Setup King
Kris Balbuena aka. Setup King was the last player to join the Hooptainers. The Peruvian, from North Hills, got the nick name in an exhibition game at Monroe High School (Westwood) in 2004. The MC (D.B.) said he was setting up Ramall with incredible alley oops that ignited the crowd.
In the NBA, you have great duos like Nash & Stoudemire or Stockton & Malone…athletes that can read each other before the play even develops. Ramall and Kris are special like that. They were called the 2k10 Twins last season (in the 360 League), because they were regularly scoring 40+ points a game, making it look as easy as a video game. Their bond is strong on and off the court, in part because of their family ties. The two are four of the cousins that make up the Hooptainers. Kris’ brother is married to Jontae’s family member.
Certain players just click well together. Since the 1st time I played with Ramall we meshed well together. I always know where he is and what he is about to do. And vice versa. And all the alley oops I throw him there are never any words mentioned between us. It’s like we just know when to do it. Some times he tells me, “I didn’t think you saw me”. But playing with Ramall as much I have, I know when to throw it and when not to throw. Its just knowing your personnel. You can play with four superstars and not actually be close with them on or off the court…like that close relationship you have with family. When I’m on the court, I see are my cousins (Kenny, Ramall, & Jontae). I love playing with family.
Off the court, Ramall & Kris are the comedic duo of the group – playing practical jokes on their teammates.
Me and Ramall are always playing around and are always playing jokes on people. especially when we go on trips. we are always having fun. a lot of people say that we are never serious and that we play around to much. but i dont think so. i love to play around. the only time ill be serious is when the ball goes up, but other then that no way.
Being A Hooptainer
One thing that I love about being a part of the Hooptainers is doing the athletic clinics/camps for the youth. This gives younger people the opportunities that I did not have as a child, to interact with players they’ve seen on the internet, TV doing something they dream of doing. When I was growing up, we didn’t have these types of opportunities and at the time there weren’t any Peruvian players in the league that I could idolize or model my game after; So it was extra hard for me to see that those dreams of being in the NBA would actually happen. Most importantly, it is not about the game of basketball, but showing them that they are able to make it…to be a positive influence in a young person’s life is something you can’t put a price tag on.
Life Outside Of Basketball
When I am not playing basketball. I love to be with family (3 brothers & a twin sister). Nothing better then being around people that love you and support you. That’s why I love being a Hooptainer, because it feels like a family on the court, which it is. But off court, spending as much time as I can with my family. I love their company and they don’t just see me as the “Set Up King”.
A lot of players, professional and non-professional, have not prepared themselves for what their lives will be when they no longer have the same physical abilities they once had to perform on the court; which makes Kris’ focus unique, he is already a certified EMT (emergency medical technician) and is currently training to become a certified paramedic. He is changing lives on the court and saving lives off the court.
Well I always wanted to do something that would make a difference in people lives. As a kid, my mom was diagnosed with diabetes. Ever since then I wanted to know more about medicine and more about diabetes and other diseases. I wanted to know about them to take care of my mom. And now to try and help other people and keeping their family together. Paramedic and basketball have the same intuition. Either your in it all the way or not. Both jobs are not something you can’t do half way; And that’s why I love it.
