For diehard NBA fans, the Rucker Park Championship in New York City is a chance to see young, unfiltered talent perform in an exciting and raw way.
It’s the definition of “streetball” and games at Rucker Park have earned their spot in NBA history.
Every year, the championship hails just one winning team.
This year, Team A11Even, Kyrie Irving’s squad, secured the victory.
Ballislife posted a picture of Irving’s father, Drederick, holding the trophy.
On Twitter, Irving celebrated the win with his own congratulations: “Rucker Park Champions!”
A11even
Rucker Park Champions!
Chief Hélà
🤞🏾🪶♾ https://t.co/nu9Das3vzX— Chief Hélà 🤞🏾 (@KyrieIrving) August 29, 2023
Rucker Park was first established back in 1956 and was later renamed in 1974 after Holcombe Rucker, who was a New York City teacher and playground director with the Department of Parks and Recreation.
In 1950, Holcombe started a pro-am league that allowed young players to show their skills in front of anyone who wanted to watch a game.
The tournaments at Rucker are known to last from morning long into the night.
They are also known for their raucous atmosphere.
The players, coaches, and crowd all get into the frenzied energy for each game.
Since the 1950s, some huge NBA icons have played in Rucker Park.
Vince Carter, Kevin Durant, Julius Erving, LeBron James, Allen Iverson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are just some of the many who have performed there.
That shows just how sacred and historic the park and its legacy are.
Major names, both in the NBA and pop culture, have owned teams that have played and won in the Rucker Park tournament.
Now Irving is part of the elite club that has found the ultimate success in this special, one-of-a-kind basketball location.
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