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Brian Kortovich is Smokin’Aces.
Official Press Kit For distribution only.
The Story
About BK. Who is Brian Kortovich? At 6’1”, Cleveland, Ohio-born Brian Kortovich has never been a likely candidate for professional basketball. But, he’s never let that stop him. Brian has surmounted the impossible. Not one, but two career-ending knee injuries during his collegiate prime. A disjointed childhood where he witnessed his father’s aggressive and losing battle with appendix cancer. A career path that’s forced him to at various times act as his own agent, advisor, and deal-maker. Now, Brian has more hustle than ever.
The Story
BUILDING UPON HIS HARD-WON STREET BALLER PERSONA AND RUCKER PARK NICKNAME, SMOKIN’ ACES, BRIAN KORTOVICH HAS SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS PLAYING BASKETBALL INTERNATIONALLY IN KUWAIT, ITALY, FRANCE, ISRAEL, AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. HE’S BEEN A FIERCE COMPETITOR DURING THE KNICKS AND NETS PRESEASON WORKOUTS. AFTER BEING DRAFTED INTO THE NBA D-LEAGUE, BK IS JUST GETTING STARTED. NOW, STAGING A GUTSY SOCIAL MEDIA BLITZ TO COINCIDE WITH HIS LATEST NBA BID, HE’S UPPING THE ANTE ONCE AGAIN AND HOPING TO EARN HIS WAY TO U.S. RECOGNITION.
Team Kortovich
Timeline
Brian Kortovich is Smokin’ Aces.
1984: Picks up first basketball, promptly drops it 1989: Moves across town into a family friend’s house. For the next two years, learns what it’s like to share a bathroom with 5 women and sleep under a pool table 1990: Makes his first 3-point shot on a regulation-size basket ball court 1991: His father, Joseph is diagnosed with stage Four appendix cancer 1992-1997: Watches his mother struggle to raise two kids, work two jobs and go to school without any help beyond minor welfare assistance August 31, 1992: Joseph Kortovich dies at 44 years old 1996: Heavily recruited to Holy Name, a private high school in Cleveland 1998: Watches his mother graduate from Cleveland St. University at the age of 48 with B.A. in Social Work 1999: Transfers to Brunswick High School after tuition at Holy becomes prohibitively expensive 2000: Starts Cuyahoga Community College (CCC) in downtown Cleveland after being overlooked by D1 college programs 2001: Finishes a golden freshman season and leads the nation in 3-pointers (111), earning spot on the All-Conference team 2001: Squeaks past the 6’ mark and measures in at 6’1” 2002: Blows another season out of the water, receives offer to play on Manhattan College’s D1 team; puts CCC on the map as a breeding ground for D1 hopefuls 2002: Considered ineligible for Manhattan College’s program due to clerical errors and miscommunication. Loses a year of eligibility, forced to transfer yet again 2003: Joins California University of Pennsylvania’s DII program Summer 03: Tears his ACL, MCL and LCL during Cleveland’s Pro Am Tournament one week before reporting to campus August 03 – February 2004: Spends 6 months in a rigorous physical therapy program 2004: Returns to Cal U of PA in fighting shape, only to find out his place on the roster has been given away 2005: Transfers to Urbana University and joins forces with Coach Paul Bryant, determined to finish his roller coaster college career on a high note November 2005: 7:30pm: Starts in the opening game of his senior year 7:35pm: Lands awkwardly on a defender’s foot, reinjuring the same knee 7:40pm: Officially ends college career May 2006: Takes an internship at FC Stone on Wall Street one week after graduation 2006-2007: Shows up nightly on the courts of Harlem, the Bronx, Washington Heights, and Brooklyn to prove himself to his toughest audience yet January 2007: Receives a call from Kuwait to play for a team dead in the middle of serious political conflict. Despite the reticence of his family and friends, packs up his life and moves east
Summer 2007: Officially breaks onto the scene with an epic performance at the EBC Tournament in Rucker Park, earning him the nickname, Smokin’ Aces Summer 2007: Makes it to the finals at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, during NYC’s Last Man Standing: 1 on 1 Tournament Fall 2007: Works out with the Italian A-1 club ,Eldo Napoli, though management ends up signing a 6’7” American with experience on the Atlanta Hawks 2008: Signs with France’s Enfant Baskets, Bonjour! 2009: Signs with the Israeli team, Maccabi Givat Shmuel Summer 2009: Starts Aces Basketball, a non-profit providing basketball coaching and support to kids of all ages July 2009: Poses a serious threat to a 6’7” free agent hopeful during a workout with the New York Knicks August 2009: Shoots scenes with Stars Queen Latifah and Common in the movie, Just Wright Fall 2009: Joins up with a few select free agents for preseason workouts with the Knicks roster, falls short, but gets invited for preseason workouts with the New Jersey Nets, proving his game NBA-worth November 2009: Drafted into the NBA Developmental League with the last pick of the draft (6th round, 129th selection: Alberquerque Thunderbirds, Phoenix Suns NBA affiliate) April 2010: After three years of paperwork, finally receives Croatian citizenship and passport Spring 2010: Signs with IBL Club and averages 23 ppg and 5 apg May 2010: Inks with a club in the Dominican Republic July 2010: Learns how to bartend online in order to pay NYC rent July 2010: Shoots scenes with Anna Faris as the body double for Chris Evans in What’s Your Number? August 2010: Impresses Golden State Warriors scout during an individual workout Fall 2010: Participates in NY Knicks and NJ Nets preseason workouts yet again, proving he has the skills to compete March 2011: Signs with the Texas Legends, Dallas Mavericks NBA affiliate June 2011: Seeks positions in Zagreb, Croatia for Euroleague Club Cibona and the Croatian National 2012 Olympic Team. Falls short due not to lack of skill, but lack of recognizable name October 2011: Launches GiveBKaShot.com
Humble Beginnings
What inspires Brian? After enduring the loss of his father, Joseph, to cancer at an early age, Brian’s mother Laural struggled trying to raise both Brian and his sister, Jessica. Laural worked day and night shifts while also finishing her bachelor’s degree to become a social worker. Watching his mother sacrifice so much and prevail in the end proved to Brian the power of dedication and relentless pursuit.
The hoop where it all started. Outside BK’s home in Ohio.
Community
How does Brian give back? Brian doesn’t play basketball because he can, he plays basketball because it’s deeply ingrained in who he is. Picking up the game at an early age and playing through tough times, emotionally and physically, he knows how much he owes to the sport. Years of independent practice and seasons of teamwork and skill development instilled in him a lean self-reliance and mental stamina that has carried him through every day of his life on and off the court. Sharing those values and strong pillars of character with young basketball players, Brian is committed to working with and creating programs that give young players the guidance, structure, and mentorship that he didn’t always have himself.
Aces Basketball Brian founded Aces Basketball to demonstrate to players of all ages that basketball can truly be a positive force in their lives. Aces Basketball provides on court instruction to youth of all ages, as well as college and overseas professionals.
Testimonials
BK can shoot the rock with the best of them, at any level. He can definitely be an asset to teams in the NBA. Sam Mitchell, Former NBA Coach of the Year: Toronto Raptors and NJ Nets coach
I played ball with Brian recently and there is no doubt that he can play in the NBA. He has the talent, work ethic, and his jump shot is on point. If I were a GM, he’d be on my team. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
Brian is a tough competitor who knows the game and has a great stroke. He has seen the level of energy and commitment that it takes to play at this level. I love his passion.
Allan Houston, New York Knicks all-time great and a current Knicks’ Assistant GM
Brian is a great floor leader, very heady, can make shots off the dribble or catch and shoot. He’s got a great chance to make an NBA roster and his work ethic will keep him in the League.
Brian is a lights out shooter and has a great understanding of the game. He has obviously been overlooked for whatever reason. He can play in the NBA and proved it against our guys in camp. There’s a spot on every NBA roster for Brian.” Dan D’Antoni, New York Knicks’ Assistant Coach
Brian Kortovich is a great shooter from the PG position who also has a good mind for the game
Speedy Claxton 10 year NBA Career NBA Champion: Spurs 2003 Current Golden State Warriors Scout
BK has a deadly jumper. from the PG position He can run a team at this level if called upon and I know he can land a roster spot on a lot of teams in the NBA.
Kevin Martin #12 Shooting Guard, Houston Rockets
Anthony Marrow, New Jersey Nets SG
Brian is an inspiration for anyone following a dream and proof that if you add hard work, dedication and determination to talent, anything can be achieved. Michael Luscher Founder & CEO, POINT 3
Brian embodies the underdog. He’s already been all over the world and seen a lot. He will continue to be a pro baller for years to come. He possesses that NYC hustle and an unbelievable work ethic. And did I mention...what a nickname: Smokin’ Aces Niels Jager Marketing & design of K1X Basketball
Testimonials
BK on set of the CBS College Sports Basketball Campaign “Expect Anything� for NCAA March Madness Courtesy of CBS College Sports and Richard Mitchell
Testimonials
BK on set of the CBS College Sports Basketball Campaign “Expect Anything� for NCAA March Madness Courtesy of CBS College Sports and Richard Mitchell
Off the court Film >SAG eligible What’s Your Number (2011) Comedy starring Chris Evans and Anna Faris Just Wright (2010) Comedy starring Queen Latifah and Common TV >CBS College Sports “Expect Anything” March Madness College Basketball. >Herbalife and K1x Brand Promo >World of Jenks Windows Phone Promo http://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewJenks#p/ u/6/zIIp-hOkcFQ
BK and Charles Oakley, both K1X affiliates, at the K1X launch party in NYC.
Print > CBS College Sports > K1x add online and print > Slam Magazine > Bounce Magazine BK with Chris Evans on the red carpet of the premiere of What’s your Number?
BK on set with Anna Faris in What’s your Number?
BK on the set of Just Wright with Common.
Press coverage
k1x.com Introducing: Road to the Association http://k1x.com/blog/basketball/page/5/ cleveland.com From Cleveland to Croatia and a few stops in between. http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/06/ brian_kortovichs_hoops_dreams.html Dime mag Doing everything to make it. http://dimemag.com/2011/03/doing-everything-to-makeit/#more-72790 2wordsthetop.com Brian Kortovich Wants An NBA Team To Take A Chance. http://2wordsthetop.com/2011/07/08/one-shotbrian-kortovich-want-an-nba-team-to-take-a-chance/
boxofmess.com The Story of Brian Kortovich. http://boxofmess.com/2011/01/16/25-the-storyof-brian-kortovich/ slamonline Coming up the hard way: on concrete & asphalt http://www.slamonline.com/online/other-ballers/ streetball/2009/08/trip-aces/ medinagazette Brunswick grad making a name for himself. http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com/2009/07/22/ brunswick-grad-making-a-name-for-himself/ jasperjottings-daily.com Homegrown yet little known. http://jasperjottings-daily.com/2007/05/20/jfound-briankortovich-mc/
bounce mag Smokin’ Aces waiting for NBA call. http://www.bouncemag.com/2011/02/14/ brian-smokin-aces-kortovich-waiting-for-nba-call/ Other sponsors and groups associated with BK
Give bk ashot.com PR/Marketing opportunities, Keith Bielory – Step up Management Keith@stepupmanagement.com 914.438.6183 www.stepupmanagement.com Basketball Opportunities, Brian Graham Bmgforever@gmail.com 718.219.1005
After making it to the last cuts in the NY Knicks preseason camp, BK is just getting started by surmounting the impossible and never giving up.
Contact BK