Allan Houston (11/08/14)

Allan Houston #20
New York Knicks 1996-2005

Allan Houston played 12 seasons in the NBA with the Detroits Pistons and the New York Knicks. Houston was a 2-time NBA All-Star (2000-2001). He was a member of the USA men's national basketball team that won the basketball tournament and gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Houston was signing autograph at the Dick's Sporting Goods in Wayne, New Jersey. He's my favorite New York Knicks basketball player and I was so excited to meet him. I was the first person to arrive for the signing and Allan signed all of my items.

Allan Houston signed NBA Official Game Ball Series basketball.

Allan Houston signed floorboards.

Allan Houston signed Dick's Sporting Goods promotional pictures.

Allan Houston posed for a picture with me.

Thank you Dick's Sporting Goods for a great autograph signing with my favorite Knicks player. Allan is such a great guy and it was a pleasure meeting him.

Mariano Rivera (10/17/14)

Mariano Rivera #42
New York Yankees Pitcher (1995-2014)

Mariano Rivera is a 13-time MLB All-Star, 5-time World Series Champion, 1999 World Series Most Valuable Player, and holds the MLB record for career saves (652). Rivera is a future Hall of Famer and was the last baseball player to ever wear the number 42.

Mariano was signing autographs in North Bergen, NJ at the grand opening of Big Lots. We were told that he will only be signing promotional pictures that Big Lots provides. He was scheduled to sign for an hour and there were only 200 available photos. Luckily, my father and I were one of the first 100 people in line. Big Lots also had a photographer who took pictures of everyone who met Mariano. This was my third time meeting Mariano and he is always a class act.

Mariano Rivera signed 8x10 promotional photo.

A picture of me and Mariano shaking hands.

Thank you Big Lots of North Bergen and Mariano Rivera for a great event.

Tony Parker (09/09/14)

Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs Guard

Tony Parker was drafted 28th overall in the first round of the 2001 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. Parker has played his entire NBA career for the Spurs. He is a 4-time NBA Champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), 6-time NBA All-Star, and 2007 NBA Finals MVP.

Tony Parker was signing autographs at Tissot in New York City. When he arrived there was a mob of people outside taking pictures. Luckily, I was one of the first people on line. The line move very quickly and I got to meet Tony within a few minutes. Tony signed multiple items and took pictures with everyone who asked. He signed my basketball and a photo that Tissot provided. I told Tony that I hope he comes to New York. He said he doesn't think that's going to happen and we both laughed together.

Tony Parker signed Spalding Official NBA Game Ball Series Basketball.

Tony Parker signed 8x10 photo.

Tony Parker poses for a photo with me.

This was such a rare appearance, since Tony plays basketball in Texas. It was a pleasure meeting a future Hall of Famer and adding his autograph to my collection. Thank you Tissot Fifth Avenue Boutique in New York for hosting this great event.

Bernard King (03/22/14)

Bernard King, 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee
#30 New York Knicks Small Forward 1982-1987

Bernard King played for the New York Knicks from 1982-1987. He was a 4-time NBA All-Star, 1985 NBA Scoring Champion, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

Bernard was signing autographs at the Nielsen dealership in East Hanover, NJ. My goal was to get my official game ball series NBA basketball and photo signed by Bernard King with his Hall of Fame inscription. I arrived early to the signing and was probably the 20th person in line. When Bernard arrived he greeted all his fans from the end of the line to the beginning with a high five.

He is a really friendly guy, but when I got my chance to meet him I started to get nervous for some weird reason. I didn't know if he would add his hall of fame inscription to my basketball, but I knew it didn't hurt to ask. Sure enough, Bernard was really cool about adding his hall of fame inscription to his autograph. He also signed my 8x10 photo that I printed out for him.

Bernard King signed official game ball series NBA basketball.

Bernard King signed 8x10 photo.

It was my first time at the Nielsen dealership for an autograph signing and I had a great experience. The music, food, and entire event was really good. It was a opportunity to meet a former New York Knicks player and Hall of Famer like Bernard King. I'm looking forward to their next event.

Tim Hardaway Jr. (03/17/14)

Tim Hardaway Jr., New York Knicks Guard

Tim Hardaway Jr. was drafted out of the University of Michigan in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft (24th overall) by the New York Knicks. The Knicks signed him to a 4-year deal worth $6.1 million.

Tim was signing autographs at the White Plains Chrysler dealership in White Plains, NY. My goal was to get my official game ball series NBA basketball signed by Tim, along with two photos that I printed out. Driving to White Plains wasn't easy for me, but it was definitely worth it. When I arrived at the dealership Tim was already there signing autographs. There wasn't many people, which was a good thing for me. My chances of getting multiple items signed was very good. Tim signed any items and took pictures with everyone who asked. He was a really nice guy and took his time to greet all his fans.

Tim Hardaway Jr. signed official game ball series NBA basketball.

Tim Hardaway Jr. signed 5x7 photos.

Tim Hardaway Jr. poses for a picture with me.

Tim is a great guy and was a pleasure to meet. Thanks for hosting a great signing White Plains Chrysler dealership.

Mark Herzlich (03/01/14) & Stevie Brown (03/02/14)

(Left) Mark Herzlich, New York Giants Super Bowl XLVI Champion
(Right) Stevie Brown, New York Giants Safety

New York Giants defensive players, Mark Herzlich and Stevie Brown, made appearances at the grand opening of the HackensackUMC Fitness & Wellness Center in Maywood on Saturday and Sunday. I decided to attend the event and hope to get my photos signed by Mark and Stevie.

Mark Herzlich out of Boston College signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants. Mark was a member of the New York Giants Super Bowl XLVI championship team.

This was my first time visiting the HackensackUMC Fitness & Wellness Center. It's a beautiful facility with state-of-the-art equipment. Since this wasn't a regular autograph signing where fans line up to meet the player, I had to walk around the entire place to find Mark. Luckily, one of the employees knew where Mark was and told me where to go. Mark was upstairs speaking with several people after a workout. Once he started heading out of the room, I got a chance to speak with him and asked if he could please sign some photos for me. He was really cool and signed everything I brought for him. I didn't take any pictures of Mark, but found one of the HackensackUMC Fitness & Wellness Facebook.

Mark Herzlich signed 5x7 photos.

Since this was a success, I went back to the HackensackUMC Fitness & Wellness Center the next day to meet Stevie Brown. Stevie Brown joined the New York Giants in 2012. He holds the New York Giants single-season interception return yards record (307, 2012).

I arrived really late to second day of the grand opening and had about 15 minutes to find Stevie. I asked several people where can I find Stevie and they all sent me to different parts of the facility. He was no where to be found. I got tired of walking around and decided to stand in the middle of the gym area. I then spotted a photographer taking a picture of Stevie Brown with some kids.

I was happy to know he was still there. There was a small line of people waiting to take a photo with him. I waited in line and got a chance to speak with him. He signed two photos for me. I didn't know if he would sign the second photo I brought for him. It was the only picture I could find that had him and Mark together. In the photo he was getting stiff armed by an opposing player. When he saw the picture he laughed and then signed it.

Stevie Brown signed 5x7 photo.

Stevie Brown and Mark Herzlich signed 5x7 photo.

Mark Herzlich and Stevie Brown were really good with their fans. HackensackUMC Fitness & Wellness Center had a wonderful grand opening. Looking forward to the next meet and greet event.

Antrel Rolle & Prince Amukamara (02/01/14)

(Left) Prince Amukamara, New York Giants Cornerback
(Right) Antrel Rolle, New York Giants Safety

New York Giants players Antrel Rolle and Prince Amukamara were signing autographs on the same day at different locations. Luckily, the signings were an hour apart and at nearby locations. Antrel Rolle's signing was the first one of the day. He was signing autographs at the North Bergen Walmart.

Antrel Rolle signed with the Giants in 2010. He's a 3-time Pro Bowl Safety and a member of the New York Giants Super Bowl XLVI (46) championship team. Antrel showed up over 30 minutes late, but lucky for me I was one of the first ones in line. This was another event hosted by Pepsi during Super Bowl week. They had some nice 8x10 photos of Antrel for fans to get signed. He was really cool about signing multiple items.

Antrel Rolle signed New York Giants mini helmet.

Antrel Rolle signed 8x10 photo.

 Antrel Rolle signed 5x7 photo.

After Antrel signed my items, I rushed over to Prince Amukamara's signing at the Sports Authority in Secaucus.

Prince Amukamara was drafted out of the University of Nebraska by the New York Giants in the 1st round (19th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was also a member of the New York Giants Super Bowl XLVI (46) championship team.

When I arrived to Sports Authority the signing already began and there was over fifty people in line. Sports Authority had 5x7 photos of Prince for fans to get signed. The line moved quickly and Prince signed all of my items.

Prince Amukamara signed New York Giants mini helmet.

Prince Amukamara signed 5x7 photo.

Prince Amukamara signed 5x7 Sports Authority photo.

I also got my picture taken with Prince Amukamara.

It was successful signing day as I was able to obtain autographs from both Antrel Rolle and Prince Amukamara. Thumbs up to the North Bergen Walmart and Secaucus Sports Authority for hosting these events.

Check out my other blog posts on New York Giants autograph signings:

Rueben Randle
Amani Toomer
Brandon Jacobs
Ottis "O.J." Anderson
Tom Coughlin