“Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.� -John F.Kennedy-
Limitless World Magazine
Letter from the Editor- KZ Chester Mbekela
1
Le tte r from the edi tor Greetings to our loyal readers and welcome back to another exciting issue of your favorite digital mag, Limitless World Magazine. We are 7months old and can’t believe how quickly time flies! We’ve enjoyed the ride so far and we hope that you have as well. We really are grateful for the growth we‘ve experienced while bringing our readers and followers quality content. We are looking forward to what lies ahead in our journey of documenting lives of athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers and other individuals that we view as people living life with no limits! I don’t know about you, but the word ‘limitless’ or ‘no limits’ has become my mantra. I think we all need a mantra to give us a sense of belief during these challenging times. 2020 really has been a challenge year and true character has been revealed during the course of this period. My message is, this year isn’t over yet and you can still turn it around in your favor. It’s all about your attitude. Choose positivity and don’t let up! keep putting in the work and thing s will turn around, you’ll see. I wish you all the best for the remainder of this year, let’s finish it off on a high! Yours truly,
KZ Chester Mbekela- Chief Digital Editor Instagram: @kz_ches 2
TABLE OF C O N T E N T S 20 Questions with: John Saintignon
Esports Chat
Technology talk
K e e p w ar m t h i s f a ll . G e t y ou r h o od ie n ow ! https://yukiohishika.com/?ref=jyc4i8n8fjk
3
4
20 Questions with
John Saintignon-International baskeball coach
Question 1
Question 2
Please introduce yourself and When were you first introduced tell us a little bit about you. to the sport of basketball? My name is John Saintignon and I was adopted as a young boy in 1965, to live in the United States. I was fortunate to play college basketball after my high school career. I led in scoring within the US in all divisions.
I first got introduced to the sport when I was in the 6th grade. I was 12 years old. I joined with a friend of mine who wanted to try out for the team. That was my first encounter with the game.
When did you realize that you had a talent for the sport? I think I realized that I had talent when I entered my 8th grade. At that point I had become very good at the game. I was around 13 or 14 years old by that time. But yeah I discovered that I had gotten pretty good as a player.
Post college, I was able to have a career as a professional basketball player and once I retired, I moved over to coaching in the USA with the NCAA and eventually became a head coach, for clubs based abroad in various countries.
“Post college I was able to have acareer as a professional basketball player� 5
Question 3
Limitless World Magazine
Question 4 Would you please share with us, your most memoriable AAU basketball moment? My most cherished memory as a young player was in high school.We had to play our rival school in Tuscon in order to qualify for play-offs. The game came down to a last second shot and luckily, I had been practicing for that Shot for years!(laughs). To be honest, I didn’t even see the ball go into the net! All I remember was how my team and coaching staff ran onto the floor because we had won the game. I literally made that shot due to muscle memory reflexes (laughs).
“The game came down down to a last second shot and luckily, I had been practicing for that shot for years!”
Question 5 How did you handle your transition from being a high school player, to being a college player? It was a huge transition for me to go from high school to to college basketball. In college You’re playing against grown men. The bodies are bigger and the game is more intense. Training was intense too. It defeinitely tested my confidence. Sometimes I woul have self doubt about how good I was compared to other players. Added responsibility was also a factor I had to adjust to as coaches were expecting more from me.
6
7
Question 6 What woud you say are the key differences between high school and college basketball? The difference would definitely be the body sizes. Playing against guys who are 20-21 years old is is the key difference. Those guys have been dedicating their hardwork to the game, therefore their maturity level is a world apart from highscholars. 8
High school players are also mostly from the same area where as in college, guys come from all over the country. Coaches recruit The best talent and big bodied players they wish to have on their teams. Question 7 Would you please share how it was like playing for the mighty Trojans in college? Oh man! (laughs), those were good days. So ESPN, in it’ earlier days, did a story on me as I was the leading scorer at the time. It helped in giving me national exposure.
There was no social media back in those days so it was great to get that sort of recognition. Question 8 So where did you sign your first professional contract? My first professional basketball opportunity was playing in Spain. But before that, I was invited to play in the Los Angeles summer pro league. This invitation came as a result of my stats in being the leading scorer at college level.
Question 9 How many countries were you able to play in, as a basketball player? As a pro athlete, I only ever played in two countries. I started off playing in Spain and then finished off my career playing in Mexico. I did however, have a try out with an NBA team, as a free Agent. The Chicago Bulls were the team that gave me a try out back in 1989. It was a great experience and I’m content about the fact that I had survived the try-out until the very end. I was satisfied that I had given it my all. I had no regrets at all because I knew how much of an effort I had put in. It was out of my hands.
https://yukiohishika.com/?ref=jyc4i8n8fjk 9
Question 10 Which country did you enjoy playing in the most? As a player, I’d say that Spain was remarkable. I think mainly because it was my first time being abroad. It was a little tough because again, there was no internet so Phone calls and letter writting were the only ways of commucating back home.
“I got into coaching because I had been coached by great Coaches along my journey” 10
Question 11 How long was your pro career as a player and did you win any championships? So I was a professional for four seasons. I had an option to keep playing for two more years but it just became a bit too much. I guess it had taken its toll on me. We had a championship season in Spain but not in Mexico. I had a great time though, playing in both Countries.
Question 12 What inspired you to get into coaching after your playing career? I got into coaching because I had been coached by great coaches along my journey. I saw them as instruments of inspiration, these were gentlemen who could inspire one to do things they never thought possible. They weren’t just great teachers. They were great mentors too, who knew how to inspire.
Read magazines and shop catalogs on-the-go.
Get the free issuu app for iOS or Android
Or visit us on issuu.com issuu
issuu
issuu
issuu
Limitless World Magazine
Question 13
“I had multiple assignments with the NCAA to watch and scout. “
What has been your higest accolade as a coach thus far? You know I’m not sure. I am more of a transformational coach, rather than a transactional coach. The wins and losses aren’t what I focus on. Building relationships with My players and turning them into winners on and off the court. I’ve worked with teams where we were over achievers and I’ve worked with teams whereby we were the underdogs. I focus on my impact on the players.
11
Question 14 How was it like scouting for the LA Clippers? How was the environment within the NBA? It was great for me. I was sent on an assignment to Poland to see eight teams in that region from all over Europe that came in to play. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to sit there and watch. I had multiple assignments within the NCAA to watch and scout. A great time indeed.
Question 15 As a FIBA coach, which country was the most rewarding for you as a coach? The answer to this question is laced with many things. So what I look for in each country is something special and unique, eg. my opportunity to coach in Mexico was Wonderful because of the environment and where we were. Same thing with the Middle East, it was such a unique way of life and that’s what made it special. My last stint which was coaching in Japan was truly amazing as well. The organization was so professional and getting to Experience Japanese culture is something that I’ll treasure forever.
12
Question 16
Ques tio n 17
After coaching here in Japan, where would you like to go to next for coaching?
We also learnt that you are a successful author. Tell us about your book tat you’ve published?
To be honest, I’m open to coaching anywhere I can get an opportunity. All I am looking for, is to work with like minded individuals who know that a championship isn’t won on the first game and that good things take time. I want to work with teams that want that type of mentality from me. Wherever in the world, I’ll take that opportunity.
Thank you for the vote of confidence and yes I did publish a book called “Take Your Shot, Make Your Play” which did very Well. It’s about pursuing your passion in life. It’s an easy read and people from all walks of life could relate to it. The most recent book due to be released is called “Shooting For Impossible.” This one is about my adoption as a baby and the search for my identity.
Limitless World Magazine
Available on the website: www.johnsaintignon.com 13
Question 18 Are you currently involved in any business ventures away from the court?
Question 19 What would you like your legacy within the world of basketball to be?
Yes, I am actively involved in a company called Modere. I was first introduced to the company when I was in Japan.
(Laughs) this question is loaded! I gave my respect to the game. I believe I wasn’t born to play the game but rather fell in love with the game.
It’s a supplement company and because I am always looking to stay healthy and active, it made sense to get involved with them. It’s an online type of business so its convenient. Their products are also plant based which is also something that resonated with me.
The game found me and changed my life as it does For many other players. Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of money to go out or take a girl out on a date. That’s where basketball took over. I would just dream and practice alone for hours on end. I needed the game and it needed me too. I want my legacy as a coach to be that, I was a transformational coach. The coach who focused more on the journey than on the scorebored.
14
Question 20 Are there any websites and social media pages that you’d like to tell us about, so that people can follow your journey? Yes certainly, my website is www.johnsaintignon.com I have Linkedin and Facebook profiles under my name. My Instagram page is @stignon1 and the same With my Twitter page. Thank you for having me! Take care.
Something for the kiddies!
For some adventure, fun and imagination, check out our children’s book!
https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Oval-Ball-Chester-Mbekela-ebook/dp/B07V541453/ref=sr_1_2? dchild=1&keywords=The+Magic+Oval+Ball+book&qid=1605325539&sr=8-2
15
Men’s sneakers- Yukio Hishika Clothing (Japan)
Click here for more: https://yukiohishika.com/?ref=jyc4i8n8fjk Use coupon code: KZ10 and get 30% off any purchased items. 16
Ladies Fashion- Yukio Hishika Clothing(Japan)
Click here for more! https://yukiohishika.com/?ref=jyc4i8n8fjk Use coupon code: KZ10 and get 30% off any purchased items.
. 17
Esports chat FIBA announces second esports tournament FIBA recently announced early November that there will be an expanded esports tournament. Teams are set to be divided into conferences such as Africa, North and Central America, South America, Europe, South East Asia and the Middle East.
18
November 14th and 15th will see the participation of Africa, South East Asia and Middle East conference games being played. The Americas conferences will play their scheduled games on December 12th and 13th. The finals are set to take place on the FIBA Esports open II in all Conferences.
With the success from the first FIBA esports tournament, the second tournament shows more excitement in terms of revenue. It’s bigger with more teams and conferences! Streaming platforms and advertisers have the best opportunity In getting involved. The growth of esports presents the sports industry with limitless opportunity. We wish all teams involved, the best of luck!
Limitless World Magazine
A good read for athletes, students and workers looking to live abroad and experience life!
Click the link to get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Playing-sport-studying-working-abroad/dp/1704485908/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0? _encoding=UTF8&qid=1605327132&sr=8-1
19
Click here for more! https://yukiohishika.com/?ref=jyc4i8n8fjk 20
Technology talk ML-Digital Marketing & Publishing ML-Digital Marketing & Publishing continues to reach new frontiers. The digital marketing agency has introduced its latest service in providing publishing services for up and coming writers. The company looks to give authors who are struggling to get their work out, an opportunity to get internationally published and
www.mldigimarketing.com
21
to share their work with the world. Getting published the traditional way is not an easy path to follow. The major publishing corporations have to believe that your book is worth the investment. If they don’t believe in you, then your book doesn’t come out. Then the dream dies! But with technology on our hands, MLDigital Marketing & Publishing has figured out a way to cater for those rejected by traditional publishers, by giving them an opportunity to invest in their work and most importantly,
own all the content of their work. This new method of publishing will definitely disrupt the traditional way but that is the beauty of technology. We are living in a time where the rapid pace of technology is giving content creators the power to determine their own destiny. It really is exciting times and the company is excited at the posibility of creating opportunities for up and coming writers.
An epic story for sports lovers!
Click here to get the ebook : https://www.amazon.com/Underrated-national-students-ranking-world-2013-ebook/dp/B08G1K3Y96/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0? _encoding=UTF8&qid=1605327409&sr=8-2
22
FOLLOW Website: www.mldigimarketing.com
I n s t a gra m: @limitless_world_mag
23
Limitless World Magazine
