--- description: Capturing the nature of New York City's classic culture of Streetball, basketball played on the blacktop courts. title: Celebrating New York City's Streetball Culture image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc0b1e2cfbafb8d6c/69889e8f196cf4a64203c829/anthony-streetball-edit-lightbox_01-web.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [LightBox](/tag/time-section-lightbox/) ## LightBox Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Celebrating New York City's Streetball Culture by [Kenneth Bachor](/author/kenneth-bachor/) and [Elijah Sinclair Walker](/author/elijah-sinclair-walker/) Aug 19, 2016 9:00 AM CUT  A portrait of point guard Jerron Love on June 05, 2015\. Jerron and I spent a lot of time together, not only creating portraits of him, but also following him all summer of 2015 to photograph every game he played on the streetball courts in New York City. A portrait of point guard Jerron Love on June 05, 2015\. Jerron and I spent a lot of time together, not only creating portraits of him, but also following him all summer of 2015 to photograph every game he played on the streetball courts in New York City.Anthony Geathers by [Kenneth Bachor](/author/kenneth-bachor/) and [Elijah Sinclair Walker](/author/elijah-sinclair-walker/) Aug 19, 2016 9:00 AM CUT In New York City, if there’s one thing that signifies summer, it’s streetball. Known for its high energy and aggressive playing style, streetball is [defined by Oxford dictionary](http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american%5Fenglish/streetball "undefined") as an “informal type of basketball played especially in urban areas such as parking lots, playgrounds, etc.” Some of New York City’s [legendary courts](http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/08/full-court-flex-the-10-best-public-basketball-courts-in-nyc/west-fourth-street-courts "undefined"), including [Rucker Park](https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/holcombe-rucker-park "undefined") and the [West Fourth Street Courts](https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/west-4th-street-courts "undefined"), also known as “The Cage,” have been a home for aspiring [NBA stars](http://www.espn.com/high-school/boys-basketball/story/%5F/id/7939736/rucker-park-legends "undefined") to develop their skills, with stars including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Kyrie Irving. In June 2016, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and other members of the U.S. Olympics men’s basketball team stopped by Rucker Park to [surprise a group of young fans](http://www.espn.com/nba/story/%5F/id/16564733/young-fans-thrilled-meet-kevin-durant-klay-thompson-other-team-usa-stars "undefined"), prior to competing in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. Over the past two summers, photographer Anthony Geathers began documenting streetball as part of an ongoing series. “I just shoot what I love and streetball happens to be one of those things,” he says. “It’s great, because you get these guys that play on a high level, but have a showmanship about them.” From 2008-2012, Geathers served in the Marines Corps and did two combat tours in Afghanistan as a machine gunner. Prior to joining the Marines, Geathers developed an interest in photography in high school, learning different film formats and darkroom techniques. After his service ended, Geathers decided that he wanted to continue his passion: “I still had photography in the back of my head, I still loved it.” In 2012, he enrolled as a student at New York City’s School of Visual Arts, which served as a platform to expand his perspective and knowledge of photography’s history. Regarding influences, Geathers’ biggest role model, particularly on his streetball series, has been [notable photographer](http://time.com/4200148/gordon-parks-photographs-black-humanity/ "undefined") and _Shaft_ director Gordon Parks. “He really got knee deep in the photograph and the subject,” Geathers reflects. “I approach it with the same kind of mindset. I don’t just shoot the game, but shoot everything else \[that’s\] around.” Whether it be [sneaker trends](http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2014/08/a-complete-guide-to-crushing-it-at-nyc-streetball "undefined"), hair styles, or how fans react, Geathers strives to capture each little moment and feeds off the energy of the players and spectators: “You get connected to the street more, more to the people, especially during the summertime.” Geathers photographs each game from a variety of spots around the court; some of his favorites include underneath the basket, or utilizing the fence around a court for framing. [Gersh Park](http://gershpark.com/ "undefined") in Brooklyn’s East New York neighborhood remains one of the photographer’s favorite courts to shoot at, because of its throwback factor to streetball’s earlier days. “As a kid, I always admired basketball, being raised in Brooklyn and being a fan of basketball culture in NYC, I just felt that I had to come back and shoot that.” Geathers often gives prints to the players to show their families, which is especially important to them if they have children. Each photo acts as a unique memory. “These guys are high-level players, but they’re also entertainers,” Geathers says. “If anything, I think they play a little better when the camera’s in their face.” [**_Anthony Geathers_**](http://anthonygeathersphoto.com/ "undefined") _is a photographer based in New York City._ **_Elijah Sinclair Walker_** _is a freelance photo editor at TIME.com_ **_Kenneth Bachor_** _is TIME’s associate photo editor, overseeing entertainment and culture._  A portrait of point guard Jerron Love on June 05, 2015\. Jerron and I spent a lot of time together, not only creating portraits of him, but also following him all summer of 2015 to photograph every game he played on the streetball courts in New York City. Anthony Geathers  Opening night on June 17, 2016.This is the time where school is out for the year, you get off work, the sun is still out and you want to come get some food and watch some exciting basketball to kick the summer off. It’s a beautiful sight to see an ocean folks from all over Brooklyn come out and enjoy some basketball. Anthony Geathers  This photo was from the high school portion of the Tournament of Champions game Nike hosted at the Barclays Center in New York City on Aug. 15, 2015\. On that hot, August Saturday, myself and the rest of Brooklyn watched the best of the best high school ballers put on a performance at the Barclays Center. Anthony Geathers  If you ever are at “ The Cage” on West 4th Street almost everyday, you will see this gentleman with the same megaphone sitting on a high chair with the audience commentating on every game, providing play by play action, and color commentary. He makes sure that each team carries themselves like professional athletes, although trash talking is allowed. Anthony Geathers  Game action in "The Cage" on West 4th Street Anthony Geathers  A team waits on the sidelines at "The Cage" at West 4th Street on Aug. 15, 2015. Anthony Geathers  A portrait of a boy and his ball at the West 4th Street Basketball League in New York City on July 25, 2015. Anthony Geathers  On-lookers at the cage on West 4th Street on June 24, 2016. Anthony Geathers  This picture was shot from outside of “The Cage” during a high school division game on July, 5, 2016\. Its always a battle going on at The Cage and what better way to contain that with a fence around the whole court to give it that colllesium feel, where the gladiators would go and do battle in front of the people. Anthony Geathers  I notice that for the black coaches that run the different teams out here in New York City. It’s more than just about coaching, it’s about mentorship, being that father figure, giving each player the confidence and mental toughness to succeed on the courts and in life. Anthony Geathers  Another key thing about streetball is making your opponent look like a fool attempting to guard you from scoring. That’s exactly what happened when I was photographing Jerron Love play in the Bronx . He toyed with his opponent, doing crossovers, behind the legs dribbling. Anthony Geathers  A player from the Men's division of the West 4th Street Basketball League in New York City on July 03, 2015. Anthony Geathers  The coaches for both high school and Pro teams in New York City are very passionate about the game and wanting the players as, mostly, black men to take this sport and succeed both on and off the court. Anthony Geathers  A playoff game at Gersh Park In East New York in Brooklyn on Aug. 12, 2015\. This is by far one of the most energetic streetball courts in New York City. Lots of trash talking, and the community admiring their favorite players. Anthony Geathers  One of the things that makes streetball exciting besides the crossovers and long range shooting is the monster layups and dunks, so when I’m shooting streetball, one of my goals it to pay homage to those moments. Anthony Geathers  A pickup game at Brower Park in Brooklyn on June 20, 2016\. The phrase “ Ball is Life” runs through the veins of any New Yorker who plays ball regularly. It’s not just a 9 to 5 hobby for us New Yorkers, it's a lifetime commitment, especially for those with hopes and dreams to make it in the sport of basketball. 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