Spyda Formally of AND1 Streetball Is Back with His Company: Streetball Evolution

Dennis “Spyda” Chism, formally of AND1, is ready to rule the game of street ball once again. This time it will be on his own terms with his own company “Streetball Evolution.” In 2014, Spyda is looking forward to bringing back the entertainment of street ball to the fans with his own team touring around the world.

In 2012, Spyda walked away from the game he loves and the companies that took him all over the world. This ended a 10-year roller coaster in which Chism went from being an explosive yet raw basketball talent to a world famous street baller.

Spyda was featured on the popular ESPN television series “Street Ball: The AND1 Mix Tape Tour” sponsored by Mountain Dew Code Red which lead to endorsements with Gatorade and Sprite. Spyda was also the youngest African American to ever be  on Gatorade bottles in China.

For Chism, just traveling the world and playing ball in front of thousands of fans was an honor.  Being young, he trusted those  around him to look after his best interests. Unfortunately, he often found himself returning home from world tours without much, if  anything, to show for his work. This inequity left Chism feeling frustrated causing him to eventually walk away somewhat depressed.

After some time for reflection, Chism realized that he had much more to give.

Spyda discovered that starting the conversation is the crucial first step that most individuals suffering from any type of mental illness fail to take.

Chism began sharing his story with young people in some Atlanta basketball gyms offering encouragement and hope for kids going through hard times.

“Just sharing your pain with others starts the healing process,” says Chism. “We can’t worry about what we can’t control. It’s about adapting to the changes that happen in life.”

Adapting means “turning a negative into a positive,” which is exactly what he is doing now.

Chism started Spyda’s World Organization and is looking forward to using Streetball as platform to bounce out the stigma associated with mental illness.

Chism explains that Spyda’s World is all about helping people transition through difficultchanges in life. “The mission is to help those struggling with change.

Whether it’s a veteran coming back from war trying to learn job skills, a person trying to get clean battling a drug or alcohol addiction, or anyone suffering from a form of mental illness, we want them to know that help is out there.”

Spyda’s World is currently planning its 2014 summer tour to raise awareness about mental illness, and to spread the message that help is available.

“We want to encourage people to seek help and connect them with the available resources,” says Chism.

He hopes that this new street ball tour will help to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.

“We need to get people talking about it instead of treating it as taboo.” Spyda’s World Org. has a two-tiered approach with this new initiative.

First, he wants to use his platform to raise awareness and spread the word for the often under advertised mental illness treatment centers by connecting them with patients.

Spyda also wants to use this opportunity to hold several fundraising events for this charitable cause.