THE HARLEM MAGICMASTERS

Enjoy The Magic of Basketball Again, For The First Time.
2003 marked the inaugural basketball season launch for Professional Entertainment Basketball’s newest team, The Harlem MagicMasters. Located in New York City, the MagicMasters are a group of some of the USA’s most accomplished basketball players who are not only gifted athletes, but also goodwill ambassadors of the sport and active mentors to youth.
The team was founded by Jack Bryant, a much-heralded 30-year business veteran and former all-conference basketball star with the University of Maryland–Eastern Shore. With help from Basketball legend and Hall of Fame inductee, Marques Haynes, The MagicMasters will combine competitive basketball skills, with entertaining skits, above the rim slam-dunks and amazing ball handling routines, all to the driving beat of contemporary music.
Over the course of the 2003–2005 inaugural seasons, The Harlem MagicMasters anticipate playing approximately 150 games against a variety of competitive All-Star Teams representing non-profit organizations, schools and other community based organizations in the United States. In addition, the team will participate in a number of school assembly programs, short–form basketball promotions, instructional basketball camps and develop educational programs designed to empower youth both on and off the court.
The Harlem MagicMasters games are currently being scheduled at venues with seating capacity of 1000 seats or more which include colleges/universities, recreation centers and other similarly sized venues. In addition to playing the scheduled game, The Harlem MagicMasters always allocate time to interact with fans and members of the communities in which they play before and after the event.

Future plans call for tours and games all across America and in many foreign countries. Additionally, the Harlem MagicMasters will conduct camps and clinics for young aspiring players as well as market various basketball related merchandise.

Staff:
Jack Bryant, President

JACK BRYANT
Owner and President of the Harlem MagicMasters International

Hailing from the inner city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a virtual incubator of basketball talent, Jack Bryant is a true veteran as a basketball player and as a business executive. With the formation of the Harlem MagicMasters based out of New York City Bryant ascends to even higher heights in the business of sports and entertainment. One of his life long dreams had been to own a basketball team. That dream has now come true with the launch of the Harlem MagicMasters, a professional entertainment basketball team that emphasizes competitive basketball and entertaining show routines.
Bryant originally conceptualized the Harlem MagicMasters over ten years ago but did not pursue launching the team due to his full time commitment to his career. However, he recently stated that, “the timing and climate are perfect for a team playing this style of ball” and accordingly he could not postpone the start up of the team any longer. He went on to say that, “there are many gifted and talented players who possess the special skills required for this style of play and therefore these players deserve the opportunity to showcase their skills.”
Jack Bryant racked up quite a few points himself both on and off the court. On the court, he was a star player at the University of Maryland –Eastern Shore where he was a prolific scorer and rebounder. He was named to the first All-MEAC {Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference} team and was an All Army- Europe team member. He earned a coveted tryout with the Harlem Globetrotters. It was there that he met the legendary Marques Haynes and Meadowlark Lemon who were player/coaches at the time. He was selected to play for the team but due to an injury thought it would be best to wait until the next season. He returned to his home in New York where he started his business career and did not go back to the Globetrotters the next season.

Off the court, Bryant began building his illustrious career in marketing and media. He has held several key positions in the broadcast industry as president of National Black Network, American Urban Radio Networks and the African Heritage TV Network. Currently he is a senior executive at Access.1 Communications Corp. and Chief Operating Officer of Superadio Network.
The Harlem MagicMasters will enable Bryant to combine his business and basketball skills as he develops this exciting team and overall business venture. Bryant stated, “That sports in general and basketball in particular are becoming increasingly more popular as our contemporary culture seems to revolve around the axis of sports and entertainment.”

Tyrone “Long Range” Sherrod, General Manager
As a young man growing up in Brooklyn, Mr. Sherrod used basketball as a way to stay off the streets. Beginning his career at Paul Robeson High School, staying off the streets turned into being on center court. As a star at this urban “power house” school, Tyrone averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, in a high school career that earned him a full scholarship to Division II contender, Clarion University in Pennsylvania. After graduating with honors with a degree in Business Administration & Management, Mr. Sherrod returned to his high school alma mater as an assistant coach, and immediately helped his team win two PSAL City Championships in 1995 and 1997. Currently Tyrone serves as director/founder of his own instructional basketball camps and as the computer teacher and Dean of Students at an Elementary School in Hollis, New York. Mr. Sherrod is a strong advocate for positive change in society and believes that success comes with hard work, genuineness and perseverance.

Rudy “The Motivator” Johnson, Vice President of Sales
A Brooklyn native Rudy Johnson has been in the Entertainment Basketball business for over 20 years. Rudy excels as a sales director, and has brought his high level of energy and experience to the Harlem MagicMasters Organization. A basketball stand out at Brooklyn L.I.U., in 1980-81 Rudy was captain of the team and led the Blackbirds to their first NEAC appearance in over 40 years. Rudy will now take the Harlem MagicMasters to new heights.

Jay “Master J” Bryant, Vice President of Basketball Operations
Jay is a 2000 Honor Society graduate of Long Island University, Southampton College. He received a Bachelors degree in Communications. While attending Southampton College, Jay had a commendable college basketball career as a member of the Runnin' Colonials Men’s Basketball team for three years. During the summers while in college Jay worked for several basketball camps and programs sponsored by notable NBA players, as well as Stanford University and Seton Hall University. Jay recently received his Masters Degree in Sport Management from Adelphi University. In Addition to his full time duties with the team, he is presently a trainer and instructor for Athletes Helping Athletes. He also works with other Student Athlete Leadership Team Programs and junior and senior high school students at Molloy College and Adelphi University in New York.

Marques Haynes, Consultant
Considered the world’s greatest dribbler, first Harlem Globetrotters to be enshrined in the Basketball hall of fame. In a five-decade career, played in more than 12,000 games. Entertained fans in 97 countries around the world, Played before 75,000 fans in Berlin, Germany (1950), the largest basketball crowd in history, while a Globetrotter defeated the George Mikan-led Minneapolis Lakers in both 1948 and 1949, Enshrined in five other Halls of Fame: NAIA (1985), Oklahoma (1990), East Hartford (CT) Hall (1992), Jim Thorpe (1993) and Langston University (1995).

John Smith Head Coach
A native of Phoenix, Arizona Mr. Smith has a distinguished background. He attended Phoenix Junior College and the University of Puget Sound where he graduated with a BA in Elementary Education. At Puget Sound he was a high scorer averaging over 20 points per game. Smith was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics and was later sent to the Wilkes Barre Barons of the Eastern Basketball League. He tried out for the San Diego Rockets and two American Basketball Association (ABA) teams, the Utah Stars and the Dallas Chaparrals. After his experience with the NBA and ABA, he landed a permanent spot with the Harlem Globetrotters where he played for 8 years. At the Globetrotters, he acquired the reputation of being an all around player. John Smith was particularly known for his deceptive moves and feared for his deadly jump shot. In addition to playing for the Globetrotters, he also played for teams owned by Marques Haynes and Meadowlark Lemon, the Harlem Magicians and Buckateers, respectively. Smith has traveled extensively in the United States and abroad including Europe, Africa and South America. Smith has taught school and worked for several youth programs. He is recognized as an excellent motivator. His knowledge of the game is extensive and he is a gifted instructor.