Sports

Combining basketball and clothing design

By Fouday Singateh

He dribbled up and down the court, passing the basketball through his legs and behind his back. He drove toward the hoop, collected his rebound, dribbled back toward the free throw line and took his shot. 

Swoosh.

He watched the ball drop through the hoop. 

“I’m trying to bring everyone together at one place in a safe environment where we can compete and socialize because the violence in the city is going up,” said Ernest Akisi, the 18-year-old basketball tournament organizer and player who was dribbling that summer day. 

Born in Ghana, he moved to New York with his parents when he was 10 and grew up in Soundview, one of the most violent sections of the Bronx. To combat that negativity, Akisi, who still lives in Soundview with his parents, has hosted three tournaments for Bronx youth since 2020.

Albert Mensah, a 19-year-old also from Soundview, is one of Akisi’s friends. “I’ve played basketball with him. He always tries to outstand others while he plays at the same time to lead his teammates to a smart win, not a selfish one.”

Through his clothing line, Spookyclothin, he prints designs on T-shirts that the young athletes wear during those tournaments. Owning a business and playing basketball, to Akisi, go hand in hand.

“Basketball forces you to take responsibility and learn how to work as a team,” Akisi said. “Whether you win or lose, there’s no ‘I’ in ‘team.’ You have to work together as one.” 

When he was younger, he started noticing the off-the-court and pregame attire of NBA and other professional basketball players. He liked the players who were uniquely dressed. Also, he said, “I got into fashion design by analyzing other brands, like Amiri, Dior and Balenciaga, for inspiration. Looking at key details they use with their clothing line, I try to input this into my work, my craft.”

He launched Spooky in February 2022. That work requires him to multitask, he said. He does that by using lessons he’s learning on the basketball court.

Breanna Huston, an 18-year-old, is another friend of Akisi’s. “I was there when we had to go purchase the printing machine during a whole snow storm. I was also there planning, purchasing items and cooking food for the recent tournament he had. I was there willing to be with him.”

“Qualities,” Akisi said,  “that you need to become a basketball player are, first, to be yourself. Be coachable, humble and have good sportsmanship … ”As a businessman you have to be level-headed, knowledgeable, proactive and bold.”

Just as other designers try to distinguish themselves through the colors or materials they use, Akisi also aims to be distinct. His logo is the shape of a ghost, with “Spooky” sometimes spelled out alongside it in gothic font.

Some “people wear ski-masks nowadays,” Akisi said, “hiding their faces, identities, just like a ghost … They only come out when they want to reveal themselves. Personally, I like to host events, parties and stuff, then go ghost or silent from the attention and social media until I pop out again and make my next moves.”

His next moves include sticking with basketball and his clothing brand. “I want to make it far with basketball and get a scholarship, so my parents won’t have to worry,” said Akisi, who plays forward for Truman High School’s junior varsity team.

“Anyone with multiple goals and desires that can’t figure things out, just know it’s okay. If I was able to combine fashion and basketball — two things I love — you can do anything, too. Just put your mind on it, then go for it.“ 

Video link: https://youtu.be/CnRFmpSCTMY