Quincy Mack
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Quincy Mack (born in Brantford, Ontario in 1976)a.k.a. "Q-Mack", is highly touted as one of Canada's rising stars. Named on a national Top 25 Canadians To Watch list, he is considered by some as the most versatile children's entertainer to come along in years. He is a published author, a motivational speaker to millions of students, and is Canada's only professional basketball trickster. Signed and sponsored by Nike, Q-Mack has performed live for NBA superstars like Vince Carter, 2-time MVP Steve Nash, and All-Star Raptor forward Chris Bosh. Despite performing at a staggering 300 live events each year, he still finds time to add to his ever growing repertoire of 124 tricks. Quincy shoots basketballs over his head from half court, triple deflections off the walls and floor, and can even spin a ball on a 25 foot pole while it balances on his chin.
But he wasn't born in a city known for producing basketball players. He grew up in Brantford, Ontario, also the hometown of hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky. In Grade 3, Q-Mack was the kid in his class who couldn't stop on skates, and realized his hockey career was going nowhere fast. In Grade 5, he received a red and black basketball, the colours of his favourite NBA team, the Chicago Bulls as a present from his father. Quincy was a fan of basketball, in a town where most children wanted to grow up to be like Wayne Gretzky. It is well documented that he was bullied for a couple years as a youth from a group of older kids who didn't like his mini basketball and they ridiculed him about his "cheap velcro shoes". Q-Mack speaks at 250 schools a year, spreading his positive anti-bullying message and encouraging kids to stand up for each other with respect and responsibility. As a fifth grader, he learned some of his first basketball tricks from his older neighbour. He knew he wanted to practice and perform. This is when his talent started to grow.
Q-Mack has presented to over 2 million kids of all ages. He has also worked with the NBA since 1998 by hosting and performing at events like the national NBA Hoop It Up Tour, The Steve Nash Charity Classic, and appearing on numerous TV stations across the country. He attended the Radio Broadcasting Program at Humber College, which has probably helped him to become comfortable with speaking to audiences of up to 20,000 people at a time. He has visited over 1200 schools with his dynamic anti-bullying performance/basketball tricks show.
In 2001, he was signed to Nike, and in 2003, Q-Mack had his first book, Dare to be Different, published. In 2005, he was approached to host his very own television series called "Q's Crew". Set to air in late 2007, he also has an available basketball trickster DVD released called Freestyle Frenzy Vol.1. Q-Mack is the creator of several tricks, including the SkyScraper, a trick in which he spins a basketball on top of a stick extended up to the ceiling, while balancing the stick on his chin. Well versed in the art of juggling, magic, and various side show acts, Q-Mack can throw a football 40 yards in a perfect spiral behind his back. He has appeared on Toronto's CityTv, on MuchMusic, and on Rogers SportsNet, Breakfast Television, MTV, TVO, and YTV.
Q-Mack has been very successful in passing on his message against bullying to students, and says that he enjoys every day of his life just "chillin' with the kids". A self professed Toronto Raptor fan, he currently resides across from the Air Canada Center in beautiful downtown Toronto, Ontario. For booking information, video clips, and general info on Quincy Mack, log onto his website www.qmack.com.
