words - Nick
photography - Steve
In all of our travels, we come across people of all different kinds of backgrounds and upbringings. From athletes like Carmelo Anthony to a vintage Asics enthusiast, we’ve met nearly every type of demographic of shoe collector out there. As we planned our trip out a few weeks ago, we knew we’d be venturing on down to the Atlanta region, but it was a unique email that struck our attention. From a young man named DeCarlo Smith, his email described his love of Jordans and his group of sneaker-collecting friends that included several basketball players as well as their Pastor. The group of friends are all members of New Hope International, a non-denominational church about an hour south of Atlanta in Warner Robins, Georgia that features a fresh outlook for its 1,700 members under the guidance of Bishop Jeff Poole.
Just like DeCarlo, Poole and his two sons, Jake and Jordan, are also heavily into Air Jordan shoes, owning everything from the latest game shoes to all types of Retro Jordans from this decade. Bishop Poole also has set a pretty casual dress code for the church by traditional standards, encouraging members to dress comfortably and allowing sneakers. Lately on Sunday you can spot him leading the service in jeans and a Jordan Brand shirt along with his brown pair of Phly Highs. Today he was wearing a Jordan shirt, jeans and Nu Retro 1 Lows.
We were openly welcomed into the massive 55,000 square foot New Hope International church on a sweltering Monday in Georgia, and we took in a choir rehearsal before getting in some good basketball runs.
Bishop Poole’s son, Jake, leads the choir rehearsal with a soothing voice as well as Fire Red III’s.
Bishop Poole, Senior Pastor of New Hope International.
After meeting several members of the church, DeCarlo knew of a friend who owned his own basketball gym at his massive estate about fifteen minutes away. This gym was impressive. I have a new life goal — own a gym in walking distance from my front door. We all headed over for some half-court ball.
Jumper was feeling pretty good.
DeCarlo had a mean turnaround shot in the lane. I have an idea of who he patterned that after.
When driving and drawing the double team, always kick it to the open man. Hit Jason in the XX1’s with a left-handed dish for the easy lay-in.
Bishop Poole’s youngest son, Jordan (naming coincidence?), was an absolute monster from outside. He seriously made at least 80% of his 3-pt attempts. It figures he’d be pretty good as he’s currently playing D2 ball at Georgia College & State University. This is also a pretty good gauge of my defensive spacing for the night. They were hitting the open shooter all night long.
Steve and Zac rotated in and out of games and put in some good efforts considering they don’t play that often. Steve agrees — the XX3 is an amazing shoe on-court.
And here’s the group shot. It was great playing with you guys and if it weren’t for Jordan’s jumper I’d like to think my team woulda won some more games.
From Left to Right: Zac, Slim, Me, Jordan Poole, Jason Little, DeCarlo Smith, Joe Oglesby and Kelvin Billingslea.
Hope your wedding this Saturday goes well Kelvin!
We talked it up with DeCarlo for awhile in the parking lot and then hit the road towards Alabama. I’m getting entirely shortchanged in the space department in the backseat of our car. Here’s my lack of room as there’s tons of bags to accompany me.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
what up the Collector team, this is Jason little just wanted to say it was truley a honor meeting you guys. its like we our all part of a huge jordan family because we have one major thing in common JORDAN’s. i enjoyed playing ball with you all. and yes i agree with Nick, we would of won alot more If Jordan was off a little ,,,, but now we sound like the other NBA players when MJ was playing
,,,,,,,,,,,,
take care family, stay in touch
Jason Little
aka
HollyWood
June 17th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Nice. What part of Alabama are you all going to?
June 17th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Yeah it was definitely good to finally meet you guys. Next time…or decade…when you’re in Warner Robins we will definitely murder you in paintball. Steve is hilarious. And to think he made it out of the church w/o catching on fire! And no Jordan wasn’t the reason you guys lost…it was J.Little constantly blowing shots! Zac, I’ll see you in Ohio in a few weeks. Nick, you have mean court vision…you just didn’t have ANYONE to pass to! Steve, you have the mouth of a saint! Do you guys think you’ll be able to get Clockwork on here? You guys be safe, take care and stay in touch.
June 17th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Awww man that sucks. I am from Ft. Valley, GA but my sister lives in Warner Robins. Wish I wasn’t deployed in Iraq so I could have attended. Looks like you guys had alot fun!!!
June 18th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
What’s up just wanted you guys to know the we had a great hanging out the other night, Zac, Nick, Steve you guys are the best. Next time you guys are down I will have my gear so I can show you how a BIG guy really gets down on da court as long as i’m on da team with Jordan LOL that guy is a beast. Oh yeah nick keep me posted on new kicks for these size 13 feet!!! LOL
You guys be safe and GOD Bless!!
J.O.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
What’s up team Sole Collector. K.B. checking in with you guys. Just wanted to thank you guys for coming to check us out down here. Even though we small we BIG on AJ’s!! This was defintely a great experience. I’m a Big fan of the site and magazine. All the way back to the first Jordan edition for the XX’s, so it was defintely great to see the people who provide the info to us. I hope we definitely get to do this again, and yeah Joe we will need gear next time. Thanks for the wedding shout outs as well guys.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:56 am
hey what’s up i also go to new hope and sounds like yall had a lot of fun that night hoopin in yall j’s but uh i also have a pair of lucky j’s i play in but i play for the kingdom impact wariors and the church sponsors our games and tournaments but next time u guys are down here look me up i should and always be in the church and i would love to meet the collector team one day …peace:] ((i play in my lucky #11’s))
Dorian Harris
p.s. ask J.poole about me (Jake or Jordan)
June 20th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Dorian,
I understand that you’re young, it’s summer break, and school’s out, but how about some periods (.) in between those sentences! You didn’t do a complete brain dump, did you? See you Sunday!
June 21st, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Man! I was suppose to be there! I’m so upset that I missed it! Everyone knows me in Warner Robins for my kicks and my Love for the kicks. Man I’m upset I couldn’t get into the mag. I always wanted to be in…NEXT TIME for sure! I am happy to hear that Warner Robins is on the map now! We made it guys! Good job with the kicks just wish I could had been there to help ya guys put some fire with that heat.
P.S. DeCarlo!…I seen those XIVs man…so fresh!
June 21st, 2008 at 9:31 pm
SoleCollector this has to be one of the coolest things that your mag has done,that was a great idea going to a church were the pastors rocks J’s.Wow it’s great to know that there are more christian sneaker collectors in other parts of the world,out here in The Bahamas im prolly the only sneaker collector in that goes to church,every sunday i rock my Jordans to church or a fresh pair of air max’s,the way i see it,God deserves the best that’s why i wear J’s to service,Amen
P.S When you’ll coming to The Bahamas to check out my collection let me know aight,im planning an event that you would love to be apart of.
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Man. Pleez. Im really disregarding that comment Decarlo lol. But i know how to put periods in my sentence i just seem to have forgot them that time around. holla.