OFF
SEASON

In July of 2024, Forest Park graced us with 14,000 square feet of leveled blue and green asphalt, bookended with six hoops and six crispy white nets. As a documentarian and fan of the game, I made it a point to photograph the scene from the first day. The fervor that comes with pick up hoops in an outdoor setting is unmatchable. With no barrier to entry, the courts welcome players of all kinds. If there’s any prerequisite, it’s only the ability to handle trash talk as well as you can dish it.

In its first three months, games ranged from slow shootarounds to heated full-court contests. At its best, the energy was electric. The camaraderie stood out above all else. That, and one pair of broken ankles on a warm October evening that stopped gameplay for three minutes.

Late in October, the weather dipped, and the players vanished. So, I packed up. It’ll be several months, the courts will endure an onslaught of winter weather, but eventually, everyone should come right back. The shooters, the ball handlers, the bona fide athletes, the father-son duos, the old heads, the twins, the trash talk, the I-had-next, the hand clasps, the high-fives, and the guy with the camera.