 BOOGER
Real Name: Ed Smith
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Born:
Height: 5'10
Position: Point Guard
Affiliations: EBC, Nike |
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Short Bio
On the courts of NYC, Booger's speed, handles and no-look passes are legendary. But his legacy is one rife with missed opportunity and sadness. At the height of his fame, he was undeniably one of the best streetball players on the planet; his saga landing him on the cover of Sports Illustrated and as the subject of the cult documentary " Soul in the Hole." Poor decisions and drugs have kept Booger in the projects and at this point it's unlikely that he'll ever make it out. But in Ft. Greene and on blacktop surfaces around New York City, Booger's game is still spoken about with reverence. |
Soul in the Hole Review
Before there was a Mix Tape, there was Soul in the Hole. Back in 1997 a documentary was made on the lifestyle of an inner-city street basketball team, Kenny's Kings, which was based on following the coach and local mentor, Kenny Jones. Kenny had some of the most talented players in Brooklyn on his team, but there was one who stood out above them all. His name, Ed "Booger" Smith. Booger soon became the sole focus of Soul in the Hole. Young Booger was 17 years old when the cameras were rolling but that didn't bother his game. ..read more.. |
Bonsu Thompson, SLAM Magazine
Nobody in the world can pass the rock better than Ed "Booger" Smith. There may be a few that can pass as well as Booger, but nobody's better than the Brooklyn legend. His game is the epitome of dazzling. With a 5'10" frame that appears even bigger when he performs his uncanny gift for low ball- handling, Booger is damn near un-rippable. Whether you've seen him play for the first time or 80th, it's guaranteed that'll you'll leave a Booger- featured game in awe. It almost seems as if every play he makes is a highlight. But what seem like highlights to most are the norm for him. He really puts little effort into being fancy. In one game during the '03 Rucker playoffs, the point god caught a long rebound and flew up court, directing two team- mates where to run along both sides of him until they both had angles to receive a pass. Two steps past the foul line, Booger faked a pass to the open teammate on his right, jumped in the air, faked another pass to the open runner on his left, and before landing, dumped the rock back to his trailing center, whom everybody had forgotten about. Slam dunk - and just another assist for Booger. |
Anthony Heyward, AKA Half-Man, half-Amazing
Boogs can see like 12 plays ahead. I've been around a long time, and he's by far the best point guard I've played with. You don't understand how fast he is. There's no doubt in my mind that he can play in the NBA. |
Article
High-rise tenement buildings loom on all sides of the Ft. Greene (Brooklyn) basketball courts that gave rise to Ed "Booger" Smith - arguably this generation's best playground player who never made it to the NBA. On the courts of NYC, Booger's speed, handles and no-look passes are legendary. But his legacy is one rife with missed opportunity and sadness. At the height of his fame, he was undeniably one of the best streetball players on the planet; his saga landing him on the cover of Sports Illustrated and as the subject of the cult documentary " Soul in the Hole." |
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