The Basketball Movement has been blessed by a visit from “Big Guard” and sat down for a one-on-one chat with the mastermind.
“The Basketball Movement” is not just the name of Robert Yanders’ facility or business; it represents strides forward across multiple facets of the sport of basketball. Movement occurs anytime new ideas are formed, players elevate beyond what they had previously been, or strides taken to improve more than just an athlete’s on-court presence.
We also take notice when others are keeping the movement going.
Big Guard (AKA MaJuan Bates Jr.) is more than another hooper; he is one more excellent example of a player that won’t shut up and dribble - a rebel with a cause. His cause is to use his Big Guard platform to inspire, motivate, and elevate athletes that face hurdles similar to those he himself experienced.
“Big Guard is a lifestyle,” Bates tells The Basketball Movement in an exclusive interview. “It is all about thinking about the big picture to overcome obstacles. I represent the underdogs.”
For those that do not know, Big Guard is a social media force (check the Insta) that provides a platform to specific hoopers via exposure, vlogs, commentating, media, and more. The criteria for Big Guard hoopers? They are all under 6 foot 2.
“It is all about exposing the talent of small guards,” Big Guard says. “The platform is all about taking players that are going through the same struggle I did and in doing so, using their size to their advantage.”
Bates himself is 5 foot 9 or so, certainly not the stereotypical mold of a scoring guard. “I did have to become the Big Guard for real,” he says. “I was grinding it out from my freshman to junior years of college, earned a scholarship, got hurt, wasn’t on the same page as coach, kicked off the team… I missed games but dug deep. I came back, played, performed, and look back now to fully appreciate my own testament to not giving up.”
Wanting to walk away, but owing it to himself to finish out his dreams of being a college hooper, Bates finished up at Johnson & Wales University. The St. Louis native says that he proved a lot to himself and used the knowledge that he was not the only one going through the same struggles to maintain optimism even when his confidence was wavering.
A clear influence everywhere you find Big Guard is NBA Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson. Big Guard says A.I.’s impact on the game was “major,” especially to him.
“Seeing his playoff run in 2001… he had to get past Reggie Miller, Vince Carter, and Ray Allen. Then, he faces Shaq and Kobe in the Finals and swipes Game 1,” Big Guard recalls. “Seeing him do it at his size… I could only compare it to M.J. vs. the Monstars. It inspired me.”
“Any guard like that - Nate Robinson, Isaiah Thomas, anyone our size… to see them overcome obstacles in a sport that is so often defined by height inspires and motivates,” Big Guard says. “ Yeah, LeBron is crazy to see come down the lane and dunk it, but those other guys, they make normal-sized players believe in themselves.”
Big Guard at The Basketball Movement
“My first impression of Rob Yanders and The Basketball Movement came online. I saw a video of Rob just sitting down and spitting wisdom to hoopers in a way I hadn’t heard,” Big Guard recalls. “Then, I get this kid DM-ing me, Anton Brookshire, saying I should come watch him play. Didn’t know at the time it was Rob’s nephew.”
“I did pull up soon after to watch this kid play, I was blogging games at the time trying to do things in ways that you don’t always see. I bumped into Rob and he told me about a camp he was putting on that would have some real Big Guard types. I came to the camp and have stayed in touch ever since.
As for Brookshire, Big Guard says though he has been around top-20 level players, he has not seen a mentality as he sees in Anton. “His confidence, his mentality… he is way ahead of the game,” Big Guard says. “He has already had so many hurdles thrown at him. Kid lost his Mother and played his games unphased… which is tough. I also believe it is a testament to the figures in his life like his Uncles Rob and Sly.”
“All this mental toughness and he is still working and growing. When it’s done (Brookshire) is a pro.”
Rob Yanders’ family-first mentality is one of the biggest takeaways that Big Guard has had from his time down at The Basketball Movement. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from Rob is that you think of how much you can help before you think of how much you can make for yourself. People are self-centered by nature, but he has shown me how you can put God’s work first,” Big Guard says of Yanders.
“I’m inspired, in awe to be honest,” Big Guard says. “Here is a guy just like me, a black male with such high morals and a family man before all else despite odds… the way he gives back to the community? It has inspired me to be a better family man. A better son, brother to my sisters… no doubt that is my biggest takeaway from my time here.”
What’s next for Big Guard?
With the Big Guard platform evolving and moving in exciting directions, we asked Bates what was next. “Branding a lifestyle,” responds Big Guard. “I’m going to be making things more personal - locking onto my life and making sure that I am adding value to those around me, in all areas of life.”
“People are going to be seeing new content beyond basketball.”
Basketball is moving beyond tall guys being the sole source of value. Height helps, but there are ways for anyone to use size to their advantage. Big Guard and Rob Yanders have taken their passion for the game and are using it as a tool to positively impact others.
It has been a pleasure for Rob Yanders and The Basketball Movement to be around, teach, and learn from Big Guard. Keep an eye out for potential collaborations on our end and make sure that you give Big Guard a follow on his social platforms.