From NBA stars such as Carmelo Anthony and Stephon Marbury, to streetball legends, many New Yorkers got their start playing hoops in our city’s parks. Take a trip to a few of NYC’s legendary courts.
NYC Parks: The Rucker Tournament, a streetball tournament begun in 1950, has produced NBA all-stars, among them Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Chris Mullin, Connie Hawkins, and Jamaal Tinsley.
NYC Parks: Hosts the co-ed Circle of Friends Celebrity Basketball Clinic, an opportunity for participants to get instruction in shooting, dribbling, rebounding and passing from former pro basketball players.
NYC Parks: Adjacent to Coney Island, the Brighton Beach basketball courts are a popular place for summer ball playing, attracting talent from across the borough.
NYC Parks: With a view of the beach, the courts draw the best ball players in the borough for summer night pickup games; Orchard Beach also hosts the annual Hoops in the Sun tournament.