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Basketball started in the late 1800s thanks to James Naismith. Since its inception in Massachusetts, the sport has blossomed into a multicultural, multinational phenomenon that has evolved into a unique culture.
Much like sneakers, basketball’s cultural birthplace can be traced back to New York. Basketball legends like Julius Erving, also known as Dr. J, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant, have graced the outdoor courts of New York, from the iconic Rucker Park to West 4th Street.
In a bid to further promote the sport, Nike launched its NYvsNY basketball tournament in 2017. The mission was to unify the city through competition, with participants representing their respective neighborhoods in the city’s finest parks.
The fifth and most recent edition of Nike’s NYvsNY tournament tipped off in late June, with the championship taking place on August 12 at Rucker Park for both the girls’ and boys’ teams.
To celebrate the latest tournament, Nike introduced a hybrid performance and lifestyle NYvsNY collection, featuring the Nike GT Cut 2 and the all-new Nike KD 16, paying homage to Kevin Durant’s days playing on New York’s outdoor courts during the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic on separate occasions.
Additionally, Nike’s collection included the Nike Terminator Low, a heritage hoops shoe that has been a staple in lifestyle and streetwear for the brand since early this year.
To kick off the 2023 NYvsNY tournament, Nike added more excitement to the event as Jordan Brand’s Jayson Tatum not only attended the first set of games at Tri-State but also treated fans to a small activation in celebration of the Jordan Tatum 1 “Pink Lemonade,” complete with a lemonade stand and drinks available for purchase.
As the next generation of basketball stars rises to the elite level, Nike’s NYvsNY tournament will showcase the city’s finest talent in the battle of the boroughs, heating up New York City this summer.
For the tournament schedule and more details, visit NikeNYvsNY.com. Stay up-to-date with the latest news and sneaker releases by following Nice Kicks on Instagram and checking the sneaker release date page.
