Kenny Grahams West 4th Street Basketball Pro-Classic
And Then There was Streetball…
In 1977 Kenny Graham embarked on a journey, one that he never imagined would catapult not only himself but a community of basketball followers into a realm of “streetball” heaven. Kenny Graham is the founder of the West 4th Street Basketball Pro Classic Tournament. He has spent over thirty years nurturing and building this legendary outdoor institution; West 4th Street has become the trendsetter of “streetballers” basketball tradition in New York City.
Kenny Graham is an entrepreneur who volunteered and vowed to carry the torch for New York City’s most popular basketball court. His tournament is the only tournament which runs seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekend. Over the years it has grown to encompass four divisions with over 70 teams. The infamous West 4th street is actually located on the corner of West 3rd and 6th Avenue, and a second court is located at the corner of Houston Street and 6th Avenue.
The most popular outdoor basketball court in New York City is half the regulation size and has sidelines bounded by a chain-link fence twenty feet high. Those who play here are literally encaged. This fact spawned the nickname; “The Cage.” The condition of the court is cramped and therefore ball control is difficult to master and passing lanes are limited, these factors produce a game of ferocious strength, speed, and competitiveness. The discipline and control of this style amazes outsiders and accounts for the league's popularity.
Yet this ridiculously inadequate court, on West 4th Street in the heart and heat of Greenwich Village draws crowds of tourist, actors, NBA players and anyone who has a love for the game of basketball. The summer league based here is the most prestigious in the city. Each year, the spectators; actors, celebrities, politicians, city-dwellers and tourists--stand in blistering heat just to glimpse their favorite players and snap up league T-shirts. It has been estimated that the league attracts more than 100,000 spectators each summer. Kenny Graham’s service to the community is legendary. His tournaments assist with providing patronage for the local businesses in the community. Kenny also ensures the community and players that the West 4th Street Basketball Pro Classic is a peaceful and fun-loving tournament where people can bring their children and families.
The Houston Street court holds many of the Women’s Division games. The Women’s Division is the premier summer league for women in the New York Metropolitan area and can easily be named the most competitive women’s tournament in the country. The women’s league has been running for 21of the 30 years. Within the 20 teams are former WNBA players, active professional players from overseas, college players and local players from the Metropolitan area. The league is extremely competitive and provides an excellent forum for players to showcase their talents to college, WNBA, or foreign professional scouts. 2006 first round draft pick Cappie Pointdextor of the Phoenix Mercury won the MVP honors for the tournament in 2005. Epihanny Prince and Kia Vaughn from the Rutgers Women’s Basketball Team honed their skills in the Women’s League before making it to the Final Four.
West 4th Street was recently named the number-one playground court in America. The tournament has been featured in video games, movies, Sports Illustrated,
The Best Damn Sports Show Period, ESPN, MTV, MSG, The New York Daily News, The New York Times, The New York Post, Dime Magazine, Bounce Magazine and countless other media forums. NBA players Mario Ely, Anthony Mason, Rod Strickland, Jason Williams, Stephan Marbury, and Smush Parker all defined their games at West 4th Street. “The Cage” has established worldwide recognition and continues to be one of the most popular “streetballers” basketball courts in the world.
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