The Basketball Player Who Couldn't Escape The Streets - Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell

Basketball player Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell was all but guaranteed to go to the NBA straight out of highschool. Coaches, players, scouts and everyone who had ever seen him play said he had it all. He could dribble, pass, shoot, and dunk better than any player Oakland California had ever seen. But not even the chance of playing in the NBA could pull Hook Mitchell away from the streets he grew up in.
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[@dopebeatsandmore]

When I was in high school back in 1990 me and my friends would go to mosswood park to check out the dunk contest held every year. By then Hook was beyond legend to bay area ballers but we also knew he had his problems. He wasnt in that years contest but there were some great dunkers there. All of a suden here comes Hook walking up to the courts. He's got baggy jean shorts on and a fisherman hat with a rolled up newspaper in his back pocket. He goes up to a little kid and claps for the ball. The kid bounces him the ball and all in one motion Hook throws the ball off the backboard and powers down a 360 windmill! Mind you he was not warmed up and not even in the contest but that one dunk stole the show!

[@maloney7461]

Good old Mosswood park. Love playing there in the seventies. Snakeman Mack class of 1974.

[@yarchism]

Black top legends . Some of the most naturally gifted ballers were the most troubled. NYC legends like lenny cooke , fly williams, Earl Manigault's, Pee Wee Kirkland, Baby Doc etc.

[@LifesLessons100]

I was locked up with Hook in Camp Konocti (north of Vallejo CA) in 2004- 2005. He was good dude, i use to let him use my typewriter to write letters to organizations and his Muslim associates. There was a film crew that came to our camp and filmed him made a documentary about him.. Hook was a humble dude, quiet etc. love ya bruh! See ya when i see ya

[@4RMULA_arch]

when i moved to oakland as a teenager in 1990 i played him on the street...jason kid refused to stick him so i stepped up and said; i've got little man...worst decision EVER. WOW, what a BALLER...best player i've ever seen. 🤴🏿🤴🏿🤴🏿

[@tavareshubbard8195]

Hahaha good story

[@lenculeurstraightfrom9263]

Come on man

[@djquinn11]

Cool story bro.

[@BallerBrownsWorldMusic1]

Worst decision ever 😂😂😂. I respect you honesty. 💯

[@timsmith1323]

Finally a new video👍I thought you’d given up on the channel

[@BUMPY_G_JAXON]

Me to 😂😂😂😂

[@BallerBrownsWorldMusic1]

Word!! Lol

[@creepincarl]

There are elements of Demetrius' story that parallel Earl Manigault's story. Both men had the same struggles and both are legends on the court who did not make the league. These two stories are so close to one another when you look at both of these dude's ability to jump. These two guys were skywalkers man.

[@joshuabaldwin1594]

exactly

[@mikeofdc]

It's plenty of tight mafuckas who didn't make it 2 tha League

[@anthonyfreeman908]

I was on the same shit bro was thinking sounds an awful lot like the story of earl manigult who was also a playground legend who had unbelievable hops and was sure to become an n.b.a legend ended up getting caught up in jus about everything that would keep him from becoming what he seemed so destined to be there was a great movie made about him called the goat earl played by Don Cheadle if I'm not mistaken if ever given the chance to watch that movie my advice would be to not pass it up

[@longbeachmaumba7059]

Len Bias, Demetrius Hook Mitchell..drugs don't care who you are. It has no "Bias" and it can "Hook" anyone.

[@TC-rm5xd]

Bars!!!!!!

[@torachan23]

👏

[@EricOWilliam]

Nice 👌

[@daddymac428]

I like dat !

[@alexrichrevue5731]

Excellent play on words - in this case - names as metaphors!!

[@rahsansurges8632]

I absolutely love this channel ONLY IN CALIFORNIA 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💯💯💯💯

[@LilMalice]

I went to McClymonds high school too. Bill Russell was the first NBA player that attended that school. One day we had an assembly and Hook came to give a motivational speech but his demons caught back up to him shortly after

[@dawgwithabone6826]

From Australia, Just watched 4 vids & realised this lady is a fantastic KZbin narrator. Had to go back through & LIKE👍 Vids I viewed. Great work & best wishes for channel growth.

[@ahmad.tillery.1987]

Salute to this street basketball legend Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell. You may not have made it to the NBA but you have the respect and admiration from your local community and that's better than international recognition.

[@TopHat5900]

Hook had a big influence on the youth. He coached our team for a bit at the YMCA n da East

[@deadheadlights]

I love the narrators voice

[@BothTeamsPlayedHard]

I saw Hook Mitchell ball out of control at Kezar Pavillion during summertime Pro-Am. He would dunk so hard they’d have to stop the game as he yanked the backboards off track . Had the gym lit…

[@knucklevision]

He broke the rim in warmups at Kezar one Pro-Am I went to, so they moved the game to Portrero Hill, which was definitely a much rougher area and vibe- saw Hook, JKidd, and Jalen Rose in that game.

[@34XfeloniousFool]

I played in a couple 3 on 3 tourneys at mosswood...i dont remember seeing hook at those but i played against him at a different tournament, i think it was a hoop it up around 88 or 89...my friends were all D1 players who could shoot the lights out...i was a scrub compared to them but i could play a little...hook was dang good...his wing span was unnatural

[@BadTV1993]

I saw this dude jump over a car n dunk way before blake griffin,,bacc in my cali days

[@jackgentry5603]

Played with him many times. Bay Area legend. Top 5 athletes I’ve ever been around. Very kind and humble. God bless Hook hope you are ok brother

[@34XfeloniousFool]

I played against him once...Lamond Murray was the toughest player I ever played against in the East Bay

[@dawgwithabone6826]

Oh wow wow wow. To see at the end he is no longer incarcerated & mentoring kids is absolutely fantastic..👍 Love from Australia.🙂

[@TC-rm5xd]

A perfect example of a mind is a terrible thing to waste. He had all the skills in the world and could've possibly been a NBA star. But he couldn't change his mindset. He couldn't discipline his self and make it to where the streets and drugs are no longer an option. Because he actually had goals to accomplish and wanted a better life for his self. A very sad story.

[@commentcopbadge6665]

Wasted talent.

[@henrybiggs3113]

Everybody isn't interested in entertaining the John 3:16..💯💯💯

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

Dude had crazy ups. Too bad about the crack addiction

[@MrFuchew]

the original and best power point guard prospect

[@gsmusic2009]

Im from the bay and watched this dude do those dunks at the Lake over cars back in the eighties it real but hes messed up his dream. The drug wars took its toll over the area back then.

[@matrixseven8528]

Oakland been mobbing since the 1960’s 💯

[@broherrera4452]

My father is actually a good friend of Hook, he still kickin

[@alexrichrevue5731]

Hook Mitchell! Yeah, I heard his legend. But there were quite a few or should I say - several similar stories . I grew up around some street ball legends in NYC - one guy - Michael Jones - they called him Baby Doc at Rucker Park. Dude stood only 5’7 - lightening quick with yo-yo handles and would leave defenders with whiplash- jumper from anywhere straight up money. But he loved the drug dealing and coke too much.!!

[@creigiihtondenynis39]

I remember those Mosswood park days hoop it up, pro am etc he was soooo good!

[@Johnny-xj5qu]

There have been other primetime athletes oozing with talent who didn't make the NBA. Mindset is just as important as skill set. Many players with the wrong mindset will never reach their potential no matter how talented they are. Bad guidance is a killer.

[@rust23432]

She has a good voice I love it when she. Says dunk . Sound like spunk

[@Yaletje]

Dude was solid so it seems, too bad the drugs and difficult times in his youth got to him

[@KhiryTheKonqueror]

Amazing athlete I read about him dunked over a car

[@Manny-nm8dh]

They said he not only dunked, but dud a 360 over a car at that.

[@timsmith1323]

It shows in the video he dunks over a car

[@laughwithcourt]

I remember his dvd. Dude could jump

[@markwalker5543]

The moral to this story is, it don’t matter how much talent you have, without discipline you have NOTHING.!

[@Galatic56782]

I balled with this amazing soul in the documentary in prison..he didn't sell his soul like Gary payton.jason kidd,Brian shaw action davis..much love hook..G..

[@brandnewon88]

That boy the truth jumping over cars

[@wisedyer2133]

Found out about him on that and1 episode dude was old still dishing and crossing over

[@TheGeneral_LUFC]

Damn so sad, could have been a legend

[@youngray510xeastxbay5]

Hook Mitchell the street legend

[@jaydee2620]

Under different circumstances it could have been different

[@ivandesantis858]

The NBA is Pluto so very few can play at that level but growing up in Brooklyn NY there were like 3 guys that I had no doubt could have played for an NCAA division 1 school and I bet most of us have come across such guys that for whatever reason had their destiny derailed by outside influences and other obstacles some self inflicted.

[@kam175]

Earl Manigault

[@woodywoodduhman1506]

I remember that movie too

[@beezy22]

Watched hooked the Demetrius hook Mitchell documentary years ago on starz tv at my neighbors house…wonderful documentary..Demetrius Hook Mitchell had his ups and downs but managed to stay of trouble and keep his head straight…

[@ClefrmCentralCali559]

God bless Hook🙏🏾💪🏾💯

[@keenenhoward4854]

Town business

[@37kingspublishing80]

Hard to think back on the regrets. I know.

[@Mo77217]

What is the music in this video or in most of your videos the background music to your videos I really like the tunes

[@blakecarringtonbennett3709]

This is soooo long over due

[@ITSOVA285]

Above the rim

[@KayDejaVu]

So sad. They throw away their lives for old friends, drugs and bad decisions. Remember that other player who's found wandering the streets on drugs. It's a hard habit to beat.

[@MDAA313]

Went to Pscott and played high 5 with Coach Moe. In elementary, he would dunk yellow kick balls on the low rims in the morning. Moe's brother Houston, and Wiley Thompson were also very good, but not the incredible athlete Hook was.

[@edwardwynn6506]

It doesn't matter how talented you are; if you don't know Jesus and excepted Jesus as your Lord and personal savior you want succeed like you were put on earth to do!! Put God first and everything will fall in line for you!! Stay prayed up! HE IS REAL!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL

[@anthonyroberson5199]

Hook got love for you . Atobo

[@mikeybarboza3086]

I dont care to hear excuses. I grew up in poverty my mom and dad were both addicted to crack cocaine my mom until I was 12 and my dad well into my adult life. I grew up on welfare, my Nana raised me for alot of my childhood. Yet I was able to win a football state championship in high school, break records, won my states player of the year, maintain my grades and receive a full scholarship to a D-1 program at UMass where I redshirted my freshman yr and then was a 4 yr starter. I didn't make the NFL bc I wasn't talented enough but I can live with that bc I didn't make excuses about my life and upbringing like other people do or have ppl do for them..

[@triforcewielder8500]

Nice

[@Haruo-6768]

He had hops and he was buff😊

[@shawnmoe5479]

Weak ass Blake Griffin Dunk over the hood of the car Hook went over the top sheesh my brother had the privilege of watching him salute from Frisco Hook 🪝 💯

[@thebeast9606]

Look again, it was the hood of the car (the blue one) when he dunked, but jumped over the roof of other ones when just jumping. Still impressive since he’s considerably smaller than Blake.

[@donnybrazi1704]

🔥🔥

[@LOW_END_STAND_OVA_GANG_039]

Hook my big brah W.S.O STREET LEGEND. HUNTERS POINT 2️⃣DA BOTTOMS 41510

[@stankormy5717]

Hook had Hops!

[@JMD215]

Cocaine is a helluva drug

[@chrislewis5069]

You can give a homeless person a home and they could keep it. You could give hook all the ability in the works and he wouldn't make it. It's because we have a living problem not an opportunity problem. Got to change your thoughts, actions and behaviors to make those changes. Ironic because a man from Oakland taught me this life principle

[@commentcopbadge6665]

Okay, we can all agree that he should not do robberies right? It's obvious he's not good at it.

[@steveirungu3132]

I don't condemn these fellows including myself Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@orestejimenez2152]

Hook played with JR Rider

[@MDAA313]

When?

[@Mar-vj6un]

B's,,,,we make choices

[@steveirungu3132]

I could have dropped out of high school by the grace of God I completed highschool I thank God for a second chance in life so help me God in Jesus name Amen 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@gamingbytay4673]

Let’s go

[@kevinmcdonald951]

900k

[@jayxtacee5695]

Such a talent..wasted

[@jmoney_muhammad546]

😳

[@DonnaGarner-qi7ej]

Drugs don’t work

[@stephengreerii7296]

RIP Hook

[@califaces]

Hook is still alive.