Ballislife East Coast Squad takes on Alabama

Don’t miss out on Episode 5 of Streetball: The Untold Stories of Basketball Stars! Be sure to check out all the segments on Ballislife’s main YouTube Channel.  Exclusive to members, this documentary is one of the most highly produced projects Ballislife has ever crafted.

Released every weekend, episodes one and two explored the history of streetball, along with the trials and tribulations of the East Coast Squad. Episode 3 dials in Kyrie Irving’s “More than a Run” invite in New Jersey, featuring Nasir Core and the East Coast Squad. Episode 4 dropped last week, which highlighted Irving’s 1v1 tournament for 5,000!

Episode 1: The history of streetball— watch here!
Episode 2: East Coast Squad— watch here!
Episode 3: Nasir Core + East Coast at Kyrie Irving’s New Jersey Event—watch here!
Episode 4: Kyrie Irving’s 1v1 5k tournament—watch here!

Setting the Stage for the Rematch

The countdown is on until the second matchup between the West and East Coast Squads. With the date set for Sept. 22, the showdown will take place in Venice Beach, California.

Matt Rodriguez, CEO and Co-Founder of Ballislife, opens the fifth edition detailing the historic importance and influence of streetball in Venice Beach. Featuring recognized courts worldwide, the movie “White Men Can’t Jump” is what made it a famous location. While Venice Beach remains an established streetball hub, Ballislife continues to contribute to the culture and community.

How Brandon Moss Earned the Name “BodyBag”

This chapter focuses on West Coast Squad Brandon Moss, “BodyBag”, along with his upbringing and basketball journey. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, BodyBag emphasizes the importance of family, especially his mother. This segment highlights his Sunday family gatherings, which include his mother, aunts, children, and other loved ones.

Basketball has been his lifeline, providing structure and positivity amid difficult times. Having grown up in Birmingham, the city is described as dangerous, violent. In addition, BodyBag says it was so harsh that kids rarely play basketball outside.  Despite his talents, Moss admits to multiple arrests, including shoplifting at Walmart and street fights. For him, selling stolen food was a way to live, to earn money—it was a way of survival.

Calling the city “wicked,” Body Bag recounts his survival story, which will leave you speechless. From being held at gunpoint to incarceration, he’s defied the odds. While his entire kin hails from Alabama, his mother is elated that he escaped Birmingham.

From adversity to success, BodyBag made it to the G League’s South Bay Lakers after college. Cut due to lack of experience, Moss continued to pursue his basketball dreams.  He also acknowledges the NBA’s connection to politics, which led him to play overseas in Chile, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, and China.

How Did BodyBag Reach Ballislife?

This week’s episode features BodyBag’s long-term girlfriend, Claire, who expresses her support and consistently praises Brandon. Even from a distance while he was overseas, Claire stuck by his side and eventually brought him to Venice when they moved from Florida to California. Moving for more opportunities, his career took off, ultimately recognized, and given the nickname “BodyBag” by streetball MC, J.C. Mouthpiece Thompson.

Earning a reputation as a fan favorite, BodyBag is widely known for his highlight dunks, athleticism, and entertaining abilities. While he initially sought out an opportunity to play for the East Coast, the squad already had a solidified five that drew in raving viewership. While it was surely a  missed opportunity, Duke Skywalka (East Coast) feels BodyBag would’ve been a more suitable match with the East, given the style of play and environment.

Eventually, BodyBag was picked up by the West Coast Squad with the help of Ty Glover, Duke, and Frank Nitty. From there, the rest is history, and Claire says Ballislife has changed their lives.

East Coast Squad Takeover in Alabama

Episode 5 continues to follow BodyBag, who will take part in the East Coast takeover since he’s visiting family in Alabama.

The takeover is held at BodyBags’s old stomping grounds, Midfield High School, where he won a championship. Forever etched on the walls with the 2012 team, Moss talks about the challenges of surviving a school with low graduation rates and metal detectors at the entrance.

With his entire family in attendance at the takeover, BodyBag earned a win for the East Squad, but sat out the remaining two games. Encouraging the team to play without him, his absence is a focal point, as the East lost a 5v5-style matchup.

Multiple teammates praised his toughness, athleticism, defense, and rebounding—did the East really miss their chance by rejecting BodyBag? While several West Coast members acknowledge the East has improved, they feel the “new team” was assembled to defeat the West. In other words, the East picked up size, which Tori Brooks, “Bionic,” calls unfair.

Whether the East can match the West through added skill and size, the episode ends with a 20-day countdown to a rematch. The West has strong, developed chemistry with a core roster of Frank Nitty, Cezar Guerrero “Ceez the Moment”, Marcus Bell “Monstar”, and Bionic. Given that the East lost a takeover, how will they fare in 20 days? Will they get their redemption in a clash against a stacked West squad?

The anticipation is building with 20 days left until game 2. After four episodes explore streetball history, personal stories, and matchups, Episode 5 sets the stage for the East vs. West Coast rematch in Venice Beach. Stay tuned for Episode 6. 

Follow Sara Jane Gamelli on X: @SaraJGamelli.