There is a reason gyms such as 24 Hour Fitness and LA Fitness have basketball courts to offer. There is a reason parks feature basketball courts. There is a reason vacation resorts, cruise ships, and sometimes even random office buildings have basketball courts: because pickup basketball is the premier recreational activity.
Pickup basketball, and basketball in general, is one of the only sports where you can go by yourself with just a ball and be able to play. Whereas other recreational sports, such as softball or tennis, require other people, basketball does not. You could also play two on two, three on three, and so on and so forth. When you have more people than five per team, you can play games like 21 or King of the Court. You are not limited or restrained to the amount of people on a court, and worst comes to worse, you can break up the court into half and play two smaller three-on-three games, or however it is necessary to divide it up.
“I think because it’s fun cardio, you don’t even notice you’re losing calories or fat. You don’t really keep track of time when you’re playing basketball at the park,” said Kai Santiago (12).
Santiago does play sports at Ayala and was on the water polo team, but he also happens to like playing basketball. Since water polo is not in season, it is a fun way to stay in shape and be engaged, while also getting to have fun and be competitive at the same time. The average pickup game will usually take around 20 to 25 minutes and play something like first to 11 or 15. This sort of fast-paced style allows for many games to be played as well, and time passes by very quickly.
“I have friends that know what they’re doing, and they coach me through it, and everybody there just wants to play simple, fun basketball, so [it’s] just like real competition, unless you want to take it seriously,” said James Surio (12).
James also plays water polo and swims, but doesn’t play basketball, and goes for fun to hang out with his friends and learn the sport. One of the beautiful things about pickup basketball is the varying age range and skill level of people who play. You could go to a park and find teams of people that have never played before, “running” (teaming up with) people that were on their school’s varsity team all four years of high school. You might match up against some guys who just got off work, or middle schoolers, or maybe even a father-son duo. Regardless of the matchup or teammates, it is easy to have fun while playing.
“I’ve been going to the same 24 Hour Fitness for a super long time, and I know all of the people there, and I’m cool with a lot of them. I’ve made friends just by playing basketball, it’s pretty cool,” said Jayden Huerta (12).
Pickup basketball can also help bring the community together and help people to form relationships, as well as learn new things. Since the gym is open to anyone, you may run into a father who has funny stories to tell, or a collegiate athlete, practicing different moves. Or you might run into your friends from third period. Having that friendly and welcoming community where everyone wants to simply play basketball and have fun is very important.
When the only requirements to play are a ball, and the positives include forming new relationships, good cardio, and a strong sense of community, it is apparent as to why pickup basketball is the premier recreational sport.
