Dallas' Ultimate Oops ready to take second bite of The Big Apple
Nelson is bringing his $21 million PPV to New York City
by Evan Pastorelle, Ultimate Oops GM
Let me start with some background. Ultimate Hoops Dallas first met in 2019 while playing pick-up right where the action is taking place today – on the basketball court at Life Time Dallas.
All of us came from different walks of life and from all across the country but ended up bonding like brothers in no time. In the Spring of 2019, the Ultimate Hoops Dallas team started forming with the 2019 Ultimate Hoops Draft League.
Then the captain and now current league commissioner, Andy Plautz, drafted a team named “Ultimate Oops”, that would go on to win four consecutive titles and seven total league titles to date in the Ultimate Hoops Dallas league. This Ultimate Hoops Dallas team consists of six of those original seven players, with an additional three players added to the roster.
This team will be the same team that defeated last year’s champions, Ball So Hard, in pool play, with an additional two players added that were not a part of last year’s team. Let’s meet the team!
Starting Lineup
Austin Rettig – Small Forward – “Watch ya head!”
Austin has filled the stands with multiple spectators because of his high-flying highlight dunks since joining the league in 2019. Austin’s career started in Dallas where he was born and raised.
He attended the prestigious Prestonwood Academy, where he had the privilege of playing alongside his good friend and NBA star Julius Randle. After high school, he attended the University of Tampa from 2012-2017, where he played basketball for the Spartans.
After graduating from Tampa in 2018, Austin took his talents professionally to England, where he played for the Manchester Giants Professional Basketball Club. While overseas, Austin won a dunk contest for his professional basketball league.
Search his name on YouTube or follow Ultimate Hoops Dallas on Instagram, and you will find plenty of dunks that will get you out of your seat. For Ultimate Oops, he is currently averaging a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds per game and is a key member of the 7-time repeating champion Ultimate Oops squad that has taken the Dallas league by storm.
Arvin Zeinali – Point Guard – “What’s my name?!”
Arvin is recognized for being the floor general, point guard, for the 7-time defending champion Ultimate Oops that has a motor with no off switch. In his career, Arvin is averaging a near triple double per game! In the Ultimate Hoops realm, Arvin is well known for his game winning shot in the 2019 Ultimate Hoops NYC National Tournament apart of the LTC Tree from Atlanta and being the lead point guard to take down Ball So Hard in last year’s pool play. Can he repeat his heroics in this year’s tournament?! We shall see!
Andy Plautz – Shooting Guard – “All gas, no brakes!”
Andy, our Ultimate Hoops Dallas League Coordinator, is a 3-point machine. Hailing from Wisconsin and playing for University of Wisconsin Sub-Schools such as Marathon and Eau Claire, he has a quick release that is near impossible to defend to the point where you need to foul him to stop him.
For his career, Andy has been the captain and leader for the 7-time defending champion, Ultimate Oops squad, scoring 25.1 points per game on 50% shooting, including a stellar 42% 3-point shooting percentage! Expect to see multiple 3’s from Andy this tournament!
Matthew Smith – Power Forward – “The only Ty-Crane!”
The Dallas ’22 Winter Open MVP, Matthew Smith, will bring a ton of talent, length, and size to the Ultimate Oops front court.
Matthew grew up in the Dallas area, coming from a super small town called Whitewright and his basketball experience includes 4 years of collegiate basketball with the majority being at the University of Toledo, and multiple years of professional basketball overseas in countries such as Germany, Portugal, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic.
Along with Kyle Nelson, everyone in the Dallas league will tell you he’s one of the toughest players to guard due to his extensive shooting range and lengthy wingspan. Matt said of the upcoming tournament, “I’ve always been the underdog in everything I’ve ever done in my life, and it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. The lessons have just made me stronger!”
Kyle Nelson – Center – “MVP”
The three-time MVP of the Dallas league is back! Kyle is the starting center for Ultimate Oops and is this past Spring Season’s MVP! Kyle’s nickname “Pau Gasol” perfectly describes his game.
A highly talented big man that can run the fast break, shoot the three and play a high level of basketball on both ends of the court.
Originally from the Chicago area, Kyle played his college ball at Lewis University from 2012-2016, eventually taking his talents to play professionally overseas for the Klatovy Professional Basketball Club (Czech Republic) in 2017.
Expect to see a high level of play from the big man who will turn some heads this tournament!
The Bench
Evan Pastorelle – Shooting Guard – “Respect the game and the name!”
Evan comes from the Northeast, where many argue to be the Mecca of basketball, the New York Tri-State area. He is your Ultimate Hoops Dallas League Coordinator/Social Media Guru.
Playing basketball consistently since the age of 3, Evan brings an unmatched basketball IQ to this team and has played an integral role in the success of the 7-time defending champion, Ultimate Oops. What Evan brings to this team won’t ever show up on a stat sheet, but his teammates can confirm that the heart and hustle that he brings every night goes a long way in the DNA of Ultimate Oops, and he will bring that same game to NYC.
Evan takes the tough defensive assignment, dives for loose balls, and is not afraid to take the big shot at the end of the game. Evan also holds the Dallas scoring record with 84 points, an achievement he attained in the Dallas Spring ’22 Open Season!
James Hulbin – Power Forward – “If you go DBL, you may need a 3rd!”
“Big Game James” hails from the southern state of Louisiana. James’ basketball history includes 4 years at Northwestern State, where he played in the NCAA tournament, and 4 years of professional basketball in countries such as Greece, Cyprus, Spain, and Germany!
Ultimate Oops brought in James from the Plano league, where he is a well-known phenom winning multiple player of the week accolades! James will be a crucial piece for the Oops, with his size, length, and athleticism, when they play teams with ex-NBA talent like Ball So Hard! Expect to see a lot of James on the stat sheets in NYC!
Tyler Angelo – Big – “Where’s the foul?!”
Tyler, an extremely athletic and strong man, is the starting center for the 7-time defending champion, Ultimate Oops. He plans to bring the same intensity and energy to NYC that he brings to the Dallas league weekly.
If you don’t see Tyler on the court, he is always in the gym finding ways to improve his size and physicality. He is always battling for every rebound offensively and defensively.
ife Time Sky better have their towel supply ready for when Tyler hits the floor! When he is not in the game, Tyler is the bench’s vocal leader and every referee’s worst enemy!
Austin Moses – Hybrid/The 6th Man – “Slow feet don’t eat!!”
Austin is the ultimate competitor and has been the 6th Man of the Year for the Dallas League more than once. That award was well earned for Austin as he is the swiss-army knife does it all bench player.
Whoever you need to guard, Austin’s got him and will lock him up! Austin is originally a football guy from the highly competitive Big 12 Conference as a Wide Receiver for the University of Kansas Football team. Austin’s athleticism and energy will be crucial for this team as they take NYC!
Brody Thompson – Point Guard – “Chess not checkers”
Brody is the John Stockton to Kyle Nelson’s Karl Malone for their Playground Legends team that finished runner-up to the 4-time defending champion, Ultimate Oops, this past Spring Season.
This gifted point guard, who played for Missouri Valley College from 2011-2016, will be a huge piece to an Ultimate Hoops Dallas team that needs ball handlers entering this NYC tournament. With multiple pick & rolls and behind-the-back or no-look passes, Brody brings to this team exactly what they need off the bench.
Final Remarks
What we have created in Dallas is what we would consider a family, and this family knows how to play together as one.
My AAU coach growing up always used to share a quote with us that always stuck with me that “hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard.” The second the game tips off, we’re pedal to the metal until the clock strikes zero.
Cheering each other on in our biggest triumphs and picking each other up when we fall down. That’s what separates this team from the rest, and we are honored to represent the city of Dallas as we take on the top talent from across the country!