The West 4th Street Courts are iconic in Manhattan and part of the NYC basketball culture. From organized leagues to impromptu pick up games there is some pretty good talent on this blacktop. Once in a while you might find a current or former NBA player dropping in to shoot some hoop here. As I was on my way to the West 4th Street subway station which is right next to it I hung out for a bit to watch two teams play and they were very competitive. Some fun trash talking banter going on too. That's real NYC basketball. read more

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Wanted to see what was going on with pickup but there was a game with what looked like middle school kids. There were a lot of spectators as well as the kids parents and there is not a lot of space and no bleachers like at Rucker so it was pretty crowded. Maybe next pass by I'll see what's going on. read more

West 4th Street Courts - June 2024 - Basketball Courts Near Me - New York, New York

The West Fourth Street Courts, also known as "The Cage", are public athletic courts for amateur basketball in Greenwich Village. The Cage has become one of the most important tournament sites for the citywide "Streetball" amateur basketball tournament, and is noted for its non-regulation size. The courts are located above the Subway's West Fourth Street-Washington Square station (A , B , C , D , E , F, and M trains). Numerous national commercials have been shot at The Cage. Former NBA players Anthony Mason and Smush Parker are some of the nationally recognized players to learn their tough style of play from The Cage. In my opinion this is a landmark that any sports lover should visit when you are in the neighborhood! read more

Its legit.... pickup games featuring regulars and people plucky enough to go at it. There are handball courts as well that feature the same competitive spirit. The time I went there and it was like a movie at that point, a bunch of Asians with a film crew playing against some neighborhood regulars. Poor Asians were manhandled as they werent used to aggressive post ups and lack of no calls. Expect alot of arguing though that messes with the flow of the game. Otherwise, it's a dope experience and gives you a taste of NYC summers on the block. If you really feel game make sure and get in with who's got next because you can be waiting for days. Tip: There's a 7/11 nearby; grab ya a big gulp and keep the cup for multiple cheap refills because it gets hot out here as they recreate White Men Cant Jump. read more

West 4th Street Courts - Hoops - Basketball Courts Near Me - New York, New York

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This basketball courts is always hustling bustling active with basketball players during the daytime in the spring/summer months. I have never seen these courts empty as it is always in usage either high school age all the way to 40s age occupied by men. The game is always in high competition with good players who have good defense and strategic game plans. It always generate a good spectator crowd as one waits for a friend at West 4th Street's A, C, E, F train station. Occasionally TV filming is shot on these courts during my passage of travels. Crew from the film studios or production studios will eject passage-by who stand at the sidewalk to watch. Former NBA players played in these courts. A signage inscribes: "Musical instruments may not be played in the park or adjacent sidewalks between 10PM and 8AM without a permit. Please respect others." read more

West 4th Street Courts - Basketball Courts Near Me - New York, New York

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Whenever I come out of the subway station here. It's always fun to see what the local ballers are doing. It's always lively and you can see some moves, better than you'll see at your high school's varsity game. read more

West 4th Street Courts - Basketball Courts Near Me - New York, New York

Back in my baller days, this was where I would come every weekend. Yeah, I actually had game. And I was never the last one picked either, just so you know. Seeing me now, you think "water boy". But back then, I was the Filipino version of Mugsy Bogues, though in my mind I was the Filipino John Starks. Nowadays, I'm lucky to just get close to the fence to watch a game. Watching semi-pro athletes running up and down the court playing the game I love so much, I can literally stay there for hours. This is THE place to catch a great pick-up game without having to go up to Rucker Park. And if you're not interested in basketball, there's even a section where people play handball. We're not talking the handball we played as kids, either. We're talking semi-professionals who curve the ball, serve it at 1000 MPH from between their legs. These cats are off the hook. read more

West 4th Street Courts - Basketball Courts Near Me - New York, New York

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This is of course one of the most famous basketball courts in NY. I have passed by here many a time but only got to play here twice. Once was about 6 years ago with some old friends balling at 9AM on a saturday morning. The other was playing on the opposite team of former L.A. Laker Smush Parker. his team destroyed mine but it is still pretty cool to see an NBA player do his thing on the court. I probably only got off about 3 shots at the basket myself (hitting only one). We got destroyed. The games here are usually very physical, make sure your health insurance is up to date. If you are not playing just enjoy the games and the Tournaments that are being run around this time of the year. -Definitely an alternative place to go besides Rucker Park, all the way in Uptown Harlem USA. i ALSO heard that the crowd was so crazy a few years back when Tracy McGrady and Chris Webber came here to film a mountain dew Code Red commercial. I had kind of heard it was coming up but was just not in the area that day. So, check it out, pass by here when you are in the West 4th area. read more

This place is a dump. Fame has taken its toll. And it carries a very unnatural odor. Must be sanitized with extra strength bleach.

Waiting for a friend on West 4th? Catch a game! It's amazing the antics that you will catch out here during the summer. Former pro basketball players, musicians, locals...all coming out to flex and show their worth on the courts. Whether you like basketball or not, some of these guys really put on a show. If you have not spent at least 20 minutes people watching and sidewalk gawking near these courts, then you are seriously missing out. Lots of tournaments are hosted here and they often have events with region DJ's etc...You never know who you will run into while down here. They've also got handball courts. Everyone seems like an equal on these courts...That's what I like. It's a real slice of NYC. read more

A gem of NY. The summer basketball league that takes place here is a true phenomenon that draws hoards of devoted followers who lend their rowdy support. read more

West 4th Street Courts - RAISED exhibit, Feb 2015 - Basketball Courts Near Me - New York, New York

This is the famous West fourth street courts always good for seeing some really ballin! The actual court is sponsored by Nike which is pretty cool. I never catch the train @west 4th without checking out a game. The other day a bunch of high school teams were playing and I think it's an awesome after school program they have going on, plus, these kids could play! Definitely check it out but if you bring kids just know there is a fair amount of shit talking..... Just FYI. read more

West 4th Street Courts - Ballin! - Basketball Courts Near Me - New York, New York

Played PG at St Aedan's Grammar School Played PG at St Peter's Preparatory High School Played PG for my Fraternity at Rutgers during Greek Intramurals Every time I balled on these W4th courts, I got dunked-on...by 5'7" dreadlock-sportin-Rastas...like 2-handed throwdowns...on my grill Whatever...I got next, muthfuckas read more

History in the making! There's a lot of history at this park. Amateur tournament is held from June till about early September. -------- A lof of NBA stars come to the court from time to time. Baron Davis was here 2 years ago.... Anthony Mason (formerly of the Knicks) was on a dynasty team over a decade ago........won about 5 titles. A lot of CBA stars like John Strickland n Kareem Reid can be seen causing havoc on the courts..... One of the greatest playground legends that I got a chance to see play here was ex NBA player, Lloyd "Sweet Pea" Daniels. The guy was 6'7 and handled the rock like Jason Kidd...Silky Smooth on the court. ---------- From time to time, The cougars will pass by on the outside to try and get a young baller ogling. or The young ladies swinging by with the super mini skirt with the hopes of making one of these CBA ballers holler... or That cutie with jungle fever pretending to just be passing by.. or The voluptuous woman who forgot to put on a top and has circled the courts for the 19th time in 40 minutes. ---------------- The only main negative with this court: I would like to see it made into a dome, so rain-outs don't become a factor. Also, the president of the league needs to be more innovative with the running of his league, so people can actually keep track (stats, schedule etc)..... read more

A.k.a The "Cages" West 4th St Courts are a classic, iconic New York destination in the heart of Greenwich Village. Some of the best NY street basketball talent in the city play some seriously competitive street ball there. Grab a coffee, falafel, frozen yogurt or whatever from the hundreds of great eats places nearby and chill out watching a game. The other cage hosts some of the best NY handball and paddle ball games in the city. Lots of attitude going on in a city that is not lacking in that department to begin with. The streets of NY on display at their best! read more

West 4th Street Courts - Serious NY street ball. - Basketball Courts Near Me - New York, New York

According to some, this place has lost its edge when it comes to streetball, but if you want one of the best examples in the city, definitely check this place out, its right outside the ACE BDFV stop at West 4th. Just hang on the fence and watch the games. Its pretty small and almost always crowded (must be a lot of people with nightjobs). This is the courts where official streetball tourneys are held, men and women, and its enormous. Countless number of teams, all with uniforms, come to compete (there's refs, time limits, etc.) Its really great to watch, especially when I was bored working at the bar you just sit and enjoy. Another great thing about this court, and actually more interesting than the bball, is the handball/suicide/wallball whatever you may call it. We called a similar version of it suicide upstate, but you use a tennis ball or raquet ball or whatever and smack the ball against the wall and you have to keep up the pace with the other player using bounce numbers as a reference. Its a tough hand-eye game, and its fun to watch for a little bit before being on your way. read more

There always seems to be an entertaining game going on here. Oh, except for yesterday. It was a 4-on-4 and it seemed like it was the 4 tall, over-16 guys versus the under-13 squad of a local school. It didn't help that 3 of the u13 players couldn't hit a shot. Did I mention there was practically no defense? None of this would've bothered me save for the fact that the older kids were talking smack. You're playing little kids!!! It was like that old Sportscenter commercial with the anchors posting up 8 year olds. If anyone is a half-decent point point guard, you could make a name for yourself here by making everyone else look better than they actually are. read more

Sadly the talent (well, lack thereof) more often than not seems to keep people moving rather than staying to watch hoops in The Cage, but when there is a good game going on, don't keep it moving and find a spot along a fence. Sadly you can't see much of the game in the greened walkthru on the corner, but snag a space wherever you can and soak it in. http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20151012/greenwich-village/west-4th-street-basketball-courts-getting-facelift-knicks-ribbon-cutting read more

The 4th street courts are famous for their history. A lot of things are famous because they are in NY because there are courts like this everywhere. http://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php?title=West_4th_Street_Courts I just want to share one memory I have of the Cage as we call it in NY. I ran into an old friend back in 1982. We were waking around the Village. We saw someone get shot in the head at the 4th street Courts, the cage. My first instinct was to run. She said girl that's cool let's stay and watch, I tried to convince her to leave she wouldn't listen then more shots were fired and she finally left with me. She has always been like that. Back in 1982 there was a lot of crime in NYC. It was mostly random crime. I do not remember any gangs back then maybe there were but not like now. NYC has been the safest large city in America for several decades. However violent crime is on the rise but it is not getting reported. Crime has gotten worse under Bloomberg but statistics are covered up says NYPD. http://thechiefleader.com/news/open_articles/survey-retired-cops-say-nypd-crime-stats-fudged/article_6bcbd6bc-cc58-11e1-9840-001a4bcf6878.html The area used to be much more exciting, no chain stores or restaurants, lots of street performers and hardly any crime just random like the shooting. It is just a teenage memory I have. I am still in touch with that friend and her life has gone as predicted. She still doesn't know when to stay out of trouble. Friends are God's way of apologizing for your family." Wayne W. Dyer read more

Hung out here for awhile on my way to Washington Square to meet a friend (and proceed to Babbo). Saw some amazingly talented middle school kids playing. There were a couple of girls that looked like they could go on to have careers in basketball. read more

Bunch of f'n primadonnas calling foul on every shot they miss, talking ridiculous sh*t, and getting hostile at every chance. Quality of ball is good but worth the dudes elbowing you in the face, hacking your arms every play then calling fouls on blatantly clean blocks and steals? Nah, chelsea park isnt as good players but wayy less drama. Ill take no drama any day over this bitch and moan festival. read more

I was at West 4th street, near the a playground of sorts where young urban athletes thrust an orange ball in the air until it landed in a circle. It was 8:30pm, and I was drawn back. Back to the mid 80's before I met my beloved. I used to frequent this area, and solicit naughty bitches for some frunching action. There was this one in particular, and I knew her as The Pigeon. She was vessel in which I could lay my love pipe for a few hours. Oh so satisfying! I called her The Pigeon because she bred the filthy creatures in her apartment on Christopher Street. The bastards were flying everywhere...laying eggs in bookcases, crapping on love seats. It was a breeding ground for disease and filth. And I loved it. Sometimes, The Pigeon would ask me to rub maple syrup on my arms and roll them around in a bucket of pigeon feathers. She would coo. I'd flap my arms. Thankfully, she was on the pill, because we'd definitely have made an egg..or two...or three that night. Anyway, I contemplated heading over to this Elite soiree, but I decided against it. I am misunderstood in ways that the Yelpsters will likely never comprehend. I headed home, to fill my lonely bed with naked flesh, and melancholy thoughts of a bird I once knew all too well. read more