Historic Basketball Courts

Jackson Park: Chicago, Ill.

These two fenced-in courts have been around for more than a century, originally built as the arena for the 1893 World Fair. Jackson Park, located on the south side of the Windy City, was once the stomping grounds of local streetball legend Billy “The Kid” Harris, and is also rumored to have seen a young Barack Obama.

The West 4th Street Basketball Courts, New York City © LWYang | Flickr

West 4th Street: Greenwich Village, N.Y.

Colloquially known as “The Cage,” the West 4th Street Courts are a legendary spot noted for their importance in the world of streetball. The court is unique in its small, non-regulation size and close fences, forcing play to be very physical. With seven subway routes running through the West 4th Street – Washington Square subway station, The Cage gets tough competition from the best basketball players around New York City. Notable alumni include Dr. J, Smush Parker and Anthony Mason whose “Prime Time” squad ruled the court with multiple championships in the early 90s.

Barry Farm: Washington, D.C.

Located in the southeast neighborhood of Washington, D.C., Barry Farm is host for The Goodman League, named after community activist George Goodman. Players come from all over the Washington metropolitan area to play in the league, which regularly features current and former NBA players for community enrichment programs. The courts are also known for being located in a rough area of the city, but are kept safe thanks to a local truce. Barry Farm is an important fixture in the local community, which even experiences a significant drop in crime during the summer months when the league is active. Goodman Commissioner Miles Rawls is also known to have once trash-talked Barack Obama at a local game.

Venice Beach: Venice, Calif.

Sunny Los Angeles is home to one of America’s most iconic basketball courts, Venice Beach, where kids and pros alike have come for intense streetball. The courts are surrounded by palm trees and ocean, and have been immortalized by Hollywood in movies like White Men Can’t Jump. Numerous streetballing legends like Tarron “Beast” Williams, The Bone Collector and That 70s Show earned their chops here, in addition to their colorful nicknames.

Rucker Park, Harlem, New York © Stefano Brivio | Flickr

Holcombe Rucker Park: Harlem, N.Y.

Arguably the most famous and perhaps having the most accomplished alumni, Rucker Park is a New York legendary court named after Holcombe Rucker, a teacher and playground director who started the Rucker Tournament in 1946 as an after-school activity for less-fortunate kids. The style of play here has an emphasis on slam dunks, crossovers and styles virtually non-existent on the professional level. The litany of players that have come through here and gone on to the pros is staggering, ranging from NBA stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to streetball legends like Rafer “Skip to My Lou” Alston, cementing Rucker Park’s place in basketball history.