The sport of basketball was invented in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA by Dr. James Naismith in 1891. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Naismith teamed up with the International YMCA Training School in sending Christian missionaries to China. (The former International YMCA Training School was where Naismith taught physical education. Later, it changed its name, known today as Springfield College.) Basketball spread in China as some of Naismith’s original players even ended up showcasing the sport. It became the second major country (and Asia the second major continent) to represent basketball in its earliest form. Read More »

Jordan Brand’s European outfit will plunge into Paris on June 27-28 and emcee Quai 54, France’s premier outdoor blacktop tourney. Renowned for its rugged open-air play and transcontinental talent, the Quai has caught recognition stateside in Bounce’s pages, on MTV’s defunct “Battlegrounds” program and during And1’s Mixtape Tour.

To ring in the summery occasion, Jordan Brand introduced the Quai 54 RUFF N TUFF Collection featuring the time-honored Jordan I and recently released Jordan Element Mid. The pack is available at House of Hoops locations now.

To get a detailed look at each pair, hit the jump!
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Ladies and Gents, Ballplayers, lovers of the game, and my fellow Brooklynites, here’s a little somethin’ from my man LowerEastScribe. He has Brooklyn roots but he moved to the Lower East Side in the borough of money makin’ Manhattan. He and I will be working together on the Brooklyn Report. Check out his article on Courtney Castro, better known as “The Jumpman”

One of NY’s best kept secrets (No Pun intended Mr. Reid) right now is Brownsville’s own Courtney Castro. Growing up in the ‘ville, Castro (who’s mixed with Black and all types of Spanish) started out playing baseball. But at age 13, his older brothers aerial-artistry made him see basketball in a new light.

“I used to see him playing ball in the park a lot,” said his brother. “Baseball was my first love but after watching him dunk on a few guys, it just looked like a lot of fun.”

While most serious 13-year-old ballers are seasoned vets, with AAU and top-flight camps under their belts, Castro’s start came via milk crates nailed to trees in his backyard. Eventually he upgraded to broken rims. Read More »

The 2009 NBA Draft is approaching us. Brooklyn has offered the “League” with some pretty darn good local talent. The L has had the likes of: Bernard King, Jamaal Tinsley, Quincy Douby, Chris Mullin, Connie Hawkins, Pearl Washington, World B.Free, John Salley, Jeff Houston Greg “Jocko” Jackson, Jerry “Ice” Reynolds, Norman Richardson, Chris Taft, Gordon Malone, Billy Cunningham and many more. (Disclaimer: I may have forgotten some. I apologize Brooklynites.)

This moment right here solidified and put Brooklyn on the map!!!!!!!!!! Stephon Marbury’s interview was heartfelt. He represented his family, his neighborhood, Coney Island and the borough of Brooklyn. The struggle, the hard work, determination, competitiveness and the heart were shown through his tears. Stephon Marbury showed the L why Brooklyn is the best borough in basketball in the state of New York. Read More »

THE ENTERTAINER’S BASKETBALL CLASSIC IS BACK!! IT’S THE TOURNAMENT OF THE SUMMER, NOT JUST IN NYC, BUT IN STREET BASKETBALL PERIOD! Get your seats EARLY because the weather is getting hot and the EBC is getting hotter! Read More »

Steve Burtt. Jr., seen here after a game at Tri State last summer, led Gold’s Gym to victory. Photo: Sean Couch.

After confusion and conflict, uncertainty and unrest, another summer of Nike Pro City began Thursday night at its same location with the same tournament organizers patrolling the sidelines and the same marquee talent getting after it on the court. The rumors of the tournament no longer being sponsored by Nike: false. The speculation that games wouldn’t be played at Hunter College: false. The talk that there would be no league at all: just that. Arguably the best tournament in the city is back, and if Thursday night’s action was any indication of what this season will hold, we’re in for another great summer at 68th and Lexington. Read More »