Who or what inspired you to start freestyling?

When I’d work on ball-handling it was a way to prevent boredom, when you spend hours focusing on improving a certain aspect of your game you need to find new ways to challenge yourself. Personally I can only do ball-handling drills for so long, I always found enjoyment in trying different dribbling moves, and saw it to be a good creative outlet.
 

Over the last 5 years or so, you’ve been on of the most copied freestylers in terms of moves, combos and style. What do you think about so many people doing your moves?

Well there have been people doing this before me, and I have been influenced by many so I can’t take that credit. But I’ve always benefited from the lack of originality in streetball. If you want to be viewed as elite in whatever you may do its important to separate yourself. I’ve always tried to capitalize on what people weren’t doing.

Can you tell us a bit about what it was like being on Dime? What was it like when you met up with other players from the crew and freestyled?

Dime was a blessing. Through the exposure Dime brought, I was able to travel a bit, met people and experience the business side of basketball. Overall the relationships I still have to this day with some people from Dime are what I value the most. Meeting up with everyone was always a good self evaluation. It’s easy to become comfortable and satisfied with yourself where you live and forget there’s always people working harder out there. Like Denzel said in He Got Game “What do you think Jordan is doing right now?”
 
As of right now are you affiliated with any crews or are you doing the solo thing?

(Laughs) You could say I’m a free agent I guess.
 
What do you think about the freestyle scene right now? What do you think it needs?

Over the past few years the freestyle aspect in streetball has taken a backseat to dunking. People who have followed streetball have seen the companies that have come close to “making it”. So it’s good to see what Team Flight Brothers is accomplishing now being an established international professional company. It wasn’t too long ago when they were a crew of dunkers putting their clips on YouTube. But I think needs more competitiveness like it had a few years back also it could use better management. There’s no reason a freestyle crew couldn’t reach some of the success Team Flight Brothers has.
 
Are there any freestylers out there that you’ve been watching and liking lately?

When I was in Toronto this past summer Ghost showed me the freestyle that will be on his DVD. It was well done it had all the ingredients good moves, combos, camera views, location. The David Dazzle and Lee freestyle clip that came out a year or two ago was also excellent.
 

Tell us something about you that most people probably wouldn’t know?

One thing is that I’m trying to pick-up tennis.
 
What’s your worst experience with freestyling?

Not a freestyle experience but a few years back in the Dime heyday, I did an interview with hoopsvibe.com and my one response for things to come was to hopefully lookout for dime to blow up. Few days later I got an e-mail after it was posted saying we had to change your one response to due to trademark issues and my interview response was change to “lookout for me to blow.” Something I think sounds corny and would be embarrassed to say about myself.
 
What’s your all time favorite freestyle video?

I don’t really have a favorite but Johnny Blaze Notic2 freestyle is classic. I love the DJ Premier beat, the editing is clean cut and perfect and his handles are quick and crisp.
 
Who are your top 5 freestylers of all time?

I don’t have a top 5 but my favorite are (in no order) Pepper, Ghost, and Mo (Motion Sickness).

Thanks for your time Colin.