While Allan Houston stood out on the basketball court during his days as a collegiate and professional basketball player, his current role as the founder and leader of the faith-based platform FISLL (faith, integrity, sacrifice, leadership) is what truly distinguishes him from other former players. The work that the devoted husband and father of seven is doing to restore young people’s trust in these values is incredibly important as they are increasingly losing their meaning and purpose in today’s divided American society.
Houston fostered a love for faith, family and basketball from a young age. His dad Wade Houston played collegiately at the University of Louisville and then abroad in France. Allan grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, developing his skills and watching his dad serve as the assistant coach at Louisville.
He could have gone to any college in the country, yet he chose to play for his dad at the University of Tennessee from 1989-1993. Tennessee men’s basketball’s all-time leading-scorer touched on the impact his dad had on him not just as a father, but as a coach.
“I knew that my dad, the first black coach in SEC basketball history, was going to make me a better player and hold me accountable,” Houston said through a Zoom call. “I got the chance to play a lot of minutes and face adversity in college.”
While the Volunteers failed to advance far in the NCAA Tournament, the four-time first-team All-SEC honoree shined brightly at Rocky Top. In fact, his talent earned him the opportunity to be a part of the 1992 select team that won one-of-two scrimmages against the NBA’s “Dream Team”. Imagine playing against the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and other legendary players who helped the NBA evolve into the modern era. What I would give to be a fly on the wall to see all that talent competing against each other.
Houston’s collegiate experience under his father’s guidance prepared him for the coaches he played under on the Detroit Pistons and Knicks. Speaking of the Knicks, the fact that Houston is now a special assistant to the team’s general manager shows just how much success he found playing in Madison Square Garden from 1996-2005.
Many NBA fans will always associate Houston with the rule bearing his name that allows teams to waive a player without it affecting the luxury tax. Having never heard about this rule before Houston talked about it, I found it a bit harsh that the Knicks were even thinking of using this amnesty clause to release one of their longest-tenured players.
“It was the hardest time of my career because of the injury,” Houston said. “The perception of me changed. I learned a lot from this time in my life.”
It seems unfair that Houston’s career will be remembered for ending like that. Instead, he should be celebrated as an excellent basketball player who actually enjoyed playing in the league’s All-Star game, an experience that has turned into a joke nowadays.
“I worked all of my life to play in that game or any all star game growing up,” Houston said. “When I played in 2001, it was a badge of honor to play… Can’t put my mind on today’s game, which is up to the heart and desire of the player to want to compete.”
Yes, Houston managed to achieve a lot of success on the basketball court. But, the work his brand FISLL is doing is more impactful to society at-large than anything he did during his career. FISLL offers tools and strategies to participants to help them overcome barriers and become successful members of their communities.
Considering the importance of basketball in this country, which is headed down a dark path, both the NBA and communities nationwide would be wise to turn towards Houston for moral guidance before it’s too late.
Allan Houston: Faith, Family and Basketball
While Allan Houston stood out on the basketball court during his days as a collegiate and professional basketball player, his current role as the founder and leader of the faith-based platform FISLL (faith, integrity, sacrifice, leadership) is what truly distinguishes him from other former players. The work that the devoted husband and father of seven is doing to restore young people’s trust in these values is incredibly important as they are increasingly losing their meaning and purpose in today’s divided American society.
Houston fostered a love for faith, family and basketball from a young age. His dad Wade Houston played collegiately at the University of Louisville and then abroad in France. Allan grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, developing his skills and watching his dad serve as the assistant coach at Louisville.
He could have gone to any college in the country, yet he chose to play for his dad at the University of Tennessee from 1989-1993. Tennessee men’s basketball’s all-time leading-scorer touched on the impact his dad had on him not just as a father, but as a coach.
“I knew that my dad, the first black coach in SEC basketball history, was going to make me a better player and hold me accountable,” Houston said through a Zoom call. “I got the chance to play a lot of minutes and face adversity in college.”
While the Volunteers failed to advance far in the NCAA Tournament, the four-time first-team All-SEC honoree shined brightly at Rocky Top. In fact, his talent earned him the opportunity to be a part of the 1992 select team that won one-of-two scrimmages against the NBA’s “Dream Team”. Imagine playing against the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and other legendary players who helped the NBA evolve into the modern era. What I would give to be a fly on the wall to see all that talent competing against each other.
Houston’s collegiate experience under his father’s guidance prepared him for the coaches he played under on the Detroit Pistons and Knicks. Speaking of the Knicks, the fact that Houston is now a special assistant to the team’s general manager shows just how much success he found playing in Madison Square Garden from 1996-2005.
Many NBA fans will always associate Houston with the rule bearing his name that allows teams to waive a player without it affecting the luxury tax. Having never heard about this rule before Houston talked about it, I found it a bit harsh that the Knicks were even thinking of using this amnesty clause to release one of their longest-tenured players.
“It was the hardest time of my career because of the injury,” Houston said. “The perception of me changed. I learned a lot from this time in my life.”
It seems unfair that Houston’s career will be remembered for ending like that. Instead, he should be celebrated as an excellent basketball player who actually enjoyed playing in the league’s All-Star game, an experience that has turned into a joke nowadays.
“I worked all of my life to play in that game or any all star game growing up,” Houston said. “When I played in 2001, it was a badge of honor to play… Can’t put my mind on today’s game, which is up to the heart and desire of the player to want to compete.”
Yes, Houston managed to achieve a lot of success on the basketball court. But, the work his brand FISLL is doing is more impactful to society at-large than anything he did during his career. FISLL offers tools and strategies to participants to help them overcome barriers and become successful members of their communities.
Considering the importance of basketball in this country, which is headed down a dark path, both the NBA and communities nationwide would be wise to turn towards Houston for moral guidance before it’s too late.
Ben Wiley