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WORDS. Aron Phillips PHOTOS. Mission Basketball
Changing The Game
You'd be surprised how many different basketball brands I come across each month. And while there are many that are bound to be one-hit wonders, there are others that you see a bright future for in an overcrowded market. Mission Court Grip is definitely one of those brands. But don't just believe me – believe Dwyane Wade.
"My game is all about traction – all about change of direction," says Wade. "When I step on a dusty court, I feel like I can't make the moves I want to make. Plus, I'm more at risk for injury. When I put on Mission Court Grip, it gives me the confidence to play my game, regardless of the court's condition."
So what's Wade talking about? After 140 versions and over three years of research and development, the problem of court traction (or rather lack thereof) has been addressed through a proprietary, patent-pending formula that is scientifically engineered to enhance traction and combat the negative effects of dusty, worn-out courts. Not only do those conditions hinder performance, but they also in- crease the risk of injury.
"Three years ago, Court Grip was a product I came up with after a lifetime of being frustrated on dusty courts," says Mark French, the inventor of Court Grip and president of Mission Basketball. "Playing basketball my whole life, and as a ball boy for the New York Knicks, I simply couldn't make the moves I wanted to make. I said to myself, 'Something has to be done about this.'"
But Wade isn't just throwing his name behind the brand to make a buck – he played an integral role in the development of Court Grip by testing dozens of different formulas and application methods during the 2010-2011 regular season and playoffs, before arriving at the final formula that hit the market.
"When Dwyane first tested the product, we told him that we needed six months to get the bottle right," says French. "In the NBA, these guys are playing on the best courts in the world, and his agent called us the next day saying he needed it immediately."
"It's been amazing to see how fast Court Grip has caught on with other guys in the league, as well as with the college teams," says Wade. "I've never seen a product like this – directly addressing such a major problem for athletes…it's already changing the game."
Adds Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim: "Court Grip works better than anything we have tried for court traction. It is a revolutionary product."
So how does it work? Packaged in an eight-ounce bottle that ballers apply via sponge applicator to the bottom of their sneakers, Court Grip provides instant, sustained traction. It's that simple. Gone are the days of spitting in your hand and wiping your soles, or dragging your feet across the pads on the baseline. And don't worry, it's been tested and approved at the NBA, NCAA and high school level. Thank us later.
SNEAKER SPOT
For more information on Mission Court Grip, visit www.courtgrip.com.
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