Two Dreams, One Lifetime: The Maurice Ager Story

We sat down with former NBA veteran Maurice Ager to talk basketball in the NBA and overseas, life and his “other” love, music

Detroit, Michigan. A city that’s known by those from it as hard-working, and where almost everyone’s upbringing has three things in common: it’s rough, difficult and emotional. Outside of the city, they are known for their notable musicians, cars, violence and filing for bankruptcy on July 18, 2013. The lucky ones from the Motor City that make it out of the hood and have the luxury of saying “I made it”, don’t forget where they were born, raised and bred. People like Kid Rock, Draymond Green, Eminem, Royce da 5’9″, Big Sean, Dej Loaf, Jemele Hill, Chris Webber and Jalen Rose.

When people go on to achieve great success and forget where they came from, they’re also forgetting where they grew up on and what groomed them as a success. Growing up in tough situations makes your skin thicker and trust low. It helps increase acumen on things people from suburban areas wouldn’t understand such as street smarts and other skills that no school textbook at the best institution could educate someone on. Detroit natives believe and know that nobody outside of that city is really on their side. Just as Eminem, Royce da 5’9″, Dej Loaf, Big Sean, Danny Brown and Trick Trick said in a song written in early 2015, it’s really “Detroit Vs. Everybody.”

A former NBA player and now music producer who knows about the struggle of growing up in Detroit is former five-year NBA veteran Maurice Ager. Being in the ambiance of gangs, gun shot sounds, people addicted to drugs, alcohol and sex, and constantly hearing sirens didn’t stop Ager from making it.

“Detroit was fun and rough at times. It molded me to who into am now. [As for the song] I cried when I first heard that record. It touched my soul,” Ager said on growing up in Detroit and hearing the song.

Ager had two passions growing up: basketball and music. Those are two common passions that any inner-city kid from an impoverished town develops a love for. At the time though, basketball was getting Ager known as standout prospect at Crockett High School – which is now closed. The attention Ager gained included notable Division 1 schools such as Missouri and Michigan State.

The recurring process for a high school student can become a hectic one. Schools spouting promises they most likely won’t fulfill and bugs in your ear that attempt to wile a young prospect to commit on going to a certain college. Ager had his close-knit family help him make a decision as he committed to Missouri at first before backing out and staying home and becoming a Spartan in lieu of a Tiger.

“[The recruiting process was] somewhat smooth. [I] committed to Mizzo and backed out to sign with MSU. I had fun during that whole process [and] wouldn’t change it.”

“Distance and my mom did not feel good about that decision [to attend Missouri]. She was right enough said,” Ager on why he un- committed.

Ager receiving a high school diploma in 2002 was something of a severe rarity during that time period in Detroit. The Detroit Public School system was/is known as the worst schooling district in any urban community inside of the United States. The city’s public school system had a high school graduation rate around 20 percent, and being a male from that area made Ager graduating high school much more amazing. Since 2002, the city’s graduation rate has increased and was at 71percent this year, which is a great and drastic improvement.

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After graduating, Ager was destined to move away from his home of Detroit to East Lansing, Michigan and officially start his career as a Michigan State Spartan. There he would go on to be coached by Hall of Fame worthy coach Tom Izzo, who’s been with the program since 1983.

Izzo served as a shepherd to Ager throughout his four-year career there from 2002 – 2006. The 6-foot-5 guard improved his skill-set each season as he received more playing time from coach Izzo. His development was slow but steady with no major setbacks. Ager averaged 6.7 points as a freshmen in 17.1 minutes, and then 8.5 in 22.5 minutes per night as a Sophomore. Year three of his collegiate career is when things changed and he created a named for himself amongst the public. As a junior Spartan, Ager averaged 14.1 points in 26.3 minutes.

Along with an increased role as a leader, Ager helped Michigan State make an amazing run to the Final Four of the 2005 NCAA Tournament, in which they defeated Kentucky in a double-overtime game in the Elite 8 before losing in the next round to the eventual champions, North Carolina. A year later as a senior, Ager averaged 19.3 points which was a team-high. Sadly though his career didn’t end in similar fashion to his junior season as he and the Spartans were upset by George Mason in the first-round, who were the Cinderella story as they made it to the Final Four.

Basketball gave Ager an opportunity of a lifetime. It gave him a four-year career at one of the best educational intuitions in America. Along with that, he played basketball at one of the best programs in the nation for one of the most revered coaches in the sport. All that for a kid from Detroit. Ager took advantage of his ephemeral college career and created long lasting relationships and friendships.

“Meeting great people in School! I enjoyed the people at MSU. Extremely supportive and loyal,” (Ager on playing D1 ball).

After a four-year career with many memories and relationships made at Michigan State, Ager found that it was time for him to take the next step in his life and enter the NBA draft. The decision to go pro is something many athletes aren’t fortunate enough to do. It’s harsh but a true reality. Every athlete who consistently lives the grind has dreams of having a successful collegiate career and going on to becoming at professional their sport rather than entering the “real world.”

THE NBA

Ager declared for the draft after his eligibility as a Spartan was over. Being a four-year player is tough for most players and what it guarantees them is a bevy of workouts with teams. He wasn’t tremendous at everything but knew how to play his strengths and make his weaknesses less noticeable. Ager wasn’t a guaranteed lottery pick but due to his success at Michigan State he became a name. His name made him at least a late first-round pick. He had to put in the time though to prove to everyone in NBA circles that he belonged in the league. His tireless effort literally made him tired, and according to him led to a rule change.

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“I broke the record for the most pre-season NBA workouts with like twenty-five or something,” Ager said on his pre-draft workouts.” They changed the rules the very next year I believed to like twelve workouts or something not to sure.”

Constantly being in the gym and showing NBA personnel his skill-set, along with his work ethic, helped Ager get as many as possible on him. His league-setting workouts did help him secure a first-round selection in the 2006 draft as the Dallas Mavericks decided to select him with 28th overall pick. Ager had to wait a while for his name to be called on the lone night dreams come true and hearts are crushed. The wait was worth it even though he was nervous the entire night.

“I was scared and on the edge,” he said on his draft night experience.” It was indeed intense. I was just thinking I hope I make the first round. [I] Felt like they forgot about me or something.”

Most of the time, being a late first-round pick, could be both a blessing and a curse. It could be seen as a blessing because the newly drafted rookie is most likely entering a winning situation with some of the best players in the league on his team in a healthy environment. The reason why it’s also a curse is because the rookie will most likely become a bench warmer who only plays during blowouts and will make many trips to the NBA D-league.

Ager found himself being apart of a franchise that was fresh off a trip to the NBA Finals before blowing a 2-0 lead to the Miami Heat and ultimately losing the series in six games courtesy to the emergence of then third-year guard Dwyane Wade. He was joining a team that was stacked with players such as Jason Terry, Devin Harris, Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse and Erick Dampier.

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The main player, though, who Ager was teaming-up with was of course one of the best international players in league history Dirk Nowitzki. In Ager’s rookie year, Nowizki won the NBA MVP award in which he called it “amazing” to be apart of such a run by a guy who people excoriated regularly when he was younger. Winning the MVP award typically goes to the best player on the most successful team, and the Mavs were just that as they went 67-15 and looked poise for a return to the NBA Finals.

Then collapse happened.

There was an electric crowd. There was the emergence of “Captain Jackson.” There was the leadership of a guy with a thick beard and frenetic play-style. There was a coach that used an unconventional small-ball during that time period. There was consistent excitement and a bevy of threes. There was the Golden State Warriors. Upsetting the Mavs was one of the crowing achievements in league and possibly sports history in which bedlam was caused with a No. 8 seed knocking of a No. 1 seed, let alone the best team in the league.

Being an NBA title favorite but eliminated prematurely was a complete shocker for the Mavs organization. The team was deflated and frustrated after entering the postseason season with optimism. When a team loses, nobody feels the affects more than the core players and staff involved. Someone like a bench warmer might not feel so devastated about the loss.

“It was fun for me because I got busy whenever I got my shot,” Ager said on the team atmosphere after the series ended… He played a total of 24 minutes in three appearances throughout the six-game series.

It doesn’t seem like Ager felt the heartache, sadness, disappointment and embarrassment that Dirk, Terry, Howard, etc. felt. Maybe it’s because he was a rookie who warmed up the bench or just didn’t have enough failure as pro to feel the pain. He was more worried about his shot than the team aura.

MOVING ON

The subsequent season after that, Ager was a part of a trade headlining one of the best playmakers with a broken jump-shot in NBA history, which was of course Jason Kidd from the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn Nets). Obviously, Ager wasn’t the main player in the trade and quite possibly was just a throw-in. He went from being on a title contending team with the reigning NBA MVP, to an organization that wasn’t too good or too bad. Going elsewhere gave Ager hope of showcasing his talent on a team that would be entering the rebuilding process sooner rather than later.

“I was happy to be honest. I thought I would get more opportunity,” Ager said on being traded to the Nets.

Being in New Jersey alongside an aging Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson – who were exiting their primes and saying goodbye to consistent highlight worthy dunks – Ager didn’t find the change of scenery too kind to his initial thoughts when the trade happened. As the team was fighting for a playoff position in the Eastern Conference, Ager barely worked up a sweat to earn his game-check as he played a total of 88 minutes through 14 games for a team that lost the fight and would go on to become a lottery team.

The following season, Ager played in a total of 20 games and amassed a collective 97 minutes throughout his final season with the Nets. With the third-year guard unable to find any consistent playing time or show any development to his basketball arsenal, he had found himself on the outskirts of the NBA at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season.

BOUNCING AROUND – AND LOOKING BACK

During that offseason he was unable to land a new contract with the Nets or elsewhere and as a result he decided to pack his bags and head overseas to play in Spain for Cajasol Sevilla.

After the 2009-10 season in another country, in which he played no differently than he did in the NBA and was eventually released, Ager returned to the United States to play for the D-league’s Maine Red Claws in the fall of 2010. He played in Maine briefly before signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but that relationship only last four games as he was released in order for the team to sign Sundiata Gaines.

Jumping from team-to-team and league-to-league is very stressful for any young and average player. All of the early experiences Ager has went through in his brief basketball career has led to him prematurely retiring from the sport as a professional. He retired with great once-in-a-lifetime memories as an NBA player, which is something most people who play basketball competitively can only dream of.

“Starting against the Spurs on TNT,” Ager said on his favorite NBA memory.

Ager also told me that his favorite team to play for was the Mavericks and his favorite coach was Kurt Rambis from his time with the Timberwolves. As for his favorite teammate, Ager didn’t have anyone to name from the bevy of teams he was apart of during his career. Being on so many teams as guy that wasn’t a superstar, star or proficient in any skill meant that Ager had to work hard for what he wanted. Each practice and game he played had to literally be played like it would be his last, because in the business of the NBA, he felt that he couldn’t control his own fate.

“I felt tied down. At times I felt like my destiny was not in my own hands and I did not like that one bit.”

Players that aren’t in the LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, etc. type of pantheon do not and will not control their destiny in the NBA.

HIS OTHER LOVE

Retiring from basketball led Ager to pursue his other passion in life: music. He found the transition from basketball to the booth “liberating” and always planned on going after a musical career once his playing days were over. Since he was a little kid, the beats, lyrics, storytelling, production and more piqued Ager’s interest in music. Growing up he admired artists such as Dr. Dre, Michael Jackson, Eminem, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Kanye West. Basis slot he appreciates “true artistry,” as West would say.

It’s evident in which Ager is a fan of rappers and singers who send off a message in their music, and talk about issues along with painting a picture. Young men these days typically listen to guys that belittle females in their music videos and vaunt about sex, drugs, alcohol and materialistic things… Listen to “trap” music and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

“Living life and creating with creative freedom. No pressure [now because] it’s all on me,” he said on the best part of his musical career

Staying in touch with one’s alma matter could sometimes be hard. Back in 2010, Ager wrote the theme song for the Michigan State Spartans football team. The song was titled “Forever a Spartan” and interestingly enough, the idea was broached to him by the coach.

“I did music for coach Dantonies website which led to them approaching me about creating a theme song,” Ager said on how his own song ended up as the team’s anthem.

As a professional in the music world, Ager was able to work with personalities such as Royce Da 5’9″, E-40, Lazy Bone, Cypress Hill and of course more as the list continues. Ager didn’t find much personal success as an NBA player, but did find some as a musician back in 2013. The dream for most musicians is to win a Grammy, because winning one of those is the highest and crowing achievement for a musician’s career. Being nominated is just as good also, because the hard work an artist puts in is being acknowledged. In 2013 Ager received ballot nomination for a Grammy courtesy of his single “Far From Home.”

“Hard work pays off,” Ager’s simply said when he initially heard about his Grammy consideration.

Each day that goes by, Ager is being increasingly known, recognized and respected in the music world. He doesn’t feel tied down like he did in the NBA, and right now feels that he’s in control of his career now.

“Living life and creating with creative freedom. No pressure [now because] it’s all on me,” he said on the best part of his musical career.

The now 31-year-old man who’s made it out a rough situation in Detroit, grew up with an insatiable desire to become a professional athlete even though it was for an ephemeral time. He’s no thriving in the music industry and is doing something not many people can do: finding success as a former first-round pick from a D1 school and being a Grammy nominated musician.

People can only dream of something like that, but can’t/won’t do it. Guys like Shaquille O’Neal, Damian Lillard, Stephen Jackson and Kevin Durant have dipped their hands in the music industry but haven’t but everything in it due to their talent, athletic responsibilities and other variables. Athletes love music and some have a strong passion for it. Most are unable to make a living and gain credibility like Ager has.

“Life is a journey and I am all about the process of growing and evolving. I love my life and It’s pretty fun,” Ager said on the subject of having an income from pro basketball and music.

As for what’s next for Ager, he was a lot in mind: “More engaging with people all around the world, through ball, music, [and] spiritually connecting with folks. [Also] speaking, performances, Hoop Schools, panel discussions, [and] school visits! I’m maxing out man! no limits!”

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Being in consideration for a Grammy and being selected in the first-round of two-round draft are both two pretty impressive personal accomplishments. Usually people are in one profession and just stay there until they either lose the passion or retire. If Ager though had to pick one or the other, which would he select?

“Thats like choosing a favorite kid,” Ager said on picking to be a 1st-round pick or Grammy musician.” It’s just two different time in my life. I can’t answer that.”

Just a kid from Detroit who attended a public school in a city where graduating was more than a rarity, it was an anomaly. A kid from the inner-city who attended the same college as point guard impresario Magic Johnson, the rough and gritty Zach Randolph, high-flying theatrical dunker Jason Richardson, the long and lanky Ralph Sampson, sharpshooter Steve “Smitty” Smith, and of course one of few men to play 20+ seasons in the NBA, Kevin Willis. A young man from Detroit was drafted in the first-round of the NBA draft, played in the league alongside some of the greatest players in the history of the game. Just a man from the most disrespected city in America is a respected producer who was in consideration for the greatest award in music.

Just someone with a dream and a vision who changed his life and become someone. He’s just someone with blessings that now lives in paradise showing that one man can change the world.

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