Earl,

        

Hey Earl,

        

It was good to see Mr. Akbar and some of the kids at the Rutgers game last night. It brought back a lot of memories of going to school in Rahway and people that I haven’t seen in 3 years. Hope everybody is doing well, I know it’s been a while sense we have talked, but my thoughts are always with you. My family and I are doing well; we are expecting a new addition to the clan around June. School is fine, Louisville is a great place to go to school, and I have experienced a lot of good things here. The basketball season is going well, it look like we have started to turn things around. We are playing better as a team, we are learning to rely on each other strengths and help with each others weaknesses. Only time will tell how good we will become, just like a lot of teams in the NCAA we have very high goals.

 

I have the answers to the latest set of questions you guys sent me, again I apologies for the delay in answering them.

  

Talk to you guys soon and be safe.

 
Cecilia  - Do you want to play pro basketball? Why?
Yes I would like to play pro ball its a life long dream.  There was nothing more that I wanted to do but play basketball, since I was 5 it's always been my dream.
 
Isabela - How does it feel to play in front of a lot of people? Being that I am shy, I can't see how your not nervous!
It's fun now, when I was a freshmen my first game I was nervous but after the jump ball you just play. 
 
Cristal - What draws your interest in basketball? Did you play football like Lebron James and Allen Iverson ?
For me it's the love for the game and I having fun. when I picked up the ball for the first time I never put it down. I did play Pop Warner football for the Plainfield Vikings my position was linebacker.
 
Braija - What team would you like to be drafted to? Will Mr. Akbar get a jersey?
   I would like to be drafted by the Nets cause I know I would be a good addition to the team. Most definetly Mr. Akbar gets a jersey.
 
Edna - What is it like to be a well known basketball player?
  It's great, I have great fans, I take a lot of pictures and sign a lot of autographs and I get to talk to the media. I know that I am truly blessed and a lot of people would like to be in my shoes.
 
Jessica - How many victories do you have under your belt at Louisville?
I don't know how many since I've been at Louisville but I do know that we have more wins than losses
 
Sean - What do you eat and do before the game to provide energy for the game?
 On game day I eat breakfast and lunch and I drink lots of water and gatorade to stay hydrated so I don't cramp up. I listen to music and I bring my own energy.
 
Rasheem - Why do you have your own website?
My website is to stay in contact with people like you and others who don't know me but they can get to know me through my website .
 
Isac  - Do you have a car? What kind?
No I do not have a car or a license but I'm working on it.
 
Crisanto - What is your favorite color? Favorite clothing item?
My favorite color is blue and I love sneakers.
 
Cynthia - What did you dream of becoming when you were little?
My dream when I was little was to be a basketball player and play in the NBA. I watched Allen Iverson a lot and I tried to mimic his moves.
 
Giovanni - What NBA star woulod you like to meet first?
 I would like to meet Michael Jordon. 

Jean - Are you a pet lover?
 I like dogs but I hate cats. I like tigers and lions but I know  I won't get to close.
 
Akbar - How would you give back to the Rahway community?  Do you have a special someone? What is your major? When will you graduate?
By doing things like this staying in contact with the kids and trying to be available when I'm called upon. My special someone is Megan Bowen. I am a communications major. I am scheduled to graduate next year but I might have to put graduation off for a while to pursue my dream.

        

To all of the U of L fans I just wanted to say I really appreciate all the LOVE that was shown on my birthday. Having my 21st birthday was great and beating Pitt was even better. Let me just say that the card that was passed out and signed by all of the fans was the biggest birthday card that I have ever recieved in my life. I thank you for all of your support you are the best fans in college basketball. I will never forget my 21st birthday. Go Cards!!!!!!







    

        

        

Hey everybody. Hope everyone and their families are doing well. How's school and Mr. Akbar?

Well March madness is in full swing. We won the first two game against Boise State and Oklahoma. I know those games looked like easy wins but there is a lot prep work involed in  getting ready to play teams as good as Boise and Oklahoma.  We spend hours watching films and practicing to get ready. We are playing good right now and have grown closer as a team. We all know when we work and prepare as a team it is hard to stop us from reaching our goal. Right now we are preparing to travel to North Carolina to play in the Sweet 16 against Tennessee on Thursday. Tennessee is a very tough team with very good players. We are looking forward to playing them and proving that we are a good team. I hope you guys get a chance to see the game I know the game is on late and you have school the next day.

I listed your questions that you had for me and the answers.


1. Why is your minutes being cut down?
Juan and I play the same position and once he came back off of his injury that took away some of my minutes, but it's all good it's all part of being on a good team.

2. Are you still "in the dog house" with your coaches?
Well I don't think I was ever in the dog house with my coaches but since my one game suspension things have gotten a lot better.

3. Will DC and yourself be back for the next season?
 Right now I am focusing on the games ahead and finishing the season as strong as I can. As for DC is concerned, he will have to make the best decision thats right for him.


4. The Rahway High School team has won 21 games in a row this season, what do you think of that?
I think that's really great. I knew they were building a good team when they were on the JV team. They have managed to become a great team I wish them all the best next year.

5. Who is your favorite teammate?
I like all my team mates, Me and DC have been close friends since middle school in Jersey.

6. Who do you admire or give props to in college basketball?
I give props to DJ Augustine he's a guard at Texas University. I like the way he runs his team.

7. Have you spoken or visited with DADA?
Yes I have visited with Dada at North Carolina State. He is ranked #2 in his weight. He has the most pins in the history of the school. I probably talk to him almost every other day, he is doing well in class and on the mat.

8. When will you visit us?
Right now I need to finish out this year and get through the games ahead of us. Then I will be home and I can visit.

9. Do you hate any team?
Well I was brought up to never say the word hate. It's a strong word which is normally used out of anger to hurt someone. So I wouldn't say I hate any team, the word I would use is rivalry. The one team I would choose is Kentucky.

10. How good is Jersey Ball? How about Union County BBall?
I always said the best players come out of the Jersey areas so in saying that when you have the best players you have great basketball. Coming out of Union County, I know they still have a lot of great players and Rahway has proven that.

        

Earl,
Thank you for getting us the tickets for your game with Seton Hall. We were able to make some banners and take wonderful pictures of you and your outstanding team. We were able to send you some cards and letters from our class. We are now working on a book about you and your playing days at Louisville. We often discuss the games that we catch on TV with each other (the class). One kid said seeing Rick Pitino in his all white suit was his best memory! LOL! Now here are more questions that we would like to ask you:

Why is your minutes being cut down?

Are you still "in the dog house" with your coaches?

Will DC and yourself be back for the next season?

The Rahway High School team has won 21 games in a row this season, what do you think of that?

Who is your favorite teammate?

Who do you admire or give props to in college basketball?

Have you spoken or visited with DADA?

When will you visit us?

What is your chances in the Big East Tournament?

Do you hate any team?

How good is the Big East?

How good is Jersey Ball? How about Union County BBall?

        

Earl, remember your first basketball.....
Remember when Basketball was just all about the pleasure of playing the game. 

Don't forget to keep having fun son and the rest will take care of itself.

Happy 20th Birthday and good luck tonight. 

        

Happy Birthday Earl, From your mom, sister and the rest of the family.

        

Earl in the park working on his handle at age 6. You could always find him bouncing a basketball trying to imitate any move he had seen. On this day he was working on putting the ball between his legs.