TIM GITTENS - HEADACHE

Growing up in Harlem of New York City, Tim Gittens faced crippling hardships that could have made him another statistic.  However, Tim Gittens refused to walk the cyclic path of society's stigmatizations as an inner city youth and excelled despite the numerous setbacks… using basketball as a vehicle to maneuver through and conquer the path.

In the last 20 years Tim Gittens has become one of most influential basketball players. Tim Gittens was a collegiate all-star and had an impressive and extensive professional basketball career.  Gittens had an opportunity to play in the NBA and also dominated on teams in the USBL, ABA, China, Iran, Puerto Rico, and England; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters.  He proudly wears the number 13 on his jersey in honor of his late father, who was also a Harlem Globetrotter.  Gittens is most famous for playing in national and international streetball competitions; he began competing in these competitions as a child and was given a nickname, Headache. 

Headache became a dominating, feared force on the basketball court.  He became a founding member on the world renown, And 1 Streetball Team.  Headache was one of the most recognized players on the And 1 worldwide tour; a headliner for the nationally televised And 1 series, that aired on ESPN; and also a star on the And 1 Streetball Mixtape/DVD for 5 consecutive years.   He starred in the video game Street Hoops from Activision.  He has endorsed athletic apparel.  He has been featured in music videos, print ads and various publications.  Some publications have included: GQ, Dime, New York Times, Men’s Journal, and Forbes.  Gittens’ most recent film appearance, Doin’ It In The Park, features him alongside Julius “Dr. J” Erving and other streetball Hall of Famers.    

Through worldwide travels, Gittens noticed some issues and decided to do his part into creating a solution and positive/life-changing results.  Mr. Gittens began working as a teacher in the public schools, a basketball coach, and trainer to amateur and professional athletes.  To all those Gittens came in contact with, he began instilling a strong work ethic, dedication, persistence, making good choices, and excellent health and diet. 

Tim Gittens desired to do more to strengthen the community by providing programs and activities that would promote education and excellence.  In 2004 Tim Gittens created the Headache 13 Foundation.  He became dedicated in helping improve the lives of inner-city youth and their families in the areas of education, social, and cultural enrichment.  Using the game of basketball to communicate his international message, Tim Gittens is a camp facilitator, coach, motivational speaker, special project manager- event planning and fundraising, teacher, trainer, and youth director.  While he services both adults and children, his passion is to share what he has learned with today’s youth…this message rings as his motto, One Life One Choice One Time.  

Today Tim Gittens is a proud husband and father proving what the fight for success looks like: earning two college degrees and various certifications, playing basketball professionally, being able to travel the world, starring in films and television and local and national ad campaigns, becoming an influential voice in the community, and empowering through his foundation Headache 13.