I was on a shoot in NYC a few years ago and I took my daughter, Kotobuki with me on the trip.
It was summer holidays and we have lots of friends who live in NY,
so a perfect chance for her to hang out and see them...
One of our friends sons was playing basketball here at Orchard Beach in the Bronx, New York.
Hoops in the Sun
We were invited along ... and we were both very happy to go..
This really was incredible to see.
Id had a respect for basketball over the years but didnt pay the game detail too much attention. Watching these young kids play and listening to Martin explain some of the tactics and nuances of the game really changed my attention for the sport.
I was struck by the skill, strength and speed of the young players, one of whom was around 5’5, very short for this sport but really solid build - he was a total game changer,
at one point the team were behind and when he entered the game he totally bossed it and they ended up winning... Incredible to witness.
Hoops in the Sun
Hoops in the Sun was created by Joe “Pops” Cruz, and his two sons Joe Jr., and Randy in the Summer of 2000 as an 8-team Pro-Am Men’s League for male adults age 18 years and older including current and former college standouts and professional basketball players. Twenty years later, the program has expanded to over 50 teams ranging from ages 10 years and older including elementary, high school, college and NBA players.
If you are in NY for the summer and are looking for something to do, go and check this out, plus its right on a pretty cool beach.