Rens Star John Isaacs Featured In New York Daily News
Former New York Rens basketball star John Isaacs was featured in a big New York Daily News article last week by Bobby Ciafardini.
Ciafardini covers basketball for the News, InsideHoops.com, and other outlets, but he also covers the Bronx. This allowed him to get some fine insights about Isaacs in the piece, called “Legendary point guard John Isaacs gives back in South Bronx,” including this:
But for all the success Isaacs enjoyed on the hardwood, his greatest battles didn’t start bearing fruit until after his playing days came to an end.
For many generations of families in the Bronx, Isaacs’ legend has less to do with hoops and more to do with his role as a mentor at the Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse. For five decades, Isaacs has been a voice of reason in a depressed area where many children struggle to avoid the pitfalls of drugs and violence.
“Anyone who associates the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, associates it was Mr. Isaacs,” said Frank Noboa, the club’s unit director for the past five years. “It’s really amazing to see the rich history and the impact he’s had on these families over fifty years. It’s a tribute to his dedication.”
Former Rens star John Isaacs poses with young fans, in front of Harlem’s Renaissance Ballroom in 2005.
It’s this part of Isaacs that’s most often overlooked.
You already know that I can’t stand it when the media focuses non-stop on problems rather than successes and possibilities. So I cringe when I read that the Bronx is characterized as “a depressed area where many children struggle to avoid the pitfalls of drugs and violence.”
Yet, it’s refreshing to see insightful off-court coverage of Isaacs, who’s been doing this brand of worthwhile community work non-stop without ever keeping score. But keeping score would be impossible, because his impact on the community can’t be measured anyway.
It’s the story of his life.
On the court, Isaacs’ best qualities are easily overlooked today — especially by the veterans committees of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — since assists, steals, blocked shots, turnovers, and other hustle statistics weren’t tracked back then.
There are ways around this, of course, and Isaacs, as are several other Black Fives Era stars and pioneers, is deserving of a spot in Springfield.
Meanwhile, the Hall of Fame doesn’t count community impact as one of its criteria for enshrinement, nor should they. But if they did then Isaacs would be inducted immediately.
The complete Daily News article …
(Photo courtesy Claude Johnson/Black Fives, Inc.)
Im saddened by the news,John was a fine person.He was one of his eras greats,he was my escort for my dad at the new york city basketball hall of fame.We met also at springfield at one of the inductions.He never let anyone put down the old timers even though to some it was the popular thing to do.It was these people like him and pop gates and others that the game became what it is.I cant believe that the rens and the celtics and other teams stand by and watch foreigners go in the hall ahead of these pioneers.Like John and sonny boswell, fat jenkins,nat hickey,Davy Banks and others.I know how the hall works and its nothing to brag about,I still dont believe coaches should go in the hall of fame over any of these players.Give the coaches a celebration but no induction.
You’re doin’ really good things, man. Thanks.
Awww man, Claude, thanks for this article man…nice, fresh article…you know I’ve been waiting for this…I just sat one of my players down and taught him about John Isaacs and the Renaissance Rens, and I really had his attention…it was very exciting for me to teach that young fella the history…
PS – I have to admit that I also like this section of the article, which shines a light on Nike’s Black Fives Footwear Collection:
great article – Mr. Isaac’s really deserves sa spotlight shone on him. He’s a great man and all the children at the Smilow Clubhouse in the Bronx are better people for knowing him.