Check out the the NYC courts where NBA players grew their legend and where some of the best homegrown talent developed their game. If you want to learn more, tap the Website button above to listen to the "Lost in Sports” podcast.
LessMost famous streetball court on the planet. NBA and streetball legends have played here just to add it to their resume. Some of the NBA players to play here have been Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Pee Wee Kirkland, Wilt Chamberlain, Allen Iverson, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Kyrie Irving, and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe. Home to the Entertainer's Basketball Classic. ESPN writer Scoop Jackson says, "Rucker has been as important to basketball as Madison Square Garden."
Arguably the new "Rucker" for New York City. Known for its summertime Nike basketball tournament that feature some of the tri-state area's best young talent like Jellyfam stars Isaiah Washngton and Jahvon Quinerly. NBA players like Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Terry Rozier, and Michael Beasley all have taken their talents to this Inwood arena.
According to some, this is home to the toughest streetball competition in Brooklyn. NYC streetballers like James "Fly" Williams and Ed "Booger" Smith– who was the star of the documentary Soul in the Hole – could often be seen battling it out on the asphalt.
The West 4th Street "Cage" never had trouble stopping New Yorkers from their commute, tantalizing them to hang on the fence to the tightly contested games within. In its early days, you would be able to find NBA stars such as Rod Strickland, Stephon Marbury, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest playing among the city's best.
One of the often forgotten courts in Manhattan, due to Rucker, Dyckman, and West 4th Street. It used to hold arguably the biggest basketball tournament in the city – the Kingdome Classic. The court would host legends like Pearl Washington, Rafer Alston AKA Skip to My Lou, and Tracy McGrady among many.
Otherwise known as "Goat Park". Named after NYC legend Earl Manigault – nicknamed "the goat" – who legend has it had the ability to perform two dunks in a single leap and even NBA all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabaar said was the greatest player he played against. If you were so lucky, you would have been able to witness Manigault, Abdul-Jabar, Wit Chamberlain, or Rafer Alston AKA Skip to My Lou play here.
Grew streetball legends and NBA veterans Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair. Also where the fictional Jesus Shuttlesworth trained in Spike Lee's He Got Game.
I know. It's not New York, but it is home to Waliyy Dixon, AKA "Main Event," certified streetball legend and one of the original And1 players. Before Rucker Park and And1. Main Event grew up at this park and honed his skills.