

8:28 I swear to go if she says like one more time.

Mad memories of his mixtapes with his crew. Respect.

I remember flying to Canada to do motion capture work for EA Sports, I was the motion for NBA Street Volume 1... surely at that time, I felt I had the best dribbles on the planet... I met Joey at a Recreational Centre and though nearly 10 to 15 years younger than me, I can see his talent and enthusiasm towards the freelanced play of basketball... I believe, he later was a Mo cap talent for NBA Street volume 2, However, he’s doing his best, and regardless of anyone else’s input, I hope he continues to try to make it where he sees fit... because it’s embedded in him to not give up... Joey... keep hope alive Bro, ... GOD FIRST... HE’LL dictate what’s Best, for your Heart and Desires 🏀

Doing streetball (in canada), i feel like he's wasted his youth on that. Could have gotten an agent in the US, play in china, europe.. Heck, southeast asia has a lot of basketball pro leagues. Lots of NCAA washouts get good money, even a chance to be a naturalized player in Asia.Instead of doing clinics in china, get in touch with people in the pro leagues for a try out. If youre that good as you say you are, and now you have the internet to get in touch withbthe right people, he should exhaust that instead of wasting his time in the streets. Hes already done that and hes not getting younger

he has my full respect the same way i and every body else respect nba players i respect him just as much if not more because that right there is the true love of the game look at the shit he goes through and all the heart breaks he goes through i bet that kitchen scene happened a bunch of times before the cameras but he loves the game so much that he never gave up im so motivated and ashamed because the fact of quitting actually crossed my mind this guy went through so much and he's still fighting in my eyes he is as good as any one in the nba people need to see this side of basketball to see what true love of the game means and looks like PEACE FROM PALESTINE!!

Can we please get a second episode to his life plz!!!!this was great.

Great story. Shows the side of sports you don't see and the struggle athletes go through. You may not make it to the NBA as a player, but you can make money as a coach or mentor. Keep up the hard work. It will pay off one day.

Fam I like your drive but it's over u 32 u need to get a job to take of your family

Damn this guy has gone through a lot he deserved to be in the NBA

Joey is the man. Never quit. Hes gonna make it one way or another.

Good man right there hopefully positive things follow from now on

man...this threw me off...i pray u find peace in ure hustle bro!!!!

I played pro ball for 2 years with Olympiacos when I was 21/22. When I got too many injuries, ankle ligaments, I knew it was over. I knew that at 22, if you're 32 with 2 kids and a family to support, get a real job, the dream is over.

This is the difference between "Amateur Passion" & "Sports BUSINESS"..... TALENT + Passion are sadly not enough to get you to your "GOAL"...... you need to use "time" on your side, the time you spent "showing off" playing streetball, could have been used to kick ass in a high school or college level.... and be THE BEST in that category, and then RAPTORS and all teams in the NBA will be looking to draft you. YOu woke up to this reality, but sadly you did it "kinda late"..... You still have your talent to teach and that is wonderfull dude..... you have an amaizing family..... you are "BLESSED", maybe not the way you wanted, but you are BLESSED.

You got that level of commitment and passion to coaching you will be successful. If you give that much passion and hard works to a business, you will be successful. All we can do is hope for a feeling. A feeling of making it and let destiny allow your passion and hard work take you where you were meant to be. Regardless, if you give that same effort to anything, you will be successful. It’s hard to lose what we think we wanted but your destiny still has a great ending if you choose. Good luck.

This is why I'm single until I can accomplish my goals

He wasted too much time. He's 32! I use to kill guys on the court and I've learned that some of those same people went and played over seas. There are multiple opportunities outside of the NBA. Why waste time if that's your passion? You only get so many years of playing time then it's over.

lots of love from halifax nova scotia joey haywood is a legend ! got a chance to see him play a couple years ago and he is phenomenal in person lots of love bro

I train with this guy at a local gym. He has a big heart and still has a love for the game.

He looks kinda like lil durk

The 2018 Grizzlies blew 3 to nothing lead

Awesome. He is a great guy met him once at a tournament. NBA needs players like this guy. Keep working it will happen.

This is great stuff. I'd be interested to know who at VICE pitched this and put it together. Been following Joey since 2002, just before Notic 2 dropped. Nice to see VICE on top of this

Sometimes the best thing you could do for yourself and your family is to let go of something that simply doesn't work, like a failing business or a relationship even, he just has to let go and let it be. Try coaching little leagues and work your way up to the big leagues like college and pro ball clearly he has a good understanding of the game of basketball

Meow feels for this human. The struggle is real. Stay strong. God bless.

Man i feel bad for him. I can only imagine how tough it is for him. It’s heartbreaking to see the man loosing his dream.

I knew this was about king handles as soon as I read the title, I hope things work out somehow for him. Chase the dream KH!

I had the notic tapes on vhs lol

I know how this guy feel. I had the same experience playing hockey. I've been outplaying guys that were in the big league but never got my chance since I didn't follow the process because of my parents decision when I was younger.Everyday you wake up wondering what could have been. It kills you inside

On the one hand street ball is really cool and I got a huge kick out of the And1 Mix Tapes myself when I was younger, but I wonder if instead of always taking the mindset of "Oh, they just aren't ready, don't get my street ball game" and instead embraced developing a more fundamentally sound, team style game if he would have had a much better path over the last 15 years.

i was blessed to live in british columbia around 2003, i was a streeball monster from jersey city. everytime i played people use to say did u play against joey yet? king handles? i never met him and one day i see this kid speed dribbling a medicine ball. im like, that got to be king handles. great guy and a nightmare guard especially when he found his jumpshot. tru legend!!!!!!!

Bro some people just fail to be realistic and reasonable. You are 32 years old, with 2 kids. Some shit you just have to let pass by. Find a job that will deliver consistent income towards your family. You really have to step back and take in your situation. You had your time to take those chances. Even if you were better than the dudes that got picked, you still have to remember that the Raptors 905 team is a development team for future Toronto Raptors roster. They cant do anything with a 32 year old.

Inspirational. Age is just a number.

This is Inspirational AF!!

Met Joey back in elementary school Grade 7. Played so much ball with him back then... I was always stuck guarding this guy. When high school came around he was completely outta my league. Damn Joey sorry we lost contact over the years.

Maybe those guys that were saying you're hard to guard are just being nice.... and it also doesn't take away from them thinking they should make it ahead of you...

I was obsessed with the notic. I still have the notic 2. Those guys had crazy skills

I remember watching this dude almost 10 years ago. He deserves some spotlight

“They were just not ready for it” 😂 love this guy

He's gotta become like a trainer or something, start a youtube channel too. Look at HandleLife or KickGenius something like that...

@10:00...ever seen a mans heart break in front of your eyes?

That guy works so hard and is so dedicated you can only respect what he does

thats crazy we used to play ball with him at Bonsor/kits all over Vancouver rec wow! great documentary, he was always a good dude! best of luck man

i'd like to see the footage of his try-out. where do we get that? I saw some other footage of him play--definitely a legit baller. i thinkt he only thing questionable from the few vids i watched was that it doesn't seem he drives left or uses his left hand when going to the hoop. That would certainly stick-out to an NBA scout. but he's certainly got the athleticism and the moves, so makes me curious. u also have to consider there are many players in the NBA who can absolutely rekt NBA players but they'll never set foot on an NBA court (proof = the olympics.) so just b/c u didn't make it in the NBA doesn't necessarily mean u weren't NBA-worthy, fyi.

"it bothhurs me ... " yup he's canadian

Man, it must be tough to be "almost there" with something, and not want to give it up. I feel for this guy. Hopefully he makes the right decision for himself and his family. He's not just worrying about himself anymore.

Very respectful man.

All you nay sayers n doubters, I pray your dreams never materialize. That's his journey. Let that man come to terms with relality when he's ready. Until then just admire the determination and dedication.

DAym I'm close to Vancouver, bc

Part of it is the NBA dream for sure. The larger part and what most don't realize if they haven't been there, he touched on at the end. It's the adulation. The crowd, the hype, the cheering. Extremely hard to walk away from. Maybe the hardest part. 32 yrs old, the NBA dream is over. Using the game as a tool for business, just starting for him.

that dude on the very right at 5:01 looked blazed out of his mind!

Ya'll actin' like he can't pull off some JJ Barea shit c'mon son. As much as it pains to see Joey not make it to the next level when you dedicate your entire life to ball ya'll act like the man can just drop it. He knows nothing else. He could find other avenues and start a business training kids for AAU, coach or some shit but believe me anything he does WILL BE basketball related. He literally doesn't know anything else. Stop hatin' on the man for trying one final time. That's not foolishness its self-confidence. I'm hoping he let the NBA go and get any number of ball realted postions of which there are no shortage.

Can't play streetball in college... let alone the NBA.

the drone in the fence at the end!

hope this guy makes it one day .seems like he works hard and has a lot of determination.

like , can his wife like , say "like" more often

I mean, is the NBA the only league in the world? he could go Europe and get paid a lot I guess

You and Disaster were my favs, good lookin' on the St. Mary's mention. Reasonable Doubt hasn't died down yet; very revealing feature and I saw somebody in that 905 tryout that was supposed to be nice so that means you're still tight regardless.

Had the same experience with my high school varsity team. For 2 years, I tried out twice. My gym teacher told that i was great, but I was too fancy. I tried out the first time and didn't get in. I thought, oh, that's okay they might not have slot for a PG/SG. Second year, I tried out again. That varsity team told me that I had great handles, great shooting, and that I had speed. Still didn't get it. I'm gonna try out for the third time, and If I don't make it, I'll just focus on my education