Bronx guard Mike Tuitt learns game and makes name at Watson Classic
By Ian Begley
daily news sports writer
It's 11 P.M. on Sunday night, and Mike Tuitt can finally relax for a few moments. He's just peeled off his sweat-soaked jersey after going off for 29 points at the Watson Classic, hitting seven three-pointers in That's What's Up's 91-79 win over The Gymrats at the Baychester Community Center, the tournament's rain site.
It's the fourth game he's played in the past two days, but that busy schedule is nothing new. It's just another summer weekend on the city streetball circuit for the 21-year-old guard.
"It can be tiring sometimes, but I'm young so it's fun to me," Tuitt says.
The 6-3 point guard has been playing in the unlimited men's league at the Watson Classic for five years and started playing at the park when he was 11. In a way, Tuitt, who lives a block away from Parque De Los Ninos where the tournament is held, has grown up along with the 10-year-old Watson Classic.
"He's been with me since he was knee-high," says tournament director and CEO Lee Jones.
"This is home to me," says Tuitt.
Tuitt began his basketball career at Gompers HS, then spent one season at the American Christian School, a top prep program in Aston, Pa. He returned to the area last season, starring at Monroe College, a community college, in the Bronx, but he'll leave home again next month.
He'll head to Hampton University, where he's accepted a basketball scholarship, on Aug. 25. Pirates coach Edward Joyner Jr. can't wait for the cat-quick floor general to show up at the Virginia school, either.
"Mike will be on the court for us the minute he steps on campus," Joyner says. "He brings leadership at the point guard position and instant leadership to our team.
"He's a tough kid. Toughness on any team starts from head to toe and Mike is going to be the head of my team."
Tuitt is itching to hit the court for Hampton. He says he loves the Soundview section of the Bronx, loves playing at Watson, loves hanging around his family and friends. But he also knows that trouble surrounds his apartment on the corner of Wheeler and Watson Aves.
"It's tough because you see a lot of different things out here," Tuitt says. "Like they (are) shooting at night, drug dealing, everything . . . you see it out here."
That's why Tuitt welcomes the opportunity to attend Hampton. He says he wants to study film at the historically black college and hopes to lead the program to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.
"I'm doing something I love to do and getting a free education at the same time," Tuitt said. "There's nothing better than that."
Except, perhaps coming home, which is what Tuitt will do next summer. He won't stay at Hampton; he'll play at the same tournament he's been at since age 11, the Watson Classic.
"When I come home, I know they expect me on that court," Tuitt says. "I have to show up here. I always have to come to Watson, that's my home."
Story Link
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/high_school/2009/07/27/2009-07-27_bronx_guard_mike_tuitt_learns.html#ixzz0MYuZGhHL
By Ian Begley
daily news sports writer
It's 11 P.M. on Sunday night, and Mike Tuitt can finally relax for a few moments. He's just peeled off his sweat-soaked jersey after going off for 29 points at the Watson Classic, hitting seven three-pointers in That's What's Up's 91-79 win over The Gymrats at the Baychester Community Center, the tournament's rain site.
It's the fourth game he's played in the past two days, but that busy schedule is nothing new. It's just another summer weekend on the city streetball circuit for the 21-year-old guard.
"It can be tiring sometimes, but I'm young so it's fun to me," Tuitt says.
The 6-3 point guard has been playing in the unlimited men's league at the Watson Classic for five years and started playing at the park when he was 11. In a way, Tuitt, who lives a block away from Parque De Los Ninos where the tournament is held, has grown up along with the 10-year-old Watson Classic.
"He's been with me since he was knee-high," says tournament director and CEO Lee Jones.
"This is home to me," says Tuitt.
Tuitt began his basketball career at Gompers HS, then spent one season at the American Christian School, a top prep program in Aston, Pa. He returned to the area last season, starring at Monroe College, a community college, in the Bronx, but he'll leave home again next month.
He'll head to Hampton University, where he's accepted a basketball scholarship, on Aug. 25. Pirates coach Edward Joyner Jr. can't wait for the cat-quick floor general to show up at the Virginia school, either.
"Mike will be on the court for us the minute he steps on campus," Joyner says. "He brings leadership at the point guard position and instant leadership to our team.
"He's a tough kid. Toughness on any team starts from head to toe and Mike is going to be the head of my team."
Tuitt is itching to hit the court for Hampton. He says he loves the Soundview section of the Bronx, loves playing at Watson, loves hanging around his family and friends. But he also knows that trouble surrounds his apartment on the corner of Wheeler and Watson Aves.
"It's tough because you see a lot of different things out here," Tuitt says. "Like they (are) shooting at night, drug dealing, everything . . . you see it out here."
That's why Tuitt welcomes the opportunity to attend Hampton. He says he wants to study film at the historically black college and hopes to lead the program to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.
"I'm doing something I love to do and getting a free education at the same time," Tuitt said. "There's nothing better than that."
Except, perhaps coming home, which is what Tuitt will do next summer. He won't stay at Hampton; he'll play at the same tournament he's been at since age 11, the Watson Classic.
"When I come home, I know they expect me on that court," Tuitt says. "I have to show up here. I always have to come to Watson, that's my home."
Story Link
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/high_school/2009/07/27/2009-07-27_bronx_guard_mike_tuitt_learns.html#ixzz0MYuZGhHL
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