(00:00:00) - Intro (00:03:40) - Car Accident That Changed His Career (00:19:06) - KG & Farragut Academy Stories (00:27:30) - When did he get his athleticism (00:31:50) - Nike Slam Dunk Contest (00:37:00) - Secret run vs. MJ story (00:41:35) - Did He Ever Feel like Himself After Accident? (00:45:40) - Honoring Ronnie at 96' McDonald's game (00:51:40) - Coaching in Chicago (00:55:40) - AAU landscape, Euro vs. USA (01:06:34) - Current Day NBA, Best Player in the World (01:10:45) - Quick Hitters (01:17:19) - End
People may not believe this. I don't care. I seen Ronnie Fields with my own eyes playing pick up and thought he was a pro. They told me he was just a sophomore. The kid was the most athletic athlete I ever seen. I saw him do shhh in highschool that till this day I haven't seen again since. He actually had a cult following. Old head legends would pack in the gym to watch. We all who played knew, he was a phenomenal player that had reached Chicago legend status.
I'm all in on believing. I saw Ronnie Fields at a Christmas tournament in Peoria, IL. My younger brother was raving about him when I came home for Christmas while serving away in the Air Force in 1990 something - I had never heard of him. It was as if he choreoghraphed the first half at shooting jumpers, mid-range and threes, while the second half he went off with high-flying dunks. He moved like Jordan, with a relaxed quickness and explosiveness. I think they played one of our better city teams Manual High School, who had a 6'5" star player Sergio McClain. Ronnie Fields dunked over him literally. Spread his legs and flew right over him and dunked, out of a half-court set. He had 40 something in the game. I was in awe of what I witnessed that night. He was the true "Baby Jordan" with an all around game.
i graduated HS in 1996. I live in MN, Chicago is only 6 hours away driving, 5 if you know where to go. I hoop back then too. I used read Streets and Smiths Basketball Mags. I used to go the page, where they had all of the players ranked. They would do overall, regional, position etc. Ronnie Fields was #1 in all of the categories. Kobe wasn't even mention then. Class of 1995 and 1996 were the greatest HS years in basketball. BubbaChuck was locked up and he was supposed to play in McDonalds in 95. But anyway, Fields was on his way to being the first guard to pro, imo. He was that good. Back then like he said, it was much harder, because the bar was so high, but he was already over that bar. I'm glad he is still here to share his story. It aint no what if. He still a legend and always will be a legend!
I attended Farragut a few years before Ronnie. I was curious about him and the new kid Kevin Garnett, so I went to see them. In the parking lot were cars from Wisconsin and the gym was packed. I stood next to a reporter from channel 5 (Mark Schanowski) when Ronnie went up to catch a ball off the rim to dunk it. He jumped from within the dotted line just past the free throw line to catch it out of the air. He was fouled in the process but I couldn't believe what I saw. I looked at the reporter and said "did he just do that?" We both were shocked. And he was grabbing headlines in the Chicago papers about equal to MJ during that time, no exaggeration. Go Admirals!!!
Imagine if they brought on the original "Hoop Dreamers" from the Chi...Arthur Agee and William Gates. Still can't believe Knuckleheads or All The Smoke ain't have them on
My guy need a movie bro…dude was unreal…never seen in real time a cat that had that type of hops…respect to tha Chi-Town legend. Glad he got his flowers he was the real deal. He was different. Need the movie. Asap!
A hero of my neighborhood. It’s crazy seeing the homie on here. Everything was crazy back then and chi raw naw man it was wayyyy crazier then. He was a men amongst boys. Props to you big homie
I was a HS freshman wannabe hooper in North Louisiana in 96. I normally download and listen. When I saw Ronnie Fields, I jumped straight to the RUclips in case they had photos or videos and just to see him. Word spread about him down to Louisiana!
My dawg, had the pleasure of playing against Ronnie for two seasons, first game of the season my senior seasonwas against KG , Ronnie,LaKeith, and Michael Wright. Topper Classic was standing room only with Danville,Peoria Manual, Chicago Farragut,and Chicago King. Would’ve been a Netflix special today!
I hooped against Ronnie back in high school. I played at Marshall in the Red West. I remember this freshman player tried to dunk on me from the baseline but the ball got stuck on the rim. I remember him floating because he took off so far from the rim. I was like "Okay this is not a regular 14-year-old hooping on varsity." Lol
You can tell that he has made his peace with , and gained a level of wisdom and perspective on what happened to him over time . I am reminded of what happened to Terrence Clarke . Rest in peace to all the yungins that lost their life to soon and thank you matt and steve for giving Ronnie time to share his story
I have been waiting for this intervie w for a minute. Now i got something to listen to on the way home. Thanks my guys. I have always wanted to know the full story on Ronnie Fields i know some of it now i know imma get the full story.
A basketball legend. Being a kid in the Southside of Chicago, we would have debates in school about Ronnie Fields in HS already being better than Jordan in the NBA. He was the real deal and definitely would have been one of those ones if that accident never happened.
Ronnie was my childhood hero, had his newspapers all over my wall.... I drove through a snowstorm to watch him play, he had 5 dunks... white boy from the suburbs checking in... this is all you need to know, considering this was pre-social media.
I know him in real life and he is the nicest person. Polite and friendly every time we speak it’s like I’m talking to an uncle! Much love for Ronnie! Def a legend
Hey this is awesome you guys have Ronnie on the show he was incredible God bless him and his family and good luck on his future endeavors but this guy right here could play ball. JL
I'm watching the Illinois State highschool championship game from 1995 between Farragut and Thornton. Farragut had Fields, Kevin Garnett, and Michael Wright who was drafted by the Knicks and played in Europe for a long time. Thornton had two guys who played in the NFl: Antwaan Randle-El and Tai Streets. Plus Melvin Ely, who played in the NBA for a minute. Someone tell me about a time there was MORE raw talent on a highschool floor?
S/O to Ronnie Fields, he used to come to LA Fitness every morning, i worked at about 8 years ago every morning. one of the coolest dudes and always spoke some knowledge to me on ball and life. Glad to see he's doing well and impacting so many kids lives. We all know he would have been one of the coldest guards in the league if it wasn't for the accident. CHICAGO LEGEND
The best dunker nobody knows. I watched him and KG while they were at Farragut and game of the weeks on TV back in 94-95 here in Chicago. They were the first two great hs players I noticed as a kid. Glad he's getting shine
Ronnie Fields is a LEGEND for real here in Chicago and I feel like in the entire world. Can you imagine what it would have been like if he was in the NBA with Kobe and the rest? I remember playing a pick up game on the west side (I’m a south sider) and within 5 minutes Ronnie made us look like children bro. We are the same age and he destroyed our team. He took off at the dotted and could have dunked on two of our guys, but he rolled them like “they ain’t even worth me dunking” bro….disrespectful bro….literally one of the greatest basketball players ever. Much respect to you Ronnie
I’m from Toledo Ohio. In 94-95 We were ranked 10th in the nation. We played against Oak hill academy at DePaul University. I remember having practice at Farragut Academy and Ronnie and Kevin were shooting around on the side baskets.
That's crazy I felt like stakjak, I'm from chitown and knew and heard about this. It feel good to finally hear him tell it. I can only imagine how good of a coach he is!!! Bless
CHI-CITY!!! Farragut was my neighborhood HS and walking distance from my elementary school. Still cannot believe Ronnie and Kevin Garnett didn't win a state championship in the season they were together
Chicago legend. Very impressed by this brother in this interview. Extremely mature perspective on how he sees his journey and these kids. May Yah Bless! 🙏🏽🤎💪🏾
As a kid hearing about him and Garnett was all hype until you saw them play and you seen what the hype was!!!! 😮🤯😳 To see them play was crazy!! The plays they did on a weam was unbelievable!!!😱😱😱What did I just see???!!!!
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:03:40) - Car Accident That Changed His Career
(00:19:06) - KG & Farragut Academy Stories
(00:27:30) - When did he get his athleticism
(00:31:50) - Nike Slam Dunk Contest
(00:37:00) - Secret run vs. MJ story
(00:41:35) - Did He Ever Feel like Himself After Accident?
(00:45:40) - Honoring Ronnie at 96' McDonald's game
(00:51:40) - Coaching in Chicago
(00:55:40) - AAU landscape, Euro vs. USA
(01:06:34) - Current Day NBA, Best Player in the World
(01:10:45) - Quick Hitters
(01:17:19) - End
Could you guys get Reggie Freeman on the show? Guy was one of the greatest college players ever would like to hear his story
People may not believe this. I don't care. I seen Ronnie Fields with my own eyes playing pick up and thought he was a pro. They told me he was just a sophomore. The kid was the most athletic athlete I ever seen. I saw him do shhh in highschool that till this day I haven't seen again since. He actually had a cult following. Old head legends would pack in the gym to watch. We all who played knew, he was a phenomenal player that had reached Chicago legend status.
I saw him win the Boston Shootouts dunk contest as a freshman
We believe you 💯
Ronnie was that business
I'm all in on believing. I saw Ronnie Fields at a Christmas tournament in Peoria, IL. My younger brother was raving about him when I came home for Christmas while serving away in the Air Force in 1990 something - I had never heard of him. It was as if he choreoghraphed the first half at shooting jumpers, mid-range and threes, while the second half he went off with high-flying dunks. He moved like Jordan, with a relaxed quickness and explosiveness. I think they played one of our better city teams Manual High School, who had a 6'5" star player Sergio McClain. Ronnie Fields dunked over him literally. Spread his legs and flew right over him and dunked, out of a half-court set. He had 40 something in the game. I was in awe of what I witnessed that night. He was the true "Baby Jordan" with an all around game.
i believe you!
Chi-Town legend. The great Ronnie Fields. Biggest “what if” ever. Salute on yall giving him his flowers 💯💯💯
🗣Mr Jumping out the Universe ✨️✨️✨️😤
NO MF'N QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!! This is BIG for him, I guess they'll have Che Cotton on here one day also
D.Rose is the biggest what if… but I supa feel you…..
Never saw him play but have heard people talk about him for years. He had to of been that dude on the court then
To me Ben Wilson is greatest what if in Chicago Basketball
i graduated HS in 1996. I live in MN, Chicago is only 6 hours away driving, 5 if you know where to go. I hoop back then too. I used read Streets and Smiths Basketball Mags. I used to go the page, where they had all of the players ranked. They would do overall, regional, position etc. Ronnie Fields was #1 in all of the categories. Kobe wasn't even mention then. Class of 1995 and 1996 were the greatest HS years in basketball. BubbaChuck was locked up and he was supposed to play in McDonalds in 95. But anyway, Fields was on his way to being the first guard to pro, imo. He was that good. Back then like he said, it was much harder, because the bar was so high, but he was already over that bar. I'm glad he is still here to share his story. It aint no what if. He still a legend and always will be a legend!
That's false. Iverson would've been in the 94 McDonald's game with Felipe Lopez, not 95.
The school he coaches won state his first year as coach
I'm 52 and my mom is 17 yrs older than me, saying all that, she used to go watch Ronnie play too, the hype was real. One of Chicago's finest 💪
That doesn't make sense. You was out of high school
He was one of those guys that would hang out at his old High School, even after graduating.
All kids out there. This is what “Never gives up” looks like. Much respect R.F 💯
I attended Farragut a few years before Ronnie.
I was curious about him and the new kid Kevin Garnett, so I went to see them.
In the parking lot were cars from Wisconsin and the gym was packed. I stood next to a reporter from channel 5 (Mark Schanowski) when Ronnie went up to catch a ball off the rim to dunk it. He jumped from within the dotted line just past the free throw line to catch it out of the air. He was fouled in the process but I couldn't believe what I saw. I looked at the reporter and said "did he just do that?" We both were shocked. And he was grabbing headlines in the Chicago papers about equal to MJ during that time, no exaggeration. Go Admirals!!!
Tears of joy mayne I shed a tear at the introduction alone! I know this gon be a good one 💯
🙏🏾
Me too
Imagine if they brought on the original "Hoop Dreamers" from the Chi...Arthur Agee and William Gates. Still can't believe Knuckleheads or All The Smoke ain't have them on
I’m from the Chi i remember Ronnie was going to be great
Glad you all got him on the show💯
My guy need a movie bro…dude was unreal…never seen in real time a cat that had that type of hops…respect to tha Chi-Town legend. Glad he got his flowers he was the real deal. He was different. Need the movie. Asap!
It would be like the movie Rebound minus the drugs.
Manigault, Hook and Ronnie are in the same sphere.
He was still dunking 5 years ago too! Easy 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
A hero of my neighborhood. It’s crazy seeing the homie on here. Everything was crazy back then and chi raw naw man it was wayyyy crazier then. He was a men amongst boys. Props to you big homie
The real "Hoop Dreamers" from the Chi are Agee and Gates
I love how much Stephen Jackson always showed him love!
Pause
U can tell s jax has the utmost respect for him when he speaks
Chicago legend. You had to be here in the 90’s when Ronnie had the city on 🔥🏀
My homie. So glad he finally got up here! Helluva a ballplayer and an even better person
Saw him in HS.. simply amazing
I was a HS freshman wannabe hooper in North Louisiana in 96. I normally download and listen. When I saw Ronnie Fields, I jumped straight to the RUclips in case they had photos or videos and just to see him. Word spread about him down to Louisiana!
Y’all finally got Ronnie Fields 🔥
My dawg, had the pleasure of playing against Ronnie for two seasons, first game of the season my senior seasonwas against KG , Ronnie,LaKeith, and Michael Wright. Topper Classic was standing room only with Danville,Peoria Manual, Chicago Farragut,and Chicago King. Would’ve been a Netflix special today!
I hooped against Ronnie back in high school. I played at Marshall in the Red West. I remember this freshman player tried to dunk on me from the baseline but the ball got stuck on the rim. I remember him floating because he took off so far from the rim. I was like "Okay this is not a regular 14-year-old hooping on varsity." Lol
Ronnie Fields, Paul Mcphearson, 2 of the greatest leapers I’ve ever seen, glad to be part of Chi town finest 😊
He not lying about that dunk he did in 8th grade 💯💯💯
You can tell that he has made his peace with , and gained a level of wisdom and perspective on what happened to him over time . I am reminded of what happened to Terrence Clarke . Rest in peace to all the yungins that lost their life to soon and thank you matt and steve for giving Ronnie time to share his story
I have been waiting for this intervie w for a minute. Now i got something to listen to on the way home. Thanks my guys. I have always wanted to know the full story on Ronnie Fields i know some of it now i know imma get the full story.
Thanks for giving Ronnie fields his Flowers..... Made me pick up a basketball because of him
A basketball legend. Being a kid in the Southside of Chicago, we would have debates in school about Ronnie Fields in HS already being better than Jordan in the NBA. He was the real deal and definitely would have been one of those ones if that accident never happened.
Obviously cocaine was in yall food to be having that debate
Shoutout to Ronnie fields. Glad to see him upbeat and positive doing well
Respect Respect Respect When I say those High School games used too be packed packed packed ❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯💯💯💯
THIS THE ONE BABY
I'm 2001 baby so I've never heard someone speak about this guys name just like Stak just did that's real love,dope to learn about Old School Hoopers
Good to hear he is still involved and doing great things. Respected all around.
Ronnie was my childhood hero, had his newspapers all over my wall.... I drove through a snowstorm to watch him play, he had 5 dunks... white boy from the suburbs checking in... this is all you need to know, considering this was pre-social media.
Shout out to the crib jo
Ronnie a beast mane him and KG ran the city.
Ronnie was a year ahead of me, I remember in grammar school when I was in 5th grade and he was dunking on us while he was in 6th grade.
Man that boy was cold… salute to a home town legend….
I heard about Fields when I was in the 9th grade all the way in Northern California before the internet.
I’m from Chicago and I’m high school class of 95 and to this day. Him and KG was the best High School duo of all time to me.
💯This one is truly for the culture💯
Thank you fellas 💪🏽✊🏽
Ronnie is a real one. Thanks for sharing
I remember the legend of Fields growing up in the area. Someone should make a movie
I know him in real life and he is the nicest person. Polite and friendly every time we speak it’s like I’m talking to an uncle! Much love for Ronnie! Def a legend
Hey this is awesome you guys have Ronnie on the show he was incredible God bless him and his family and good luck on his future endeavors but this guy right here could play ball. JL
Wow. Ronnie was that dude in the 90's. Athleticism was crazy and he was jumping out the gym. Salute to stat and matt for this!!
I'm watching the Illinois State highschool championship game from 1995 between Farragut and Thornton. Farragut had Fields, Kevin Garnett, and Michael Wright who was drafted by the Knicks and played in Europe for a long time. Thornton had two guys who played in the NFl: Antwaan Randle-El and Tai Streets. Plus Melvin Ely, who played in the NBA for a minute. Someone tell me about a time there was MORE raw talent on a highschool floor?
S/O to Ronnie Fields, he used to come to LA Fitness every morning, i worked at about 8 years ago every morning. one of the coolest dudes and always spoke some knowledge to me on ball and life. Glad to see he's doing well and impacting so many kids lives. We all know he would have been one of the coldest guards in the league if it wasn't for the accident. CHICAGO LEGEND
Salute to All the Smoke!! You are appreciated!! Shoutout to Ronnie Fields!!
I love it. Ronnie is a straight up legend here in the Chi and a great story of perseverance.
Illinois legend. Never thought I would hear Danville in a basketball podcast
Right, he mentioned Danville and Rantoul.
The best dunker nobody knows. I watched him and KG while they were at Farragut and game of the weeks on TV back in 94-95 here in Chicago. They were the first two great hs players I noticed as a kid. Glad he's getting shine
Straight legend!!! Thank you for this episode!!!
Legendary…Play against him when he was at Farragut. Hops out of this world. 🫡💯💯💯
Finally 🎉 Thank you! Chi-Town LEGEND!!!
I was in grammar school in 4th grade growing up I remember the accident like it was yesterday on the front page of the sun times, it broke my heart
Best IL HS player ever. I got him and KG autograph on a hat.
Over Ben Wilson , D Rose 🌹, Jabari Parker or Isiah Thomas ?
DOPENESS!!
I played against Ronnie in a spring league game at Malcolm X college, it was close until he dunked on our center. Not just Chicago, a hooping legend.
Ronnie Fields is a LEGEND for real here in Chicago and I feel like in the entire world. Can you imagine what it would have been like if he was in the NBA with Kobe and the rest? I remember playing a pick up game on the west side (I’m a south sider) and within 5 minutes Ronnie made us look like children bro. We are the same age and he destroyed our team. He took off at the dotted and could have dunked on two of our guys, but he rolled them like “they ain’t even worth me dunking” bro….disrespectful bro….literally one of the greatest basketball players ever. Much respect to you Ronnie
All The Smoke, thank you. I am forever a fan now❤❤❤❤
I’m from Toledo Ohio. In 94-95 We were ranked 10th in the nation. We played against Oak hill academy at DePaul University. I remember having practice at Farragut Academy and Ronnie and Kevin were shooting around on the side baskets.
I’ll always say KG and Fields were the best high schoolers I’ve ever seen
My family live in South Chi! They talked about Ronnie Fields for years!!!!!!
Chicago got them hoopers for real🔥
Y’all should get my Uncle Mark Aguirre on there 💯💯💯💯
Question- Aguirre is a Spanish last name. Where did that name come from in your family.
Chi-Town Legend🙏🎉
Saw him play in HS in a Christmas tourney. Best athlete ive ever seen
OG Chi-Town GOAT!
Salute from Peoria, Illinois 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
The P in here…What up…
Ronnie was one me and my twin hero growing up in the land man Ronnie needs a movie about him man fr fr
That's crazy I felt like stakjak, I'm from chitown and knew and heard about this. It feel good to finally hear him tell it. I can only imagine how good of a coach he is!!! Bless
Love hearing from the old legends..would be cool to hear from others like lenny cooke, on mayo, dajuan wagner, felipe Lopez..
CHI-CITY!!! Farragut was my neighborhood HS and walking distance from my elementary school. Still cannot believe Ronnie and Kevin Garnett didn't win a state championship in the season they were together
Chicago legend. Very impressed by this brother in this interview. Extremely mature perspective on how he sees his journey and these kids. May Yah Bless! 🙏🏽🤎💪🏾
Great interview!!!
The much anticipated interview I was looking forward to seeing.
Been waiting on this episode. Thanks
Fields is obviously a good man and a great ambassador to Chicago and young people.
Your best interview Stack
We need more mentors, role models like Mr Fields
Ive watched all of the knuckle head podcast and all the smoke and all i can say ronnie fields has all the respect from his time befor and after too
Ronnie knows 93 Chicago King HS was one of the all time greatest teams!
Great episode. He was interesting. Glad you led with the crash, got it out of the way so the interview could breath.
Dope interview. Long overdue
Had ge pleasure to see tgus man and if play live
Wish I could see footage of this guy cause his stories are legendary…you know your badddd man when other people tell your stories
big ups Ronnie! From Schmoov '92 PWHS
Got to play against him at Hoops The Gym in the Chi. He did 3 dunks that would easy win the NBA dunk contest!!!
That video humbled me a bit. God bless Ronnie Fields. Chi-town legend.
Ronnie Fields had a great basketball career In different professional leagues outside the NBA
Never seen him play but the way Stack is talking about him and showing his enthusiasm about how he played, I know he was the truth on the court.
I remember this guy his highlights was insane
Great Interview. the Jordan of Chicago high school
As a kid hearing about him and Garnett was all hype until you saw them play and you seen what the hype was!!!! 😮🤯😳 To see them play was crazy!! The plays they did on a weam was unbelievable!!!😱😱😱What did I just see???!!!!
Gratitude
This is real. Man was a BEAST!
Bout time the legendary Mister fields
This man could literally float on dunks
I seen him and KG play against Morgan Park. They was both the truth back then even
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 great interview!!
Great interview
Ronnie Fields bout the only Chicago person that actually eat deep dish….great interview!!!!!!!🫡
Right 💯 😂
I watched the Shea Cotton video and couldn’t wait for this one… Respect
Ronnie and Kevin couldn't get past Peoria Manual but much respect to Farragut
They lost to Thornton as well in 95
Crushing to hear about the injury