How a D2 Walk-On With a Trombone Scholarship Became a Pro Baller

Рет қаралды 301,814

4 жыл бұрын

Tanner McGrew had no plans to play professional ball - he was on a trombone scholarship at his hometown college 4 hours away from the nearest NBA team, after all. But through dedication to the game and a worldwide tour of playing international ball, he made it to the NBA G League. VICE Sports visited Tanner in his hometown of Buckhannon, West Virginia to see how this 5,000 person town produced one of the most unexpected underdogs of the G League.
Created with the NBA G League.
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Пікірлер: 298

@bigman52100 4 жыл бұрын

I love the way the trombone guy talked about finding this guy like he's a 5star recruit💀💀

@JamesMoore-fc1mw 4 жыл бұрын

FewcallmeKevin Because he WAS a five star recruit. I was there. ;)

@JamesMoore-fc1mw 4 жыл бұрын

That’s because he WAS a five star recruit! First time I heard him play, that was clear. We’re all very proud of him. ;)

@DS-sh2lo 4 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣💀💀💀

@billclinton2094 4 жыл бұрын

FewcallmeKevin I mean he sounds amazing at the trombone

@ldashoota2668 4 жыл бұрын

James Moore who?????

@denistuohy2535 4 жыл бұрын

I really hope he goes to the Jazz. And I want his nickname to be “The Jazzman”

@BigBlack81 4 жыл бұрын

Greatest PR move, EVER.

@aronjoshbernaldo4723 4 жыл бұрын

Shirt sales would be insane just to see the name "Jazzman". Contact the front office we need this to happen

@Tylerance 4 жыл бұрын

He played for the Jazz in the NBA Summer League.

@BigBlack81 4 жыл бұрын

@@Tylerance Jesus, you're kidding, right? (Always wanted to type that! XD But I am serious about my question because if so, the Jazz missed one hell of an opportunity.)

@ahmonmcclennon5089 4 жыл бұрын

Lol gr8 comment bro

@nofurtherwest3474 4 жыл бұрын

I’m 5’3” and play the piccolo, but now my sights are set on the nba

@daniel_k_music 4 жыл бұрын

I thought that you said "tuba" instead of "nba" and that would still make your point

@nofurtherwest3474 4 жыл бұрын

@@daniel_k_music lol

@boostwolf7469 Жыл бұрын

5'3" you're not fully grown right?

@nofurtherwest3474 Жыл бұрын

@@boostwolf7469 I was joking, I'm 5'11

@boostwolf7469 Жыл бұрын

Oh phew!, Im 6'4"

@kail5295 4 жыл бұрын

Dang if this dude makes The League he would be legendary

@Shinobi33 4 жыл бұрын

Oh God I can imagine all the hate he would receive from the leftist establishment and racist black players. A la Jeremy Lin

@mcray0309 4 жыл бұрын

James Matthews wtf are you talking about Lin isn’t even in the league no more fool Also explain without policital bias, what a “leftist” because from where I’m standing it’s “leftist” vs fascist

@Shinobi33 4 жыл бұрын

@@mcray0309 obviously you aren't old enough to remember Linsanity. And so it's leftists vs fascists fro where you're standing? Are you standing inside an ANTIFA meeting room in Downtown Portland?

@Shinobi33 4 жыл бұрын

@Devin Gold yea ok keep telling yourself that

@TOGGGAA1 4 жыл бұрын

@@Shinobi33 Wtf youre on this video spouting your insane bullshit too? Dude you are fucking insane. Youre injecting politics into everything. You think only lefties would trash talk him if he made it to the league?? Almost everyone would be happy he made it. And the ones that would trash talk him wouldnt have a political bias. Its fucking basketball dude

@benjaminmullin6946 4 жыл бұрын

Why he look like a 2k default character

@DS-sh2lo 4 жыл бұрын

💀💀

@jonathang1080 4 жыл бұрын

💀💀💀

@ikon1403 4 жыл бұрын

💀💀💀💀🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@billclinton2094 4 жыл бұрын

Ben Mullin he do fr😂

@localneo-graphic4647 4 жыл бұрын

Cause he has a default white name with 'Tanner'.

@BootsandUtes 4 жыл бұрын

Pretty cool story. He seems like a humble guy. We need more players like that.

@denzelwenzel 4 жыл бұрын

For what? Docs?

@robbassett168 4 жыл бұрын

Agent Orange - Because humility isn’t a trait often seen at the highest level of the sport, or sports period for that matter. Common sense answer to your question, really...

@Washyourbum28 4 жыл бұрын

@@robbassett168 agreed! 💯

@jay2thaudy 4 жыл бұрын

@@robbassett168 he's not at the highest level of the sport. He's at a high level and he's not a star so what would he be cocky about? He's probably more cocky about trombone.

@robbassett168 4 жыл бұрын

Jay2”ThatGuy”

@MeZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZ 4 жыл бұрын

I like how vice glosses over the fact that hes 6'8 and has played ball his whole life. They make it seem like it's just some rando off the street guy who decided to play in the NBA lmao

@thousandbands8434 4 жыл бұрын

well i mean theres a bunch of 6'8 dudes who cant do what he can

@IMaBeastDoWatDEn 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah but he got looked over wasn’t recruited had no offers and is from the middle of nowhere c that is the dope part of the story , u can’t play professional basketball period or even college if u can’t hoop

@MeZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZ 4 жыл бұрын

@@thousandbands8434 "a bunch of 6'8 dudes". Theres no such thing as "a bunch of 6'8 dudes". To be 6'8 is like .001% of the population.

@thousandbands8434 4 жыл бұрын

the video might have ignored that but you cant just overlook his achievements

@denzelwenzel 4 жыл бұрын

@@MeZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZ Who told you that? The internet?

@randyh.7782 4 жыл бұрын

The G-League will give him plenty of experience. I hope that he'll eventually get called up to play at the top level. Steve Francis got his start at Division II, and had to work his way up as well. I love a good success story.

@ipodtouch573 4 жыл бұрын

Randy H. He’s not guaranteed to make the G-league

@randyh.7782 4 жыл бұрын

@@ipodtouch573 You are correct, but I wish him much success on his journey.

@randyh.7782 4 жыл бұрын

@Agent Orange Oh, I get it. I'm Black, so that means I'm supposed to hate White people. If I wish even one of them well, that means I hate my people, and I'm on par with Uncle Ruckus. You are brilliant. 😑

@finnm1370 4 жыл бұрын

Randy H. lol this guy is crazy right

@petezm 4 жыл бұрын

Pippen played division 2 in college

@cedifrederick6470 4 жыл бұрын

Looks like he has the perfect game for the Euroleague!

@playaplaya162 4 жыл бұрын

Definitely some level in Europe but the Euroleague is slightly below the NBA and the biggest problem is there are only a few American spots so the Americans they take are all ex d1 all Americans and or played briefly in the nba. He had good success in solid level overseas though and is really good, hopefully will get an opportunity in the nba

@cedifrederick6470 4 жыл бұрын

He could play Euroleague right now!

@denzelwenzel 4 жыл бұрын

@@cedifrederick6470 how do you know? Are you a Euroleague scout?

@ImattNobody 4 жыл бұрын

Says the guy with a golf playlist smh

@victorsamsonov4942 4 жыл бұрын

Cedi Frederick no way Euroleague right now, needs more experience, 7ppg in g league literally translates to 13th man in the Euroleague

@RainyIllusionz 4 жыл бұрын

I wasn't gifted athletically... hes 6'8

@baller4621 4 жыл бұрын

Classic stuff right here. Durant said something like that once. Along the lines of "I'm not supposed to be in the league" and it's like dude nobody is saying you didnt work hard but being 6 11 probably helps

@VickHushpuppy215 4 жыл бұрын

Height has 0 to do with athleticism lol there are PLENTY of tall “stiffs” that can’t do anything with a basketball lol

@VickHushpuppy215 4 жыл бұрын

Aaron Davis that means 82% of em don’t play in the nba which is still a gigantic portion of them that don’t which makes that stat stupid when arguing about tall ppl and how many of them are actually athletic😂😂 believe me being a certain height in the nba starts to be a disadvantage lol . Yao& Porzingas are the only players legit 7’2 or above that were somewhat mobile & skilled the decline in mobility compared to everyone else in the league starts at da players about 6’8 and above lol you need to look up athleticism it’s not a metric you base on physical appearance

@VickHushpuppy215 4 жыл бұрын

Aaron Davis tall ppl USUALLY don’t run fast, jump high or have good lateral quickness in the nba the guys with those attributes range from about 6’6-5’11 lol

@VickHushpuppy215 4 жыл бұрын

Aaron Davis tall ppl are valuable based on wingspan mainly used for defenses purposes and finishing around the basket

@metroboomin4981 4 жыл бұрын

Imagine getting cooked by some trumbone player 😂😂

@gabeswindler1459 4 жыл бұрын

Who is 6'8

@svensayre1189 4 жыл бұрын

GABE Swindler yeah but average league height is 6'7 sooooo....

@matthewmeyrick7104 4 жыл бұрын

Hope Tanner makes it! Great story, a very likable guy. His musicianship is good too! Shout out to the video creators, as this was really well shot and edited

@marlkalone7361 4 жыл бұрын

He's 6'8" (which they don't mention here) and he's been playing ball his whole life. This is NOT an average person who just starting playing ball a year or 2 ago. Look how easily he dunks for crying out loud!

@ConnorLipke 4 жыл бұрын

At 6'8 with some relative athleticism I hope you can dunk. It's not like he's a 5'10-6'0 freak athlete dunking.

@colbyfroude2941 4 жыл бұрын

Nobody was trying to make it seem like he was average. He literally says he’s been playing sports and doing music his whole life. He just took the path of music which ended up giving him both options in college

@matrix9789 4 жыл бұрын

Vice needs to do more documentaries like this! Have like a G-League series that exposes some of the more interesting stories/hardships players have faced on their way to the league

@jofuji8255 4 жыл бұрын

What a humble bloke. Hope he goes far 😬🇬🇧👍🏻

@TartarianTopG 4 жыл бұрын

Jo Fuji what’s with the 😬

@jofuji8255 4 жыл бұрын

Gabriel Waggoner Um... it’s a smile? 🤷🏻‍♀️

@sharifbrown3567 4 жыл бұрын

😀 instead of 😬. 😀 Is the face you make when happy, 😬 is the face you make when some falls off a skateboard and scrapes their elbow.

@jofuji8255 4 жыл бұрын

Sharif Brown I guess if you’re still at school and emojis are important 😬🙄

@keithstagg6197 4 жыл бұрын

I remember seing this young man play pick up ball and encouraged him to play for the team. His talent was very apparent to me, and he could shoot, pass and drible at 6'7 250. He is even more awesome a person than ball player. Salute champ!

@gseric4721 4 жыл бұрын

It's awesome that it's almost 2020 and we still have these humble beginning stories. Part of what makes the pros so special. So many different backgrounds and stories that haven't been heard and yet to be heard in the future.

@adrian33161 4 жыл бұрын

There will always be struggle, no matter what year it is

@keithfletcher7435 4 жыл бұрын

No ones talking about the way he’s holding his horn tho

@stevenfriedman143 4 жыл бұрын

Bruh i saw that shit too, and I have never seen that with 2 finngers on the mouthpiece. Ima just assume its because his hands are so giant

@taran4664 4 жыл бұрын

I was wondering why he was holding it so weird.

@amberlynyoung2125 4 жыл бұрын

This is awesome... hope to hear more of him in the future! ❤

@spencerwinson8563 4 жыл бұрын

Basketball teams and orchestras -- both iconic groups! Go tanner!

@TayLybb 4 жыл бұрын

Welcome to Salt Lake. We love bball. There is a great fan base hear that will support you.

@poseidon699 4 жыл бұрын

Bruh he's 6'8 how was he not somewhat recruited

@sacramentokingswillrise7525 4 жыл бұрын

He probably Didn't play for the HS Team So Scouts probably couldn't watch him play. And Just because You're Tall doesn't mean you're going to get Recruited to Play in College

@brazillian10 4 жыл бұрын

Such an amazing story. Wish this dude nothing but success

@KevinCummingsFitness 4 жыл бұрын

He's amazing

@thousandbands8434 4 жыл бұрын

respect his playing the game for fun and because of pure love also willing to do better

@xshock_dreamz3711 4 жыл бұрын

This was a beautiful video

@alvint4485 4 жыл бұрын

Love this kid, great character

@TylerClaro 4 жыл бұрын

I've already met mcgrew is such a nice, chill person. He now plays on fcporto basketball team (Portugal)

@PoOkiqueen 4 жыл бұрын

im 5'6 play the flute but i know i can make the nba. this guy is my hero.

@Matzes 4 жыл бұрын

Good luck😂

@exestudios2343 4 жыл бұрын

might wanna grow a couple inches first

@suburban8614 4 жыл бұрын

Hes 6’8 bruh

@Amero2323 4 жыл бұрын

Don't quit the flute.

@rajisbigdeek1060 4 жыл бұрын

You got this

@presidentanp 4 жыл бұрын

Great video! Definitely has given me some inspiration.

@rossgudwer3538 4 жыл бұрын

I don't normally comment on videos....but damn I want this guy to succeed so bad after seeing this! Tanner is living the dream! Stay humble and stay hungry my friend, much respect from West coast Canada!

@jasonwucn 4 жыл бұрын

This is why we love vice 😀

@tkitta8408 4 жыл бұрын

I had a college health class at Wesleyan with this guy. He carried us to the A. Great guy!!!

@jeremiahtalkssports1832 4 жыл бұрын

Very dope story. Good luck to this guy. I hope he keeps hoopin'

@esperanzaserrano8608 4 жыл бұрын

Almost went to West Virginia Wesleyan for a sport ! I went and did my visit and the people were awesome and so welcoming

@crimnvL 4 жыл бұрын

hell yea Tanner

@JoseAcosta-du2ek 4 жыл бұрын

Inspiring !

@notMoist 4 жыл бұрын

The humblest guy around

@psalms23four 4 жыл бұрын

pretty unique come up

@Splarglig 4 жыл бұрын

This guy could narrate documentaries if his basketball career ever falters

@GoldenGod69 4 жыл бұрын

Juan Toscano has a similar story minus the trumpet, from Oakland CA played college ball, played in mexico, warriors g league now hes playing preseason

@tampazeke4587 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing, inspirational story. I played trombone in high school. Maybe I should consider taking up basketball.

@cruzada07 4 жыл бұрын

Waiting season 2 of the way we ball it's like a year now

@o.portista 3 жыл бұрын

And now he's living the life with us in PORTO! 🔵⚪

@patton303 3 жыл бұрын

The trombone is probably the hardest of all the brass instruments to play cleanly and with skill. To improvise on it takes extreme skill. The technique is all about maximizing airflow and synchronizing it with the slide and various mouth shapes. Great trombone players are actually in high demand with professional recording orchestras and symphonies. A good unionized symphonic gig will pay about 80k to 125k. Yeah it’s not NBA money but it’s a good salary for the average KZfaq commenter. Peace!

@LilRappaEdrex22 4 жыл бұрын

I just realized I watched him and some other G League players play in NC my sophomore year of college

@TheiPadTube777 4 жыл бұрын

I can see him playing for the Jazz this season as a call up from G league

@kwamethegod358 4 жыл бұрын

That’s crazy, this dude’s hometown is 15 minutes from me and I had no clue about this

@Soulofjazzman 4 жыл бұрын

OK James Moore!!! I see you! WVU! Miss ya dude.

@comyoubas3730 4 жыл бұрын

He used to play in Denmark for my club (sisu) and now he's here. Crazy shit

@john-carlosynostroza 4 жыл бұрын

Whatever, great trombone player good basketball player.. This dude seems like a pretty outstanding human being.

@hijoseph100 4 жыл бұрын

I could relate to this story I played band in high school and was part of drum line I played bass drums went on to compete in competition and I loved it but I quit to try to and play on ball team I didn’t make it doe lol so it’s crazy someone is about to make it happen

@SuperSegaBros 4 жыл бұрын

Hmmm, excuse me, but I’ve heard that Gavin Grizzle was a Production Assistant on this here mini-doc.

@marcuswatson4910 4 жыл бұрын

ButButtYawn who?

@SuperSegaBros 4 жыл бұрын

@@marcuswatson4910 I was a PA on this mini-doc, I just noticed I didn't get credited. Just being silly.

@marcuswatson4910 4 жыл бұрын

ButButtYawn oh gotcha. Good work

@bradleybalsters6070 4 жыл бұрын

PA!

@colbyfroude2941 4 жыл бұрын

Yooooo, y’all should do more of these. It’s dope to see this type of stuff

@basketballcity611 3 жыл бұрын

Just finding this now searched up Chris Boucher and saw it was a vid under this sounds like a Ja Morant come up story

@adrian33161 4 жыл бұрын

"I wasn't gifted athletically" says the 6 foot 7 guy...

@PacManPark 4 жыл бұрын

adrian33161 6’8

@colbyfroude2941 4 жыл бұрын

That’s not athleticism tho

@adrian33161 4 жыл бұрын

Colby Froude What counts as athleticism?

@colbyfroude2941 4 жыл бұрын

adrian33161 Google describes it as the physical qualities that are characteristic of athletes, such as strength, fitness, and agility. "what he lacks in stature, he more than makes up for with speed and athleticism" That’s the simple definition. But it’s basically what you can do with your body, not the actually characteristics of your body. That’s why you always hear short athletes making up for their lack of high with their elite athleticism.

@dongvermine 4 жыл бұрын

Great background music here

@dongvermine 4 жыл бұрын

Shades of the Penguin Cafe...

@christophert8419 4 жыл бұрын

jazz and ball in West Virginia. definitely was not expecting that combo

@chrisweng8392 4 жыл бұрын

I play the trombone and also play basketball. This video was greatl

@dchancellor1717 4 жыл бұрын

nice tanner, went to west virginia Wesleyan university good hoops team when I was there

@kingj_da1st377 4 жыл бұрын

I never had a video made so personally for me

@TheBadgerInMinecraft 4 жыл бұрын

Hope he does well

@cornellwaters8969 Жыл бұрын

🙇 Thank you

@celiaherdic2548 4 жыл бұрын

Wish they developed more of the trombone part of him:)

@jrsr22 4 жыл бұрын

Força PORTOOOOO!

@mr.bigbrother7112 4 жыл бұрын

Crazy

@LimitedEye 4 жыл бұрын

Man this hit different lol in a good way

@jvcb_ 4 жыл бұрын

hope he makes it to the NBA

@wat5709 4 жыл бұрын

Where is he now? I looked it up he’s not on any g league team currently.

@zacharyprice4662 4 жыл бұрын

He plays for FC Porto in the Portuguese league now!

@Waynimations 4 жыл бұрын

Vice sports is pretty cool

@willmuirhead8195 4 жыл бұрын

Bruh a 6’8” trombone player, ofc he was gonna get into basketball

@emmanuelawosusi2365 2 жыл бұрын

Naia d2 d1 d2 d3 are nice

@zyxwut321 4 жыл бұрын

I'd love to see this guy find some playing time in the big show. Obviously, he'd be a rotational role player coming off the bench and would have to be used sparingly and carefully but he looks like he has a surprising amount of athleticism and skill. Certainly has as soft and pure a shooting touch as you could imagine. Maybe he could carve out a nice little NBA career of a few years and make some nice money to take home to West Virginia before he retires and becomes a band teacher, high school coach or something.

@bigzoe1283 4 жыл бұрын

I really hope he gets signed

@TheUltraRiot 4 жыл бұрын

Tromboners where you at?

@laflare0923 4 жыл бұрын

So cute !!!

@mishaboy8 4 жыл бұрын

He should play TBT if the G League doesn't work out for him

@jerryokonkwo8449 4 жыл бұрын

Just think of it like this, if him, Lil Wayne, and Jimmy Kimmel were band geeks can prosper in the big leagues, then anyone can do it, never underestimate your potential and just believe in yourself, the sky's the limit! Can't wait for this dude to make it to the NBA, I love the underdog and America loves a underdog story, we're all underdogs!!!

@daltoncrites3875 4 жыл бұрын

I deadass live in in Buckhannon😂

@ahmonmcclennon5089 4 жыл бұрын

Inspiration I recently tried out with the college park Skyhawks

@jasonterry7051 4 жыл бұрын

Anybody notice the Deer at 4:39 telling the camera man to get outta here...

@dstorm7752 4 жыл бұрын

Oh, and what state was Jerry West from?

@thecorndoghero7329 4 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't call it the bottom... looks like he has 2 loving parents, considerable family wealth, a nice basketball court in driveway..

@jose0choa 4 жыл бұрын

Fr dude was making it seem like he grew up in the slums, Joel Embiid legit lived in Africa and yet they giving this random ass G-league player spotlight cause he plays the trombone lmao.

@mattroom 4 жыл бұрын

Hustling big man with a great, great shot and a solid, solid passer. He'd fit in any basketball league in the world with his skillset and personality.

@oddd3uce21 4 жыл бұрын

mattroom 6’8 is not a big man. That’s a small forward bro.

@TylerClaro 4 жыл бұрын

He plays in Portugal now

@DS-sh2lo 4 жыл бұрын

Baller

@ConnorLipke 4 жыл бұрын

Wild that he's in the same spot as talents like Tyus Battle, who is a much much better player.

@Live-Life-Freely 4 жыл бұрын

Good fathers always create good men and women.

@jasonmason6910 4 жыл бұрын

Representing that Irish name proudly !!

@Washyourbum28 4 жыл бұрын

He should try for the NBL, he will flame up a lot of dudes in that league

@LetterSignedBy51SpiesWasA-Coup 4 жыл бұрын

a most bountiful feast with all the fixins

@joeyreups11 4 жыл бұрын

Theres people all over the world who cluld be pro athletes if they grew up with proper nutrition

@outsidechambaz 4 жыл бұрын

j shuttlesworth I feel like there’s gotta be a lot out of the billions of Asians, if they had better nutrition we would see them in football n basketball

@Mr.Pop0 4 жыл бұрын

or a rich daddy like the ball siblings

@joeyreups11 4 жыл бұрын

@@outsidechambaz yup or Latinos

@devvv4616 4 жыл бұрын

yeah, for sure. Alot of people would get taller in general as well with proper nutrition like how the Dutch grew to be the tallest nation in just the last 100 yrs or so.

@glitchgod3868 4 жыл бұрын

Or if they were over 6'6