Summertime in the City: A NYC Streetball Guide
The temperature isn’t the only thing that is about to heat up in a few weeks. Summer Basketball is around the corner and here are a few suggestions to navigate the landscape. When it comes to Streetball, New York City is known for having some of the world’s most competitive tournaments in the world. These blacktop games give the city life and for me, is a breath of fresh air for all basketball junkies as we wait until the NBA season starts back up. No NBA in the Summertime can be brutal but a good dose of Streetball satisfies that craving. The number one rule for someone who plays NYC Streetball for the first time is to literally make a name themselves. It’s just that simple. Get crossed over or dunked on and that will probably live with you forever. Places like Dyckman Park, Gersh Park, Hoops In The Sun, Entertainers 155 and The TriState Classic paint the landscape for Streetball in New York City. We will review what to look forward to this summer to summer and which tournaments are going to be the place to be this summer. There’s no order to this list and I’m sure there are a few that I missed but here’s my list for Summer Basketball Tournaments in New York City.
Dyckman Park (Opening Night June 10th)
Dyckman Basketball commissioner Kenny Stevens during the Slam Summer Classic vol. 1 in 2018. Photo by Cal Griffin
It’s going to be tough to outdo last summer but I know the gem of a tournament in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan has something up their sleeves for Summer 2019. What was a one division, six-team tournament in its first season in 1990 is currently a tournament with six age divisions, containing a total of 77 teams. On any day, you can find an NBA pro or entertainer at the park. Last year NBA Champion Kevin Durant happened to stroll up to Dyckman to catch a few games. Few years ago he actually suited up and played, what’s better than that! What makes Dyckman Park so unique is the atmosphere surrounding the park. Food, music and basketball create a place that everybody wants to be a part of. The fact that Dyckman also has the best Streetball announcer is a value add. Dave “Cha Ching” is one of a kind and brings a certain flair and charisma to his job. From his energy to the costumes he wears, Cha Ching is a huge reason why Dyckman is the cream of the crop in NYC Streetball. It’s hard to explain without actually going there in person but right now it’s hard to think of anywhere else I rather watch summer basketball. You can catch games Monday thru Friday. You won’t be disappointed.
Gersh Park (Opening Night June 14th)
Every borough in New York City has its own identity and Brooklyn boasts one of the best venues in the city. Gersh Park in East NY, Brooklyn is a gem of a Streetball tournament and has making its case for superiority. Food, music and good vibes are what make this tournament one of the best in the city. MC’d by Brooklyn’s own Tyreek “Fly Ty” Malone, the park gets filled to capacity within minutes of the gates opening and fans are greeted to great competitive action. Sponsored by Nike, Gersh Park is truly a special place to be in the Summertime. In its 14th season, Gersh brings out a mixture of NBA, International Professionals, Collegiate and local talent. Their High Schoolers are elite too, capturing back to back titles in Nike’s NY vs NY tournament where each of NYC’s Streetball venues clash and fight to be called the best in the city. With one of the city’s rowdiest crowds, if you plan on playing at Gersh you better bring your “A” game because the they will let you know if you aren’t playing well. It’s Kill or be killed at Gersh and if you aren’t ready for action please do not suit up.
Hoops in the Sun (Opening Day June 15th)
The Cruz brothers are celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year. Here they are with NBA Slam Dunk champ Hamidou Diallo of the OKC Thunder. Photo Courtesy of Hoops in the Sun
In its 20th season, Hoops in the Sun remains one of the best Streetball tournaments in the New York City. Located at Orchard Beach in the Bronx, HITS has been known to have some of the fiercest competition around. A long list of NBA pros and college basketball greats have graced these courts and it doesn’t look like they are slowing down any time soon. Joe and Randy Cruz have been able to take over the helm from their late father Pops Cruz who created the tournament to mirror, in New York City, what Venice Beach is to California. No NYC Streetball tournament is complete without a quality announcer and Jaden “Mr. Talk Spicy” Edwards is the Master of Ceremonies at Hoops in the Sun. He brings his unique style and off the cuff commentary to the beach where if you don’t show up to play you will most likely get roasted. HITS also boasts color commentary from two of the City’s legends Uncle G Stacks and Bobby Cey. If you are in New York City and want to see good basketball Hoops in the Sun
Entertainers 155 (Opening Night June 10th)
Coach Mousey is known for heading up the TriState Classic and his coaching days at the EBC. Along with Gus (not pictured) He is back to bring the Entertainers 155 back to prominence. Photo by Cal Griffin
Formally known as The Entertainers Basketball Classic, Entertainers 155 plays its games at one of New York City’s most revered landmarks, Rucker Park. With the passing of legendary comishhoner Greg Marius, the EBC was faced with the tough task of keeping the tournament alive in his absence. Fast forward a few years and the tournament that was at the epicenter of Basketball culture is back and trying to figure out how to regain its footing in the current Streetball landscape. Times have changed but the recipe remains the same. New comishoner Mousey knows what it takes to build a tournament from the ground up. He has the experience from his days of coaching Terror Squad and Bad Boy who packed the park by bringing NBA talent to play. Entertainers 155 also boasts one of the premier announcers in the NY area in Mic Larry. A savvy wordsmith who brings his energy and charisma to the park every day. It’s going to be hard but we anticipate Entertainers 155 returning to being a major player on the Streetball scene.
Tri-State Classic
The Tri-State Classic resides at Col. Young park in Harlem, NYC. This tournament has been thriving for decades. Photo courtesy of Jon Lopez Photography
For years The Tri-State Classic has been a prerequisite to playing at Rucker Park. You couldn’t get to the big stage without passing through Mousey’s Tri-State Classic. Even some of your favorite Announcers got their starts at the tournament in Col. Young playground in Harlem, NYC. Today, the Jordan Brand sponsored tournament is still going strong. Revolutionizing the High School Division games, TriState aims at giving the City’s young phenoms at platform to make a name for themselves. TriState also does a yearly memorial game for NYC fallen soldier Alimoe aka The Black Widow. This game is a staple for Harlem and has attracted some of the best High School players in the country.
Watson Basketball Classic
Watson is another one of New York City’s gems. You can catch quality games here all summer long! Photo courtesy of Mochapoca
The Watson Basketball Classic is located in the Soundview section of the Bronx is another tournament that has been going strong and lasted the test of time. Basketball in the Bronx is known to be gritty and a little more physical than not. Nike has taken the Watson brand and propelled it to the masses. For many, Watson is a place where youngsters can really establish and make a name for themselves. For many, this tournament is “home”. They just have that family appeal and anybody who has ever put on that jersey can attest to that. We look forward to attending a few games this summer and soaking in the basketball atmosphere at the Watson Gleason Playground.
Lincoln Park Classic
“Jurrasic Park” is one of the hottest tournaments in the City! Courtesy of Ty Smoove Photography.
The Lincoln Park Classic has gained a lot of notoriety in a short period. Part of the Nike conglomerate, Lincoln Park has burst onto the New York City Streetball scene in a major way. Located in South Ozone Park, the “Jungle” as it’s referred to is heading into its fourth season and growing at an amazing rate. Also powered by the Nike conglomerate, Lincoln Park has been one of the best tournaments in the past few years. You might get an occasional pro to pop out to Lincoln Park to get some good run. You just never know who will pull up and that’s what makes Streetball in NYC so great. My passion of Basketball came from watching Streetball as a kid. Then actually playing at some of these tournaments myself as I got older. There was no better feeling than to be at a Streetball game and hear over the loud speaker that Alimoe aka The Black Widow was in the building and suiting up. There were so many guys who paved the way for the culture and didn’t even know it. They were just having fun and competing the best way they knew how. Guys like Kareem Reid, God Shammgod, Mousey, The Future, HITS Cruz family, Richie Parker, Shane Woney, John “The Franchise” Strickland, Rafer Alston, Kenny Stevens, Corey “Homicide” Williams, Charles Jones, Jamaal Tinsley, Lance Stevenson, Adrian Walton, I’ll Be Right Back, Dominican Power, Rock & Tony Rosa, Coach Dave (Harlem), Dave Cain, Red Autry, Master Rob, Curry Goat, The Predator, Gary Ervin, Terminator, Kenny Satt, Bone Collector, Corey Fisher, Anti Freeze, Andre Barrett, Total Package and so many more helped to build the Streetball platform to where it is today and there truly wouldn’t be an AllThingsHoops if not for them. We salute these guys as well as the new crop of players who are keeping the culture alive and thriving to push it forward.
*** Cover photo taken by Jon Lopez Photography. He’s one of the best in the business!