Dunkin’ Hines: The Karlton Hines Story
New York City is home to many basketball legends throughout the years but none quite like Karlton Hines. Straight out of Melrose Projects in the Bronx, NY Hines was before his time. His skills on the court were light years beyond his peers and he would put on a show every time he stepped foot on the court. When he walked into a room people shifted all of their attention towards him. He had that kind of allure and it transcended the basketball court.
Karlton Hines was a legend. THe was supposed to go to Syracuse but his plans were derailed after leaving MCI.
For many kids growing up in the ’80s and ’90s in New York City, there were many obstacles to navigate through. The South Bronx was a war zone at this time with drugs, gangs, and violence at an all-time high and as The Notorious BIG said, either you selling crack rock or you had a wicked jump shot. For Karlton Hines, he straddled both arenas, and it would eventually catch up with him. The allure of fast money and everything that came along with it was far too much for any kid to handle.
Hines left NYC for Main Central Institute with hopes of making it to the NBA.
At 15 years old you can tell that Karlton was special. He played for the Gauchos, who is known for being one of the best amateur youth programs in the country. This is where he excelled and really started to make a name for himself athletically. He could play guard then post up and bang with the bigger guys if need be. His games would be jam-packed and always had 20-30 College coaches in the stands trying to lure Hines to their respective programs. Ever since Karlton was a youngster he dreamed of one day playing for Jim Boeheim and the Syracuse Orange. June of his Junior year in High School Hines verbally committed to Syracuse. Head coach Jim Boeheim traveled to Melrose Houses in the Bronx to personally give him an offer.
After leaving Maine Central Institute Hines returned home to the Bronx, NY where he started his drug empire.
Although Hines was a very smart young man, he didn’t push himself academically. He eventually went the Prep route at Maine Central Institute when Manhattan Center didn’t work out. After leaving Maine Central abruptly, he came back home to the Bronx and went to Stevenson High School. He would eventually leave organized basketball altogether for the streets and earning fast money in the drug game.
Hines was making over approximately $225k per day from his illegal operation.
As fierce a competitor as Karlton was on the court, he took that same attitude to the streets and hit the ground running. He came from the bottom, so he knew exactly what he needed to do to become successful in his new endeavor. New Cars, jewelry and money would make Karlton feel like he was on top of the world. He would still play basketball from time to time and would pickup where he left off, packing gyms and putting on a show. He had one foot on the basketball court and the other in the drug game. There was no middle ground with the two, he had to make a choice.
April 8, 1994, at the age of 25 Hines was gunned down while getting custom seats put into his car.
Karlton got a break with the Weschester Stallions of the USBL and was invited to tryout. He started getting in shape again and things seemed to be moving in the right direction. In the midst of getting his basketball career back on track, Hines’ would be the victim of senseless violence that hit the city hard. Karltonwas having custom-made seats put in his Lexus; they went to the shop to pick up the car. One of the detailers was trying to talk Karlton into purchasing a car alarm system. He asked Karlton to come with him, he would show him how the system operated on another car, as they approached the car, shots rung out. On April 8th, 1994 at the young age of 25 Karlton Hines would lose his life. This loss really crushed a lot of people who really cared for Hines. His name would live on in the streets as being one of the best to ever do it. His story is a legendary one. Salute ?